UPGRADED SHOCK FOLLOW UP REPORT

[buck1234]

Hi All:

Well, its been a fun few days with the new 2011 RT shocks on my 2009 SM5. The shocks have actually settled down, to my surprise. It seems once you pound around for a while they aren't quite as stiff.

That is to say that their natural dampening movements are smoother and not as stiff as when first mounted. They still are far superior in every way to the OEM shock assemblies. Not installing them would have been a sin.

We are blessed with a miriad of winding, curving, twistie roads here in the San Francisco Bay Area so the test runs have been sublime and severe.

So in conclusion, taking steps to improve handling is good.

1. Crank up adjuster to #5 setting on front OEM shocks

2. Install Evo Sway Bar with OEM shocks on #5

3. Buy and install 2011 RT Shocks

How a rider arrives at their comfort level on their Spyder is up to them.

Non Oem shocks in the after market are an excellent source of quality replacements. But for my money (and the saving of it) BRPs 2011 RT front shocks are the """"""""""""BOMB"""""""""""

For those who are handy look up on Google "How to compress motorcycle springs." The different Threads have a bunch of good ideas.

Well It's just about 7 am here on the West Coast. Normal overcast from the ocean, that will burn off around 10 am. Tanks full, oils up, tires round, windshield clean.

To all, safe happy riding -

Buck1234 :2thumbs: :yes:

 

[docdoru]

Thanks for the info, ryde safe! :thumbup:

 

[DynamoBT]

What setting on the new RT shocks on your RS?

I'm in the middle of the same steps you have taken. I will have the sway bar on when my Spyder gets done at the dealer. I will ryde with it this way for a while. Next servicing, it may be "here we come RT shocks!" .

 

[bone crusher]

I put the RT shocks on level 4...will get the sway bar eventually...right now, the RT shocks have made enough of a positive change...gotta get a new shield first!

 

[IWN2RYD]

:agree: And thanks for the drivers report on the 2011 RT setup... We went the 2010 route.

Setting #4 seems to be what we need. It does so well for us we decided we no longer needed to get the sway bar. :dontknow:

I know it is hard to grasp on the internet the difference between reality and hype. But I offer this thought.

BRP flat out missed the mark with the front shocks on the RS. Without any fraction of a doubt, if I had the golden ear to speak to @ BRP it would be to put the 2010 RT shock/spring kit on the RS.

For example. Our RS now handles like one would expect it to. The VSS kicks in far more accurately, the ryde quality is superior in every way, and by golly the stability in the corners is close to a sport type car.

NOW this baby is fun to drive... :thumbup:hyea:

 

[bone crusher]

:agree: And thanks for the drivers report on the 2011 RT setup... We went the 2010 route.

Setting #4 seems to be what we need. It does so well for us we decided we no longer needed to get the sway bar. :dontknow:

I know it is hard to grasp on the internet the difference between reality and hype. But I offer this thought.

BRP flat out missed the mark with the front shocks on the RS. Without any fraction of a doubt, if I had the golden ear to speak to @ BRP it would be to put the 2010 RT shock/spring kit on the RS.

For example. Our RS now handles like one would expect it to. The VSS kicks in far more accurately, the ryde quality is superior in every way, and by golly the stability in the corners is close to a sport type car.

NOW this baby is fun to drive... :thumbup:hyea:

Nah...the RS shocks are fine...if you are going to be riding it hard, then maybe not...however, for most people who are happy cruising around, the stock shocks will work. Most here on the board are more demanding, hence the constant 'need' to keep modifying their bikes. I got the RT shocks because I hit turns pretty hard....the RS shocks would bounce a little and I didn't feel too comfortable with that...so, I switched and am very happy that I did...

Just remember thought that most folk aren't going to be riding too aggressively...

 

[chris56]

my friend got the new BMW K1600 for a testweekend - he followed my RT and said the different to our last years rydes is incredible...
I´m much faster in the curves now - and are able to steer much more "exact" ..really a must-have for each spyder (price = OK):2thumbs:

 

[IWN2RYD]

Nah...the RS shocks are fine...if you are going to be riding it hard, then maybe not...however, for most people who are happy cruising around, the stock shocks will work. Most here on the board are more demanding, hence the constant 'need' to keep modifying their bikes. I got the RT shocks because I hit turns pretty hard....the RS shocks would bounce a little and I didn't feel too comfortable with that...so, I switched and am very happy that I did...

Just remember thought that most folk aren't going to be riding too aggressively...

Good points. You can have your opinion as much as I can. I will add that two RS owners have ryden ours and have or will do this same mod. One couple is in thee 70's the other late 50's.

