I'm happy to spread the word for you! I have used AirHawk pads for several years and I've always been impressed with the product durability and the added comfort on long rides! 👍👍 --QM
Glad to help, and thx for the feedback! I plan to fabricate the mounting/adapter plate for the MAX mount, so I can strap down drybags and/or mount larger top boxes on the Ryker. I'll be sure to follow-up with another video when I can get some traction on that project. --QM
I'm glad that the video helped! I really enjoy my AirHawk... it makes the long rides much more bearable. The trick to the AirHawk pads is to NOT overinflate them. You want just enough air to fill the gaps beneath you but not lift you up so much that you're "disconnected" from the bike. I usually start out with the pad about 1/3 full of air, and then sit down on it and slowly let the air out until I just barely feel the seat beneath the pad. Cheers, and happy Rykin'! 😉👍 --QM
Really enjoy your posts. Am considering buying a Ryker 900 or Rally, and I do a few long (2000-4000 km) trips per rear. How is the vibration and at what speed is there a “sweet spot”, if any? Thanks!
Thanks for the feedback! The 900 triple is definitely smoother than the 600 twin. Many Ryker owners have commented (or complained) about handlebar vibration, but I haven't found it to be too annoying. At idle or lower rev's, the bars definitely shake around a bit, but above idle it smooths out and isn't noticeable to me. I haven't really found any particular "sweet spot" with my Rally in terms of engine RPM or road speed, but I have noticed the motor tends to "settle-in" around 72-75 mph (115-120 km/h). The Ryker's fuel economy is perplexing. I realized early in my Ryker ownership that it tends to get roughly the same economy whether ridden nice or hard. I have seen ~34 mpg from it on a couple of occasions, but it typically returns 28-31 mpg average (in US gallons). A Ryker 600 owner that I rode with in Oklahoma City said that his 600 returned about the same economy (30-31 mpg). So, tend to ride my Ryker a little bit hard... if there's no real incentive to be nice to it, then I might as well have some fun and roast the rear tire. 😉👍
I have only made one long highway trip with it, and that was done in less than ideal conditions (e.g. high winds). The average on that trip was ~31 MPG while maintaining ~65 MPH average speed. I plan to take a few more trips with the Ryker in the near future, so we should have some better data to work with. You can track my fuel stats on Fuelly.com at : www.fuelly.com/driver/quasimotard --QM
Oh, yeah... now you're talking! 👍 🍺 I've already planned that little mod... I'll be taking the Ryker down to Galveston or Matagorda Bay in a few weeks. I'll be sitting on the beach with my own motorized beer chest in tow! --QM
No, I haven't messed with the VSS or TC disable options yet. I'm sure that the ECU will frown on that and go into limp-mode if we tinker around with things on the Ryker. I'd like to have the option to disable the rear wheel TC (or if rally mode would do it), so the 900 ACE could really spin up the tire. That could be lots of fun for throttle-steering the bike around corners, donuts, burn-outs, etc. The sensors that I'm aware of are the wheel speed sensors (at each wheel), the steering-angle sensor, throttle position (throttle-by-wire for this bike), and there may also be a body roll sensor (IMU) to detect lean angle and/or wheel lift (not sure about that one). The traction nanny is actually VERY good on the Ryker... it's so good (intrusive) that it annoys me when I'm intentionally trying to get the bike out of shape. The other nanny sensor for "passenger mode" is easy to find. It is a magnetic sensor (reed switch or similar) in the left passenger footpeg mounting hole. The left peg pivot has a magnet on the top of the rotating shaft that triggers the sensor and prevents you from using "sport" or "rally" modes when it is engaged. The passenger mode sets a different TC/VSS map to compensate for more weight on the rear of the bike. When riding the Ryker with a pillion, it tends to push the front end very easily in corners, so the nanny is a good thing in this case. Cheers! 👍 --QM
