• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

Tire rotation quote

From my info ive found most dealers lack the balancer machine & have to out source that part of work sux , but done right. Fyi i got 15miles on rear 16,1on one front b4random flat. Other side good going to change @20k just for safety. Agree with Air pressure ck. Laser alignment good idea after u know its not tires. & getting new tires @same time wouldn't hurt new & true. Way i do my '68 truck. Fyi.


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cptjam said:
Come see us at Spyderfest. We will laser align your Spyder, and reset your BUDS! Then get new tires, and enjoy! Joe
Click to expand...
I'm not trying to be picky. I need to decide how best to spend my limited Spyder money, so I have some questions about laser alignment.

1. How durable is an alignment? If I have you guys align it, then hit a couple of potholes or ride several miles on a really rough road, is it likely to knock it out of alignment?
2. Related question: Typically, how often should a Spyder be aligned?
3. What's wrong with regular (non-laser) alignment?
4. Assuming my dealer did a good job with pre-delivery set-up, is laser alignment so much better that I will feel a difference in handling and in tire wear?
5. Do you sometimes start to align a dealer-aligned Spyder and find that it doesn't need to be changed?
6. What are BUDS?

I hope my asking so many questions isn't a hassle, but I can't help it. That's just what professors do. :rolleyes:

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Short answer: the alignment will last until YOU bugger it up! :shocked:
If your roads are free of potholes; it could last for years... ;)
If you live in the Northeast: :gaah:
The laser alignment is WAY more precise than anything that the dealer can do by measuring distances to fixed points...
He won't check the alignment as part of the PDI... unless his shop is an amazing one!
As far as the bike being perfectly aligned right out of the box? Anything is possible, and even a blind hog will find an acorn once in a while...
BUDS is the diagnostic system that is used most often by dealers to connect directly with your bike's computers, for diagnostic purposes. It will also be used to re-set various sensor parameters, and pull up error codes, and engine performance data.
 
Professor said:
I'm not trying to be picky. I need to decide how best to spend my limited Spyder money, so I have some questions about laser alignment.

1. How durable is an alignment? If I have you guys align it, then hit a couple of potholes or ride several miles on a really rough road, is it likely to knock it out of alignment?
Click to expand...
I don't think I have ever run across anyone who has gone out of alignment just because of a rough road. Now if you hit something hard enough to bend something all bets are off.
2. Related question: Typically, how often should a Spyder be aligned?
Click to expand...
ROLO laser alignment aligns the front wheels to the rear wheel, if you do something to change that geometry then it would be time to at least have it checked. Once you are used to riding a properly aligned Spyder you can usually tell if it starts pulling to one side or the other.
3. What's wrong with regular (non-laser) alignment?
Click to expand...
The ROLO alignment is designed to align your Spyder to the same precision that you would normally find on race cars. A system that aligns to the frame is never going to get you that type of control. There are many threads on laser alignment here. I can't think of anyone that reported not being satisfied with the results of having their Spyder aligned. And the number of folks who had their factory aligned Spyders checked and no laser alignment needed is very small.[/QUOTE]
4. Assuming my dealer did a good job with pre-delivery set-up, is laser alignment so much better that I will feel a difference in handling and in tire wear?
Click to expand...
With ROLO alignment you can see on the laser targets exactly how bad off the alignment is. Some are worse than others, the more off the alignment is the more your tires will wear. And you should be able to tell the difference in handling.
6. What are BUDS?
Click to expand...
In the computer systems for the Spyder there is a setting that lets the Spyder know what "straight" is. If your alignment is changed, then the value stored in the computer is no longer valid. Part of the alignment process is to hook your Spyder up to the computer diagnostic system (BUDS) and reset that sensor so that it knows what the new "straight" is.
 
cptjam said:
Come see us at Spyderfest. We will laser align your Spyder, and reset your BUDS! Then get new tires, and enjoy! Joe
Click to expand...
I have a few things I want spend some money on and I want to prioritize these things. I'm very new to Spyders as you can tell from my join date and posts. Can you please tell me the cost of the laser alignment at the show.
 
