So glad we were able to help you out. You have been putting up with an ill-handling bike for far too long. Two items I think you should tinker with over the next few months to improve the remaining twitchiness. The tires are worn so oddly that I think they are causing part of your problem now. Sorry to say it may be time to replace them. You might use the alignment results at the dealer that in stalled them and did the old alignment and ask them to help with the replacement cost.....They might help. Likely not but its worth asking. The other thing that comes to mind is to back off the stiffness of the Elkas a bit. Try a bit more compliance now that the alignment is in spec. Worst case is you go back but I think its worth trying. Safe riding and stay warm the next few days!
Thank you James. I wish I could have made it there that day, but mine is in the shop with a bad knuckle. And I really don't trust dealer alignment so I may end up there anyways.
lol..that "service" department will not touch my byke again..I'll buy that lift and equipment or push it first before they do. Almost destroyed my Spyder's transmission on its 1st service..my rear wheel was not installed correctly and I do believe my front belt pulley is on backwards...good job finding another option...
LOL! I actually took the Ryker out in the ice and snow around the neighborhood yesterday, but the rear tire has ZERO traction on this stuff. I'm stuck without power for the past two days like millions of other Texans, so I can't edit or upload the video yet. We're hanging in there, thinking warm thoughts, and hoping that our power is restored soon. Last night was 10°F outside and 34° inside the house. I hacked my gas furnace to run from my gasoline generator outside, so we're a little warmer tonight... until I run out of fuel. Brrrr...! ❄🥶❄ --QM
Those clips you threw in were funny. I don’t/won’t ride in the cold. If it gets below 40 I’m out! No ridding for me, thanks. I understand you needed to in order to make your appointment but Not me!!! I use to put my hands on the valve covers on my Valkyrie when it was cold out when I’d stop at lights. Burrrr! I also had a large winshield, all it took was 1 June bug or bee to hit me in the head and I was convinced. The shield never came off by bike!! We don’t have a helmet law here in Illinois and when it’s super hot I won’t wear one. Probably not smart but I have been ridding for about 40 years and thank God I’ve never had an accident!!! 🙏🏻
I am and inventor and engineer. My area of expertise is in design and construction of RT configurations. Toe is the only real adjustment that can be done on the spyder and toe has little to do with tracking. It affects tire wear and tracking only if it's off by a huge degree .Toe out if subsequent can lead to dodgie behavior toe in not as bad. The tire scrub is a good indicator - Up to one inch toe out is starting to be noticeable but two inches toe out is pretty bad. I am surprised the tires have any tread left. Actually 1/4 positive toe is about right. I wonder if the dealers need to do any sort of toe adjustment during setup as many seem to go through tires in short order. Tires should last at least 35k with normal radials but the Kenda tires don't last well, I would dump those first thing. Watch the wear as 1/2" is too much in the right direction, you will see some feathering on the tread within 2000 miles at that setting. You can do the settings without laser, laser is just a glorified tape measure and no more accurate. Most of the dodgie feel is by the rider being tense and over correcting. This is common with new riders, once they learn to relax things smooth right out. Another thing I have noticed is most riders over inflate the tires. Stick to the pressure BRP recommends as over pressure will cause handling issues. What you really need is this - czcams.com/video/TdgSxEyPuCY/video.html
So it was pretty much all toe out error? Camber and caster were in spec? That’s crazy amount of toe out, any more and I feel like it would’ve been visible to the naked eye just looking at it
Sorry for the late reply... I just saw your comment! The Ryker doesn't have any camber/castor adjustments... it's fixed by the upper & lower control arm and ball joint positions. The only adjustment we have is toe in/out via the tie-rod ends. If Can-Am had included at least camber adjustments, then some of the Ryker's propensity to dart around could be cured by adding some negative camber (common trick with race cars of all flavors). Reverse trike platforms are very susceptible to erratic handling due to the single rear wheel that's centered between the front wheel tracks. If the rear thrust angle is offset relative to the front wheel angle, then the bike will be very twitchy and tend to jump off course when there is a slight camber or crown to the road. The Ryker's rear wheel angle isn't adjustable because of the single-sided swingarm and shaft-drive. Spyder's have a dual-sided swingarm and a belt drive, so the rear wheel can also be aligned relative to the bike's centerline. The Spyders' front wheels also have adjustable camber, so there is more flexibility in correcting minor errors in suspension geometry (e.g. slightly bent control arms due to road impacts). BTW... I just posted another video on my Ryker's alignment saga here: czcams.com/video/lYfDGjUGdxE/video.html . Spoiler alert... it's parked until further notice! It has extreme wheel wobble on the right side due to a failing ball joint and/or steering linkage. Oi vey! 🤦♂️ --QM
Good to hear the alignment is better. James seems like a good dude and takes pride in his work 👍I put new front tread on my spyder 7000 miles ago and they still look brand new. I’m surprised you need to change the belt every 12k miles. I read about spyder belts lasting over 50k and they look good.