It is not about ryding it aggressively as you suggest. It is about having a better experience with the Spyder in every situation. The stiffer shocks can be adjusted to a butter smooth ryde but still keep the Nanny from kicking in at point we are not in any danger at all.

In our neck of the woods you cannot go from any part of town to another without hills and a lot of turns. So for those with less turns and hills the chances of them experiencing what many do here is less making the % far less.

To be clear. It is about a pleasurable ryde. Not speed racer stuff. 95% of my time on the Spyder is at or under the speed limits. We have no choice. Traffic dictates this.

Of course not everyone rydes the same. We get that for sure. But I think BRP missed the mark. And it seems others feel the balance and stability improve to a great enough level to spend the $$ and get them on their bikes.

I am certainly in no way suggesting there is a defect or some issue with the RS shocks/springs. I am suggesting that with the 2010 RT springs/Shocks on the RS that the driveability is superior and we now have far more adjustability than we did before. And to me that is of greater value to a wider audience.

Either way. For those looking to improve on it. The mod can be done and I am very happy you and others tried it as you found the need to improve on the factory set. :thumbup: Otherwise I probably would have gotten some Elka's and cried a little on the expense. :roflblack:

 

[Raptor]

Of course not everyone rydes the same. We get that for sure. But I think BRP missed the mark. And it seems others feel the balance and stability improve to a great enough level to spend the $$ and get them on their bikes.

I am certainly in no way suggesting there is a defect or some issue with the RS shocks/springs. I am suggesting that with the 2010 RT springs/Shocks on the RS that the driveability is superior and we now have far more adjustability than we did before. And to me that is of greater value to a wider audience.

There is little room for debate on whether or not the stock RS shock is an inferior piece; it is. It is not defective, it's just an inferior piece for the application. The RT shock/spring is fully adjustable to meet desired ride parameters and still provide good performance. IMHO all BRP needs to do is simply switch to the 2010 RT shock/spring as stock components for the RS. Nothing more, nothing less. It makes no sense to spend that kind of money on a new machine and right out of the gate have to spend 500 more on suspension components. They have to know this now! :dontknow:

 

[NancysToy]

There is little room for debate on whether or not the stock RS shock is an inferior piece; it is. It is not defective, it's just an inferior piece for the application. The RT shock/spring is fully adjustable to meet desired ride parameters and still provide good performance. IMHO all BRP needs to do is simply switch to the 2010 RT shock/spring as stock components for the RS. Nothing more, nothing less. It makes no sense to spend that kind of money on a new machine and right out of the gate have to spend 500 more on suspension components. They have to know this now! :dontknow:

:hun: The RT shock is no more adjustable than the RS shock. Both have five spring adjustment positions and fixed damping. What you get with the RT shock is a higher spring rate and stiffer compression damping. If you want fully adustable, you need to buy some Elkas or equivalent aftermarket shocks.

 

[Raptor]

Yes, you are correct Scotty. That was not the best way to put it on my part. Perhaps "accetpable range of adjustment" would have been better. At least with the RT setup under the RS you have a workable foundation to start with. If more performance is desired the aftermaket approach can then be taken. :thumbup:

 

[IWN2RYD]

:agree:

Actually I think that is my fault. I started saying it that way. I do not remember reading any member(s) so far running their stock RS settings on #2 or #3. But many on #4 or #5.

So what I am saying is it seems with the RS shocks there is really only two options. Rough riding or sloppy. Seems to have no center or happy medium. Granted I do realize the RS was potentially designed more as a one up bike and the RT was for two up (IMHO). And this may be the direct result of the shock/spring set as they are today.

With the RT set on the RS I can run the #1 for butter smooth but horrible big bump ryde, all the way up to the needs of a two up ryde. However with the RS set Even cranked to #5 the ryde is very stiff and Nanna kicks in more often than I like.

Now with the RT set I can run #3 for one up or #4 for two up with gear and the ryde is quite lovely and corners in more of a desired way. Instead of rolling out of the corner (Gravity AKA Center of Gravity), the RT shocks allow for us to have a nice smooth ryde with a better balance or control of the weight with a "Planted" feel as we go through corners.

Sorry to have started a debate. My intent was to be a value add to the conversation. pps:pps:pps:

 

[Raptor]

Not at all. Your posts definitely add value. This is a very good conversation. Scotty made a valid observation based on excellent technical knowledge. This is the kind of thought exchange that I find very satisfying on this site.

 

[NancysToy]

I do not remember reading any member(s) so far running their stock RS settings on #2 or #3. But many on #4 or #5.