The seat pad in this video is the AirHawk Cruiser-R Large. I already had that seat pad from another bike in the garage, so it was an easy swap. I didn't have the passenger seat for my Ryker when this video was made, but I have added that accessory now. There are two passenger seat options from BRP: Passenger seat ($279.99): can-am.brp.com/on-road/shop/ryker-accessories/seats-backrests/seats/passenger-seat.html Passenger Comfort Seat ($399.99): can-am.brp.com/on-road/shop/ryker-accessories/seats-backrests/seats/passenger-comfort-seat.html The comfort version apparently has a thicker (wider?) seat, but it's about $120 more than the "normal" version. Both seat kits come with the footpegs, but the backrest is not included. So, you have to add piece that if your passenger needs the comfort or security of the backrest. There are two versions of the backrest: Passenger Short Rail ($199.99): can-am.brp.com/on-road/shop/ryker-accessories/seats-backrests/backrests/passenger-short-rail.html Foldable Passenger Backrest ($299.99): can-am.brp.com/on-road/shop/ryker-accessories/seats-backrests/backrests/foldable-passenger-backrest.html So, after you combine the cheapest passenger seat and backrest option, the pillion will cost you at least $480, and the "comfort" seat and folding backrest combo will cost a whopping $700. I opted for the standard seat and the folding backrest, so my total was in the middle at $580 (the folding backrest costs more than the seat!). I have an AirHawk Cruiser Small that I can strap to the passenger seat if my daughter ever needs it (she's the only one that rides pillion with me right now). --QM
I just uploaded another video showing the AirHawk Cruiser Small and the Dual-Sport options: th-cam.com/video/GoDYp7-B8iE/w-d-xo.html . I don't know if that helps to answer your question, but it shows what the smaller pads look like on the rear seat. I'll take my daughter out for a ride later this evening and let her decide which option feels better. --QM
Not before this trip, but I did have the laser alignment done the following weekend (3/9/2019). The Ryker was a real handful on the highway with the alignment as it was... but that has been greatly improved now! I was able to video that process, and I will try to edit that footage into something useful for everyone... it should be uploaded in the next few days. --QM
Yes, I had the laser alignment performed last Saturday (2019-03-09), and it helped drastically with the handling issues. The constant pull to the right is gone, and the handlebars are also indexed/aligned properly (they were tilted right about 2.5 degrees). I do still notice a bit of drifting or wandering at 65-70 MPH, but it's not nearly as pronounced as it was before the alignment was done. The only real nasty behavior that I still don't like is how it handles grooved pavement on IH-10 in Houston. It must be something specific to the tire tread or track width that causes it to jump back and forth... none of my other machines (cars, motorcycles, or scooters) experience that even 1/10th as badly as the Ryker Rally does. I'm becoming accustomed to it now and I know what to expect, so it is less unnerving... but those are still bad road manners, IMHO. --QM
Yep, that's the plan. I will be fabricating a mounting plate for the MAX mount that lets me put whatever kind of bag/box I want on there. The Can-Am LinQ top case is nothing more than a glamorized backrest (a fairly comfortable one, though)... it can't even fit a 12" Ultrabook (see my initial review of it here: th-cam.com/video/45QwhQfGG44/w-d-xo.html ). Hard bags and drybags are definitely a better choice. The DrySpec D38 that I show in this video is a real workhorse... it has seen 40K+ miles of rough, off-road use (abuse) over the last 7 years and still works like new. Hard bags are good for locking your loot, but bad for fitting things and they take dents/dings where soft bags don't. Different roles for different rides. --QM
No, the added height of the AirHawk is only about 0.50-0.75" when the cushion is inflated properly. The Ryker has a very low seat height anyway, and you really never need to put your feet down... so the added height isn't a problem for me. Taller riders might not want to sit any higher if they have the windscreen (trying to stay behind the bubble), but I think the added comfort is worth the half-inch bump in height. 👍 --QM
We always enjoy seeing and hearing reviews and how to videos. Thank you and happy riding!
I'm happy to spread the word for you! I have used AirHawk pads for several years and I've always been impressed with the product durability and the added comfort on long rides! 👍👍 --QM
You addressed two of my concerns, storage for camping trips and a comfort seat. Thanks
Glad to help, and thx for the feedback! I plan to fabricate the mounting/adapter plate for the MAX mount, so I can strap down drybags and/or mount larger top boxes on the Ryker. I'll be sure to follow-up with another video when I can get some traction on that project. --QM
Hey thank you for this video I was able to install my Airhawk and am looking forward to more comfort riding!
