Another pre-purchase question

[VintageRider]

Greetings all,

Long time lurker newly registered. My first bike was a brand new 1968 Honda Trail 90. Several other bikes over the years, but I’ve been riding ever since.

As I’m getting older, I (which is to say, my wife) thought my going to 3 wheels would be a safer way to extend my riding for a few more years. She doesn’t like motorcycles, but has been supporting my habit for over 40 years now. As she says, “A man who has hobbies doesn’t have mistresses”. Now, it isn’t in my DNA to stray, but if her thinking that way allows her to support my riding, then who am I to contradict her.
I’m planning on doing some solo touring, but my idea of touring is finding secondary and tertiary roads.

I’ll be looking for either a late model F3 S, and getting saddlebags, or a FS T. My wife also tells me that getting a blue one is important to me, but not a deal breaker. I gotta say, I agree with her on that one. I had a black Norton Commando for several years, and kinda done with it. Blue seems to be a less common, but I guess that’s why those clever folks make skins. As I understand it, the T does not have a sport mode for the nanny. However, I learned how to circumvent that in my 3-wheel endorsement class by hanging off on turns.

So, finally to the questions. I’ve learned a great deal using the site’s search function. I still have a couple questions, and hope you all can help me out. I’ve never been able to figure out the weight of the S vs. the T. They both have the same carrying capacity, but I can’t figure of if it’s gained much weight. Has the T lost its sporting capability? Are the shocks set up more softly, or the power steering changed, or with any weight for the extra equipment for example?

Appreciate the help.

[dpetrick]

Welcome to Spyderlovers !

[Motorcycledave]

Greetings all,

Long time lurker newly registered. My first bike was a brand new 1968 Honda Trail 90. Several other bikes over the years, but I’ve been riding ever since.

As I’m getting older, I (which is to say, my wife) thought my going to 3 wheels would be a safer way to extend my riding for a few more years. She doesn’t like motorcycles, but has been supporting my habit for over 40 years now. As she says, “A man who has hobbies doesn’t have mistresses”. Now, it isn’t in my DNA to stray, but if her thinking that way allows her to support my riding, then who am I to contradict her.
I’m planning on doing some solo touring, but my idea of touring is finding secondary and tertiary roads.

I’ll be looking for either a late model F3 S, and getting saddlebags, or a FS T. My wife also tells me that getting a blue one is important to me, but not a deal breaker. I gotta say, I agree with her on that one. I had a black Norton Commando for several years, and kinda done with it. Blue seems to be a less common, but I guess that’s why those clever folks make skins. As I understand it, the T does not have a sport mode for the nanny. However, I learned how to circumvent that in my 3-wheel endorsement class by hanging off on turns.

So, finally to the questions. I’ve learned a great deal using the site’s search function. I still have a couple questions, and hope you all can help me out. I’ve never been able to figure out the weight of the S vs. the T. They both have the same carrying capacity, but I can’t figure of if it’s gained much weight. Has the T lost its sporting capability? Are the shocks set up more softly, or the power steering changed, or with any weight for the extra equipment for example?

Appreciate the help.

Well this is only my opinion, and you know about opinions everybody has one. If I were going to buy an F3 today regardless of color, I would definitely would go for the F3T
if you don't you will just end up adding a bunch of stuff that the touring version already has... but I am sure the F3 folks will jump in and give other or more info.
Ride Safe
Dave

[fatboy]

maybe a limited

[JayBros]

GVW from the 2020 F3 Operator's Guide:
F3-S = 1,382 lb.
F3-T = 1,429 lb.
F3 Ltd = 1,493 lb.

[JP58]

The F3T has a larger dash. You can buy it with or without stereo. You also get an airbag for rear shock. Better ride. And of course saddlebags. Would be more comfortable for a passenger also.

[larryd]

You need to go ride several models...I personally don't like the way your feet are forward on the F3 models...But that's just me...larryd

[arachnyd]

i bought a F3-T. i thought it was the sweet spot between lean and mean and touring.
i mostly ride alone and use it for around town (twin cities). and, it works great for that. have also done several day camping overnights.
there is "just" enough storage to get my stuff home. sometimes i would like a top case. the saddlebags are not large inside and are kind of finicky, but i am glad they are there.
i like the feet forward seating. consider having your foot pegs and handlebars set to your preferences as part of your deal.
the radio is OK. the cruise control is surprisingly great. the stock windscreen is "not enough'. the saddlebags are touchy.
i'm not sure of the other differences between the S and T, but the first mod i made was a F4 Customs shield.
i'd buy it again.

good luck
ba

[SportsterDoc]

I still have a couple questions, and hope you all can help me out. I’ve never been able to figure out the weight of the S vs. the T.
Appreciate the help.

F3-S is 899 pounds dry and has manual trans option

F3-T is 948 pounds dry

https://jp.brp.com/content/dam/canam...et-F3-S_EN.pdf

https://can-am.brp.com/content/dam/c...2_EN_Final.pdf

[VintageRider]

You need to go ride several models...I personally don't like the way your feet are forward on the F3 models...But that's just me...larryd

I was very fortunate with my 3 wheel endorcement class. We had an F3, RT, and a couple of Rykers. Also a traditional trike, and a couple of sidehacks (scary buggers). The RT and my longish legs are not compatable. The Ryker was comfortable, but just too small and too low.
I would have agreed about the feet forward up until a couple years ago. I rented a Harley on Maui with the forward controls. Weird at first, but after a couple hours in the saddle, I found it to be surprisingly comfortable.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

GVW from the 2020 F3 Operator's Guide:
F3-S = 1,382 lb.
F3-T = 1,429 lb.
F3 Ltd = 1,493 lb.

..... check to see if these are the " maximum " .... LOADED weights ...... see post #9 above ... Mike

[JayBros]

GVW includes everything, fluids, cargo driver and pillion. Dry weights are listed at the top of pg. 192 of OG, F3-S = 899.5, F3-T = 948, F3 Ltd = 987. I've always considered dry weight a COS number because no one ever gets to drive, pedal or push a vehicle with an internal combustion engine with no fuel in it unless you've run out of gas and are pushing to next gas station. BTDT; lost the fuel stop gamble once as a youngster.