331 Mile F3 Test Ryde

[ARtraveler]

Thank you for the additional update.

[vondalyn]

did you talk to the driver of the slingshot after your ride? what did they think of you honking at them in corners?

[den1953]

Yeah, a windshield and a passenger backrest would definitely come first as must haves. Saddlebags as well but maybe somebody will make a luggage rack that will accept a nice sized trunk/topcase that would have a passenger backrest built into it. I mean one big enough for a full face helmet at least. Givi comes to mind as well as others like Hepco & Becker. Corbin is usually very expensive and styled a bit over the top for my taste.

[PrairieSpyder]

I think I'd get a windshield & backrest anyway, but don't you suppose you'd get used to rolling on more carefully if the acceleration is that powerful? Or learn to lean forward when you're about to roll on.

[randian]

The front trunk not accepting a full face helmet is an epic fail. Why is the acceleration so good? I thought this was the same old 1330 engine.

[Dragonrider]

Gearing.... I suspect the milage will suffer a bit too

[randian]

Short gearing will do that. Do those tiny accessory windshields provide much wind protection for the chest and hands? Looks like little protection for the legs.

[Mike,P]

The front trunk not accepting a full face helmet is an epic fail. Why is the acceleration so good? I thought this was the same old 1330 engine.

Gearing and 160 pound diet

[den1953]

Or shorty helmets as they are sometimes called is what I wear. That little frunk might be able to hold one who knows? Shorty helmets also like windshields as I've demoed open bikes on windy days where it felt like the blast was trying to tear the helmet off. Open bikes cause me a sore neck mostly.

[BikerDoc]

The front trunk not accepting a full face helmet is an epic fail. Why is the acceleration so good? I thought this was the same old 1330 engine.

In addition to gearing, it weighs 180 pounds less and most importantly its profile through the wind is about half of the RT. When you drive and RT forward its similar to trying to push a large wall up the highway... The F3 is low and lean - much better aerodynamics

[BikerDoc]

Short gearing will do that. Do those tiny accessory windshields provide much wind protection for the chest and hands? Looks like little protection for the legs.

My comment was that I felt like I had an anvil on my chest, and my buddy who also test rode 300 miles said he felt like he had a elephant on his chest.. SO CHEST AREA PROTECTION IS THE KEY FOR ME. I think the two larger windshields will do the trick.. I ordered the Route 66

[bikeguy]

In addition to gearing, it weighs 180 pounds less and most importantly its profile through the wind is about half of the RT. When you drive and RT forward its similar to trying to push a large wall up the highway... The F3 is low and lean - much better aerodynamics

I haven't weighed either so I can't be positive but the service manual says my 2010 base RT weighs 882 pounds, a difference of only 52 pounds more than the F3. As far as aerodynamics, my guess is that the biggest difference is the windshield and I'll trade the wind protection and comfort for the speed and gas mileage any day. But that's just me.

Cotton

[BikerDoc]

I haven't weighed either so I can't be positive but the service manual says my 2010 base RT weighs 882 pounds, a difference of only 52 pounds more than the F3. As far as aerodynamics, my guess is that the biggest difference is the windshield and I'll trade the wind protection and comfort for the speed and gas mileage any day. But that's just me.

Cotton

The 2014 RT with the 1330 weighs well over 1000 pounds- Spyder have put on weight.......

[SpyderRx]

Short gearing will do that. Do those tiny accessory windshields provide much wind protection for the chest and hands? Looks like little protection for the legs.

I hardly felt any wind on my legs when I rode last Friday. You actually do have great coverage because of the way the body is shaped in front of you bit pretty much covers you and there are deflectors located on the frame just in front of the foot pegs. I was pleasantly surprised! As far the windshields I will get the Route 66. It appears short for a "tall" windshield but you have to factor in that you are sitting much lower on the F3 than other spyders. I have not rode with a windshield but would love to before I purchase one but this is my logical observation I came up with.

[petegtsv10]

All of this talk about how fast the F3 accelerates has me confused. It's an 850 lb machine with 115 hp and 96 tq. BRP claims 0-60 in 4.8 seconds. That puts it's acceleration on par (or slower) than large V-twin cruisers like H-D, Victory and Indian. Very few people would consider any of those "fast" machines. That's also in the realm of many sports sedans. I think we've gotten a little carried away with our first impressions here. My wife will have hers next month and I'll post back if I need to admit I'm wrong.....

