2024 RTL - The ride is a bit rough

[GP-Pirate]

I understand that the 24 RTL has an automatic ride adjustment for carrying various loads. Is there any adjustment on this? The ride with just me (160#) seems rougher than 2 wheel touring and cruising bikes I have previously owned. Sorta of like I feel every bump on the road. Not nearly as smooth as I expected.

Thanks in advance for any advice or comments.

 

[Sagebrush]

When I picked up my 2024 S2S the rear height adjustment sensor was not attached, common complaint about dealer prep. This caused the rear suspension to over pressurize to the point that the bike was nearly unrideable. I measured the air pressure at the schraeder valve under the seat with a gauge that measured up to 150psi. The suspension was pressurized way over that. I let some air out and measured again still over 150psi. I then let the air out until I saw the rear suspension visibly lower. The ride was much smoother. A properly operation rear suspension should keep the pressure somewhere in the 50psi range. BTW the over pressurization caused a leak in the system necessitating a complete replacement of all the components.

Here's a link to one of many threads about this problem:

Thread 'Swing Arm Link to Air Suspension not connected!'

Aug 13, 2022

I have a couple hundred miles on new 22 RT, a couple of times the air suspension caution has come on. So I read the manual and checked the air pressure - it was 0 psi. So I pumped in 50 psi and the next day the same thing happened. No pressure. I found the air valve leaking, so I repaired it and now it holds pressure.

After riding again, this time with wife, the light came on again. This time air pressure was good. What could be causing this?

Edit: I read some reply posts and did some checking of the shock, and I saw the short link that went to the rear swing arm and up to...

• budvoss
• Replies: 22
• Forum: Spyder RT - Touring

 

[safecracker]

Rear air bag should never be over 90 to 100 lbs of air. As mentioned above I believe your ACS is not attached our it is attached wrong. Deaker should check it out. Bruce

 

[GP-Pirate]

Thanks for the replies. Where is the valve to check the pressure on a 24 RTL? I looked and could not locate it. I found nothing in the manual.

Never mind. I found it under the driver's seat way in the back. I checked the pressure 3 times. Twice with an analog gauge and once with a digital. First time was about 36 psi then lower and lower to less than 20. Presumably due to air escaping while try to seat the gauge. Must be a small air bag.

 

[BajaRon]

My 2008 Premier Edition GS had a few things not attached. The one that played the most havoc was the ambient air sensor. It was strapped to a frame component near the header pipe. I wrote it off to being a new machine. A one of a kind, at that point in the process. But it's been 17 years. I don't think dealerships can blame it on being a 'New' product anymore.

We see it all the time with brand new machines. They've been taken back to the dealership and gotten nowhere. 'Why can't I get any reception on my radio?' Well, maybe it's because they didn't connect the antenna cable. You have to remove a lot of Tupperware to correct this. No wonder the dealership was not thrilled with fixing it.

'Why doesn't my air ride system work correctly?' Well, maybe it's because they didn't connect the linkage. That one is much easier to correct.

I know there are good dealerships out there. But my question has always been, "Why aren't they all good?" We certainly spend a lot of money there. But just pride in their product should be enough. And why are there so many less than good dealers?

Bottom line. Persevere. It's not the machines' fault. Get it right and you've got thousands of miles of smiles ahead of you.

 

[GP-Pirate]

Hopefully, last question. When does the automatic ride level activate? When you turn on the key? When the engine is started? When you are actually moving? My hearing is not good but I have not ever heard the compressor come on or know what it sounds like. I'm bringing it back to the dealer, but the more I know in advance, the better. Thanks again for your help.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Hopefully, last question. When does the automatic ride level activate? When you turn on the key? When the engine is started? When you are actually moving? My hearing is not good but I have not ever heard the compressor come on or know what it sounds like. I'm bringing it back to the dealer, but the more I know in advance, the better. Thanks again for your help.

It only activates when you're ON the Spyder, with the engine running, the trans in gear, and your foot off the brake. So even with good hearing, it's no wonder it's hard to hear it, there's a whole lot of other things making noise just about then!

 

[Sagebrush]

The dealer that demonstrated the rear auto suspension working had me sit on the bike with it running and in gear foot on the brake then he stood on the rear passenger foot board so the system would compensate for the additional weight. I really couldn't hear it but then I need hearing aids, get them in 3 weeks. He and his assistants heard it so it was good enough for me. No problems with ride harshness or codes since then.