I'm glad that the video helped! I really enjoy my AirHawk... it makes the long rides much more bearable. The trick to the AirHawk pads is to NOT overinflate them. You want just enough air to fill the gaps beneath you but not lift you up so much that you're "disconnected" from the bike. I usually start out with the pad about 1/3 full of air, and then sit down on it and slowly let the air out until I just barely feel the seat beneath the pad. Cheers, and happy Rykin'! 😉👍 --QM
Really enjoy your posts. Am considering buying a Ryker 900 or Rally, and I do a few long (2000-4000 km) trips per rear. How is the vibration and at what speed is there a “sweet spot”, if any? Thanks!
Thanks for the feedback! The 900 triple is definitely smoother than the 600 twin. Many Ryker owners have commented (or complained) about handlebar vibration, but I haven't found it to be too annoying. At idle or lower rev's, the bars definitely shake around a bit, but above idle it smooths out and isn't noticeable to me. I haven't really found any particular "sweet spot" with my Rally in terms of engine RPM or road speed, but I have noticed the motor tends to "settle-in" around 72-75 mph (115-120 km/h).
The Ryker's fuel economy is perplexing. I realized early in my Ryker ownership that it tends to get roughly the same economy whether ridden nice or hard. I have seen ~34 mpg from it on a couple of occasions, but it typically returns 28-31 mpg average (in US gallons). A Ryker 600 owner that I rode with in Oklahoma City said that his 600 returned about the same economy (30-31 mpg). So, tend to ride my Ryker a little bit hard... if there's no real incentive to be nice to it, then I might as well have some fun and roast the rear tire. 😉👍
What is your mpg in ECO mode on your long trips? I really haven't found anything on the mpg on the can-am website.
I have only made one long highway trip with it, and that was done in less than ideal conditions (e.g. high winds). The average on that trip was ~31 MPG while maintaining ~65 MPH average speed. I plan to take a few more trips with the Ryker in the near future, so we should have some better data to work with. You can track my fuel stats on Fuelly.com at : www.fuelly.com/driver/quasimotard --QM
Come to think of it an Igloo cooler with a 1/4 inch plate and 4 7/16 bolts would be better...
Oh, yeah... now you're talking! 👍 🍺 I've already planned that little mod... I'll be taking the Ryker down to Galveston or Matagorda Bay in a few weeks. I'll be sitting on the beach with my own motorized beer chest in tow! --QM
U figured out how to disable the vss or where the sensors are?
No, I haven't messed with the VSS or TC disable options yet. I'm sure that the ECU will frown on that and go into limp-mode if we tinker around with things on the Ryker. I'd like to have the option to disable the rear wheel TC (or if rally mode would do it), so the 900 ACE could really spin up the tire. That could be lots of fun for throttle-steering the bike around corners, donuts, burn-outs, etc. The sensors that I'm aware of are the wheel speed sensors (at each wheel), the steering-angle sensor, throttle position (throttle-by-wire for this bike), and there may also be a body roll sensor (IMU) to detect lean angle and/or wheel lift (not sure about that one). The traction nanny is actually VERY good on the Ryker... it's so good (intrusive) that it annoys me when I'm intentionally trying to get the bike out of shape.
The other nanny sensor for "passenger mode" is easy to find. It is a magnetic sensor (reed switch or similar) in the left passenger footpeg mounting hole. The left peg pivot has a magnet on the top of the rotating shaft that triggers the sensor and prevents you from using "sport" or "rally" modes when it is engaged. The passenger mode sets a different TC/VSS map to compensate for more weight on the rear of the bike. When riding the Ryker with a pillion, it tends to push the front end very easily in corners, so the nanny is a good thing in this case. Cheers! 👍 --QM
Which size did you choose? Is there also a suitable seat for the passenger.
