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Plain F3 or F3S??
Hello, looking for some opinions about the differences between a plain F3 and a F3S. I am planning to buy a Spyder again. I had a 2015 F3S before and sold it last year. I am trying to get into riding again but cannot decide if spending the additional money on a F3 S is woth it. My local dealer has decent prices on both models as 2017 and I know there are some small cosmetic diiferences like the front wheels, front fenders but according to specs the plain F3 has a bit less power and the front shocks are different, not mentioning also the lack of cruise control.
Besides the fenders and wheels, does anyone know if the horsepower difference or the front shocks performance is noticeable for cruising around town or taking country back roads on weekends? Definitely not looking to take it on a track.
Thanks
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Very Active Member
Personally I like the F3-T. The extra storage is welcome, the stereo is adequate and cruise is essential. I find the lines of the body to be sleek and attractive. If you have no frequent passenger it's ideal.
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Very Active Member
The 2017 base model in addition to lower HP also comes with the smaller rear pulley. There is a significant and noticeable performance difference between the F3 and F3S for 2017 and 18. 15 and 16 models the performance was the same between them.
There are a few other differences as well. Cruise control that you mentioned. Some trim and color options and the forward rails next to the instrument cluster are plastic on the base model rather that metal and have to be changed out to mount a BRP windshield. Some years the base model is missing the transmission side cover. The front shocks are different but neither are great. They have the same lack luster rear spring/shock.
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Very Active Member
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I added the Blue Ridge windshield to my 2017 base model at time of purchase.
There was no change to the forward rails to mount the shield. They are metal.
I chose the base for two reasons, one being price.
The second being less "stuff" to go wrong. No air pump to fail, no airbag to leak, no radio or other electronic gizmos to fail.
I see very few problems mentioned here with the base model. Admittedly, there are much fewer of them but I think a lot of the issues folks have is because of all the electronic complexity on the upper level models.
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Very Active Member
2021 RTL , brake pedal from "Web Boards" chalk white
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by ofdave
I added the Blue Ridge windshield to my 2017 base model at time of purchase.
There was no change to the forward rails to mount the shield. They are metal.
I chose the base for two reasons, one being price.
The second being less "stuff" to go wrong. No air pump to fail, no airbag to leak, no radio or other electronic gizmos to fail.
I see very few problems mentioned here with the base model. Admittedly, there are much fewer of them but I think a lot of the issues folks have is because of all the electronic complexity on the upper level models.
No air pump on the F3S
2016 F3 Limited
2019 Ryker Rally
2014 Suzuki V Strom 650
2020 CSC TT 250
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by SASR
Hello, looking for some opinions about the differences between a plain F3 and a F3S. I am planning to buy a Spyder again. I had a 2015 F3S before and sold it last year. I am trying to get into riding again but cannot decide if spending the additional money on a F3 S is woth it. My local dealer has decent prices on both models as 2017 and I know there are some small cosmetic diiferences like the front wheels, front fenders but according to specs the plain F3 has a bit less power and the front shocks are different, not mentioning also the lack of cruise control.
Besides the fenders and wheels, does anyone know if the horsepower difference or the front shocks performance is noticeable for cruising around town or taking country back roads on weekends? Definitely not looking to take it on a track.
Thanks
There is a new model coming out this fall, an under $10K Spyder. For the occasional ride it might be perfect.
2016 F3 Limited
2019 Ryker Rally
2014 Suzuki V Strom 650
2020 CSC TT 250
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by ofdave
I added the Blue Ridge windshield to my 2017 base model at time of purchase.
There was no change to the forward rails to mount the shield. They are metal.
I chose the base for two reasons, one being price.
The second being less "stuff" to go wrong. No air pump to fail, no airbag to leak, no radio or other electronic gizmos to fail.
I see very few problems mentioned here with the base model. Admittedly, there are much fewer of them but I think a lot of the issues folks have is because of all the electronic complexity on the upper level models.
Sounds like the dumped the plastic side rails in the later base models. i always thought it was a dumb way to try and save a few $$.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Highwayman2013
There is a new model coming out this fall, an under $10K Spyder. For the occasional ride it might be perfect.
I must say, I am anxiously waiting to see if this is going to really happen, and what it might look like.
2021 RTL , brake pedal from "Web Boards" chalk white
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Originally Posted by jcthorne
Sounds like the dumped the plastic side rails in the later base models. i always thought it was a dumb way to try and save a few $$.
I have a 2015 Base Model, and no plastic side rails on mine when I mounted my Blueridge Screen.
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Since it's your money: you get to make the call!
But if it were my money: I'd want the "S"!
