New Member - First Post. My 21 F3L Project

[chunkmonk]

Just thought I'd document this since it will be my project for the next who knows...
21 F3L completely stock. Hunted it down for 5 months, got a nice deal on it.

Here's my list of stuff to add to it:
Gel seat (2-up riding)
Rider Adjustable Backrest
LED Headlights
LED 60w Foglights
Gucci Light Kit
A Arm Aux Lights
TomTom Rider 550
2” Rise/2.1” Pullback
Shark FIN Security
TPMS
Passenger Arm Rests
Passenger Cup Holder
Touring Windscreen Kit
Dual Trumpet Horn
Sway Bar / Torsion Bar Kit
Air Intake
Tuned Exhaust w/Header
Tunable Suspension
Tuner
Plugs/Wires
Electrical Switch Bank

I have a handful of the items in but not installed. I have yet to order a smaller handful.. I figure I want to get to the 90% mark as soon as possible. I did about 6 months of research on the Can Ams before I found mine,but I missed a short list of peevs that I'll get into as I go. I'll get a few pics up in the next couple of days. I'm adding a few items to get started tonight and tomorrow...

[Piratezz]

Enjoy the tinkering on a fabulous machine, also find the time to ride the darn thing.... hahahaha

[RayBJ]

Nice ride and list of farkles! Are you staying on the OEM rubber or do you ride hard?

[chunkmonk]

Enjoy the tinkering on a fabulous machine, also find the time to ride the darn thing.... hahahaha

I've only logged a few hundred miles so far - just getting used to the ride (I've been on 2 wheels for 50 years). Still trying to figure out the dynamics of controlling the ride through twisties. So far I'm really enjoying it. Just need to tweak it to be mine - somehow that makes the bike more comfortable to ride... I'm going with the Aurora Plus because I can't find a dealer anwhere in the three state area who has skills enough to install a switch bank! The world has gotten really weird when bike mechs will no longer think through a problem and come up with even ideas about solving them.

[chunkmonk]

I haven't decided on upgraded rubber yet. My 2 wheelers gravitated toward wither Avon or Metzler. Even on bigger bikes, I really liked the way those two brands would grab for twist-riding, wet weather, etc., even though the life span wasn't as long as the stock stuff. I never skimped on tires, brakes, or much else on bikes.Spent 50 years on 2 wheelers before switching to the Can Am (won't do a traditional trike - the ride just sucks). Not sure how these bikes track yet, but the I'm wondering if the stock components aren't a part of the lack of performance/response (?)

[troop]

You'll notice an immediate improvement when you switch out the front tires to car tires. I have Vredestein 165/60R-15's, but Continental's are also a popular choice. When the rear is toast (in about 6k miles), look at either General Altimax 215/60R-15 or Vredestein 205/60R-15. Your speedo will be spot on. Lots of seat options, so don't limit to gel. Have fun..

[ARtraveler]

Nice list. I would run the OEM tires until they are done. This is coming from one who has used " car tires" on only two machines out of seven. Both traded off before I could make a mileage determination. Now running Kenda K9's.

I pretty much go against the site with this recommendation. So you will probably hear how dumb I am.

[bayoumanPIBE]

Agree @ARtaverler and the few others brave enough to admit LOL...but, IMO as well, the Kenda's are overall good tires as long as you are not having any issues w/the ryde's ride or unless you just want to change them out for your own tweaking. My 2014 ST-S's front Kenda's lasted 3+ years with no issues even across country ryding. The rear only a year, but that's more-than-likely due to my ryding style. The only reason I have front and rear car tires now on my 2021 F3 Ltd is due to my own saga of issues...that's another very long post all its own. Congrats to you there OP btw...!

[chunkmonk]

I like going upstream (Salmon is my favorite fish!). I'm not looking to change since these tires only have 350 miles on them. I've wore out stock motorcycle tires for 50 years before ever switching to my preferred ride on 2 wheelers (Metzler or Avon). In the 3 wheel world I'm a bit of a newb so I'm relying on the experience of others here - 'when you need a better view, stand on the shoulders of giants'. So far, I like the ride. I have issues with BRP for oversights, but they are other issues. Appreciate the input!

