New Rider, First Mod

[nycgordonf]

Hey Everyone,
Happy join this forum. I'm coming off a Harley Sportster which, unfortunately, burned down in a garage fire where it was winterized a few years ago. Insurance company covered the loss, including all of my aftermarket add-ons - which - I hate to admit it - took up more money and time than I care to admit.

Wife wasn't too happy about me getting another bike, citing our four kids as the prime reason. Can't say I blame her.

So after a 2-year hiatus, I managed to convince her on a compromise. A three wheeler instead of two. Inherently more stable, practically impossible to drop, and still somewhat cool.

Two weeks ago, after a brief search, I managed to find the only manual transmission F3-S in Pennsylvania. My 9 yo boy and myself made a day of it.

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In short, I love it! You can't really tell you're riding a three-wheeler until you start to turn. Instead of leaning you steer, and move your butt over the seat if the turn is sharp the way you would on a snowmobile. I love the front trunk's utility, and am about to install front controls to Position 5 (I'm 6'2").

Being big on lighting, my first mod was to upgrade the OEM halogen capsules used in the headlights ton LEDs. I skipped the half-baked stuff on Amazon, and ordered Philips -treme Ultinon H4 capsules: https://www.powerbulbs.com/us/store/...%2528Twin%2529

THey're certainly not cheap, and took three weeks to get here, but with a coupon code I paid about $150 shipped.

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Knowing Philips, they probably over-engineered the heck out of this thing. The last thing I wanted was some cheap LED replacements that blind other drivers and melt your harnesses.

These units are considerably deeper than the OEM halogens. You can remove the left access panel and left side panel to sneak your hand through and remove the OEM capsule with some maneuvering. For those of you with large sausage hands, you might end up with a few scrapes and cusses.

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Unfortunately, fitting these LED units in there using this method is a bit of a pain, if not impossible. You need to insert the capsule in a particular orientation into the housing, then use the two clips (part of the housing) to secure them in place. Then you need to sneak in the rubber gasket that prevents the inside of the light enclosure from getting dust in it, and lastly, screw on the LED heatsink. Due to the air filter location, screwing on that heatsink isn't possible while the headlamp is still attached to the spyder.

In the end, I've ended-up taking the whole top trim off in order to remove the headlamp from the front, and attach the LED heatsink that way.

Certainly a bit more work, but - the way I see it - another reason not to use a cheap LED unit, as replacing it is a bit time consuming.

Here is a photo of the LED headlamp (top) vs the halogen headlamp (bottom).

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The reason the LED light is higher is because the headlamp is still detached from the spyder and not aligned. Something i am saving for tomorrow.

The Philips LEDs state they're for offroad use only, and I had trouble finding them in the US, however, looking at the beam dispersion and cut-off line, I don't think I'll be blinding anyone on the road once they're properly aimed.

Some more photos:

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Looking through the inside, you can see the rubber grommet securing the LED into the housing, and the heatsink that had to be screwed on last, with the headlamp assembly detached from the vehicle.

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Control unit (that I still need to ziptie and attach).

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Panels that had to come off:

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Apologies for not writing a more thorough DIY method. I was only able to squeeze in a 2-hr window between work and family schedule. Tomorrow I do the right side headlamp :-)

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to hanging out here and reading all about various types of mods, and when things need fixing.

Cheers-
Gordon

[glennm]

Congrats on the new ride and your first mod! Many happy miles to come.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

..& .. ... Spyders are Motorcycles in veh. classification only ...just drive it like a Sports car ( after some serious seat time tho thumbup: ) .... Mike ...

[nycgordonf]

..& .. ... Spyders are Motorcycles in veh. classification only ...just drive it like a Sports car ( after some serious seat time tho thumbup: ) .... Mike ...

I can't drive it like a sports car! Every sports car I've driven was able to somewhat retain traction at WOT in first gear. This thing just starts shredding that rear tire!