12k recommended by can am, which means buy new belts and let us charge you crazy labor even if your belt is fine. I’ll probably run mine till it breaks. Compared to the beating these take on the x3, these belts should last forever
Danny Williams I agree. I enjoy riding my spyder but the maintenance is not fun and costly. My Yamaha royal star has 63k miles and almost zero repairs. Just normal maintenance
I just saw your comment... sorry for the late reply. The final drive belts on Spyders last a lot longer... I'm referring to the Ryker's CVT belt. BRP recommends 12K mile replacement, but I've heard mixed reports from Ryker owners on the longevity. Some owners haven't seen the belt warning past the 12K mile mark, while other owners started seeing the belt warning well before 12K. The service isn't cheap because it's labor-intensive and includes other stuff at the same time... $1200 is what I've heard from other owners... OUCH! 🤯 --QM
The dimensions Quasi quoted are from the Rolo laser alignment system and measured on targets spaced at 120 inches. The 1/2" spec would be the same as 0.05" at the rim (factor of 10).
My Ryker has experienced alignment issues since it was new. I recently took it to a Can-Am dealer in Tyler, TX for new front tires and a laser alignment, but they completely messed up the specifications. The recommended setting for the Rykers is ~0.25-0.50" (6.35-12.7mm) of toe-IN. Somehow, that dealer set my Ryker at 2.5" (63.5mm) of toe-OUT! That setting was dangerous to ride and it was eating my tires very quickly. I took my Ryker to James at Thornoli's to resolve that error and now my bike tracks closer to true. 👍 --QM
No, that's what's crazy... the dealer in Tyler, TX set my Ryker for +2.5" of toe-OUT when it's supposed to be -0.25-0.50" of toe-IN. James pulled those measurements from the front wheels when he put it up on the rack. I had been suffering with that nonsense for months. 😲 It was a real handful to manage after those new tires scrubbed in from the dealer in Tyler! The bike started tracking badly within only 100-150 miles. They were already worn down to the wear bars after only ~2K miles. If I released the handlebars for even a moment, then the bike would dart either left or right a full lane within just seconds. Crazy stuff. 😉👍 --QM
This shop is Thornoli's ( www.thornolis.com/ ). He specializes in repairs and maintenance for the Can-Am Spyder and Ryker trikes. Tell him that QuasiMotard sent you! 😉👍 --QM
So glad we were able to help you out. You have been putting up with an ill-handling bike for far too long. Two items I think you should tinker with over the next few months to improve the remaining twitchiness. The tires are worn so oddly that I think they are causing part of your problem now. Sorry to say it may be time to replace them. You might use the alignment results at the dealer that in stalled them and did the old alignment and ask them to help with the replacement cost.....They might help. Likely not but its worth asking. The other thing that comes to mind is to back off the stiffness of the Elkas a bit. Try a bit more compliance now that the alignment is in spec. Worst case is you go back but I think its worth trying. Safe riding and stay warm the next few days!
Thank you James. I wish I could have made it there that day, but mine is in the shop with a bad knuckle. And I really don't trust dealer alignment so I may end up there anyways.
LOVE FROM DEKALB MISSISSIPPI USA 🇺🇸
Wow 2 1/2 .. so glad you was able to get fix .. thank you for all your info on your videos.. Be safe Drive safe God Bless
lol..that "service" department will not touch my byke again..I'll buy that lift and equipment or push it first before they do. Almost destroyed my Spyder's transmission on its 1st service..my rear wheel was not installed correctly and I do believe my front belt pulley is on backwards...good job finding another option...
