To much weight!

[I-Day]

Between my wife and I we would have about 500lbs on my F3T. Is that safe? Really want to ride but have concerns!

[ARtraveler]

Attached is the weight information from the manual. 2017 F3

Page 91:

It looks like 460# is the recommended max.

and cargo.
WEIGHT LIMITS
All
models
except F3
Limited
models
199 kg
(438 lb)
Vehicle
load limit
(including
operator,
passenger,
cargo and
added
accessories)
F3
Limited
models
209 kg
(460.8 lb)
Front storage
compartment
6.8 kg
(15 lb)
Each saddlebag 6.8 kg
(15 lb)
Top Storage
Compartment
6.8 kg
(15 lb)
Excess weight will:
– Reduce your ability to accelerate,
brake and turn.
– Reduce the effectiveness of the
VSS.
– Increase the risk of rolling over if the
weight is high or toward the rear.
– Reduce ground clearance, increasing
the risk of striking low obstacles
or uneven road surfaces.
– Increase the risk of tire failure.
Operating with Extra
Weight
Carrying a passenger or heavy cargo
affects the way the vehicle handles
because of the greaterweight, and because
the weight distribution will be
different.
1. Youwill not be able to accelerate as
quickly. Allowmore time and space
for passing.
2. You will not be able to stop as
quickly. Use a longer following distance
from the vehicle in front of
you, at least three seconds. Use
an even longer distance if riding
conditions are not ideal (e.g., low
visibility, poor road surface).
3. You will not be able to turn as
sharply or at as high a speed. Slow
down more than usual before turning
and avoid sharp turns.
4. The Spyder roadster may be less
stable. There is a greater risk of tipping
or rolling during extreme maneuvers
with weight that is higher
or farther to the rear (like a passenger).
NOTE:
VSS effectiveness is decreased
when operating above maximumallowed
load.
Carrying a Passenger
The Spyder roadster is designed for
only one passenger, seated behind the
operator. Never carrymultiple passengers.
Do not carry a passenger until you have
experience riding alone in a variety of
conditions and can proficiently handle
the vehicle.
The passenger must be sober, alert,
able to reach the passenger footrests
and handholds, maintain balance and
hold on in sudden maneuvers, and not
distract the operator.
WARNING

[Don'tPanic]

The way I see it - there are only two options:
1. Loose weight (Many of us have the same problem, so don't take it personally).
2. Ride as-is until rear shock gives out and replace it with a better one.

First one will make you thin, keep you healthy and enjoying riding for more years to come. Second one will make your wallet thinner.

[jaherbst]

Wouldn't worry too much about this. If your in the ballpark you should be OK. Each of you could lose 20# if you are really concerned. Not too hard to do and look at it this way: It would improve your health. It is a win win anyway you look at it. You will feel better and put a smile on the Spyder! It's really not hard to do.

Jack

[canamjhb]

Several years ago I did a study of weights and payload capacity for my (former) Goldwing. I included tire capacity, normal baggage, ie rain gear, tools, etc., and then went to a public scale to discover reality. Bottom line was the Goldwing was loaded to within 75#s of the rated capacity with just me and normal riding gear on board. I suspect there are many riding with more than a 75# co-rider. Not the same as a Spyder but the story is the same. Don't worry about it and enjoy the ride. Replace the rear shock when and if needed with one of higher capacity.

[BajaRon]

You have to realize that there is a CYA factor built into this 460# figure. Not to mention that these machines are designed to operate safely with a margin. Meaning that at 461# it isn't going to fall apart or be unsafe. Just my opinion. But I think if you ride with the limitations described by BRP in mind. You should be fine.

[SpyderAnn01]

If it wasn’t okay they probably wouldn’t have printed the section on operating with extra weight.

[BajaRon]

If it wasn’t okay they probably wouldn’t have printed the section on operating with extra weight.

Now why didn't I say that! :dontknow:

[AY4B]

The heavier you ride the harder it is to control your Spyder. Steering and breaking are hampered and the fun starts to be more work. Been there, That is why I do not ride 2 up. My better half has her own ride. Thank God!

[I-Day]

I appreciate all the comments! I am 6’6 and about 310lbs! Afraid to ask wife her weight! In the process of losing some weight. Can anyone recommend a heavier rear shock! I have the stock shock on now!

[Blue Star]

I appreciate all the comments! I am 6’6 and about 310lbs! Afraid to ask wife her weight! In the process of losing some weight. Can anyone recommend a heavier rear shock! I have the stock shock on now!

I have the F3-T also, and found that replacing the rear shock made a huge difference. There are many choices out there, from the BRP two-up, Elka's (my choice,, and many others. I don't know if this will help with the weight limit, but it did for us with the bottoming out part.

As for afraid to ask her weight, I find that smart, not afraid. I asked my wife one time several years ago, and the swelling is almost back to normal :joke:

[I-Day]

I have the F3-T also, and found that replacing the rear shock made a huge difference. There are many choices out there, from the BRP two-up, Elka's (my choice,, and many others. I don't know if this will help with the weight limit, but it did for us with the bottoming out part.