The seat pad in this video is the AirHawk Cruiser-R Large. I already had that seat pad from another bike in the garage, so it was an easy swap. I didn't have the passenger seat for my Ryker when this video was made, but I have added that accessory now. There are two passenger seat options from BRP:
Passenger seat ($279.99): can-am.brp.com/on-road/shop/ryker-accessories/seats-backrests/seats/passenger-seat.html
Passenger Comfort Seat ($399.99): can-am.brp.com/on-road/shop/ryker-accessories/seats-backrests/seats/passenger-comfort-seat.html
The comfort version apparently has a thicker (wider?) seat, but it's about $120 more than the "normal" version. Both seat kits come with the footpegs, but the backrest is not included. So, you have to add piece that if your passenger needs the comfort or security of the backrest. There are two versions of the backrest:
Passenger Short Rail ($199.99): can-am.brp.com/on-road/shop/ryker-accessories/seats-backrests/backrests/passenger-short-rail.html
Foldable Passenger Backrest ($299.99): can-am.brp.com/on-road/shop/ryker-accessories/seats-backrests/backrests/foldable-passenger-backrest.html
So, after you combine the cheapest passenger seat and backrest option, the pillion will cost you at least $480, and the "comfort" seat and folding backrest combo will cost a whopping $700. I opted for the standard seat and the folding backrest, so my total was in the middle at $580 (the folding backrest costs more than the seat!). I have an AirHawk Cruiser Small that I can strap to the passenger seat if my daughter ever needs it (she's the only one that rides pillion with me right now). --QM
@@QuasiMotardi have both comfort seats and the long backrest but I would like to test the Air Hawk anyway. Thank you for information
Ah, good... you're already set then! I'll strap the Cruiser Small on my passenger seat to see how it fits and then get back to you shortly. --QM
@@QuasiMotard okay thank you😉
I just uploaded another video showing the AirHawk Cruiser Small and the Dual-Sport options: th-cam.com/video/GoDYp7-B8iE/w-d-xo.html . I don't know if that helps to answer your question, but it shows what the smaller pads look like on the rear seat. I'll take my daughter out for a ride later this evening and let her decide which option feels better. --QM
Did you sort out the front end instability?
Not before this trip, but I did have the laser alignment done the following weekend (3/9/2019). The Ryker was a real handful on the highway with the alignment as it was... but that has been greatly improved now! I was able to video that process, and I will try to edit that footage into something useful for everyone... it should be uploaded in the next few days. --QM
What ever happened with the alignment? Did it help?
Yes, I had the laser alignment performed last Saturday (2019-03-09), and it helped drastically with the handling issues. The constant pull to the right is gone, and the handlebars are also indexed/aligned properly (they were tilted right about 2.5 degrees). I do still notice a bit of drifting or wandering at 65-70 MPH, but it's not nearly as pronounced as it was before the alignment was done. The only real nasty behavior that I still don't like is how it handles grooved pavement on IH-10 in Houston. It must be something specific to the tire tread or track width that causes it to jump back and forth... none of my other machines (cars, motorcycles, or scooters) experience that even 1/10th as badly as the Ryker Rally does. I'm becoming accustomed to it now and I know what to expect, so it is less unnerving... but those are still bad road manners, IMHO. --QM
QuasiMotard perfect! That’s great. Being a fellow perfectionist I know how irritating things like that can be. Thanks for the update. :)
That top bag on the Ryker is kinda useless.Make a bolt on bracket and put a hard bag of your choice on it that would even be lockable.
Yep, that's the plan. I will be fabricating a mounting plate for the MAX mount that lets me put whatever kind of bag/box I want on there. The Can-Am LinQ top case is nothing more than a glamorized backrest (a fairly comfortable one, though)... it can't even fit a 12" Ultrabook (see my initial review of it here: th-cam.com/video/45QwhQfGG44/w-d-xo.html ). Hard bags and drybags are definitely a better choice. The DrySpec D38 that I show in this video is a real workhorse... it has seen 40K+ miles of rough, off-road use (abuse) over the last 7 years and still works like new. Hard bags are good for locking your loot, but bad for fitting things and they take dents/dings where soft bags don't. Different roles for different rides. --QM
Does it raise you up too much
No, the added height of the AirHawk is only about 0.50-0.75" when the cushion is inflated properly. The Ryker has a very low seat height anyway, and you really never need to put your feet down... so the added height isn't a problem for me. Taller riders might not want to sit any higher if they have the windscreen (trying to stay behind the bubble), but I think the added comfort is worth the half-inch bump in height. 👍 --QM
Thank you