Front wheel hop when braking - suspension arm bushes, or... ?? Any help?

[C. Lee]

I replaced brake pads and rotors on my 21 RTL with 25k miles last year and I seem to remember a slight wheel "hop" or vibration under heavy braking. I didn't make any other adjustments and the issue seems gone this year. Not sure what caused it or what corrected it. The wheel never hopped enough for the rubber to leave the pavement and you couldn't feel it in performance. I could only see it happening. Not any advice on the fix, but letting you know you're not crazy. Chris

 

[SpyderJerry]

I am going to post about my 2014 RT SE6 that I purchased 2 years ago with the same problem. When I would apply brakes at moderate to high speed, the Front right wheel would hop and shake the fender like crazy. I did as suggested in the group to replace the A arm bushings. No difference. So I determined it had warped rotors. Bought a set of EBC rotors and pads. Rode about 2,000 to 3,000 miles and it started doing it again. So I dial indicated the rotor, indexed it on the hub, and found that the hub had a few thousands of run out. Replacing the hub did not cure the problem. Then I checked the rotor with a micrometer and found it was unparallel by 4 thousands and had up to 6 thousands of runout. Contacted EBC and they sent me 2 new rotors and pads. Another 2 to 3 thousand miles and it started shaking again. Same problem after a few thousand miles. Finished last season that way. Did more research and determined that calipers were possibly sticking. That's when I located the caliper kits and rebuilt them. No pistons were sticking. Finally, over winter I purchased OEM rotors and pads. This season, the Brakes now work flawlessly, so far...

 

[PDXRTL]

I'll add my bike to the list that have this problem. For me, it is when I brake hard starting at over 50 mph. Don't feel anything in the brake pedal, but boy do those front fenders shake!!! I'm just shy of 28k miles on my 2024 RT-Ltd so the bike is going in for the 28k service at the end of the week. I was hoping this would be a simple rotor/pad issue and that switching to EBC would solve the problem. Somewhat disappointed to read that Spyderjerry actually got a fix switching from EBC to OEM.

 

[SpyderJerry]

I'll add my bike to the list that have this problem. For me, it is when I brake hard starting at over 50 mph. Don't feel anything in the brake pedal, but boy do those front fenders shake!!! I'm just shy of 28k miles on my 2024 RT-Ltd so the bike is going in for the 28k service at the end of the week. I was hoping this would be a simple rotor/pad issue and that switching to EBC would solve the problem. Somewhat disappointed to read that Spyderjerry actually got a fix switching from EBC to OEM.

If you are able, mike the rotor around the whole diameter and see what you come up with.

 

[SpyderManTom]

I too have the front "wheel hop" issue on my 2022 Spyder RTL. Hard deceleration from 50 MPH or more initiates the hopping. We aways ride 2-up, and together we are about 425# (plus the gear and stuff in the trunks).
It's not ABS, but it is severe (and very startling the first time it happened).

I also noticed cupping of the front tires (OEM w/12k miles on the Spyder now). (All parts are still OEM on this machine)

I assume the cupping (and resulting vibration at speed) is normal for front tires that can't be rotated for more even wear. But, as others here, I'm puzzled by the wheel hop during high-speed, hard braking.

Maybe when I replace the front tires (soon), this will help the issue.

Any new developments on this?

 

[Jetfixer]

As the OP on this thread, there is nothing else for me to report. The owner got fed up with issue and traded the bike in on a new 2025 RTL. The dealers' techs rode this bike as part of their trade-in acceptance and declared there was nothing wrong. Actually gave her a very good trade-in for it. As Mr. T used to say in that goofy TV show, "I pity the fool" that buys this bike.

 

[kbirdsong]

I had a tiny little bit of this going on before I had the brakes replaced with EBC pads and rotors, had a fluid flush, and got new Vredestein tires. Baja Ron's shop did the work so I am not sure if they saw anything else and just corrected it while working on my bike, or if it was the brakes or tires. I had put it off to the crappy stock tires and never even thought to mention it.

