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F3 Owner Opinion
This is my unsolicited opinion of the 2015 F3 SE6 after 3000 miles, in comparison to the 2008 GS SE5 that I owned for three years, plus dozens of customer Spyders that I’ve worked on for five years.
The purpose is to help others who are considering an F3.
Overall I am extremely happy with my F3 and would, without hesitation, recommend it to a first-time Spyder owner or as an upgrade from a GS/RS. BRP got nearly everything right this time!
PROS
Reliability
Comfort, adjustable pegs and bars, upright seating, built-in mini-backrest
Consistent drivetrain performance
More HP and torque
Added sixth gear
Better brakes
Very stable engine temperature
Less heat from radiators onto lower legs
Increased maintenance interval
Improved fuel mileage
Optional fuel economy mode
No wrist or back pain (this made me give up my GS due to its sport-bike posture)
Fuel tank can be filled from either side
Can add BRP cruise control to base F3 for about $200 and two hours
No hard engine re-starting due to heat-soak
CONS
Loss of 40% front trunk space compared to other models
Driveline vibration at highway speeds (Will BFR fix?)
Non-adjustable, too-soft rear shock (Will BRP fix?)
Passenger foot pegs will not stay in up position (Will BRP fix?)
Handlebar controls hit and mar the body panels at full-lock
Low chin, hits speed bumps and driveway entries
Dim instrument panel turn signal indicator (Fixed! See here: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...highlight=muth)
Black fenders on non-black F3 (Fixed with color-matched fenders)
Still using incandescent bulbs on a modern $22k+ vehicle!
High BRP accessory cost, some are poor quality
Limited body color choices
Extensive oil level checking process
Some handlebar switches not backlit, a safety issue
Ambient temp display always reads too high
If laser alignment is necessary, why isn't it done at the factory?
Factory wind protection options inadequate
Last edited by GaryTheBadger; 04-18-2016 at 08:57 AM.
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Agree
Especially on the headlights and the non-backlit controls. Don't get why either of these decisions were made - would add marginal cost to the bike.
Otherwise, I think it's a great machine as a first tymer.
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Nice review...
great observations. Glad your enjoying your new ryde. you make a great salesman for the F3 but there is just something special about the RS for me .
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
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Oil CheckI came off a Yamaha
I came off a Yamaha Raider had dry sump system basically the same, ride 5 mi stop let idle 30 sec then shut down & check, I usually tried to remember to do it after a ride but most times forgot, only did the 5 mi thing after an oil change.
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Very Objective !
Thank you for a clear, unbiased review. For those on the fence, this will help them to make the right decision for them. I enjoyed it and learned much. Two thumbs up.
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Very Active Member
You don't have to buy the more expensive models- I got the Base F3 sm6 for $18,000 and taxes.
I like how they have made many things easier like checking oil, brake fluids, changing the oil filter without laying on the ground with a torque wrench in your hand and changing the rear bulbs is as hard as taking off the rear seat, No Greasing bushings and No valve adjustments and hopefully a engine that will perform for years.
That being said my GS was in Great condition when I traded it in with 33,000 miles BUT at 66 I was tired of the crouch rocket position and feeling like I was going to get tossed in a hard corner even with Elka's and the Ron Bar?
The Only Slight Negative to me is that Manually shifting with your feet out in front of You is Not as smooth as Manually shifting my 2012 RT with your feet below you. Downshifting (To Me) is Not as smooth with the lever out in front But upshifting is No different. If your concerned you Might want to consider a SE6 Auto Tranny?
Have over 1,000 Miles.
2015 F3 sm6, Custom Dynamics fender lights.
Sea Doo GTI-SE 90 Jet Ski!!
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I came from two-wheelers so do not have the personal knowledge for comparison to other Spyders. That said I love the frunk, it is the largest I have ever had. I do not have problems with my handlebars hitting or passenger foot pegs not staying up. My single biggest complaint is the amount of rain we have had since I got mine.
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Very Active Member
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Excellent Summary
Gary, the only other Cons I would consider:Windshield/wind protection
Ease of mounting & dis-mount
I personally don't have a problem with any of these, but other Spyder riders and new-to-Spyders-riders may have.
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Very Active Member
Thanks for summary
As a newbie soon to become a F3-S owner, it was good to read your summary because you have experienced just over 2000 miles of this beauty. Blueridge windshield and heated grips are at the top of my options list and by the looks of things the UK dealers have these readily available in stock and if they haven't they are saying around a week to get hold of these options.
