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RT 2020 vs 2024 - Is the ride different?

MRH

Well-known member
I was talking with another Spyder rider who strongly feels there was an upgrade to the feel of the ride between my 2020 and their 2024 (or perhaps it was a 2023). Both are RTs.

Wondering what others have experienced if you've actually spent time on the newer and older RTs since 2020 when the last major model change happened.
 
While my 2024 is my first Spyder I did not like the handling and before I had 1500 miles on it I went for new front shocks and the Ultimate sway bar. Now I like the way she handles
No question the anti-sway bar is game changer, and the shocks can also make a big difference for a lot of riders, but in this case I'm wondering about a stock apples-to-apples comparison between the years. I could easily see that just the sway bar difference could account for their experience if they didn't know it had been changed.
 
I was talking with another Spyder rider who strongly feels there was an upgrade to the feel of the ride between my 2020 and their 2024 (or perhaps it was a 2023). Both are RTs.

Wondering what others have experienced if you've actually spent time on the newer and older RTs since 2020 when the last major model change happened.
According to the parts manual, 2020 and 2024 Spyder RT's have the exact same part #'s for front/rear shocks-springs.
 
I believe the 2024 started using the new XPS tires, which would greatly change the ride.
On my 2020 RTL, the solid front sway bar end links made a night and day improvement.

Looking at the 2024 vs 2025 currently.
 
I had a 2020 RTL and traded in for a 2025 S2S. The stock ride is the same, but mine were/are heavily customized. First, do the sway bar upgrade. Then lose the crappy Kenda tires. Even the new tires are still very weak in the sidewall. As far as the operation, the 2025 (and 2024) controls are very different from earlier years. I personally like the new style but it takes a little getting used to. When the budget allows, go to better shocks. I have the Elka's. When you get the sway bar, good car tires, and better shocks, you'll think you are on rails. Oh, and then go for the Stage 2 ECU flash, when you really want to have fun!
 
I believe the 2024 started using the new XPS tires, which would greatly change the ride.
On my 2020 RTL, the solid front sway bar end links made a night and day improvement.

Looking at the 2024 vs 2025 currently.
The new XPS Roadster tires started on the 2025 model year. I have a 2024 S2S and it had the "old" Kenda tires. Changed them for the new XPS last month due to a tire bulge in one of them. They feel more comfortable a little bit but I also have the Baja Ron sway bar and shock adjuster on mine so can't say for sure.
 
The 'new' XPS Roadster tires aren't really all that new - they are still Kendas, and they still have basically the same lightly constructed and poorly quality controlled carcass that Kendas have had all along! There might be a different tread pattern stamped into the outside, but on the inside, they're still the same old ****! 😖
 
The new XPS Roadster tires started on the 2025 model year. I have a 2024 S2S and it had the "old" Kenda tires. Changed them for the new XPS last month due to a tire bulge in one of them. They feel more comfortable a little bit but I also have the Baja Ron sway bar and shock adjuster on mine so can't say for sure.
What is a shock adjuster? Just an adjustable shock for preload/damping or a separate adjuster added to the shock? Thanks!
 
The 'new' XPS Roadster tires aren't really all that new - they are still Kendas, and they still have basically the same lightly constructed and poorly quality controlled carcass that Kendas have had all along! There might be a different tread pattern stamped into the outside, but on the inside, they're still the same old ****! 😖
So what about other options made to roll on the sidewalls?
 
I think he meant to ask: What tire options are there other than stock.
If that's the case, then all it takes to find the answer is to do some searching and reading here - appropriate tires and sizes have been discussed and contemplated and argued and there's literally thousands of people successfully using a range of alternatives... All you need to do is look. ;)
That said, please be aware that the OEM Kendas and all of their clones, including the latest XPS versions, are NOT made to 'roll on the sidewalls', they are basically just lightly constructed, weak sidewalled, poorly quality controlled radial CAR tires; so the answer to that question, if it really is the question, is 'any Radial car tire of an appropriate size to fit the rims and under the fenders' (search is your friend here!) altho since almost all 'normal' car tires are more than capable of carrying about 3 times the weight of a Spyder at the Kendas' recommended pressures, you really don't want to run a better car tire with stronger sidewalls and a greater ability to keep the majority of the tread on the road - because they're still radial tires, meaning that you still you want the sidewall to flex, but NOT 'roll under' or let the vehicle ride on the sidewalls, but not so much flexing that it lets the centre of the tread 'throw out' like the lightly constructed Kendas etc do, you only need about 18 psi all round in 'proper' car tires, and despite searching, I haven't found anyone &/or any overloaded Spyder yet that needs more pressure than that, except maybe if they're being run in 100°+ ambient temps fully loaded for hours at a time, when 20 psi will help minimise the chance of overheating them! :sneaky:

There's quite a few tires in similar nominal sizes with rolling diameters that are very close if not the same as the Kendas which fit the bill, many of them discussed here on the Forum at length. So all you need to do is choose a tire that suits your riding needs/wants, either from those discussed on the Forum already, or if you prefer, any other tire that suits your requirements, then run them at about 18 psi. (y)
 
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