Nancy runs her RS on #3 with stock shocks...she has since the beginning. No 2-up riding for that one. I don't mind it that way, but I would like to see slightly more damping, and enough spring to keep the tires on the ground. I have not yet tried the RT shocks set at #2 or so, which may suit us both. The standard RS shock is certainly not a performance part...very few stock motorcycle shocks are, but it is adequate for most casual riders who ride solo, IMO.

 

[Sny]

So if the increased compression dampening from the RT shocks yields better roll characteristics going into a corner...

Wouldn't a stiffer sway bar be a better choice for this?

By dynamically increasing pre-load during weight transfer (i.e. cornering) it has a similar effect as compression dampening with regards to cornering but little to no impact on dampening when there is no weight transfer (i.e. when going straight.) This way you get your improved turnin without adding harshness to your ride.

Now, it also doesn't do anything for rebound... which I think is what the Spyder needs to improve the sloppy exits.

Feel free to correct me... but my real question is:

If you had to pick one, RT shocks or ESI sway bar, Which one would make the biggest overall handling improvement while not making the ride impossibly harsh?

 

[Littlebadwolf]

My answer...both...one compliments the other...:yes:

 

[IWN2RYD]

So if the increased compression dampening from the RT shocks yields better roll characteristics going into a corner...

Wouldn't a stiffer sway bar be a better choice for this?

By dynamically increasing pre-load during weight transfer (i.e. cornering) it has a similar effect as compression dampening with regards to cornering but little to no impact on dampening when there is no weight transfer (i.e. when going straight.) This way you get your improved turnin without adding harshness to your ride.

Now, it also doesn't do anything for rebound... which I think is what the Spyder needs to improve the sloppy exits.

Feel free to correct me... but my real question is:

If you had to pick one, RT shocks or ESI sway bar, Which one would make the biggest overall handling improvement while not making the ride impossibly harsh?

I think this one is personal preference. My $.02 says shocks and springs first. We originally had in mind the Sway Bar as well. But after installing the RT set we decided we no longer needed to do that.

I have replaced a LOT of suspensions in the past, and agree with littlebadwolf. It is better to do them both for the best results. However for us, it was more about being able to relax and not have the suspension bang us apart or have to hold on at every corner.

Now before I get someone with an opinion on that last sentence of mine. Please remember my wife is partially disabled and needs all the help she can get to just sit and relax on our bikes. She does not have the ability to hold on for very long. Yes I like to have a spirited ryde from time to time. But my focus has been and always will be on giving my wife the best ryde possible for her to enjoy, instead of just deal with it as she likes to support me. I do not want her to suffer anymore than she already has.

As far as the question about the suspension being a more dramatically increased pre-load. Actually, it is my understanding that the RT set is a different set of valving settings and stiffer springs. This allows for less cranking on the springs and allows the suspension to do a better job with road conditions. Or another way to say it. It handles more weight with less pre-sprung settings.

For example. When my 105lbs. wife rydes the RS stock shocks setting #3 works great! But for me (235lbs.) it washes out so much it actually is a disappointing ryde for me. Then you put her additional weight and all our gear... #5 was mandatory in order for us to have some kind of control we look for, but the ryde was to rough.

Now with the RT set, #3 seems to be the happy medium for any one up, and #4 for all two up situations. Keeping in mind we leave the rear @ setting #6 all the time.

One last item. The sway bar only really works in turns. And the RT shock/spring set "Plants" the RSS in such a manner that the drive is completely different. We find the bike to wonder less and need far less input as we ryde, when compared to the stock set. Frankly I find myself using one hand so much I now remind myself to put both hands back on the grips, where before I had no choice. They almost always stayed on the grips.

 

[venom]

my dealer tells me that just changing the spring on my rs chock to an RT spring would do the job.
What do you think ???

 

[NancysToy]

my dealer tells me that just changing the spring on my rs chock to an RT spring would do the job.
What do you think ???

If your current springs are at the maximum pre-load, and you feel you still need more, just the springs may help. Another rider has tried just the shock, with the RS springs, but was not satisfied. In my book, the best bet is for the entire assembly. It's a proven combination.

 

[Raptor]

My answer...both...one compliments the other...:yes:

I agree 100 per cent. I did the sway bar first and it did make a big difference but it just wasn't enough. The shocks/Springs made an even bigger impact, and I am definitely glad I did both. The RS-S only has the sway bar done at this point and every time I ride it I am made VERY aware of it. :shocked: But since that one belongs to Kathy she likes it like that. I think Scotty has a good point that for the casual rider both may not actually be needed. Especially in her case where she is very light and does not put much load on the chassis, unlike yours truly! :roflblack: