F3 Limited or RT Limited for 2up Riding, Newbie here with questions

[Take5]

Looking at the F3 Limited and RT Limited, do mostly 2up riding with the wife on a 2 wheeler and want to go with a 3 wheeler. Looks like you can adjust the rider foot boards on the F3, but not on the RT. RT looks like they are not adjustable? But seems the passenger may be more comfortable on the RT? Do the passenger boards adjust on the RT and also on the F3? Any info appreciated, thanks.......

[SpyderAnn01]

The passenger boards on the RT are adjustable. You need to either head to a dealer that will let you test drive both or find a BRP Demo Event.

[blacklightning]

The passenger boards on the RT are adjustable. You need to either head to a dealer that will let you test drive both or find a BRP Demo Event.

I like my F3T, but don't let anyone fool you into thinking it is an upgrade over the RT when it comes to full on touring. The driver may be more comfortable (to some people), but the passenger will never be as comfortable on a F3 Series, as they will be on a RT. Good luck with your decision.

[Copperman]

I like my F3T, but don't let anyone fool you into thinking it is an upgrade over the RT when it comes to full on touring. The driver may be more comfortable (to some people), but the passenger will never be as comfortable on a F3 Series, as they will be on a RT. Good luck with your decision.

What he said!

[Take5]

The passenger boards on the RT are adjustable. You need to either head to a dealer that will let you test drive both or find a BRP Demo Event.

I went to a dealer and rode the RT but not the F3, I could do either but want the passenger comfort for the wife.

[ARtraveler]

Only YOU can make the decision over comfort. I said in a previous thread--I have only had experience with The GS/RS (the F3 predecessor) and the RT. I don't like the F3 ergos. RT wins out on comfort for me. The RT is made for touring two up. The F3--not so much. It's like comparing a cruiser with a gold wing. IMO.

[fastfraser]

RT for touring two up . F3 for short day trips .

[Copperman]

RT for touring two up . F3 for short day trips .

I have had my 2016 F3 Limited for just over 13 months and have logged almost 21,000 miles. It's not as comfortable as my RT Limited was, but I'm used to it now. The most I've done in one day is 900 miles. Cruzr Joe and I did that on our way to Deadwood, SD last Monday for the 3 Wheeler Rally.

[T.P.]

Just an FYI here. A 2016 F3 Limited is not the same as a 2017 F3 Limited (added top case)

T.P.

[Bob Denman]

You will REALLY need to take your "Best-Half" along, and have you both sit on some bikes...
My guess, is that she will prefer the RT's double-bucket seat!

[pwm]

I do not do a lot of 2 up but my wife preferred the RT that I had over the F3. The passenger floorboards on my 17 limited are not adjustable and they are almost too low for her. I added an F4 windshield which helped with the wind whipping her and that made her a little more comfortable.

For me, there is no comparison in driver comfort. My seat position on the F3 is far more comfortable than I ever was on my RT.

[Take5]

Just an FYI here. A 2016 F3 Limited is not the same as a 2017 F3 Limited (added top case)

T.P.

I looked at the 2017 F3 Limited, the tour pack doesn't seem to have the back rest for the passenger as the RT has.

[MikeT]

You will REALLY need to take your "Best-Half" along, and have you both sit on some bikes...
My guess, is that she will prefer the RT's double-bucket seat!

, my "best-half" test sat on a 2017 F3 Limited. She felt unprotected compared to her seat on our RT Limited. We have friends that went from a 2014 RTS to a F3 Limited; but they trailer to most events, and ride after arriving at the rally.

[bushrat]

Like pretty much everyone here has already said: you owe it to yourself, and even more so to your 'better half', to go and seriously test ride both the RT Ltd and the F3 Ltd. Just be sure to compare the RT to the new 2017 F3 Ltd. for the truest comparison overall. The newest F3 has both the integrated backrest/topcase as well as automated rear suspension; that makes it more truly comparable than other F3 variations. The real difference, then, is between the ergonomics of the two bikes.

We recently went through the exact same mental wrestling match trying to choose. In our case, I first thought we would likely opt for an RT when we went to look. How wrong that turned out to be. The seating on the RT was painful for my hips; much less so on the F3. But, we did the RT test ride anyway, and enjoyed it enough to want to try more. The dealer pulled a brand new 2017 F3 Ltd out of a box and put it together; two days later we tested it. I felt much better in the driver's seat of the F3 Ltd than the RT Ltd. My wife enjoyed the ride on the F3 Ltd passenger seat somewhat more, as well, in spite of the breeziness. She loves the open air and sporty feel. Her opinion was that the RT felt "too big", and that the F3 Ltd was more what we would be happier with. I didn't argue.