Thanks for your summary on F3.
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Very Active Member
OBSERVATIONS
GOOD OBSERVATIONS......
however, i disagree with the statement you made: "Loss of 40% trunk space"....
you knew, as i and others, what the F3 was prior to purchasing it... if the 40% reduction in storage space was such an issue, you wouldn't have bought this particular item...
YES, i miss the storage i had in my '09 RS, but i knew i would when i first looked at the F3....
all-in-all, i'm 100% satisfied with the F3-S, and that's after riding it for 16,000+ miles of smiles since March 1st of this year...
Dan P
SPYD3R F3-S
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I've wanted a Spyder since I first saw them back in '09. I had a Mom who was a nurse and wouldn't even let me look at a motorcycle!! Finally talked the wife into letting me get an F3-S this year and I LOVE it!! I love the stability of the reverse trike format and I love the comfortable riding position. I have noticed some really good deals on the F3 right now. I picked one up about 3 weeks ago for $18k out the door. I am glad there is an option out there for those of us who want to ride but are too afraid to learn to ride two wheels......or have a spouse that would NEVER let us learn to ride a two wheeler!! Thanks for the review!!
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Active Member
Nice write up by the OP and I respect the opinions and appreciate the candor.
I'd like to share my opinions of my F3.
PROS
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Cons
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Not trying to be a wise guy. Just being perfectly honest.
Just another crappy day in Paradise....Aloha!
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Very Active Member
DITTO
Originally Posted by HIspyder
Nice write up by the OP and I respect the opinions and appreciate the candor.
I'd like to share my opinions of my F3.
PROS
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Fun!
Cons
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Not trying to be a wise guy. Just being perfectly honest.
DITTO....
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Ahh. . . I see your problem.
Originally Posted by SPYD3R
GOOD OBSERVATIONS......
however, i disagree with the statement you made: "Loss of 40% trunk space".... \
It is NOT a trunk, it is a glove compartment. Still, that is about 60 times more storage space than other motorcycles have.
It is a shock for people who have owned any of the previous models of Spyders. But, if you are like me and love the F3, you will hardly notice it, if at all. Isn't love grand?
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Originally Posted by marcojolo
I've wanted a Spyder since I first saw them back in '09. I had a Mom who was a nurse and wouldn't even let me look at a motorcycle!! Finally talked the wife into letting me get an F3-S this year and I LOVE it!! I love the stability of the reverse trike format and I love the comfortable riding position. I have noticed some really good deals on the F3 right now. I picked one up about 3 weeks ago for $18k out the door. I am glad there is an option out there for those of us who want to ride but are too afraid to learn to ride two wheels......or have a spouse that would NEVER let us learn to ride a two wheeler!! Thanks for the review!!
Oh marcojolo you make me so JEALOUS - $18K out the door??? Well Done and Enjoy! Here in Oz it's $29K out the door, and given our aud is 75c of the usd at the moment (on a good day) you can do the math... AND I think we earn about the same (tho no analysis done so could be wrong here...) I am so JEALOUS. I had an RS, now have an ST, husband has an F3S (loves it) and I just sat on an F3 with U-Fit system for the first time and am SOOOO tempted by the F3-T (which we may see by mid 2016) --- but here in Oz I'll bet they only bring the Limited in in the SE6 format (I so hope I'm wrong) which at Usd27K translates to .. what's your guess? If USD18K = AUD29k ... hmm. I have a feeling I'll be riding my ST for a few more years yet! If you can figure out that so-ungrammatical sentence you can claim an Award...
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by SPYD3R
DITTO....
ditto x2
We now have His and Hers Spyders!
Current Spyder: White 2015 F3-S SE6
His Spyder: White 2015 F3 SE6
Previous Spyder: 2012 RT Limited SE5 -- 30,300 miles
Previous rides: Kawasaki & Honda
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Yep we in Oz pay more ... and govt wants to slap 10% tax on everything bought on-line (currently 10% on everything over AUD 1000 which includes tax on the shipping too!). Oh well, we deal with it.
I'm thinking maybe F3 with Corbin bags as an alternative to F3T which I suspect will be way expensive here... but we also have horrid rear indicators on alien-looking stems, which can't work with the Corbins. My thinking cap is on re 'flush mounted' indicators on the bags.
It's always a lot of fun! Love to read everyone's reviews, thanks all.