Bob Denman said:
Short answer: the alignment will last until YOU bugger it up! :shocked:
If your roads are free of potholes; it could last for years... ;)
If you live in the Northeast: :gaah:
The laser alignment is WAY more precise than anything that the dealer can do by measuring distances to fixed points...
He won't check the alignment as part of the PDI... unless his shop is an amazing one!
As far as the bike being perfectly aligned right out of the box? Anything is possible, and even a blind hog will find an acorn once in a while...
BUDS is the diagnostic system that is used most often by dealers to connect directly with your bike's computers, for diagnostic purposes. It will also be used to re-set various sensor parameters, and pull up error codes, and engine performance data.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much! In one quick response, I learned a bunch. I appreciated it.
 
As far as I know, nobody does this in the Dallas area, so I'll try to get it done at Spyderfest. Is it first-come, first-served or are appointments being taken? From what I think I know so far, there are two that may be available in Springfield - Squared Away and LeMonster. Am I correct?

Sheesh, you guys answer and I come up with more questions. But this is the best place I know to get great answers. :bowdown:
 
Thanks Bob. It turns out that my dealer - where I bought my RT - does it. They sure hide it well. No one there has ever said a word about it. When I had them install the anti-sway bar would have been a perfect time to have mentioned it. I'll call Tuesday and see if they can get it done before we head for Spyderfest.

Thanks everyone for your help!!
 
Hi Professor,

Re: They sure hide it well. No one there has ever said a word about it.

Personal opinion only: This would scare me away.

You mention going to SpyderFest. I recommend that you get it taken care of there.

Again, just an opinion,

Jerry Baumchen

PS) The cost is usually about $110 - $125; maybe slightly more at some places but those are good ballpark numbers.
 
Hey Jerry,

I was thinking the same thing. Just because the dealership does it doesn't mean they do it well. Watching LaMonster's video shows me that even with the precision of the system, experience is still a critical ingredient. So I want someone who has done a lot of them. So I'll get it done at Spyderfest. Now I have to find out whether or not I need to make an appointment in advance. I'm hoping one or more of the providers are following this thread.

Jim
 
Professor said:
I'm not trying to be picky. I need to decide how best to spend my limited Spyder money, so I have some questions about laser alignment.

1. How durable is an alignment? If I have you guys align it, then hit a couple of potholes or ride several miles on a really rough road, is it likely to knock it out of alignment?
2. Related question: Typically, how often should a Spyder be aligned?
3. What's wrong with regular (non-laser) alignment?
4. Assuming my dealer did a good job with pre-delivery set-up, is laser alignment so much better that I will feel a difference in handling and in tire wear?
5. Do you sometimes start to align a dealer-aligned Spyder and find that it doesn't need to be changed?
6. What are BUDS?

I hope my asking so many questions isn't a hassle, but I can't help it. That's just what professors do. :rolleyes:

Thanks.
Click to expand...


Do you or have you ever gotten your car alignment done? If you hit a major, major pot hole sometimes it might or might not need another alignment.

Yes you should be able to tell a difference when you start riding it after your alignment. Adding a real sway bar helps out as well.

If you spend that much for a bike, why would you not want to spend $125 to make sure your bike is properly aligned? :dontknow:
 
You can only 'rotate' the front wheels. Most tire shops have no trouble mounting or balancing the front wheels. At least Discount and NTW do not and the Hunter spin balance machines and no touch tire mounting machine are pretty common these days.

On the other hand, if the tires are worn on one edge, it would be money better spent getting the alignment fixed and just replacing the tires. Rotation will just move problems around.
 
Oh, no! It just turned noon, and I've already learned stuff!
Thank you so much for all the informational responses, AND thanks to the O.P. for bringing it up.
~Sandee~ ;)
 
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