Got the "I want"'s

[zuni]

Did another demo ryde of the F3 today this time in Jacksonville. Really like the way this model rydes and feels.

As a side note I also want the software flashed on my 2014 RT-S to get rid of the computer wait time before starting. NO WAITING on the F3 . Saying it is for safety or security doesn't fly if you make it model specific.

Looks like we will be adding the F3 to our garage. Easy enough to change from her preferred seating position #2 to my #5. Reps claim it is about a 20 minute job.

CJ JAX

[Bob Denman]

So tell us about which model, and colors...

[robmorg]

Did another demo ryde of the F3 today this time in Jacksonville. Really like the way this model rydes and feels....

CJ JAX

CJ,

Wow, that's great that you've gotten two demo rides on the F3 already. Didn't know that they eliminated the "waiting time" to start the bike. That's a real positive.

What I am really curious about is exactly how they accomplished the better ride and the better feel. I'm sure many folks are curious about that. Can you try and put into words, from your limited experience on the bike, exactly how the ride feels different, and especially how it handles differently from your RT-S, and your opinion about the design changes on of the F3 that contribute to those improvements?

[Bob Denman]

Please tell me a little bit more about the "new and improved" startup process...
No waiting???

[zuni]

Please tell me a little bit more about the "new and improved" startup process...
No waiting???

Turn the key to on, tap the eco button, kill switch off, hit starter button, slip into gear and RYDE!

CJ JAX

[den1953]

I envy you and others that have gotten their demo rydes already. My dealer up here in Ohio says he won't be getting one until maybe late November, and that's just a maybe!! Usually we are well into cold weather here by that time and snow isn't unheard of. Spring weather is over 5 months away and the wait will seem long. I guess I'll just have to do some static sits in dealer showrooms and at the big motorcycle show in Cleveland this January. I'll just keep reading posts here and reading magazine tests over the winter to stay up on the F3.

[PrairieSpyder]

Wow! No waiting to start? I'm liking this better and better!

[zuni]

CJ,

Wow, that's great that you've gotten two demo rides on the F3 already. Didn't know that they eliminated the "waiting time" to start the bike. That's a real positive.

What I am really curious about is exactly how they accomplished the better ride and the better feel. I'm sure many folks are curious about that. Can you try and put into words, from your limited experience on the bike, exactly how the ride feels different, and especially how it handles differently from your RT-S, and your opinion about the design changes on of the F3 that contribute to those improvements?

Probably the biggest thing for me is the ryding position. With the fuel tank moved forward you are sitting lower on the bike, feels more like you are working with it than ryding on top of it. The feet forward cruiser style will appeal to some and not others. I like it. I feel that I get to use my legs more when ryding in this position. Pushing against the foot pegs holds you in the seat better with spirited maneuvers. There is more support behind the driver and less of a need for an additional backrest. With the lowered seating the handlebars are now higher in relation to your body. They are claiming more low end torque with the larger sprocket and I would have to agree, but then I am comparing it to my 2014 RT-S which has about 160 lbs more of bike and then we are usually two up ryding. The F3 wanted to go when you gave it a twist. A couple of times I jumped a bit faster than the bike in front of me while not even trying, can you say BRAKE. Enough tupperware to make it sleek and enough engine and mechanical to show it isn't a toy. It has far less of a lawn tractor in person than in all the photos but I can't put my finger on why that is. Bottom line is we went to ryde the new model for the chance to say we did and not because we were looking for another bike, but....looks like CARA will have some company in the garage.

CJ JAX

[ThreeWheels]

No waiting !!!!

I hope they can push that through to other models.

[zuni]

No waiting !!!!

I hope they can push that through to other models.

I would love to see it but don't expect it. I'm sure they could come up with a laundry list of reasons why it can't happen.

CJ JAX

[Cruzr Joe]

Wow! No waiting to start? I'm liking this better and better!

Now we can use it as a getaway car in our bank robbery jobs


Cruzr Joe

[Chupaca]

looks like a small leap from the "I want" to the "I Got". Just the waiting...

[OJ UK]

Tell me about it!!

[Bob Denman]

Now we can use it as a getaway car in our bank robbery jobs


Cruzr Joe

I was thinking the exact same thing...
Only I'm signing my post as....


...Anonymous!

[robmorg]

Probably the biggest thing for me is the ryding position. With the fuel tank moved forward you are sitting lower on the bike, feels more like you are working with it than ryding on top of it. The feet forward cruiser style will appeal to some and not others. I like it. I feel that I get to use my legs more when ryding in this position. Pushing against the foot pegs holds you in the seat better with spirited maneuvers. There is more support behind the driver and less of a need for an additional backrest. With the lowered seating the handlebars are now higher in relation to your body. They are claiming more low end torque with the larger sprocket and I would have to agree, but then I am comparing it to my 2014 RT-S which has about 160 lbs more of bike and then we are usually two up ryding. The F3 wanted to go when you gave it a twist. A couple of times I jumped a bit faster than the bike in front of me while not even trying, can you say BRAKE. Enough tupperware to make it sleek and enough engine and mechanical to show it isn't a toy. It has far less of a lawn tractor in person than in all the photos but I can't put my finger on why that is. Bottom line is we went to ryde the new model for the chance to say we did and not because we were looking for another bike, but....looks like CARA will have some company in the garage.

CJ JAX

CJ,

Thanks for your observations. Very interesting. Good to hear confirmation that the lower center of gravity (rider sitting behind the gas tank, rather than on top of it) makes you feel that you are working with the bike, rather than just perched on top "going along for the ride" - especially on the turns, I'd imagine. Between that, the improved riding position, and the other things you mentioned, it's easy to see why you would want one after a few test rides.

[flamingobabe]

I will test ride Nov. 6th at Lone Star Rally.....hoping for an hour or 2 out on the road....sitting in the saddle vs. on the saddle will be a plus......waiting.......thanks for your test ride review

[sledmaster]

I believe the "no waiting" feature for start-up is due to the modified 2008-style gauge package. The wait time on RT/ST models now is more of a boot issue for the LCD screen gauge, IMO. With the "older" style gauge on the F3 it lights up immediately and fires right up after a single key stroke, no big screen that you have to wait for. It is nice.

[Bob Denman]

Sooo... Is this a case of, "Teaching a NEW dog; OLD tricks"?

[sledmaster]

It was likely a case of responding to owner's complaints about the boot time on the LCD color screen on the RTs and STs, and an effort to lower production costs. The monochrome 3-dial gauge like what the GS/RS models had was quick to come up, and with the F3 being a bit more of the "raw" look it seems more fitting to give it the basic gauge set instead of the full-blown color display of the RT.

That is always one thing that drives me nuts on the ST-S compared to the 2008 GS is the wait time. The GS gauge is ready at about 4 seconds, where the ST takes like 11-12 seconds to be ready. The only benefit was to give the fuel pump time to pressurize the fuel rail before you hit the start key, but I have never had an issue getting the GS started with a quick crank.

I looked through my F3 photos but do not find a good image of the gauge package. The faceplate is different than what my 2008 GS has. I think we can see the corner of one here......this image also shows the new parking brake toggle switch as well.

BJN44611.jpg

[OJ UK]

Here ya go....



F3Dash.jpg

My pleasure!

I'm already going green at all of the test rydes people are getting! I've ordered mine 'blind'.....no test rydes possible. thenvy-1.gif