F3 - SM6 or SE6

[kenfromhv]

Just got my F3 SM6 today. When test driving a few weeks ago, I tested a SE6 because no manual was available (one was in a crate). I asked to set up the SM6, and the rest is history.

The dealer stated that over 90% of last years models were SE's - I feel this is true for the RT's, but the F3 is a different animal and the percentages of manual's will increase greatly.

This unscientific poll should show more than 10% pulling the clutch - or NOT !!!

[Bob Denman]

This should prove interesting...

[Chupaca]

With my vote it unanimous...first vote you know 100%.... doesn't matter what I drive it will be manual...

[CanAmChris]

My 2010 RSS was an SE5 and the F3 demo I rode was an SM6. It was fun to pull the clutch in and rev the engine, but it's not all that loud so...

Plus, I ride year round and clutch and brake levers get very cold in the winter time here in PA. Even through heated gloves. Not an issue with the SE shifter. If I want to pull the clutch, I take the Sportster. It still has the hockey tape on the levers from my first winter with it.

[Retired 2012]

I have the S model in SM-6, this is my first spyder and I still wanted to feel like I was riding a (2-wheeled) motorcycle.
I also like to be engaged with the ride, having to use the hands and feet are part of that for me.
I only went with the spyder because I have a bad back and the pain with my last two (2-wheelers) took the joy out of riding for me.
I was going to hang up riding until I read a lot of positive input on this site. I demo-tested one and the ride was enjoyable, made me smile and was
almost pain free so I joined the ranks of SpyderLovers.
I'm glad that I happened to get this model, the other model (RTL) I rode didn't feel as comfortable for me and my bad back.

[ARtraveler]

Were I to buy an F3 it would be SE6. I voted that way.

I actually like shifting, but my joints would not let me do it any more.

[Mike,P]

I had a SE shift on my RTS and test rode an F3 with a SE6.. I bought an F3 SM6 and love it!!!

[bmccaffrey]

Have a sm5 now. Test drove the F3 withSM6.

lOVED IT

[Mike Ard]

My RS was the SE and liked it so went with the SE on the F3.

[ElmoLucy]

Ordered mine with the SE6 and picking it up today.

[petegtsv10]

My wife insisted hers be a manual!

[MrLooney]

It is really the demographics of the country that dictate what sells better the SM6 or SE6.
West coast dealers are reporting more SE6s than SM6.

Where as by what I have been told the central and South East are more SM6.

I for one prefer the SM models.
I did test drive a SE6 and was not happy with the way it shifted. Too much pause between gears. I think it was not set up correctly!

[rockmantex]

I prefer the SM but have a SE coming next week. The wife showed a little interest , so had to go with the SE. Still have my GS 1200 for manual. Seems like all my farkles are here already and the Madstad should be here when bike gets here and then the fun begins. Just wishing someone would get a hitch out so I can pull my Bushtec on camping trips. Oh well, you can't have everything fall into place all at once.

[SPYD3R]

MY F3-S IS THE SE6....
nothing else comes close...
Dan P
SYPD3R F3-S

[hawkiii]

Back in 2008 when I test rode the 2008 GS I rode the SM5. When I talked to my wife, she didn't think she could handle the clutch so I bought the SE5. She never did take to riding the Spyder from the front seat but loves to ride with me. I got so used to the SE that I bought the F3 with the SE6. Love it.

[MidTNDawg]

"Too much pause between gears. I think it was not set up correctly!"

I have noticed no pause on the SE6 shifting on the RT or the F3.

[BlueLghtning]

I've always liked the Spyders but never have owned one. I rode the RS SE5 when it first came out, and then over the years I have ridden a friend's RT SE5 & SE6. Of all the spyders I've ridden, only one time did a ride a friend's RS with the SM5. I liked it, but that particular time it didn't wow me over the SE version, but I wasn't riding them back to back. I've actually always preferred manual transmissions, even in cars and all my bikes are manuals. For some reason, the SE's still kind of drew me in. I guess when I rode the RT's with the SE, it's technically a manual transmission with an auto clutch so you can still down shift and it's not a true automatic which is what I despise in cars and stuff. I always figured if I bought a spyder, it would be the SE model just because it was kind of nice.

This past weekend, my Dad and I went to go ride the new F3's. I rode the SE6 version first and liked it and wasn't even thinking of riding the SM6 model until my Dad did and he couldn't believe the difference between the two. So I jumped on an F3-SM6 and was hooked from the first stop sign. Even though the main reason I was riding the Spyders is I'm recovering from ACL surgery on my left knee, I much preferred the SM6. It just seems that you can ride it more aggressive and the shifting just feels so much firmer and nicer than what the auto clutch does. So maybe while I would have preferred the SE on the RT model, for the F3, it would most definitely be the SM6 model.

[Ben Burped]

I love pulling my clutch. Pulling in on the clutch and tapping the shifter lever into first gear makes my family jewels hang just a little lower. Like that feeling.

[RPM]

SE6 and NO regrets!

[ThreeWheels]

Not having an F3, I didn't vote.
Having said that, I've always had manual shifts on motorcycles and both of my Spyders were/are manual.
I would have thought the F3 owners preferred manual as well.
After all, who ever heard of an automatic shift on a Harley.
I am, frankly, surprised by this poll.
BUT............almost all the Corvettes are automatic now.
With that in mind, I guess these results are consistent.

[jcthorne]

I test rode both. One bid difference I saw in the two was launch or traction assist.

With the SM you needed to get pretty good at manually launching the bike from a standstill. Mostly you got a bunch of tire smoke. Great if that was what you wanted but it does not launch quickly.

With the SE the traction control takes over as soon as you twist the throttle. Its as simple as power brake slightly and then drop the throttle to full and let go the brake. Yes some tire squeal but mostly $h1t and get. Much faster launch with ease of computer aide.

As of last night, I now am the grinning high school kid with my new F3 SE6.......

Thanks Len!

[Questions]

I just got mine on wensday and the se6 was all i need. lots of traffic in my area but i can still feel like im in control of my gears.

[spydaman60]

bought the sm6. luv it!

[Yazz]

Have a F3 SM. Have manuals on all my rides, a stick shift on the car. Love having control of the engine...

To the guy at the drags who was extolling the virtues of the SEs, ad nauseam, you were beat by a chick with a SM.

[retired1]

Have a F3 SM. Have manuals on all my rides, a stick shift on the car. Love having control of the engine...

To the guy at the drags who was extolling the virtues of the SEs, ad nauseam, you were beat by a chick with a SM.

From an old friend; You go Girl!!!!!!