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Colin
I have a 2015 Base Model, and no plastic side rails on mine when I mounted my Blueridge Screen.
Are you sure yours are metal? I have had to replace 3 sets on 2015 and 16 base model F3, one of them my own.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
Since it's your money: you get to make the call!
But if it were my money: I'd want the "S"!
There are also color differences. Thats why I started with a base model and added. I wanted the gloss black frame, not matte and the silver metallic side castings and rear wheel to go with the planned blue paint. None of that was available on the S trim level. Adding cruise and the other bobbles was not hard, easier than changing out frame parts to be sure.
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Originally Posted by ofdave
I added the Blue Ridge windshield to my 2017 base model at time of purchase.
There was no change to the forward rails to mount the shield. They are metal.
I chose the base for two reasons, one being price.
The second being less "stuff" to go wrong. No air pump to fail, no airbag to leak, no radio or other electronic gizmos to fail.
I see very few problems mentioned here with the base model. Admittedly, there are much fewer of them but I think a lot of the issues folks have is because of all the electronic complexity on the upper level models.
Thanks and I agree that is why I am choosing between F3 and F3S, which I think the only electronic difference is thecruise control.
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Originally Posted by Highwayman2013
There is a new model coming out this fall, an under $10K Spyder. For the occasional ride it might be perfect.
Where did you see that information? I have not seen anything on the BRP site and if I remember correctly, new models are released in late August.
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman
Since it's your money: you get to make the call!
But if it were my money: I'd want the "S"!
I think I will go for the S soon. Thanks
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Originally Posted by Highwayman2013
No air pump on the F3S
What is the air pump for??
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Originally Posted by SASR
What is the air pump for??
If its the same as my 2017 F3-T … its found under the pillion seat and used to adjust the rear shock ride height for various loads … fat - fatter or Ouch that hirts!
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Active Member
Originally Posted by SASR
Thanks and I agree that is why I am choosing between F3 and F3S, which I think the only electronic difference is thecruise control.
The F3S has Sport Mode too. This was added in the 2017+ models.
Marilyn 2023 RTL Red
John 2023 RTL Black
previous:
2015 RTS SE6 Red
2015 F3S SE6 Silver
2011 RT SM5 Silver
2013 STS SM5 Silver
"common sense will prevail....but we see no sign of that"
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Originally Posted by nhoj
The F3S has Sport Mode too. This was added in the 2017+ models.
You are right, totally forgot about that.
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Active Member
F3s
I'd go with the F3S rather than the base model. I've got a 2015 F-3 and the power level i about right. I'm going to add cruise control soon since my hand gets tired on long freeway runs. But my bike looks nothing like a F-3 anymore. I was taking the Arizona Trike Course last week and the dealer where the classroom was had a F-3S on the floor and I was shocked to see just how much I've added to my bike since I bought it. The standard F-3S look naked by comparison. If you are going to add a windshield, don't waste your money on a factory one, the aftermarket ones are better and cheaper and not too hard to install. I had a Blueridge and it dumped the slipstream right on my chest at freeway speed.
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Active Member
F3 Base model
Originally Posted by ofdave
I added the Blue Ridge windshield to my 2017 base model at time of purchase.
There was no change to the forward rails to mount the shield. They are metal.
I chose the base for two reasons, one being price.
The second being less "stuff" to go wrong. No air pump to fail, no airbag to leak, no radio or other electronic gizmos to fail.
I see very few problems mentioned here with the base model. Admittedly, there are much fewer of them but I think a lot of the issues folks have is because of all the electronic complexity on the upper level models.
I also have the F3 Base model, 2015. Bought it for the same reasons. Upgraded the shock, Xcreen on the Blueridge windhield, LED lights that blink on the fenders and some other small stuff. I read somewhere that new models are coming out with shaft drive. That will devalue all of the ones that are belt driven. And an under $10,000 model? That would be tempting. Can Am must have finally realized to get more Spyders on the road, they have to make them more affordable. Not everyone has, or wants to spend, $30,000 on a motorcycle.
John F.
Tallahassee, FL
2015 Spyder F3 SE6, black
BRP Driver/passenger Footboards
BRP Adjustable Passenger Backrest
Blue Ridge Windshield
MRA X-Creen Tour, clear, clamp-on
H4 LED Headlights
F3 LED Fog Light Kit, LED Amber Halo Ring Kit, LED Tail Lights, F3 Rear run/brake/turn LEDs
Easy Brackets
Leatherworks, Inc. 120 Special Slight Angle Saddlebags
Custom Dynamics Front Mud Flap LED lights, Street Magic Front Fender Tips, Double Feature Lens
2-up rear shock
Idler pulley kit
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Active Member
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