[lvmyspyder]

Hey Gordon, I changed out both the main and the fogs on my 18 RT. Fogs were a pain, but I can say its is worth doing. I am kind of a lighting fanatic and the more that are tastefully done the better. I did want to reply to your post. I had a Suzuki 1000 E model and a Suzuki 550 L model for years. My L model had a step seat, mag wheels was quick and really a pretty bike. My E model had some mods on it and was full dress. What I can say about a Spyder is I have had more compliments on my RT, than both my bikes combined. I have had this for one full year and had my Suzuki's for over 10 and they were in top shape. Most of the compliments I have received are from women and I am not counting all the thumbs up my wife sees from drivers when we are riding 2 up. I watch the road. To be honest, I don't give a hoot if other folks like my bike. I bought it for me and my spouse and as long as I think it looks cool, that's all that matters. My riding buddies ride an Indian and an HD, but they are constantly quizzing me on if I like it. The HD rider got his 3 wheel endorsement on a CAN-AM. They had the RT and F3 there as they did for mine too. He said I should look at "that Can-AM" when I was looking to get back into riding. I really wanted the new Goldwing and I could buy a new one for the price I got into my Spyder for. It was just too darn tall for me without spending even more money to customize that, so I bought the Spyder as a "second choice." Which brings me to the crux of my post. You will enjoy a lot of things about your new ride: That you don't have to put your feet down all the time. That you don't have to worry about oil on the road or every wet manhole cover, or stripe of paint. You don't have to worry about it falling over on you. You don't have to worry about grabbing the front brake first in a panic stop. Braking on the Spyder is a very strong suit with the Brembo system by the way. You don't need to worry about riding off with the kickstand down. If you tip yours, I think you will be the only person who has done it. They have a safety feature to apply the brakes gradually to keep yourself and your bike planted. Since I put the pedal commander on, even with 1330 CC. I am right there with both my riding buddies if I hear them hit the throttle. As well, the Spyder will block a lot of the wind you get with a two wheeler. Bottom line my friend is you made a significantly better choice over a 2-wheeler in terms of storage, stability, looks and safety and over some time you will lose all regret about possibly not buying another 2-wheeler. I have put about every add on, I can on my Can-Am, the last was ditching the garbage Kenda's on the front and now have the Federal Formoza AZ01's and this bike is as smooth as glass now. Even if I could do a 2-wheeler and I still can...no way I am going back. Enjoy.

[Snoking1127]

I just ordered LEDs for the head lights for visibility during the day more than riding at night on our 2018 RTL. I may do the fogs later. My buddies GW trike with LEDs really shows up.

[RICZ]

Hi Gordon,
I can tell you are going to be a great asset to this forum. What a fabulous first post! You are higher up the learning curve than I was. 66 years on two wheels had me hardwired for what they do and all the sensations they imprint in body and mind.
Although you are now calling your F3 a compromise, after a couple thousand miles, you are going to wish you had made this move earlier. I thought my last bike was the best I ever owned and I'd gladly challenge the twisties with it, thinking I was pretty good at it. But now, I am taking curves faster with my Spyder. You are going to find a lot to like about your "compromise."

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I can't drive it like a sports car! Every sports car I've driven was able to somewhat retain traction at WOT in first gear. This thing just starts shredding that rear tire!

" re-tain traction " ..... Could it be the Sports cars you have driven - weren't able to break traction???? .... My " sports car " reference was more about the " handling " as opposed " drag strip " performance. My 63 XKE roadster could " break traction " easily, however it was also uber fast in the " twistie's ".I've drag raced two of my Spyders, ( quite successfully ) and to be honest are not impressive...... I suggest you read the " Do's and Do Not's " posted in a different section of the Forum ..... good luck ... Mike

[ARtraveler]

and on the F3. We are glad to have you on board.

[carsong]

LED's are such an improvement. I replaced both my headlights and fog lights with LED's. The headlight replacement is definitely not an easy job. I had to dismantle practically the whole front of the Spyder, and it was still a pain. However, it was well worth the effort. You are more visible during the day, and they are just amazing at night. Good luck with your new ryde.

[ThreeWheels]

[vindex1963]

Looks like the LED's I use, they are pattern adjustable after install by loosening the set screw and turning them, I wouldn't consider anything else. I used them in my Victory and my Suzuki V-Strom, haven't attempted them in the Spyder.

[Snoking1127]

I just ordered LEDs for the head lights for visibility during the day more than riding at night on our 2018 RTL. I may do the fogs later. My buddies GW trike with LEDs really shows up.

Finished the LED headlight install today with blubs from Slingmods. Wow, the visibility different is amazing to say the least. We do not ride at night so at this point I do not see a reason to do the fog lights. I forgot about the polarity issue on the first one, and it work. I went to plug is the second one are saw the + and - symbols and got my meter out to check it. I would have plug it in wrong. I checked the low beam shudder operation on each side as I worked through the installation. Happy triker! Put the old blubs in the nice box the LEDs came in and will set that aside.