Glad you got it done 👍
Quasi I am glad you got your Ryker aligned. This has been an adventure for sure. Ride safe!
Great video. Watching you makes me happy I live in FL. Brrrr. I can't ride below 65!
LOL! I actually took the Ryker out in the ice and snow around the neighborhood yesterday, but the rear tire has ZERO traction on this stuff. I'm stuck without power for the past two days like millions of other Texans, so I can't edit or upload the video yet. We're hanging in there, thinking warm thoughts, and hoping that our power is restored soon. Last night was 10°F outside and 34° inside the house. I hacked my gas furnace to run from my gasoline generator outside, so we're a little warmer tonight... until I run out of fuel. Brrrr...! ❄🥶❄ --QM
Looks like the alignment helped remove some handlebar vibration too!
I'll need a other oil change soon, I'll have to get my CVT belt replaced this year. And I'll probably have to replace my tires this year.
Those clips you threw in were funny. I don’t/won’t ride in the cold. If it gets below 40 I’m out! No ridding for me, thanks. I understand you needed to in order to make your appointment but Not me!!! I use to put my hands on the valve covers on my Valkyrie when it was cold out when I’d stop at lights. Burrrr! I also had a large winshield, all it took was 1 June bug or bee to hit me in the head and I was convinced. The shield never came off by bike!! We don’t have a helmet law here in Illinois and when it’s super hot I won’t wear one. Probably not smart but I have been ridding for about 40 years and thank God I’ve never had an accident!!! 🙏🏻
Those wore tires will affect tracking
I like watching your videos at least you provoke normal logical thought😎👍🏻✨
For riding at 32° you get a subscription from me you're hard-core my friend😎👍🏻✨
You're right about the belt. I've never trusted service departments I've tried to do all my own work my whole life☕️👍🏻✨
The Squirrley Ness is the nature of a reverse Trach three wheeler . One less wheel in the back makes it unstable Squirrley if you will.🤪✨
I am and inventor and engineer. My area of expertise is in design and construction of RT configurations. Toe is the only real adjustment that can be done on the spyder and toe has little to do with tracking. It affects tire wear and tracking only if it's off by a huge degree .Toe out if subsequent can lead to dodgie behavior toe in not as bad. The tire scrub is a good indicator - Up to one inch toe out is starting to be noticeable but two inches toe out is pretty bad. I am surprised the tires have any tread left. Actually 1/4 positive toe is about right. I wonder if the dealers need to do any sort of toe adjustment during setup as many seem to go through tires in short order. Tires should last at least 35k with normal radials but the Kenda tires don't last well, I would dump those first thing. Watch the wear as 1/2" is too much in the right direction, you will see some feathering on the tread within 2000 miles at that setting. You can do the settings without laser, laser is just a glorified tape measure and no more accurate. Most of the dodgie feel is by the rider being tense and over correcting. This is common with new riders, once they learn to relax things smooth right out. Another thing I have noticed is most riders over inflate the tires. Stick to the pressure BRP recommends as over pressure will cause handling issues. What you really need is this - czcams.com/video/TdgSxEyPuCY/video.html
First one. I haven’t had an alignment done yet as it’s tracking straight. Curious if the dealer looks at the tires here and recommends it as needed.
I was commanded to leave a comment.
Algorithm candy! 😉👍
So it was pretty much all toe out error? Camber and caster were in spec? That’s crazy amount of toe out, any more and I feel like it would’ve been visible to the naked eye just looking at it
Sorry for the late reply... I just saw your comment! The Ryker doesn't have any camber/castor adjustments... it's fixed by the upper & lower control arm and ball joint positions. The only adjustment we have is toe in/out via the tie-rod ends. If Can-Am had included at least camber adjustments, then some of the Ryker's propensity to dart around could be cured by adding some negative camber (common trick with race cars of all flavors).
