WackyDan Finally retired the 08 GS for a 2017 F3-S SM6 Blue

[WackyDan]

I waited...And I waited. Year after year. Model announcement after model announcement. Always saw something I liked, but just kept holding back. F3 came out and I loved it... Still waited to see what the after market would do for it. Then I put some expensive repairs into the GS in 2015 so I decided to run it for another year.

This year at Spyderfest, I saw a lot of great options for the F3 to turn it into the touring machine that my GS was. I met Fencepost there and saw his V35 mounts and that really brought it all together for me.

I was pricing 2015 and 2016 leftovers and found some good deals, but manuals were hard to find. Ultimately, my local dealer was the only local dealer who pre-ordered some 2017's and the one I got was the only manual to be had. I decided not to pass it up and to be honest, their out the door price was just a hair cheaper than the other dealers but the other dealers told me I'd have to wait until February to get a 2017. My local dealer is Matthews Fun Machines. Love their service department. Had a hard time working a deal with them on my GS way back when so I bought the GS from another dealer. This time they gave me the right deal.

So there you have it. I'll be more active here than I have been. I already started taking the thing apart and getting some ideas. Old GS is going up for sale tomorrow. So if you know someone looking for a used, well equipped spyder that was exceptionally and lovingly maintained, let me know.

WackyDanF3.jpg

[spydaman60]

congrats man!!!!!!! let the farkling begin!!!

[Chupaca]

Wackydan made a nice choice.. This one will last longer now that you only have two choices.... enjoy the new ryde and making it special to you....

[Bob Denman]

You've made a real sweet choice, and I love the color!!

[retired1]

Congrats Dan!
John

[3 wheeler]

Nice looking F3 but be honest, is it any faster or better than the RS?

[Ron2andia]

[WackyDan]

Nice looking F3 but be honest, is it any faster or better than the RS?

Yes?

Look... I love my GS. Part of the family after all these years. I have her dialed in.. Intake, fuel controller, sway bar, elkas front and rear. Re-92's up front and Toyo Proxes in the rear... and more.

*But. The 08 GS has always been a finicky machine and the last few years even more so. Never left me stranded, but every major trip I come home with a repair, major or minor.

The F3? Faster top end, not that it matters. IT is quicker than a 990 series twin. It has cruise control. I can run 240 miles to empty where as the GS I would be lucky to see 130 140 miles on a good day.

The F3 and F3-s is basically a refined GS/RS. Think about it. Easier maintenance. I'm thowing Givi 35's on it and probably a top case or something of the sort. ***But in regard to riding posture and comfort I hardly have to do a thing. Bars are already in the right place as are the pegs.

It is no wonder they are dropping the 990 series RS and ST from the line up.

EDIT: I meant to add... A properly equipped GS/RS/RSS can hang with an F3 in the twisties. At that point the curves are the equalizer and the rider becomes the factor, not the machine. I've seen an RS run with a well ridden F3 and I've seen an RS out pace a well ridden F3 in the twisties. It came down to the rider at that point and whether or not they were in the groove that day.

Straight line, F3 no contest, but that isn't really that fun.

[SpyderAnn01]

[Capt. Bob]

BEEEEUUUUTIFUL color! The 1330 is definitely an improvement on an already great engine (service intervals/fuel consumption, torque, etc.). Let the farkling begin! BTW, if you are thinking about putting a windshield on it, the F4 Customs is highly recommended. I am also testing out my new Baker Air Wings this morning for my F3-S and think they will also be very complimentary and a pleasant addition to the F4 shield.

[al0vely]

That is a beautiful color ... 2016 owner jealous (a little bit).

Enjoy your new bike and thanks for talking it up to the die hard RS owners who think the F3 is not worthy.

[Ex Winger]

Thats a great looking machine.Enjoy your new ride plus the colour is very nice.
Bill

[Tango]

[Machinegunner]

Good choice, Dan. I thought my RS-S was the best, but I was wrong. Love the F3-S.

[WackyDan]

That is a beautiful color ... 2016 owner jealous (a little bit).

Enjoy your new bike and thanks for talking it up to the die hard RS owners who think the F3 is not worthy.

It's all good. I know for a fact a GS/RS properly equipped and ridden can hang with and out run an F3 in the twisties. It comes down to rider in the twisties and that is the real benchmark.

[Yazz]

It's all good. I know for a fact a GS/RS properly equipped and ridden can hang with and out run an F3 in the twisties. It comes down to rider in the twisties and that is the real benchmark.

Amen on the twisties! The GS/RS is a nimble ride.

Dan, congratulations on your new F3. Nice color!

[jcthorne]

Terrific choice!

I am finally NOT the only blue F3 in the forum. Hope our paths cross some day at a spyder event.

[ARtraveler]

Welcome back to activity on the site and on your new F3.

I also cut my teeth on the 08 GS and liked it a lot. Only made it to 2010 before I had to have the new RTS Premier though. My 23,500 on the GS very FUN, FUN, FUN and totally uneventful.

[ataDude]

I waited...

Blah, blah, blah. The real question is: How is Leah doing? About six now, right?
.
.

[WackyDan]

Blah, blah, blah. The real question is: How is Leah doing? About six now, right?
.
.

Turns 6 in October. Starts Kindergarten this Thursday! She is doing awesome with only some digestive issues which she'll out grow.

[IdleUp]

Congrats - the Blue pretty!

[Darren111]

Congratulations on your new Spyder from the UK. Love the colour that I am going to see one in the flesh at some point to see if I still like colour.

[hdlongrod]

Congrats and enjoy!!!!

[Pirate looks at --]

Terrific choice!

I am finally NOT the only blue F3 in the forum. Hope our paths cross some day at a spyder event.

Yea JC but BRP stole the color from you!

[loisk]

Thanks for giving us the background to your change-over.
I'm in a similar position - had an RS, changed to a (slightly used) ST-L which now has tri-axis bars, swaybar, airflow panels, elkas & etc and is as good as I can make it.

BUT the F3 range is calling me...

Jeff, my husband, has an F3S and on our next ride I'm going to have a nice, long turn riding it. I wonder if he quite knows where this may lead?? )$$$) I couldn't buy an F3tL because the only colour we get here is red and it clashes with the dragon red on Jeff's F3S haha. I could buy the F3T but we only get white, and I'm a bit sick of white seeing as the 13 ST-L was only available in white.... (black only for the 14 STL - no 15 or 16 year ST models were imported to oz)

The blue is the colour I've been waiting for ... so I really hope it makes it to Australia, where as you can see we have very basic colour choices.

Here's a question - have BRP fixed the rear chassis / rear shock issue on the 17 F3S range?

Oh some trivia, we logged petrol use over a 1200 km + ride, and found that the F3S SE6 has a 25% better range than the 13 ST SE5.

Enjoy your new Spyder!