New rider questions

[BigDaddyVC]

So I have only had my 2018 F3 since Oct 18, and being on the east coast I've only been able to ride a few times. I have been seeing a lot of discussion about "belt stabilizers", is this something I need to add to my bike? Or is it something for down the line after a few thousand miles? My other big question is about comm devices. I noticed that SENA and CARDO seem to have the lions share of the market. I also know it is personal preference to which unit you purchase. Are they compatible? Can a SENA and a CARDO talk to one another in a group setting?

[CopperSpyder]

Hope you enjoy the forum. I'm sure some one here will have some good advice on the belt issue.

[ARtraveler]

and I throw another card on the pile for give it a thousand miles or so. Some machines need em, and some don't.

[Tbachli]

Yup, you will want the belt stab. Get Lamonster's version with the good bearing. As for the comm device, I went with the Cardo version and like it a lot. They can communicate with the Sena, but only in the blue tooth mode.

[al0vely]

There are at least 3 after market vibration dampers - all at different revision levels. I have the one made by BRP and am probably going to remove it - they aren't worth the hassle IMO it is another maintenance item I don't want to mess with. You can drive out of the vibration fairly easy - speed up or slow down cheap resolution.

[LeftCoast]

Agreed on ride 1000 miles to decide. I bought my RTL with 15k and no dampener on it. It vibrates at about 73 mph but I just adjust speed. Even though I’ve only got 3k on the bike I probably won’t ad it, at least that’s what I’m thinking at the moment.

As far as Sena vs Cardo I can’t say but I did put up a review of my experience with the 30k in another thread. If you can’t find it let me know and I’ll see if I can’t locate it

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Agreed on ride 1000 miles to decide. I bought my RTL with 15k and no dampener on it. It vibrates at about 73 mph but I just adjust speed. Even though I’ve only got 3k on the bike I probably won’t ad it, at least that’s what I’m thinking at the moment.

As far as Sena vs Cardo I can’t say but I did put up a review of my experience with the 30k in another thread. If you can’t find it let me know and I’ll see if I can’t locate it

Quite a few folks here ( me included ) just re-deuced the belt tension a bit and …..Problem solved ….. Mike

[Easy Rider]

Yup, you will want the belt stab.

Maybe but I think probably not.
I bet the number of happy owners out there without one outnumber those who have one by about 100 to 1.
IF.....you notice a "speed sensitive" vibration, then maybe you need one.....AFTER checking the belt tension.

[starrider60]

I would ride and not try to find things to worry about. If it breaks, fix it. If it don't break, keep riding.

[osj3]

so I also have a 2018 F3. I got the belt belt tension a couple months after I got my F3. the reason is it takes all the vibration out of the spyder. If you ride one that has it and then ride one that does not you notice the difference. You expect some vibration because clearly your not in car. Their is more vibration at higher speeds. Its not that you cant deal with the vibration. but it surely is a better ride without it.

Also I have a sena 30K. Went with this because the rest of my friends have Sena. IT works well and has a ton of things it can do including voice control which is nice so I dont even have to take my hands off the handlebars.

[Bob Denman]

Welcome to the Forum!
Try riding your Spyder next Spring for a couple of Months; before trying to decide on any Farkles...
Some folks will tell you that the stabilizers are as valuable as Platinum; others will tell you that they're net necessary at all.
The speeds at which you ride; will end up making the decision for you.

[Yeochips]

My wife and I have the Lexin B4FM. They have been great for us. they pair up with our Garmin. PLUS this is the kicker, they will last/stay charged for up to 10-plus hours. On long trips I don't have to recharge them. My wife will listen to her radio/music on a long 9 plus hour bike trip and it is still charged and working. SENA will not do that! I know because I have had both. IMO