Posts by wjfyfe

  • Aftermarket Shocks

    Ok, a little different approach here to the topic of improving the ride on the SlingShot. I related a more detailed description in other threads, but an abbreviated version is that we replaced the front tires on the Grasshopper today with Yokohama-yk740-gtx tires. Though our purpose was concerning a different issue, the absolute biggest surprise was with the difference in ride the new tires made, which is no less than amazing. Before the Grasshopper had definitely what could be described as a "choppy" ride. With the Yokohama's that "choppy" ride was transformed into smooth and much, much more comfortable. The difference was so dramatic that the first thing I did when arriving home was to check tire pressures to assure the front tires were not underinflated. So, before purchasing those aftermarket shocks, a cheaper alternative may be to simply try a different tire?


    https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/yokohama-yk740-gtx


    Bill

  • Tires...what are you running?

    Just for grins and giggles, we rode the Grasshopper over to Discount Tire, (30 miles), and had a chat with a representative about finding a quieter tire with at least the same traction as the BF Goodrich Comp 2 AS. We must have discussed the various tire options for nearly a half an hour or so but even though the front tires only have 10,000 miles on them and still look nearly new, we decided to replace them with Yokohama-yk740-gtx tires, (we thought we would wait a while before replacing the rear tire.) On the return trip home, by both Interstate and back roads, yes, the Yokohama's were noticeably quieter than the Comp 2's, but admittedly not quite as much as I was hoping. But it did prove that different tires can make a difference where noise is concerned. However, the absolute biggest surprise was with the difference in ride, which is no less than amazing. Before the Grasshopper had definitely what could be described as a "choppy" ride. With the Yokohama's that "choppy" ride was transformed into smooth and much, much more comfortable. The difference was so dramatic that the first thing I did when arriving home was to check tire pressures to assure the front tires were not underinflated. So, the outcome so far is that the Yokohama's are noticeably quieter and give us a much improved ride, we'll get back and report how they perform on wet roads at cooler temperatures when we get that opportunity!


    https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/yokohama-yk740-gtx


    Bill

  • quietest tires

    Just for grins and giggles, we rode the Grasshopper over to Discount Tire, (30 miles), and had a chat with a representative about finding a quieter tire with at least the same traction as the BF Goodrich Comp 2 AS. We must have discussed the various tire options for nearly a half an hour or so but even though the front tires only have 10,000 miles on them and still look nearly new, we decided to replace them with Yokohama-yk740-gtx tires, (we thought we would wait a while before replacing the rear tire.) On the return trip home, by both Interstate and back roads, yes, the Yokohama's were noticeably quieter than the Comp 2's, but admittedly not quite as much as I was hoping. But it did prove that different tires can make a difference where noise is concerned. However, the absolute biggest surprise was with the difference in ride, which is no less than amazing. Before the Grasshopper had definitely what could be described as a "choppy" ride. With the Yokohama's that "choppy" ride was transformed into smooth and much, much more comfortable. The difference was so dramatic that the first thing I did when arriving home was to check tire pressures to assure the front tires were not underinflated. So, the outcome so far is that the Yokohama's are noticeably quieter and give us a much improved ride, we'll get back and report how they perform on wet roads at cooler temperatures when we get that opportunity!


    https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/yokohama-yk740-gtx


    Bill

  • Aftermarket Shocks

    Quote

    This begs the question of why somebody has yet to come out with a far less expensive, non-adjustable, shock that simply improves the ride?


    Quote from Edward Neal

    there are some low priced options - you can get a set of TruHart coilovers from slingmods for under $600 for the set.

    So far the research that I have done mostly shows that the TrueHart shocks really do not improve the ride any?


    Bill

  • Aftermarket Shocks

    Quote from JoeF.

    I have run with stock shocks until I put a set of adjustables on rear, now I know the difference!!!!!

    I need to find a set for the front now....

    I admit that I get the itch to try different shocks every so often, but then I gander at the invoice of when we put struts on the front of our VW a while back, including labor, and I just shake my head while that itch rapidly subsides. This begs the question of why somebody has yet to come out with a far less expensive, non-adjustable, shock that simply improves the ride?

