Has Anyone Switched fron an F3-T to a Ryker?

.....or from any F3 to a Ryker? If so, I'd love to hear your experiences, both positive and negative.

I'm thinking of making the switch because, after just over 2 years on my F3-T, I still get painful cramps in my hips. I've tried different seats, an Airhawk pad, adjusting footpeg positions, etc - but nothing has really helped. I still get cramps after riding for sometimes as little as 30 miles.

The problem is that, on the F3-T, my legs get splayed out too far (for me). I've sat on a Ryker in store (but haven't actually ridden one) and was surprised at how much "narrower" the leg splaying seems to be. Has anyone else noticed or experienced this?

Switching to a Ryker would be a big decision for me, so I want to carefully weigh the pros and cons. I've put a lot of $$$ into the F3-T with new seats, new windshield, laser align/swaybar, custom pinstriping, extended BEST warranty etc. While I know that much of that is sunk costs now (ie - I'll never get them back in terms of a sale or trade-in), I also know that I'd probably want to add some accessories to the Ryker (such as windshield and some additional storage, at least) since it seems pretty "Spartan" in it's stock configuration.

So, if anyone could help me out by discussing how happy or unhappy you are with your Ryker after switching from an F3 - especially in terms of comfort - I would really appreciate it.

Oh - if it matters, I ride mostly country roads, try to stay off the interstates, and never ride 2 up, if that matters.

Thanks!

You really need to take a rest ride and preferably a long one!

A possible solution for splayed out legs is to sit a bit higher. When I was having hip issues, I played around with everything I could think of to get comfortable. 50 miles was an issue some days.

I purchased an AirHawk pad, and a Sheepskin gel pad. I would alternate them and sometimes use both to get through the pain of the day. Both together will sit you about two inches higher...which should bring your legs to a more comfortable position. IMO...worth considering.

Spyderann's suggestion about a long test ride is also right on.

No one can answer that question but you. I went from a F3T to the Ryker 900ace. I like the Ryker I don't want to go back to the F3T. But only you can answer your question. There is so much difference between the two bikes. I would say my main reason I switched was the light weight and the handling. To me this is more of the Adventure Bike ride. I don't use it off road at all it just feels light and nimble. From your map it looks like you ride a lot. The only con would be the short range fuel tank. As Spyder Ann said take a long test ride. Good Luck. Tell us what you do.

I bet my wife would trade you! She's got a 900 Ryker and I think she's ready to trade to something bigger/heavier now. The Ryker was the first motorcycle she's ever ridden and she loves it, but she's hinted around about an RT or F3

Hello Bert,
I also have problems with hip cramps. I do a few hip stretching exercises every day and since then I rarely have cramps. Maybe these exercises will also help you, they are cheaper than the exchange of F3-T for Ryker.

Hip stretches - exercises guides
http://www.stretching-exercises-guid...stretches.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg_66cTAVCc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=351&v=NG9qbvAN3gQ

Forgot to mention -- I already use an Airhawk along with a Russell custom seat to sit a bit higher. It helps but doesn't completely solve the problem for me.

I agree with everyone that I need to take a test ride. But I doubt that a dealer would allow to go more than 8-10 miles, which doesn't prove much. :(

Batmobil-F3, thanks for those videos. I'll give some of those exercises a try. I agree - much cheaper than a trade-in!

Thanks!

I have both and the F3 is WAY more comfortable SO you better take a Real Good Test drive on the Ryker? The Ryker is Great for the back roads you say you drive most. Next spring when Lots of people are looking to upgrade I just may sell the F3 if the Ryker remains problem Free!

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Originally Posted by Sarge707

I have both and the F3 is WAY more comfortable SO you better take a Real Good Test drive on the Ryker? The Ryker is Great for the back roads you say you drive most. Next spring when Lots of people are looking to upgrade I just may sell the F3 if the Ryker remains problem Free!

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Just to be clear - between the F3 and Ryker, you would sell the F3 even though it's "WAY more comfortable"? Is that what you meant to say?

I have both the F3L and the Ryker 600. The F3L is far more refined than the Ryker but the Ryker fun factor is greater than the F3L.

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Originally Posted by newbert

Just to be clear - between the F3 and Ryker, you would sell the F3 even though it's "WAY more comfortable"? Is that what you meant to say?

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I,m really Not gonna Sell either one- Each is Great in their own way. The F3 can be Just as aggressive as the Ryker , But to me the Ryker will never be as comfortable as the F3. But the Ryker is more engaging and fun on backroads for turning and burning. I keep both!!!

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Originally Posted by Batmobil-F3

Hello Bert,
I also have problems with hip cramps. I do a few hip stretching exercises every day and since then I rarely have cramps. Maybe these exercises will also help you, they are cheaper than the exchange of F3-T for Ryker.

Hip stretches - exercises guides
http://www.stretching-exercises-guid...stretches.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg_66cTAVCc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=351&v=NG9qbvAN3gQ

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These work. I had the hip cramping bad enough I considered hanging up the helmet. A fellow at Mid-Ohio turned me onto the various hip exercises and they did wonders for me.