As for afraid to ask her weight, I find that smart, not afraid. I asked my wife one time several years ago, and the swelling is almost back to normal :joke:

Did you replace front shocks to?

[TicketBait]

I appreciate all the comments! I am 6’6 and about 310lbs! Afraid to ask wife her weight! In the process of losing some weight. Can anyone recommend a heavier rear shock! I have the stock shock on now!

Would probably start another thread about what is a good shock to have as many times people don't read everyones comments here, just your original question.
This is one place to look though. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/search.php?searchid=7282113

Also keep in mind that in addition to body weight is wearable gear So that if you wear full armor leather, helmet, gloves and boots can add another 20lbs. each

I am not familiar with the F3 as to whether a more sturdy sway bar is needed. What you are trying to avoid is when you are in an emergency situation that the spyder responds as intended with our regard to being at weight limits.

Ryde safe:thumbup:

[I-Day]

Did you replace front shocks to?
Did you have the stock rear shock with the little air bag?

[MR. H1956]

Between my wife and I we would have about 500lbs on my F3T. Is that safe? Really want to ride but have concerns!
As long as your happy with each others company. And your having fun then I say just ride it like you stole it. Remember life is short so go out and live, have fun, make new friends. Don't worry be happy. That's all that matters. Happy Trails my friend. Ride like theres no tomorrow Then go home and Rest.

[I-Day]

As long as your happy with each others company. And your having fun then I say just ride it like you stole it. Remember life is short so go out and live, have fun, make new friends. Don't worry be happy. That's all that matters. Happy Trails my friend. Ride like theres no tomorrow Then go home and Rest.

Amen to that!

[Blue Star]

Did you replace front shocks to?

Yes I did. I put stage 3 up front, and stage 4 HYD on the rear.


Did you have the stock rear shock with the little air bag?

Yes, but still have to manually fill the air bag.

[Peteoz]

I’ve got a bit of height and weight on you, I-Day. I found that at 330lbs, the F3-L shock was bottoming out on our abysmal roads out here. With The Chosen One on the back we were running around 450lbs, and the bottoming was quite frequent. I replaced front and rear shocks (not a cheap exercise at around $2000), with heavy duty Wilber shocks (with rebound damping), and the ride has improved significantly. After fiddling with the preload and rebound settings, there is no bottoming out and the ride is very smooth, with great handling.

Pete

[Peteoz]

The Wilber model I chose let’s you mount the adjuster for sag under the back seat, (see photo) so you can bump it up when you are riding two up, and decrease it when solo. Elka have this option as well. The new shocks were money well spent for me.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Between my wife and I we would have about 500lbs on my F3T. Is that safe? Really want to ride but have concerns!
Sounds to me like that is the perfect reason you need to justify buying a Spyder for your wife! :thumbup:

[I-Day]

Sounds to me like that is the perfect reason you need to justify buying a Spyder for your wife! :thumbup:

I would in a heartbeat BUT no way she would ride her own! She’s a trouper though cause she rode on two wheels with me for 35 years!

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I would in a heartbeat BUT no way she would ride her own! She’s a trouper though cause she rode on two wheels with me for 35 years!

Don't be surprised if she changes her mind! Others have!

[ARtraveler]

Don't be surprised if she changes her mind! Others have!

Yup! We went from "riding that thing will be a dealbreaker for us" to "my, that's pretty nice" to "you bought that for me?"

She looks pretty happy to me.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=88363&d=1400181916 (http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/album.php?albumid=3424&attachmentid=88362)

[agedbikeman]

As I speak, I'm sure my RT 1330 is overloaded currently touring in France, even to the point I have an extra top box on the trunk rack, and not for the first time either. With this in mind, watch the road surface and slow down for lumps and bumps, don't throw it round corners and respect your extra weight and you'll be fine.
It's when you overload it and thrash it your problems start.
JUST TAKE IT EASY, your choices are 1 reduce your luggage, 2 respect your load or 3 break your spider and maybe yourself. I personally go for option 2

[Chefex]

Between my wife and I we top over 550 pounds. I'm a really big guy. Have a RT-s that we two upped on a trip across 4 states and had no issues. Hardest thing will be on the shocks, ride safe and don't hot dog, and I believe you'll be ok. But that's not a professional opinion, just mine. We didn't have any problem with the handling of the bike, it performed well. Sure gas mileage wasn't great and harder on the springs, but didn't feel safety was an issue. But like I said just my opinion. Since then my wife enjoyed the ride so much we bought her her own.

[Bob Denman]

:D Why not just buy your Wife her own bike?

[Pirate looks at --]

:D Why not just buy your Wife her own bike?
No that makes perfect sense! Now we only total about 300 lbs, but what I found is that once she knows how to drive.....and she should incase anything happens to you, she will indeed go from "trooper" to Ryder in no time!