New Member...Should I Wait to get my F3?

[GreenSpyderGirl]

I have ridden my 2012 RS-S for a little over 3000 miles and love it,however I had quite a bit of shoulder fatigue after a 600 mile ride bent forward due to the sport position of the RS-S. I love the sporty ride of it but will be doing some longer rides. Was ready to go buy an F3 but reading about the vibration issues I am wondering if I should wait for Can Am to figure it out.

[bscrive]

I would look at putting on some handlebar risers first. I did that to my wife's old RS and it worked great for her.

On the flip side, I don't think every F3 has the vibration issue. Also, I am sure a belt tensioner will be coming out soon for them.

[PrairieSpyder]

[GreenSpyderGirl]

Thanks. Been a lurker, finally decided to be active.

[Chupaca]

It's all in the ryde...test ryde the F3 and see. If you are happy with the RSS (my favorite) adapt it for your ryde. There are many sponsors with solutions to help you get the best ryde. There is a big difference in power train so test ryd....

[Lamonster]

The vibration is no more than any other Spyder I've owned, it far less than some.

[GreenSpyderGirl]

The vibration is no more than any other Spyder I've owned, it far less than some.

Thanks..I am an old motocrosser from years back, so somewhat accustomed to different vibrations. Nothing on my RS-S has seemed out of the norm for a high RPM engine. Reassuring to hear your comment Lamontster. Going to test ride the F3 this week.

[OJ UK]

Thanks..I am an old motocrosser from years back, so somewhat accustomed to different vibrations. Nothing on my RS-S has seemed out of the norm for a high RPM engine. Reassuring to hear your comment Lamontster. Going to test ride the F3 this week.

Well it has to be said that my F3 doesn't vibrate unduly and the vibration that is present is very minimal. The 1330 motor is gloriously smooth and the gearbox (SE6) is sublime.
It is certainly not a deal breaker for me.

[ARtraveler]

Handlebar risers are a great solution for a more comfortable ride on the RS. Get 3 or 4 inch versions though. The OEM shorter versions did not work at all for me.

[OJ UK]

Handlebar risers are a great solution for a more comfortable ride on the RS. Get 3 or 4 inch versions though. The OEM shorter versions did not work at all for me.

HeliBars with the one inch OEM riser worked for me!

[Magdave]

I would wait for the next F3 model year if you really want one. The prices will go down a lot on this model year left overs and I doubt there will be any difference in the bike. Second reason is it seems every change BRP makes there are some teething pains. Let all the early adopters be the test pilot for you.

[llyrad]

OJ UK has said it perfectly in regards to vibration. I get a minimal amount of vibration, no more than I did on my old RTS.

I can't say enough about taking one out for a test ride, you will not be disappointed! But be prepared to feel the F3 fever

Good luck in whatever choice you make!

[rpatsh]

I have ridden my 2012 RS-S for a little over 3000 miles and love it,however I had quite a bit of shoulder fatigue after a 600 mile ride bent forward due to the sport position of the RS-S. I love the sporty ride of it but will be doing some longer rides. Was ready to go buy an F3 but reading about the vibration issues I am wondering if I should wait for Can Am to figure it out.

I have some shoulder issues, surgeries on both of them, and I've done 160 mile rides on the F3 with no issue. I'll be riding it to Sturgis in Aug. so that'll be a test.

[ARtraveler]

HeliBars with the one inch OEM riser worked for me!

I am referencing risers and OEM handlebars. No experience with HeliBars.

[GreenSpyderGirl]

My initial instinct was to wait until the 2nd year release of a new model. I am still going to test ride, but am also going to look into OEM risers for my RSS to hold me over.thanks for the input all.

[bmccaffrey]

There is a lot of options out there for the 12 rss for risers and most are easy installs.
I have a 13 rs and didn't have tat many options so i put the ST handlebars on and solved my shoulder fatique.

As far as the F3 i took one for a ride last week. Loved it. Vibration was not an issue. Now the wind thats a different story. The wind beat me to death 80mph i was hanging on pretty tight. Would have to try one with a winshield and see if there is a differance. I do know windshields were an issue with the f3. but won't take long for aftermarket to jump on board. Until that is resolved i will wait, but is an awesome ride.. BRP did a good job along with Lamonts advice

[CanAmChris]

My initial instinct was to wait until the 2nd year release of a new model. I am still going to test ride, but am also going to look into OEM risers for my RSS to hold me over.thanks for the input all.

Nice to meet you GreenSpyderGirl. I rode away from the dealer on my new F3-S this past Saturday and do not have any vibration issues at all. I ordered it in January and it makes me wonder if the good folks at BRP held up delivery to get some things sorted out.

I once took my 2010 RSS SE5 on a 4 day, 1,500 mile run from Philly to Daytona Beach and back. There was pain involved.

The forward foot controls of the F3 quite simply remove the need to use your upper body to steer. I brace my weight against the foot pegs now instead of hanging my ass off to the side and going chin to hand. The lower center of gravity is also very helpful in keeping me 'in' the saddle instead of 'on' it.