[McRuss]

I too only recently switched from two to three wheels (with the exception of my Vespa 300ie Super) and I have to say I miss my road bike. But the F3 is a great machine, took me to the Blue Ridge and the Tail of the Dragon last year, no issues at all. But if this is a brand new machine, be ready for an experience when it comes time to change oil for the first time! The Canadians love their 'yellow locktight'!

[Deanna777]

Also nice list of farlkes!


Deanna

[Saluda]

Congrats and enjoy.

[chunkmonk]

I too only recently switched from two to three wheels (with the exception of my Vespa 300ie Super) and I have to say I miss my road bike. But the F3 is a great machine, took me to the Blue Ridge and the Tail of the Dragon last year, no issues at all. But if this is a brand new machine, be ready for an experience when it comes time to change oil for the first time! The Canadians love their 'yellow locktight'!

I get that feeling. I rode mostly 1000+ cc bikes with a few exceptions (my first bike - 69 Bonneville 650 chopped, purchased from a "bike club' member at 15)... The Spyder is a very different ride, but I'm slowly getting comfortable with it. I don't think I'm quite ready for the dragon or other rides at that level; I've been down both the Tail and the Devil's Backbone on 2 wheelers, and really enjoyed them. But there is a level of trust that you get on a bike when you take roads like those, and me and Estelle have only been together for a few months (and a few hundred miles) so we're not there yet. I've already encountered the excessive use of lock-tite! man they must be scared to death that the bike will unravel itself like an old 48 knuckle! I was near breaker bar utilization getting my windscreen off to replace it with the F4! I guess they never heard the phrase "HAND TIGHT AND A QUARTER". LOL

[chunkmonk]

Also nice list of farlkes!


Deanna

And you as well! I LOVE that color!! I may never understand BRPs choice of naming their colors. I'd swear yours is a burnt orange, and mine is actually closer to Harley orange in sunlight, and yet it is called 'Magma Red' ... LOL.

[chunkmonk]

Congrats and enjoy.

So far, it's a hole I'm throwing money in, but Im at least now able to ride. Once I find a shop I can trust i'll have a few other items added (I can't get my Neutrino until June)... Have you been up to the rally in New Hampshire?

[Canuckrob]

lol very good, an ambitious list, enjoy and ride safe!!!

[Deanna777]

And you as well! I LOVE that color!! I may never understand BRPs choice of naming their colors. I'd swear yours is a burnt orange, and mine is actually closer to Harley orange in sunlight, and yet it is called 'Magma Red' ... LOL.

Safe travels this summer! They list mine as Cognac, but someone on this site used Burnt orange to paint my dashboard ( the burnt orange is an exact color match).

Deanna

[chunkmonk]

I posted up some pics of the first set of mods... Not sure how you go about looking at them ( they are posted in My Garage). Not sure what the protocol is for doing this; if someone can let me know, I'd be happy to put them here as well...

[chunkmonk]

UPDATE - My original farkle list has grown (only a little)

Got it, Installed
Rider Adjustable Backrest
LED Headlights
LED 60w Foglights
TomTom Rider 550
TomTom GPS Fuel Tank Mount (RAM tank)
Show Chrome Passenger Arm Rests
Show Chrome Passenger Arm Rest integrated Cup Holder
F4 Touring Windscreen Kit

Got it, waiting to be installed
Shark FIN Security Unit
Fobo2 TPMS
SM Dual Trumpet Horn
BR Sway Bar / Torsion Bar Kit
Gucci Light Kit
NiLight A Arm 8800 Lumens Yellow/White Aux Lights

Ordered
Hopnel Armrest Pouch for ShowChrome Passenger Armrest
SpyderLugz Colored Vinyl Lug Nut Covers
Arboreal Systems Neutrino Aurora Plus

Cash ran out!!!
Air Intake
RLS Tuned Exhaust w/Header
Tunable Suspension
Tuner
Gel seat (2-up riding)

[Bfromla]

[baxter]

As some of the responders above mentioned, the OEM tires get a bad rap on this forum, however had a 2020 RTL stock and rode it like I did my Harleys with no issues in handling. Had 16K on the rear when replaced and originals up front when traded for 2022 F3Limited SPL. had 22K. You may want to get use to the bike before swapping parts.