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Canadian dollars
Australian dealers purchase at Canadian dollar conversions not USA dollars so it's not as bad as it seems.
australian dealers add a lot of mark up and blame the USA dollar
the f3 t limited should be cheaper than my fully brp optioned f3s touring escape deal 37k Aust dollars. With heated grips and fox rear shock. Big learning curve for me, I will not buy any brp oem optional item again.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by GaryTheBadger
This is my unsolicited opinion of the 2015 F3 SE6 after 2000 miles, in comparison to the 2008 GS SE5 that I owned for three years, plus dozens of customer Spyders that I’ve worked on for five years.
The purpose is to help others who are considering an F3.
Overall I am extremely happy with my F3 and would, without hesitation, recommend it to a first-time Spyder owner or as an upgrade from a GS/RS.
BRP got nearly everything right this time!
PROS
Reliability
Comfort, adjustable pegs and bars, upright seating, built-in mini-backrest
Consistent drivetrain performance
More HP and torque
Added sixth gear
Better brakes
Very stable engine temperature
Less heat from radiators onto lower legs
Increased maintenance interval
Improved fuel mileage
Optional fuel economy mode
No wrist or back pain (this made me give up my GS due to its sport posture)
Fuel tank can be filled from either side, while remaining seated on bike
Can add BRP cruise control to base F3 for about $200 and two hours
No hard engine re-starting caused by heat-soak
CONS
Loss of 40% trunk space
Driveline vibration at specific speeds (awaiting BFP fix)
Non-adjustable, too-soft rear shock (awaiting BRP fix)
Handlebar controls hit and mar the body panels at full-lock
Low chin, hits speed bumps and driveway entries
Passenger foot pegs will not stay in up position
Dim instrument panel turn signal indicator (fixed using Muth LED mirror indicators)
Black fenders on non-black F3 (fixed with color-matched fenders)
Still using incandescent bulbs on a modern $22k+ vehicle!
High BRP accessory cost
Limited body color choices
Extensive oil level checking process
Some handlebar switches not backlit, a safety issue
Unacceptable saddlebag quality (fixed on 2016 F3-T?)
The handlebars marring the body panels in the locked position depend on which handlebars you choose. My husband has the stock bars and they don't touch the body panels. I have the "attitude" handlebars and they DO mar the body panel when locked. I've actually stuck on very small clear cabinet bumpers over the spots where the paint was marred. Not a biggy to me, but still -- good for others to be aware. I also have a clear vinyl "bra" over the black paint in front of the seat.
We now have His and Hers Spyders!
Current Spyder: White 2015 F3-S SE6
His Spyder: White 2015 F3 SE6
Previous Spyder: 2012 RT Limited SE5 -- 30,300 miles
Previous rides: Kawasaki & Honda
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Originally Posted by GaryTheBadger
This is my unsolicited opinion of the 2015 F3 SE6 after 2000 miles, in comparison to the 2008 GS SE5 that I owned for three years, plus dozens of customer Spyders that I’ve worked on for five years.
The purpose is to help others who are considering an F3.
Overall I am extremely happy with my F3 and would, without hesitation, recommend it to a first-time Spyder owner or as an upgrade from a GS/RS.
BRP got nearly everything right this time!
PROS
Reliability
Comfort, adjustable pegs and bars, upright seating, built-in mini-backrest
Consistent drivetrain performance
More HP and torque
Added sixth gear
Better brakes
Very stable engine temperature
Less heat from radiators onto lower legs
Increased maintenance interval
Improved fuel mileage
Optional fuel economy mode
No wrist or back pain (this made me give up my GS due to its sport posture)
Fuel tank can be filled from either side, while remaining seated on bike
Can add BRP cruise control to base F3 for about $200 and two hours
No hard engine re-starting caused by heat-soak
CONS
Loss of 40% trunk space
Driveline vibration at specific speeds (awaiting BFP fix)
Non-adjustable, too-soft rear shock (awaiting BRP fix)
Handlebar controls hit and mar the body panels at full-lock
Low chin, hits speed bumps and driveway entries
Passenger foot pegs will not stay in up position
Dim instrument panel turn signal indicator (fixed using Muth LED mirror indicators)
Black fenders on non-black F3 (fixed with color-matched fenders)
Still using incandescent bulbs on a modern $22k+ vehicle!
High BRP accessory cost
Limited body color choices
Extensive oil level checking process
Some handlebar switches not backlit, a safety issue
Unacceptable saddlebag quality (fixed on 2016 F3-T?)
Thx for sharing......
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