 

[2SEwings]

Lots to read here as I just purchased my 1st Spyder, a 2022 RTL from a private party with a similar issue at 16,000 miles. Didn't notice an issue on a test drive but it is obvious now. I've been around bikes for 50 years and in the automotive service business for just as long. I'm not saying I have a magic cure-all solution, it just looks like another challenge to me. Not letting it scare me away from the bike...

 

[Mikey]

Lots to read here as I just purchased my 1st Spyder, a 2022 RTL from a private party with a similar issue at 16,000 miles. Didn't notice an issue on a test drive but it is obvious now. I've been around bikes for 50 years and in the automotive service business for just as long. I'm not saying I have a magic cure-all solution, it just looks like another challenge to me. Not letting it scare me away from the bike...

Sounds to me it's time to get close to your ride and give it some love! Tires, brakes maybe an alignment! Good luck!!

 

[Scott's Handmade Wagons]

I'm working on a friends 2023 RTL that has a severe wheel hop when doing moderate to hard braking. Both front wheels visibly hop very rapidly as if the brakes were grabbing and releasing very rapidly. Here's a list of what I've done and/or checked...

Spyder bought new by current owner. Has 23000 miles.
Two like new Vredestein tires, Centramatic balancers. Both tires running at 18 psi.
Brake pads and rotors are good with no excess runout. Absolutely no pedal pulsation when braking. No binding or pulling. No air in brakes.
No excess play in steering system.
Laser aligned to 3/16" toe-in over the specified 124 inch spread. (Service manual allows between 0 and 5/8").
No shaking in handlebars during the wheel hop. (It just looks like it could throw the fenders off).
No ball joint or tie rod joint wear found.
No wheel bearing play. Wheels mounted properly and nuts torqued to 77 lb/ft.
Spyder still has original anti-sway bar and heim joints. No play or looseness in any of these parts or mounting.
The bike rides very smoothly, does not pull or drift. The problem is only during braking.

I'm beginning to suspect it's the suspension arm bushings. I'd appreciate any help anyone can offer. If I've left something off this list let me know. I've more than likely checked it!

Jetfixer, mine is doing the same thing. 2023 RT just under 11,000 miles. OEM everything except new BajaRon Ultra sway bar. It was doing that annoying wheel hop prior to the sway bar install. I need to find at exactly what MPH it's occurring - guessing (from my ride up the Beartooth Highway yesterday) it's around 40 mph. It's defo more pronounced at a more firm brake pressure, but a long ways from where ABS should be activating.

Was wondering if it's environmental. Yesterday's ride was 197 miles - lots of aggressive twisties, up and down mountains ranging from 10,500 to 6000 ft. Air temp around 60. Didn't notice it until around 140 miles into the ride while going downhill and braking for corners. Tried to duplicate it just a few minutes ago. Mostly flat with a couple downhills, 75 degrees, 4500 ft elevation, speeds from 35 to 70 using different gear combinations, and a short 10 mile ride. Zero wheel hop today.

 

[Mikey]

Was wondering if it's environmental. Yesterday's ride was 197 miles - lots of aggressive twisties, up and down mountains ranging from 10,500 to 6000 ft. Air temp around 60. Didn't notice it until around 140 miles into the ride while going downhill and braking for corners. Tried to duplicate it just a few minutes ago. Mostly flat with a couple downhills, 75 degrees, 4500 ft elevation, speeds from 35 to 70 using different gear combinations, and a short 10 mile ride. Zero wheel hop toda

Was the road you ran first smooth or wash board? How are your front shocks when you push down on them? The reason I ask is that I find with these machines, you feel a lot of things in the road, different road surfaces, bumps and what not, so if your shocks are getting worn out and the damping is getting looser, you could be riding on the springs. If you have some hot spots on the rotors and it was hot, that could be causing your jumping feeling. The second ride you did, were the brakes getting as hot as the first? The whole thing is a combination of a lot of things, and I am not explaining it right probably!! Maybe I am all wet also! Good luck!!

 

[BernJel]

My 2020 RT hard spots on the disk faces. Think grabby flywheel face. New pads and rotors worked perfectly.