Does it have a Baja Ron sway bar, yes or no - how do I tell?

[rideaway]

I was wondering how I can tell if the sway bar has been changed or if it's OEM, just with Baja Ron end links added? It's a 2014 RTS. I can see the Baja Ron end links, but the bar looks awfully small, so I'm not sure it is the original or not...

[Isopedella]

Its early evening here in Kiwiland. And chilly outdoors. So not now.

I'm determined to go for a ride as I have finally fitted the BJ R Bar.

I'm happy to put my Micrometer on the bars tomorrow morning and post it if ya want.
The new bar is slightly thicker. As are the ends. This is for my F3.

new bar 1 0_143139.jpg new bar 2 9.jpg

[canamjhb]

A 5/8 wrench will easily go over the stock bar at any point. It will not go over the upgraded bar.

[K80Shooter]

Just look at the pinch points on the bar. Look at the pics that Isopedella posted.
Notice the pinch marks on the new bar are at the top with the bar laying flat.
On the oem bar the pinch marks are on the sides.

[Lew L]

Gotta have a typo in there, canamjhb. It's at least 5/8" for the stock bar.

Lew L

[rideaway]

Oh Wow cananjhb. Well it certainly isn't stock then, thanks!

[rideaway]

Gotta have a typo in there, canamjhb. It's at least 5/8" for the stock bar.

Lew L

Ok Thanks, that makes more sense. 5/8" won't go over but 11/16 will.

[Isopedella]

To be honest I have no idea of the bar size on a 2014 RTS.

Mine is for a 2017 F3.

Why not flick a question about it on the BJ Ron web site?

[BajaRon]

The stock F3, ST, RS, and RSS bars are 9/16"
The BajaRon Bar for these applications is 5/8"

The stock RT bar is 5/8"
The BajaRon RT Bar is 11/16"

This is why people are encouraged to put an RT OEM take-off bar on the F3, ST, RS, or RSS. Because the OEM RT and BajaRon F3, ST, RS & RSS bar diameters are the same. However, this OEM for OEM swap will not give the same results as upgrading to the BajaRon bar specific for your Spyder.

The BajaRon bars are made from a much higher tensile strength spring steel. The BajaRon F3 (etc.) bar is stronger than the OEM RT bar. You can't tell by looking at them. But you sure can by riding them. So, though diameters may match. There is more to the equation than just diameter.

[Isopedella]

If its not a BJ R bar....

Just thought I would mention this.

Just got back from a trial run with my newly fitted BJ Ron sway bar on my F3. Delighted.
Seemed to corner comfortably at 50% more corner speed- yes a whopping 50% without effort.
Upgrade Delighted to Outstanding I guess.
The GEES seemed less bothersome. Cornered like haunted snot compared to before. Cant really work that out. That good?
That nanny light was winking at me when I glanced down exiting.

Compulsory Brownie point earner was uplifted. Pudding tonight.

viv 1.jpg viv 2 20230615_135547.jpg

[canamjhb]

Gotta have a typo in there, canamjhb. It's at least 5/8" for the stock bar.

Lew L

Yup. Typo. Stock Bar is 5/8.....

[Neiljd55]

Its early evening here in Kiwiland. And chilly outdoors. So not now.

I'm determined to go for a ride as I have finally fitted the BJ R Bar.

I'm happy to put my Micrometer on the bars tomorrow morning and post it if ya want.
The new bar is slightly thicker. As are the ends. This is for my F3.

new bar 1 0_143139.jpg new bar 2 9.jpg

Hi there. I'm in NZ as well in New Plymouth. Where did you get the sway bar from

[Mikey]

Hi there. I'm in NZ as well in New Plymouth. Where did you get the sway bar from

I would get it from BajaRon, he's one of the sponsors on this site. Go to the home page, his add is there.

[Isopedella]

Hi there. I'm in NZ as well in New Plymouth. Where did you get the sway bar from

Gidday Neil. Congrats and Welcome aboard. Another Kiwi I see.

I got my bits from Lamonster in the US.

[BajaRon]

I would like to make everyone aware that there are now 2 BajaRon Sway Bar Versions for the 2013-2023 Spyders. The Original Bar (1-Piece) and the NEW 3-Piece Ultra-Bar. 'New' being a relative term as this is the 3 production year for the Ultra-Bar.

The Original Bar still gives a great deal of improvement over the OEM bar, of course. But for some riders, it did not give as much improvement as we would like. We now recommend the Original Bar for light riders who do not pull a trailer, do not ride 2-Up or pack a lot of weight in storage compartments. Not that the Ultra-Bar would be bad for them. Just that this rider will probably not benefit from the more expensive Ultra-Bar.

The Ultra-Bar is the same as the Original Bar with the exception that the Spring Steel arms have been removed and replaced with Billet Aluminum Arms. The rigidity (lack of flex) in these Aluminum Arms adds a great deal of efficiency to the system. Any flex that occurs from the torsion part of the bar to the suspension connections on each side, (including arms and end links) absorbs energy that the bar is attempting to transfer from the 'Heavy' wheel to the 'Light' wheel. Though you might think this to be insignificant. Testing demonstrated that it can make quite a bit of difference when stress levels increase.

Those who fall into the following categories of heavy riders, aggressive riders, 2-Up riders, and those pulling trailers have told us that as much as they like the improved handling of our Original Bar. They would really like to have a little more sway bar control for their riding style.

Buy replacing the Spring Steel arms in the Original Bar with rigid Billet Aluminum arms. The improvement for these riders proved to be significant when compared to the BajaRon Original bar. This is because the Spring Steel Arms in the Original Bar were flexing under higher loading.

Again, the Ultra-Bar is not a Stiffer bar. It is a more Efficient bar.

"Why not just make a stiffer Sway Bar for these riders Ron?" you ask. Excellent question! The serious answer is that a sway bar can be too stiff. While it may handle like a dream under ideal traction conditions. Smooth, dry, warm pavement, etc. It can create a hazard when traction is reduced. Like in the rain, bumpy or cold pavement. In these conditions, a too stiff sway bar can create 'Understeer'. To the layman it simply means you turn the bars, but the machine continues in a straight line. You don't need to be a professional to know this isn't ideal.

So how to build a bar that increases traction for riders in the 2-Up or other listed categories without creating a potential issue should a light, single rider come into the picture? The Ultra-Bar has been the answer. It handles the twisties for the aggressive or heavily loaded riders better than the Original Bar. While posing no issues for a light, single rider. Simply because the light rider will not load the bar assembly to where the rigid Aluminum Arms come into play.

[IADawg24]

So, which bar would you recommend for a 300 lb. single rider on a 2023 F3-S?

Thanks

[BajaRon]

So, which bar would you recommend for a 300 lb. single rider on a 2023 F3-S?

Thanks

Unless you are an EXTREMELY conservative rider. I would definitely recommend the Ultra-Bar. Even if you are a conservative rider, you will really appreciate the added control provided by the Ultra-Bar.