I loved my RSS, but I now wish her good days with her new owner. She always brought a smile to my face. The F3, makes me howl and say 'Hell ya' out loud.

[spydaman60]

Nice to meet you GreenSpyderGirl. I rode away from the dealer on my new F3-S this past Saturday and do not have any vibration issues at all. I ordered it in January and it makes me wonder if the good folks at BRP held up delivery to get some things sorted out.

I once took my 2010 RSS SE5 on a 4 day, 1,500 mile run from Philly to Daytona Beach and back. There was pain involved.

The forward foot controls of the F3 quite simply remove the need to use your upper body to steer. I brace my weight against the foot pegs now instead of hanging my ass off to the side and going chin to hand. The lower center of gravity is also very helpful in keeping me 'in' the saddle instead of 'on' it.

I loved my RSS, but I now wish her good days with her new owner. She always brought a smile to my face. The F3, makes me howl and say 'Hell ya' out loud.

totally agree. just traded the rss for an f3s. could not be any happier!!!

[mclaw44]

IMO i'd try some mods first. Jumping into a F3 with only 3000 miles on RS could hurt the wallet A LOT. That is how I ended up with a pair Spyders. The trade in value of my '10 was not great when I got my '13 RT-L and in the long run it was better to keep it.

[CanAmChris]

IMO i'd try some mods first. Jumping into a F3 with only 3000 miles on RS could hurt the wallet A LOT. That is how I ended up with a pair Spyders. The trade in value of my '10 was not great when I got my '13 RT-L and in the long run it was better to keep it.

True on the financial front. I only had $6,900 left on my 2010 and the dealer gave me $8.000 trade in. It worked out well for me. You are quite correct to advise caution. Never get in over your head with the money.

[gman214]

I have ridden my 2012 RS-S for a little over 3000 miles and love it,however I had quite a bit of shoulder fatigue after a 600 mile ride bent forward due to the sport position of the RS-S. I love the sporty ride of it but will be doing some longer rides. Was ready to go buy an F3 but reading about the vibration issues I am wondering if I should wait for Can Am to figure it out.

Thought about an F3 but got a great deal on a 2011 RS-S and loving it! The Heli bar improves the sport position. I will be making some comfort mods for long distance riding. F3 is so tempting but thinking economics, I rather spend more time riding than working OT to payoff an F3!

[RPM]

The vibration is no more than any other Spyder I've owned, it far less than some.

With complete respect to your knowledge and experience, I think some of us are feeling more vibration and more so "grinding" than others. The grinding sensation feels like I'm riding over a metal grate. It is pretty severe but over a relatively small MPH/RPM. I've had other bikes with belts and this is not the same. That being said, it is definitely NOT a reason to hold off getting this bike. I'm sure an adjustment or belt tensioner or something will fix this "problem" (harmonic vibration will always be an inherent issue with belts). It is a GREAT bike!

[SarasotaSpyder]

With complete respect to your knowledge and experience, I think some of us are feeling more vibration and more so "grinding" than others. The grinding sensation feels like I'm riding over a metal grate. It is pretty severe but over a relatively small MPH/RPM. I've had other bikes with belts and this is not the same. That being said, it is definitely NOT a reason to hold off getting this bike. I'm sure an adjustment or belt tensioner or something will fix this "problem" (harmonic vibration will always be an inherent issue with belts). It is a GREAT bike!

I have had my F3 for 3 weeks now and have no vibration issues. LOVE the bike and it is a blast to ride. Most fun I've had riding in quite a while. I too was contemplating the wait for next years model, but that would be one year less of not riding the bike now.

[BeRight]

With complete respect to your knowledge and experience, I think some of us are feeling more vibration and more so "grinding" than others. The grinding sensation feels like I'm riding over a metal grate. It is pretty severe but over a relatively small MPH/RPM. I've had other bikes with belts and this is not the same. That being said, it is definitely NOT a reason to hold off getting this bike. I'm sure an adjustment or belt tensioner or something will fix this "problem" (harmonic vibration will always be an inherent issue with belts). It is a GREAT bike!

Spot on this is exactly what my F3-S does - it is different from my 08' RS belt vibration (which went away with belt tension increase (still within spec. and belt alignment). So far our resident add-on belt tensioner expert has not come up with a fix - he is/was getting 50-60% decrease - he is still working on improving same.

As far as belt tension factory specs, I wonder if there isn't additional design margin that would allow for the high end to increase - many of us design engineers have been known to include significant design margins. If so in this case, maybe BRP will at some point increase the tension specs ( been known to happen before).

For now I am riding more worrying less and powering through the grind

[ARCTIC]

My initial instinct was to wait until the 2nd year release of a new model. I am still going to test ride, but am also going to look into OEM risers for my RSS to hold me over.thanks for the input all.

The BRP spacer block is almost unnoticeable. Get a big riser it'll make your ride nice and comfortable. I always wanted the helibar riser but found a 2013 ST first