[Spyderman]

Note that the Can-Am Spyder comes with adjustable shock absorbers... very nice to allow changing spring rates when adding a passenger, or maybe going out on a slightly aggressive drive on a country road

 

[HigginsPowersports]

Yes they are adjustable, but our rep told us that you're not supposed to or it will upset the handling characteristics. Its also very hard to adjust the rear...theres no room for a spanner in there. Although, it definitely needs more preload on the rear and better damping all around. Are there going to be facotry performance shocks? Maybe some nice HPG ones?

I'd like to give a Spyder to the guys at Ohlins in Sweden and see what kind of sweet bits they come up with

 

[2333]

One of the vendors on this site has Penske shocks for the Spyder, but $2200 for three shocks.......Ouch!

 

[LaughingHeart]

Some riders have had the front wheel rise up an inch or two on faster turns with the shock setting high. Seems to effect the VSS

 

[Spyderman]

While touring the factory they told us the middle setting of the rear shock was designed for a load (riders) of 160-200 lb's.

I'm surprised a Spyder Ryder could lift a wheel, that is the whole purpose of the stability control based on the centrally mounted yaw sensor.... if it see's to much yaw (tilting) it is supposed to back off the engine power amongst other things. Sounds like the suspension setup can be changed enough for it to not be affective???

One huge advantage of a shock like the Penske (yes they are expensive, but for good reason... they are complex buggers) is that you can adjust both jounce and rebound rates. If done properly, no matter what, it'll ride flat as a board, never lifting a wheel. The Viper ACR, a club racing version of the Dodge Viper, comes standard with similar shocks to the Penske's (but much higher priced than Penske's).

 

[2333]

I believe the owners manual says to adjust the rear shock with a ratchet and extension, from underneath, while the Spyder is lifted by the frame. I have the fender eliminator/ plate relocator kit, now the rear wheel hits the plate. I am going to have to do this adjustment soon.

 

[2333]

Well, I did the shock adjustment, and it is all the way up now. The rear tire does not hit the plate with me on it now, but last weekend I took the wife out and the tire hit again. BTW the wife is like 105 pounds.

 

[reinaldo]

Wow that's really interesting...

 

[Jeff Woodard]

Yes they are adjustable, but our rep told us that you're not supposed to or it will upset the handling characteristics. Its also very hard to adjust the rear...theres no room for a spanner in there. Although, it definitely needs more preload on the rear and better damping all around. Are there going to be facotry performance shocks? Maybe some nice HPG ones?

I'd like to give a Spyder to the guys at Ohlins in Sweden and see what kind of sweet bits they come up with

If your dealer told you not to adjust the shocks you should look for a new dealer. The manual gives the settings for different rider loads. When two up I have them all set up to max. This greatly reduces the tilt going into corners. When riding two up my GS is loaded to 350 lbs and never has bottomed out.

With the rough roads in N. Illinois right now I set the shock just above 1/2 way. When set at the highest I was having to ride standing on the foot pegs like a dirt bike.

 

[SpydeRider2010]

I'd have to agree with Jeff. my 10 RTS has is an auto feature and manual. if it isn't supposed to be adjusted... why make it ajustable? sort of a no brainer...