[den1953]

I'm riding a Victory Cross Country (1734cc) with Stage One and previously had a Triumph Rocket III Touring (Inline Triple @ 2297cc) which was the strongest accelerating cruiser I ever had. I had a Yamaha Star Roadliner 1900 (1858cc) prior to that which was pretty quick too. I don't think there will be anything hairy or scary about the F3 in terms of acceleration. At least to me anyhow

[Bob Denman]

All of this talk about how fast the F3 accelerates has me confused. It's an 850 lb machine with 115 hp and 96 tq. BRP claims 0-60 in 4.8 seconds. That puts it's acceleration on par (or slower) than large V-twin cruisers like H-D, Victory and Indian. Very few people would consider any of those "fast" machines. That's also in the realm of many sports sedans. I think we've gotten a little carried away with our first impressions here. My wife will have hers next month and I'll post back if I need to admit I'm wrong.....

So; you haven't even ridden one yet, and you STILL feel prepared to talk about how it accelerates?

[bikeguy]

So; you haven't even ridden one yet, and you STILL feel prepared to talk about how it accelerates?

Until the F3's are widely available to ride, I think it's legitimate to consider their performance based on numbers. Numbers don't mean everything but they are a good starting point. Personally, I don't see them as being hot-rods, either. BRP claims 0 - 60 times of 4.8 seconds for the F3 but they claimed 0 - 60 times of 4.5 seconds for the '08 and '09 GS/RS's. So, according to BRP's own numbers, the RS's are still the hot-rods in the stable. There are a lot of things that are desirable about the F3 depending on your taste, for me I love the looks of it. I just don't see it as being a hot-rod.

Cotton

[petegtsv10]

So; you haven't even ridden one yet, and you STILL feel prepared to talk about how it accelerates?

I didn't intend for this to be at all negative concerning the F3. I am actually eagerly anticipating it's arrival at our house. (I never warmed up to the RT even though my wife loves it) I'm just amused at reading how quick some feel a 4.8 second 0-60 feels. You don't hear people with mid 4 second cruisers (typical) worrying about needing a backrest to stay on the bikes! With all the turbo sedans on the market now, sub 5 second cars are at every stoplight. We are really looking forward to the increased performance over the non-Ace RTs, however.

[OJ UK]

All of this talk about how fast the F3 accelerates has me confused. It's an 850 lb machine with 115 hp and 96 tq. BRP claims 0-60 in 4.8 seconds. That puts it's acceleration on par (or slower) than large V-twin cruisers like H-D, Victory and Indian. Very few people would consider any of those "fast" machines. That's also in the realm of many sports sedans. I think we've gotten a little carried away with our first impressions here. My wife will have hers next month and I'll post back if I need to admit I'm wrong.....

I believe the acceleration comparison is with other Spyders not two-wheelers, a similarly powered bike is always going to be quicker than a trike.
......There are no figures for standing quarters yet which is hardly surprising as no-one yet owns an F3. When you are sitting that low down rather
than the higher position of the RT/RS the perception of speed is greater.
I also believe that Lamont reckons that the 4.8 sec. 0-60 might be a bit conservative. By the time that SpyderFest arrives there'll be quite a few riders
who will be able to confirm their findings. I might even have ridden mine enough to pass an opinion.

[den1953]

I agree that a two wheel motorcycle that might weigh 100 pounds or more less with the same horsepower & torque will indeed sprint a good deal quicker. Power to weight ratios are the biggest reason for a vehicle's quickness or slowness. Gearing and traction are important for getting "out of the hole" while aerodynamics becomes huge at speed. A two wheel motorcycle has a much narrower profile as well as a weight advantage. But that's not really what makes the Spyder so special as it's a different animal, apples & oranges so-to-speak.

[Mike,P]

Fast n quick are two measurements that are different and yet both relative to how fast or quick you've been on something else... I've been on a race track in cars on motorcycles on pavement as well as off-road.. I've been over 180 mph on a motorcycle and almost 160 in a car so speaking for myself,, I think I have a pretty good sense of what fast / quick is.. Having said that,, the modifications I made to my 13 RTS made me happy ,, but I'm moving to an F3 because I think I'll be happier 😎 given the fact it's so much lighter n more nimble than what I currently ride.. I think I'll be quite satisfied = fast n quick enough for me 😃

[JYM GERD]

Sounds like the F3 is going to be a success!