In the end, it really is a personal choice, and should depend on how both of you feel, physically and emotionally. On the F3 Ltd, I can change the position of the driver floorboards, and likely will soon try a switch from position 3 to position 4. The passenger floorboards are not adjustable that I am aware of. I'm also going to do something about the F3 stock driver's seat. While my hips feel better than on the RT, the stock F3 Ltd driver's seat is uncomfortable for me after 60-90 minutes. I will look at a Day-Long or Ultimate as a swap. My wife, though, is quite happy with the stock passenger seat on the F3 Ltd. She even feels secure enough that she wants me to remove the arm rests that I had installed for her added safety. Probably also will opt for a larger windshield, possibly an F4, to cut down on the breeze. She doesn't mind the wind, nor do I, but my senses tell me we would be better off with slightly less buffeting. However, I don't want to entirely lose the 'sporty' feel of the F3 Ltd, either.

We bought our F3 Ltd to basically do two-up riding; shorter day trips, maybe an overnight or two. We won't likely do long distance touring. We've so far done 7-8 hours (300 miles round trip) in a day, and several 3-4 hour day trips (with a couple of breaks). That's also a factor in your decision-making. There's no need to rush; plenty of Spyders available. Do your homework; keep testing. Listen to what your bodies and your instincts tell you. Then choose one, and have yourselves a lot of fun.

Your money; your decision. Choose what suits YOU and YOUR NEEDS, not because of what others have done. If any of our experience is helpful as a 'guide', it is freely offered, but very much subject to whatever value (or not) that YOU wish to give it.

[PrairieSpyder]

I never ryde 2-up, but the general consensus seems to be that the RT is more comfortable for a passenger. However I'll disagree with Copperman about driver comfort. For me the F3 is much better than the RT for comfort. It may be that I'm short and the F3 is fitted better to me.

[Lew L]

Happy wife-----Happy life

[Bob Denman]

Happy wife-----Happy life

Applause.gif

nu%20smiley.jpg

[Take5]

Like pretty much everyone here has already said: you owe it to yourself, and even more so to your 'better half', to go and seriously test ride both the RT Ltd and the F3 Ltd. Just be sure to compare the RT to the new 2017 F3 Ltd. for the truest comparison overall. The newest F3 has both the integrated backrest/topcase as well as automated rear suspension; that makes it more truly comparable than other F3 variations. The real difference, then, is between the ergonomics of the two bikes.

We recently went through the exact same mental wrestling match trying to choose. In our case, I first thought we would likely opt for an RT when we went to look. How wrong that turned out to be. The seating on the RT was painful for my hips; much less so on the F3. But, we did the RT test ride anyway, and enjoyed it enough to want to try more. The dealer pulled a brand new 2017 F3 Ltd out of a box and put it together; two days later we tested it. I felt much better in the driver's seat of the F3 Ltd than the RT Ltd. My wife enjoyed the ride on the F3 Ltd passenger seat somewhat more, as well, in spite of the breeziness. She loves the open air and sporty feel. Her opinion was that the RT felt "too big", and that the F3 Ltd was more what we would be happier with. I didn't argue.

In the end, it really is a personal choice, and should depend on how both of you feel, physically and emotionally. On the F3 Ltd, I can change the position of the driver floorboards, and likely will soon try a switch from position 3 to position 4. The passenger floorboards are not adjustable that I am aware of. I'm also going to do something about the F3 stock driver's seat. While my hips feel better than on the RT, the stock F3 Ltd driver's seat is uncomfortable for me after 60-90 minutes. I will look at a Day-Long or Ultimate as a swap. My wife, though, is quite happy with the stock passenger seat on the F3 Ltd. She even feels secure enough that she wants me to remove the arm rests that I had installed for her added safety. Probably also will opt for a larger windshield, possibly an F4, to cut down on the breeze. She doesn't mind the wind, nor do I, but my senses tell me we would be better off with slightly less buffeting. However, I don't want to entirely lose the 'sporty' feel of the F3 Ltd, either.

We bought our F3 Ltd to basically do two-up riding; shorter day trips, maybe an overnight or two. We won't likely do long distance touring. We've so far done 7-8 hours (300 miles round trip) in a day, and several 3-4 hour day trips (with a couple of breaks). That's also a factor in your decision-making. There's no need to rush; plenty of Spyders available. Do your homework; keep testing. Listen to what your bodies and your instincts tell you. Then choose one, and have yourselves a lot of fun.

Your money; your decision. Choose what suits YOU and YOUR NEEDS, not because of what others have done. If any of our experience is helpful as a 'guide', it is freely offered, but very much subject to whatever value (or not) that YOU wish to give it.

