F3 Demo ride

[2Paw]

The F3 demo tour truck was in McKinney, TX today. Overall it was an enjoyable experience. I really liked the fact that you could use this vehicle in a get away for a robbery, as there was a very short wait to start it after turning the key on, and there seemed to be power to spare even at 65 mph. I hate having to wait on that darn computer to boot up. The seat was very comfortable, and it seemed very stable even in corners with my 295 pounds on it. The things I wasn't to thrilled with were the mirrors, I would have liked them to be bigger and the stems longer. I'm not sure about the storage options that will be/are available with out add on it was not adequate for a trip, and if you can't/shouldn't pull a trailer with it, well. I also would have liked to have had the pegs one more notch forward. As far as the look goes, it look pretty mean from the sides and back, but from the front, not so much. There was no windshield which was also an issue, but they said one would be available.

Overall there was nothing that would keep me from buying one, if that was what I wanted, other than the storage which wouldn't be a problem either, depending on what could be added on.

I think I am too used to my RTS for this one to really appeal to me. Just a matter of taste I guess. It was fun to ride it though.

[Chupaca]

glad you got a test ride...its not for everyone but will have a following... thanks for the review..!!

[capt.jim]

That quick boot-up time was one of the first things I noticed also, it will be nice to have that back.

[Bob Denman]

When we were looking them over at the show; it was very apparent that the rear sprocket is now about the same diameter as the rear wheel...
Lower gearing, equals more launch!

[jcthorne]

I predict rear sprocket parts sales to be brisk as well.....

[Bob Denman]

I was thinking about that too...
Then; I realized something...

The wheelbases are a bit different; is it enough to prevent some creative parts-swapping???
(67.3", versus 67.5")

[cptjam]

As soon as I saw that larger pulley, i started asking if we could fit it to the RTS. Our parts guy thinks no, won't fit. He claims the belt is different, pulleys are different, all kinds of things. Anybody tried yet? I like the snap off the line, and a larger rear pulley will do that.

[Bob Denman]

By "Belt is different"; if he's talking only about the length, that's the no-brainer part of this game.
Of course it's different...
Lamont??
Have you been doing any belt and pulley tinkering yet??

[Lamonster]

VSS won't like the bigger pulley I'm told.

[bruiser]

The taller sprocket would throw the whole VSS system off on the RT. Like putting bigger rims on older cars with mechanical speedometers, throws the speedometer off.

[Bob Denman]

Thanks!
But I wonder why?
The rpm reading might be off for a given gear; I wasn't aware that the system was matching all of these inter-related systems so closely.
If it's reading "XXXX" rpm, at "XX" speed; the VSS should only take notice, if it's also noticing what gear you are in...

At least that's my VERY in-expert thoughts on this...

[Highwayman2013]

I wonder about this too. If you put a slightly different size tire on it doesn't seem to affect the VSS. I put a 215/60/15 tire on and it changed the speedo to be more accurate with no other problems. Seems like it could be tried.

[Bob Denman]

The whole "Somebody said...", or "I might have heard..." sort of conversations; lack any definitive proof.
Somebody needs to take about $45,000 worth of Spyders ; take them in a garage, and do some creative parts transplanting...
Then; we need to hear the actual results!

[ARtraveler]