Tire Pressure and Swaying

[Motogordo]

I am trying to figure out that the slight swaying from side to side on the highways can be helped by either adding air or lessening the air. I have over 1,000 miles on my 2011 RTS/SE5, but I haven't done a lot of playing with the air pressure. It is set at 20 front & 28 rear, which has been suggested by the mechanic and many Spyder riders. Is softer or harder better to help stop the swaying ? Interesting how BRP in their pull-out card says 15/28 .

Gordon (Motogordo)

 

[BamaSpyder]

The best setting for me is 20psi front and 28psi rear with the front shock setting at 5.

 

[Motogordo]

The best setting for me is 20psi front and 28psi rear with the front shock setting at 5.

Thank you for the feedback. That is what I use,but my rear suspension is set to 3. I have tried all the settings and didn't notice a big change. What should I look for in changes. The front shocks are set at 3. What will make the ride the smoothest ?

 

[Y Rider]

I have a 2011 RT LTD and ended up putting on Elka front shocks. This completely got rid of the rocking problems. The best I was able to get it with the stock setup was with 20#s of air in the front tires and the shocks set to position 5. But this was still not as good as the Elka shocks.

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm running 18/30 and have the front preload at 4 and it's rock steady... :thumbup:
But... I'm gonna drop the rear tire to 28 because my wear patterns are only in the center of the tire...:gaah:
Oh... rding 2-up I try to keep the rear suspension at around 64psi too!

 

[MouthPiece]

I have a 2011 RT LTD and ended up putting on Elka front shocks. This completely got rid of the rocking problems. The best I was able to get it with the stock setup was with 20#s of air in the front tires and the shocks set to position 5. But this was still not as good as the Elka shocks.

Agreed

 

[stevedfive]

:agree: with BamaSpyder

 

[Tonga]

Steady ride

I have put Elkas on to achieve a stabil ride but if comfort or a soft ride is what you are looking for you will just have to get use to the swaying. My RT is firm and I prefer that to sway. I like the sporty feel and my Spyder does not lean. Adjustment is there with the Elkas and if you get the 3 way setup you can get something just in-between firm and soft but that is not possible with stock shocks and that is the same with 2011 shocks. Two up riding aggravates the swaying as I have a friend with a 2011 and he said it does sway for him. Lots just get use to it because of the cost. Good luck.

 

[NancysToy]

You are not really going to be able to combine the softest ride with a lack of sway. If you lower the spring pre-load, you will soften the ride but have more body roll and wind influence. If you stiffen the front springs, you will get less sway but a harsher (not objectionable) ride. It is your choice.

BTW, you may get a little less roll with higher tire pressures, but that will also result in a harsher ride. Higher pressure seem to make the RT a little "nervous" in the handling department to me, too. I run 18/28 on the RT and 20/30 on the RS.

 

[Bob Denman]

You just have to think of the tires as springs also... which is exactly what they are as part of the suspension system... :shemademe_smilie::lecturef_smilie:
That's why the NASCAR guys fool with their pressures down to like a quarter-pound of pressure...

 

[Marker]

When I took delivery of our 2010 RT S SE5 the machanic said that he found 25psi in the front and 30psi in the rear worked the best as he has experimented with different tire pressures, I have my front springs on #3 . I like the ride and not much body roll but I don't ride too hard as I am a new rider.

 

[Bob Denman]

Too much pressure up front can make things dicey too...
The tires are too hard to soak up any impacts
This cause feedback to the bars
This can cause unwanted rider inputs
...dartiness!
Maybe try loosening your grip on the bars and dropping back a couple of PSI... :dontknow: