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F3 or F3 S - auto or manual?

Coastie

Coastie

Member
I ride a H-D Tri Glide and have been riding trikes for many years. Thinking about getting a second trike (something different). Found a H-D Freewheeler a poor fit. About 2 - 4 inches too close to the bars from as far as I could get back in the seat.

Waiting for nearby dealer to put an F3 together so I can give it a test ride. Other than the fancier gauge cluster, which I like, what makes the F3 S better? :dontknow:

Resigned to giving up the hand brake, but I think I would prefer a manual since I am used to riding motorcycles with manuals. :dontknow:

New F3's, F3 S's, and used F3's with manuals seem hard to find in East Tennessee.

Opinions requested.

Coastie
(a.k.a. Newby)
 
Last edited:
Personally I like shifting, it makes me feel more a part of the process. My car is an auto, but it's a car and
basically just transportation. For fun, I like shifting, but that's just me. I think you'll get the overwhelming
response of preferring auto over manual. Diff'rent strokes...
 
The F3S adds:
Upgraded display
Sport mode
Cruise control
89t rear pulley
Fox Podium front shocks
10HP increase
Matte black panels

If you want a manual transmission, you'll need to look at 2020(?) older F3's. The paddle shifter is nice.
 
you still get to shift , just no clutch and paddle instead of foot . These aren't full auto just semi-auto .
 
Newby said:
I ride a H-D Tri Glide and have been riding trikes for many years. Thinking about getting a second trike (something different). Found a H-D Freewheeler a poor fit. About 2 - 4 inches too close to the bars from as far as I could get back in the seat.

Waiting for nearby dealer to put an F3 together so I can give it a test ride. Other than the fancier gauge cluster, which I like, what makes the F3 S better? :dontknow:

Resigned to giving up the hand brake, but I think I would prefer a manual since I am used to riding motorcycles with manuals. :dontknow:

New F3's, F3 S's, and used F3's with manuals seem hard to find in East Tennessee.

Opinions requested.
Click to expand...

I have had three Spyders ... my first was an 08 GS with manual shift, that was 13 years ago .... I now have arthritis in my left hand, so the manual isn't an option now ..... my other Spyders were Semi-Auto's and I was sorry I didn't get that First ...... IMHO the Semi-Auto from BRP is flaw-less. .... I have drag -raced both and " hands -down " the Semi is perfect .... full on throttle and just shift ... never skips a beat .... I wouldn't own a Manual shift Spyder..... For those who may think the manual can be shifted faster then the Semi-Auto it just isn't so .... my 2021 C-8 Vette doesn't even have a Manual as an option, 8 shift on the fly auto ..... Mike :thumbup:
 
The "thing" I always have in the back of my mind... One Day I Will SELL IT! An Auto is going to be easier to Sell. I've owned everything possible and I prefer the manual but in the Spyder the Auto is much easier to ride with the Auto.
 
I do NOT miss shifting and a clutch lever. I do NOT miss putting my foot down at every stop. you still control when it upshifts, but you only press a thumb paddle. You have COMPLETE control of upshifting. Down shifting is automatic unless you intervene with your finger paddle. Get an SE6.
 
Like BlueKnight said and did, I also had an 08 GS...at the time I bought it, there were only manuals available. Rode mine for two years, 23,500 miles and traded it off for the new 2010 RTS. Six spyders later, they have all been SE (semi auto) shifters.

In most cases the Manual is a bit more difficult to sell. Most buyers want an SE version. Cost and resale will be about $1,500 less. I will say, that you will not likely miss using the clutch hand and foot shifter. Those paddles still let you shift, but its quicker than the manual version.
 
I started last year, on my spyder F3s, with a semi- auto, drove a manual shifted spyder, from a friend before that, and I just love the semi-auto, like blueknight and Artraveler stated, it just never misses a beat, when you're cruising, or drive hard, it just shifts, in a matter of milliseconds... There are fellow drivers with 2wheels, jealous of how fast it shifts.....
I tour with a few 2 wheeled friends, and they, have trouble keeping with me as well on straight, as in the twisties... next week i am installing a baja-ron sway bar, see if that works...
Been flying blind, at this forum...
 
F3 or F3 S - auto or manual? or F3-S SS

Thanks for all the replies. :2thumbs:

Wish I could find a manual nearby to test ride. When it is a dry day so the dealer will let me, I'm going 90 miles to test a '21 F3-S SS. Starting to think 2 year unlimited miles warranty and road side assistance is a good reason to go for a new one and forget about the manual transmission. I should be able get use to the semi-automatic and if I want to sell it later as was said I can sell it easier. I have driven lots of things from 2 wheel motorcycles to 5 ton Army trucks to boats with automatic, manual, semi-automatic transmissions with 1 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive.

Don't need a semi-automatic now but might later. Plus I will still have my H-D Tri Glide for manual shifting.

Might as well to pay just a little more for a F3-S SS and get all the goodies.

20ef4bd61fa334a587f37f93085fd57625458fb5_512x512.png
:b2b:

Coastie
(a.k.a. Newby)
 
That's a good choice, the ss, has indeed all the goodies, I went for the all black edition, cause imho the orange frame, was just too much for me...
I love the machine too bits, it's a blast to drive, but needs a little time, to learn how to drive it...
 
Thanks but I like the skinny butt better:b2b: plus I will still have my H-D Tri Glide for trips, etc.

Coastie
(a.k.a. Newby)
 
Thanks everyone. I went 80 miles to the Chattanooga dealer to test drive the '21 F3-S SS. Bought it and drove it home. Decided the 2 yr warranty and road side assistance helped my final decision. :D

Coastie
(a.k.a. Newby)
 
Nice!

Congrats. Please post some pics when you get a chance. If you're comfortable saying it, what was the out the door price? Thanks and stay safe!
 
AZCanAm said:
... If you're comfortable saying it, what was the out the door price? Thanks and stay safe!
Click to expand...

- $1,124.99 Can AM muffler add on
- $500 discount (dealer's?)
+ $179 Accent Signature Light (wouldn't or couldn't remove)
+ $32 full size brake pedal
+ $118.75 accessories install (and uninstall)
+ $30.25 for ERGO POS 5 brake pedal extension rod
- $29.99 for ERGO POS 4 brake pedal extension rod
+ $785 destination
+ 0 for doc or dealer prep_____________________
$20,644 + tax (I will register in my county)

Coastie
(a.k.a. Newby)
 
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