    Bill

  • Surge tank issue

    Quote from FunCycle

    I have told Terry at least 5 times in the past 2 weeks that you NEVER pull the cap off of the radiator to check the level always check the level at the overflow tank this helps remove any air from the coolant system. Some people just cannot get this thru their head. Even the real mechanics cannot get this thru their head.

    A private joke among a few of you here, right? :/


    Bill

  • Just how much is GM?

    Thank you very much Kyle for sharing your insight and providing a positive alternative for our future situation other than simply dumping our SlingShot! :thumbup:


    Bill

  • Just how much is GM?

    Quote from SlingLow

    There's no doubt that the weakest link in the Slingshot brand is the dealer network. If you used that metric to judge the ultimate success or failure of the brand, it looks like it's declining and not expanding.


    I don't know if I would sell the Sling under you're circumstances or not wjfyfe since I've only been to the dealer once (warranty swap on my angle drive) but, realistically, you are looking at two 800 mile round trips for one dealer visit (drop off and pick up). That is a difficult pill to swallow. But I love the Sling and it seems you do too. Tough call...

    You hit the nail right on the head, SlingLow, thank you for your understanding!

    Bill

  • Just how much is GM?

    Quote from Neosolidus

    if as you say a trip to the dealer will take a day then it truly might be time to seriously think about selling it and getting something else.

    I want to figure out a way to realistically keep our SlingShot. It's not simply what I say, Neosolidus, it will be a 400 mile one way trip, that number speaks for itself. It just upsets me that Polaris designed the SlingShot to be so heavily dependent upon dealer support, and then refuses to support the dealers that could support the SlingShot.


    Bill

  • quietest tires

    Quote from dallen1059

    I'm interested in your experiences with tires to replace the OEM's. I am looking for a tire for my 2016 sling that is the quietest as far as road noise. what is your experience?

    Well, dallen 1059, the tires are now the nosiest part of our ride also, so I too shared in your question, but I guess we have come to the wrong place to get any supportive help or have a meaningful discussion of the topic. I am sorry! :(


    Bill

  • quietest tires

    Quote from Neosolidus

    The problem is that there are many people that come in complaining about noise because they have such a ridiculous and non reasonable expectation since they compare it to a car experience instead of a bike which is what the slingshot is modeled after.

    So, are you saying that it is wrong for a person to choose a Honda Goldwing over an older Harley Davidson, (I say "older" for I believe that even Harley Davidson is manufacturing quieter bikes these days?), because they seek a quieter ride?


    Bill

  • Just how much is GM?

    That is what I was afraid of, though it really saddens me to even consider it, it may be the smarter thing to sell the SlingShot before we move. :(


    Bill

  • Just how much is GM?

    Since we will be moving where a trip to the dealer is going to be a day long ride one way, I am curious just how much a GM dealer, or general maintenance shop, can actually do under the hood of the 2015 SlingShot?


    Bill

  • quietest tires

    Quote from SlingLow

    My response was neither. It's an option to accomplish what the op wants, which is to be able to converse with his spouse. In fact I just read through all the posts here and I don't know what you're talking about.

    You and I are talking about two different topics, SlingLow. You are relating how to communicate over the noise of the SlingShot, in which I am in total agreement with your methods by utilizing an intercom. But what I would just like is to quiet the SlingShot over-all to where such devices for communicating would not be necessary. But this topic seems to rub some folks the wrong way where whenever anybody brings it up, it is mostly met with disdain and sarcasm? The one item that has made a noticeable difference with quieting down the ride of our SlingShot is when we have the MeanSling Sport Top installed and "properly" adjusted, ("improperly" adjusted it have quite the opposite effect where it can be irritatingly noisy!) Even though I still am not fond of tops on the SlingShot on a whole, one of the positive things the Sport Top can provide is drastically reduced wind turbulence in the passenger compartment, and thus an overall reduction in noise. It was after the installation of the Sport Top, and replacing our full faced helmets with more open half-helmets, (Bell Pit Boss, to be precise), did we actually realize just how noisy the tires can be. So, even though the BF Goodrich tires provide the better traction that we were seeking, now finding a quieter tire which provides the same traction would be a plus. It would also be nice, as well as beneficial I believe, to be able to discuss other methods of quieting down the SlingShot?


    Bill

  • quietest tires

    What is it about the topic where when folks express that they would like to make their SlingShot quieter that it seems to bring out contention and push back?


    Bill