Thanks for the input, several good points to think about, I too have the hip issue and like the comfort of the adjustable floor boards. But we'll have to see which is more comfortable for the wife. We do mostly day trips and some overnight for a few days, so also looking for good storage.

[Take5]

Happy wife-----Happy life

[F4 Customs]

The F4 Customs windshield being wider and taller as an option really improves the co rider experience.
Call 330-968-4644 to learn more.
Don Frank
F4 Customs

[Tango]

Don has helped many here. Twice for me. Ron for a swaybar. As far as comfort goes. That's up to you and the wife. Ride both Spyders. We have had both. First the RT, now the F3. Wife actually likes the F3 better. The seat and CanAm armrests fit her to her liking. She also likes the huge trunk, and backrest on the back. Much more usable than the RT trunk. Tom

[Take5]

Like pretty much everyone here has already said: you owe it to yourself, and even more so to your 'better half', to go and seriously test ride both the RT Ltd and the F3 Ltd. Just be sure to compare the RT to the new 2017 F3 Ltd. for the truest comparison overall. The newest F3 has both the integrated backrest/topcase as well as automated rear suspension; that makes it more truly comparable than other F3 variations. The real difference, then, is between the ergonomics of the two bikes.

We recently went through the exact same mental wrestling match trying to choose. In our case, I first thought we would likely opt for an RT when we went to look. How wrong that turned out to be. The seating on the RT was painful for my hips; much less so on the F3. But, we did the RT test ride anyway, and enjoyed it enough to want to try more. The dealer pulled a brand new 2017 F3 Ltd out of a box and put it together; two days later we tested it. I felt much better in the driver's seat of the F3 Ltd than the RT Ltd. My wife enjoyed the ride on the F3 Ltd passenger seat somewhat more, as well, in spite of the breeziness. She loves the open air and sporty feel. Her opinion was that the RT felt "too big", and that the F3 Ltd was more what we would be happier with. I didn't argue.

In the end, it really is a personal choice, and should depend on how both of you feel, physically and emotionally. On the F3 Ltd, I can change the position of the driver floorboards, and likely will soon try a switch from position 3 to position 4. The passenger floorboards are not adjustable that I am aware of. I'm also going to do something about the F3 stock driver's seat. While my hips feel better than on the RT, the stock F3 Ltd driver's seat is uncomfortable for me after 60-90 minutes. I will look at a Day-Long or Ultimate as a swap. My wife, though, is quite happy with the stock passenger seat on the F3 Ltd. She even feels secure enough that she wants me to remove the arm rests that I had installed for her added safety. Probably also will opt for a larger windshield, possibly an F4, to cut down on the breeze. She doesn't mind the wind, nor do I, but my senses tell me we would be better off with slightly less buffeting. However, I don't want to entirely lose the 'sporty' feel of the F3 Ltd, either.

We bought our F3 Ltd to basically do two-up riding; shorter day trips, maybe an overnight or two. We won't likely do long distance touring. We've so far done 7-8 hours (300 miles round trip) in a day, and several 3-4 hour day trips (with a couple of breaks). That's also a factor in your decision-making. There's no need to rush; plenty of Spyders available. Do your homework; keep testing. Listen to what your bodies and your instincts tell you. Then choose one, and have yourselves a lot of fun.

Your money; your decision. Choose what suits YOU and YOUR NEEDS, not because of what others have done. If any of our experience is helpful as a 'guide', it is freely offered, but very much subject to whatever value (or not) that YOU wish to give it.

What is the difference in the F3T and the F3 limited, the F3T is a new 2016 model? Can you 2 up ride on this model?

[MNBK]

The F3T does not have the trunk. The F3 Limited has the trunk. If you find a 2016 F3T for a good price you can always add the trunk for about $2,000. Other than the trunk nothing different.

[Take5]

The F3T does not have the trunk. The F3 Limited has the trunk. If you find a 2016 F3T for a good price you can always add the trunk for about $2,000. Other than the trunk nothing different.

[bushrat]

To answer your question, Take5:

For me, the biggest incentive to pay more and get a 2017 F3 Ltd was that it had electronic rear suspension rather than manually adjusted, which is the situation with the F3T and earlier (2016) versions of the Ltd. I just didn't want to have to bother with adjusting; let the bike do it. And, it had the back rest/ top case. These features, to my mind, more completely balanced the choice between an RT Ltd and an F3 Ltd as far as desirable equipment went, with the exception of a GPS, which was remedied by adding that option. Our goal was to do two-up riding 95% of the time; in that, we are absolutely delighted with our decision.