Reverse trike platforms are very susceptible to erratic handling due to the single rear wheel that's centered between the front wheel tracks. If the rear thrust angle is offset relative to the front wheel angle, then the bike will be very twitchy and tend to jump off course when there is a slight camber or crown to the road. The Ryker's rear wheel angle isn't adjustable because of the single-sided swingarm and shaft-drive. Spyder's have a dual-sided swingarm and a belt drive, so the rear wheel can also be aligned relative to the bike's centerline. The Spyders' front wheels also have adjustable camber, so there is more flexibility in correcting minor errors in suspension geometry (e.g. slightly bent control arms due to road impacts).
BTW... I just posted another video on my Ryker's alignment saga here: czcams.com/video/lYfDGjUGdxE/video.html . Spoiler alert... it's parked until further notice! It has extreme wheel wobble on the right side due to a failing ball joint and/or steering linkage. Oi vey! 🤦♂️ --QM
Good to hear the alignment is better. James seems like a good dude and takes pride in his work 👍I put new front tread on my spyder 7000 miles ago and they still look brand new. I’m surprised you need to change the belt every 12k miles. I read about spyder belts lasting over 50k and they look good.
12k recommended by can am, which means buy new belts and let us charge you crazy labor even if your belt is fine. I’ll probably run mine till it breaks. Compared to the beating these take on the x3, these belts should last forever
Danny Williams I agree. I enjoy riding my spyder but the maintenance is not fun and costly. My Yamaha royal star has 63k miles and almost zero repairs. Just normal maintenance
I just saw your comment... sorry for the late reply. The final drive belts on Spyders last a lot longer... I'm referring to the Ryker's CVT belt. BRP recommends 12K mile replacement, but I've heard mixed reports from Ryker owners on the longevity. Some owners haven't seen the belt warning past the 12K mile mark, while other owners started seeing the belt warning well before 12K. The service isn't cheap because it's labor-intensive and includes other stuff at the same time... $1200 is what I've heard from other owners... OUCH! 🤯 --QM
Normal tow in is A 16th of an inch
The dimensions Quasi quoted are from the Rolo laser alignment system and measured on targets spaced at 120 inches. The 1/2" spec would be the same as 0.05" at the rim (factor of 10).
Why re alignment ?
My Ryker has experienced alignment issues since it was new. I recently took it to a Can-Am dealer in Tyler, TX for new front tires and a laser alignment, but they completely messed up the specifications. The recommended setting for the Rykers is ~0.25-0.50" (6.35-12.7mm) of toe-IN. Somehow, that dealer set my Ryker at 2.5" (63.5mm) of toe-OUT! That setting was dangerous to ride and it was eating my tires very quickly. I took my Ryker to James at Thornoli's to resolve that error and now my bike tracks closer to true. 👍 --QM
Maybe the excessive tow out stabilizes the tracking making up for the one rear tire🤷🏻♂️ 👍🏻
2 1/2" toe out 😯😮! Amazing that you could even keep it on the road. The standard of workmanship seems to have slipped badly these days.
Did you mean degrees not inches?
No, that's what's crazy... the dealer in Tyler, TX set my Ryker for +2.5" of toe-OUT when it's supposed to be -0.25-0.50" of toe-IN. James pulled those measurements from the front wheels when he put it up on the rack. I had been suffering with that nonsense for months. 😲
It was a real handful to manage after those new tires scrubbed in from the dealer in Tyler! The bike started tracking badly within only 100-150 miles. They were already worn down to the wear bars after only ~2K miles. If I released the handlebars for even a moment, then the bike would dart either left or right a full lane within just seconds. Crazy stuff. 😉👍 --QM
Are the front wheels directional or can you rotate them?
Grooves in the concrete hwy wouldn’t help.
C
I live in Houston specifically I’m Spring. What is the name of this shop?
This shop is Thornoli's ( www.thornolis.com/ ). He specializes in repairs and maintenance for the Can-Am Spyder and Ryker trikes. Tell him that QuasiMotard sent you! 😉👍 --QM
Whats that you say??? you miss the SUMMER HEAT of 100+ with swamp Humidity??? LOL
Thanks for the video clip. I have a question. How is your Yokokama rear tyre doing? I remember you replaced the stock tyre with a car tyre.
That's for a car though?
Interesting videos
BUT the ryka is not a bike ,
Bike comes from bicycle as in bi = 2
Its a trike as tricycle as in tri = 3
I feel the cold today. Working at HEB today helping bring in baskets in the rain, there was fucking icicles on the carts.