Good to hear that they worked for you. Until now, I thought that I was the only one with hip cramps! I'm going to give them a try.

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Originally Posted by newbert

I agree with everyone that I need to take a test ride. But I doubt that a dealer would allow to go more than 8-10 miles, which doesn't prove much. :(

Batmobil-F3, thanks for those videos. I'll give some of those exercises a try. I agree - much cheaper than a trade-in!

Thanks!

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Once you get out there on the road, there is not much they can do about you taking a 8-10 mile road test. Especially if you are a serious buyer. At the local Harley dealerships, they will actually let you take them home over night to test ride. Which for me would be the only way to buy a harley. I rented one, and hated it with a passion for the first 20 miles. After about mile number 25, I started to really like it. Not enough to buy one, but it was nice.

Glad I’m not the only one with the “splay” issue. I took a course to get my license this weekend and ran into the same problem. Stuck to the Ryker precisely due to its narrow width.

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Originally Posted by blacklightning

Once you get out there on the road, there is not much they can do about you taking a 8-10 mile road test. Especially if you are a serious buyer. At the local Harley dealerships, they will actually let you take them home over night to test ride. Which for me would be the only way to buy a harley. I rented one, and hated it with a passion for the first 20 miles. After about mile number 25, I started to really like it. Not enough to buy one, but it was nice.

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Your brain went numb at mile 25! At one time I thought about buying a HD and was told to rent one first; I'd quickly get over the thought of ownership!

I went to my local dealer to pick up a Ryker as a second machine to my F3T and after spending some time on the Ryker it would be less painful to slit my wrists, so I ended up getting a 2nd F3L instead.

Here's my findings on the Ryker:

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...t%92s-Mike-Mas


http://www.rotory.com/bike/ryker/f1.jpg


Enjoy - Mike

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Originally Posted by IdleUp

I went to my local dealer to pick up a Ryker as a second machine to my F3T and after spending some time on the Ryker it would be less painful to slit my wrists, so I ended up getting a 2nd F3L instead.

Here's my findings on the Ryker:

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...t%92s-Mike-Mas


Enjoy - Mike

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Bert - please make sure you read the whole thread - as there are many satisfied Ryker owners such as me!

Enjoy also!

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Originally Posted by Jaxfann

Bert - please make sure you read the whole thread - as there are many satisfied Ryker owners such as me!
Enjoy also!

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I come fron a GS and than an RT for 45.000 miles - with the Ryker 900 now - 7.000 miles and not one single problem (thats the first different to the Spyders)..
much better handling - easier to ride (sometimes eight hours 2up ) - technically a complete new Dimension ..
sit better and feel better than on our "Old" ones .. sorry
(but we ride most time in the Alps and on the Italian coast ..no "Autobahn" Highways)

The long reviewers comments about the rykers issues mirrors what I've been told by owners in the UK who've had an F3. Ryker's lack of weight over the front wheels make it struggle with poor road surfaces and it jumps around a lot. I guess if you have really good road surfaces (such as the Austrian guy above - I've ridden in the Alps and the roads are generally very good) it won't be much of an issue. If you drive on broken up roads (as I do in the UK) it does sound worse than the F3.

I've always considered the F3s biggest issue to be how much it weighs as it blunts performance. The more I read between the lines on the Ryker the more I'm thinking the weight may actually be a good thing to keep the front end planted.

What a great picture, love the color.

http://www.rotory.com/bike/ryker/f1.jpg

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Originally Posted by Jaxfann

Bert - please make sure you read the whole thread - as there are many satisfied Ryker owners such as me!

Enjoy also!

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Don't worry - I have read the whole thread. Lots of good info there - and here!

Thanks!

Have you tried custom floorboards for your Spyder? Moving the position and being able to shift your legs would help with the cramps. I never have that problem on my F3-S, because of the floorboards I installed on mine. I can move to many different positions.

Terry

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Originally Posted by TerryTheSpyderRyder

Have you tried custom floorboards for your Spyder? Moving the position and being able to shift your legs would help with the cramps. I never have that problem on my F3-S, because of the floorboards I installed on mine. I can move to many different positions.

Terry

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I've often considered floorboards, but never bought any. I'm hesitant to lay out the cash if I'm not sure they will improve things for me. Especially since there are so many to choose from and my mechanical skills are nil (so I'd have to also pay for installation. :( ) Good thought though. Thanks!

Interesting to see people's choices and how they got to it.
I kind of went into the other camp... I had a chance to ride F3s and Rykers and from the get go I liked the F3. I like the Ryker's looks but to me, the small luggage space and the fact that I have to pay extra to have a 2 up kind of pushed me away.

And then I got a chance to ride a Spyder RSS and I was stuck on it. And that's what I end up getting - a 2015 RSS.
I find that it brings both worlds together - fun to drive like a Ryker and comfy with more than enough space, like an F3 (to me at least).