Launch edition is a lot more different than I expected.

[Ottoman]

After 4 months of waiting my turn at the local SC arrived.
I dropped my adventure QM R1T on 21's Vin 21XXX off for warranty work and was given a loaner.

It's a Launch edition in green on the 20's VIN is a very low 16XX with about 20k miles.

I was surprised at the differences I noticed:

1.) motors/whine MUCH louder (part of that is probably the A/T tire noise) but my truck is way quieter/cleaner on accel. steering also vibrates slightly from tires too. I felt like I needed the audio to drown out the NVH. where as my truck I can drive with nothing playing at all.

2.) Sound system is much better (I expected this one)

3.) the vented seats are like ICE compared to mine .. I can keep mine on Level 3 all the time and it feels cool at best.. I felt like Level 2 was enough and L3 was starting to get TOO cold through my back.

4.) suspension seems way softer and more compliant than mine.. Going over the same speed bumps I take everyday, the launch edition feels like a trophy truck and could take the bumps 10-15 mph faster than mine.

This one really surprised me, sure some of it could be accounted for by the Sidewalls of the offroad tire, but my Truck feels way stiffer over the bumps and Bucks as you hit them.. the loaner felt like I was driving a raptor. in the same All Purpose mode with suspension on soft at normal ride height. I wonder if the suspension tuning is different as well as part of the off-road package?


I wonder if there were small changes along the way or what.

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[strykerwsu]

It's mainly the tire and sidewall.

I have all 3 versions for R1S and R1T. 21s are way better riding than 22's, but are no match for the 20s. Problem with the 20s is they have more steering wheel shake due to the weight. I have a set of atomic 20s for range with larger sidewall than 21s but match 21s diameter and they are the goldilocks zone if not offroading.

Also confirm that Meridian is way better than in house crap.

 

[opnwide]

It's mainly the tire and sidewall.

I have all 3 versions for R1S and R1T. 21s are way better riding than 22's, but are no match for the 20s. Problem with the 20s is they have more steering wheel shake due to the weight. I have a set of atomic 20s for range with larger sidewall than 21s but match 21s diameter and they are the goldilocks zone if not offroading.

Also confirm that Meridian is way better than in house crap.

I largely agree but my aggressive 20” 67lb LT Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT’s have zero shake or shimmy at speeds, shall we say, high.

 

[Ottoman]

It's mainly the tire and sidewall.

I have all 3 versions for R1S and R1T. 21s are way better riding than 22's, but are no match for the 20s. Problem with the 20s is they have more steering wheel shake due to the weight. I have a set of atomic 20s for range with larger sidewall than 21s but match 21s diameter and they are the goldilocks zone if not offroading.

Also confirm that Meridian is way better than in house crap.

I think you are right
I just did some more testing
The stock scorpions A/Ts are super noisy.

Holding the pedal at a neutral position to take any drivetrain noise out of it and those puppies just HOWL.

I originally had fomo for going with the 21s and the cost of replacements. But I dunno if I could live with the stock A/Ts long enough to wear them out.

I wonder how the Gen2s will fair.

 

[RWerksman]

Having an early LE with AT tires and now a much later Max Pack Dual with the 21" road tires, all of this post seems right on the money.

Much of the suspension stuff is the tires. The motor whine though, yep, that's a thing in comparison. I'm also surprised you didn't mention wind noise. ?

 

[Tr4ckD4ys]

I largely agree but my aggressive 20” 67lb LT Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT’s have zero shake or shimmy at speeds, shall we say, high.

I don’t really want to hijack the thread but I do: What was the efficiency hit you took by putting on those tires - compared to OEM?

 

[opnwide]

I don’t really want to hijack the thread but I do: What was the efficiency hit you took by putting on those tires - compared to OEM?

I’m down from 2.14 to now 1.9—
Here’s my thread… https://www.rivianforums.com/mickey...-like-nebraska-honestly-its-not-for-everyone/

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

#4 is due to the 34.1” tires. Suspension is exactly the same. You have 32.9” tires on larger 21” wheels. Think about difference in air volume of the tires. Plus tire construction and sidewall stiffness is different.

 

[Andystroh]

I recently had my dampers (dampeners?) replaced at the service center. My truck was made early 2022. They mentioned the ones in my truck now are like the third version they’ve installed in trucks. There have definitely been changes. For what it’s worth I haven’t noticed a change but I am not that sensitive anyway

 

[SeaGeo]

turn on the floor fans on the rear for your seat fans to feel cool. They just blow the air from below the seat.

 

[CrazyOne]

Same experience with ride quality. I cannot live with AT 20s. I still think 21s are best for normal use for range, ride and handling, if not for cost and availability issues. If they last me 25 to 30k, I will keep them. If they wear out at 20k or below, I will consider switching to 20s with AS tires.

 

[Noplacelikeloam]

I recently had my dampers (dampeners?) replaced at the service center. My truck was made early 2022. They mentioned the ones in my truck now are like the third version they’ve installed in trucks. There have definitely been changes. For what it’s worth I haven’t noticed a change but I am not that sensitive anyway

same. My dampers were replaced with an updated version and it made a difference for sure.

 

[MidnightRivian]

I love the Quad Motor whine and the comfort of 20" All Terrains.

I am head over heels for my Quad Motor Launch Edition especially after the most recent suspension update.

Get a road force balancing done at Discount Tire / install the heavier steering wheel from the service center (if you qualify) and that should resolve most of the steering wheel shake.

 

[swazi]

same. My dampers were replaced with an updated version and it made a difference for sure.

What was the issue for the dampers to get replaced?

 

[SeaGeo]

Get a road force balancing done at Discount Tire / install the heavier steering wheel from the service center (if you qualify) and that should resolve most of the steering wheel shake.

I second this. Road force balancing the tires has resolve *all* shake for me.

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