2018 or beyond F3-T Wish List

[armyspydervet]

I'm sitting here at 40,000 feet on my way back to DC thinking about the mods I am going to do to my 2016 F3-T. As I'm thinking about this, I am also thinking about what BRP should do with future iterations of the F3-T (yes I'm bored up here). Realizing to each his own, here is what I would like to see in 2018 or beyond:


1. Completely resigned dash - I'm talking the electronics part. Right before I bought my F3, I was about to buy another Harley with the Project Rushmore dash. It has integrated Nav, Sirius radio, and numerous other 21st Century technologies. I don't want to spend over 1k for an aftermarket GPS and satellite radio system that isn't integrated. Just build it into the bike and I would gladly pay the extra money.


2. More storage space. The one thing that sold me on the F3 was the riding style. I'm not comfortable on the RT, but appreciate the "creature comforts" of it. Yes I know there soon will be a top case, and I will most likely drop the 2k to get it, but the trunk could use some more space and the saddle bags would be a lot more useful if they were top opening and not side opening.

3. A glove box with easier access. An RT type glovebox with access while your riding the bike.


Anyone have any thoughts or something they would like to see on a 2018 F3?

[cptjam]

I concur on all points. I think bigger saddlebags and a deeper Frunk would be easy. An infotainment system that is cutting edge, and better storage would be huge. I think contemporary power would be great: most 1300cc bikes put out 180 hp. Step up, BRP!

[loisk]

A cheap but vital enhancement - PLEASE illuminate the high beam and nearby buttons on the left grip. As I don't often ride at night, I have no muscle memory for the high beam button, and it's almost impossible to find it on a dark road..

[Bob Denman]

I love these threads...

More of everything!!!
Make it:
Cheaper
'Faster
Get better fuel mileage
Carry everything that I might ever own
Handle better (Standard BajaRon Bars should be required!)
Brake harder
The tires should last the life of the bike, and have enough traction for tree-climbing!
Why can't I ride through a carwash, without getting wet?
(you can... just don't turn on the water! )
It should have a nuclear generator for charging capabilities

But do you know what?
When these threads started popping up about the RTs (thirty seconds after their introduction...)
BRP was listening, and the 2014 models pretty much ticked off everything that folks were screaming for!

[5legsshort]

SHAFT DRIVE.

[PrairieSpyder]

SHAFT DRIVE.

Amen!!!

[tmcquain]

SHAFT DRIVE.

My first Bike 30 years ago was a Honda Silverwing, with shaft drive. To me, it is a much better drive train, why isn't it used on the Spyder ? Cost ? Or is it not a better way to go. The belt can be just so darn aggravating....

[Bob Denman]

Shaft drives are not without their own peculiarities also...
They're often a fair amount heavier
You lose efficiency, by twisting the power output at so many right angles...
The cost is higher; probably MUCH higher, since you're changing around an existing design...
Depending on the IQ level of the folks who designed the rear of the bike: "Jacking" under power can range from "No big deal", to "Omigawd!"

Here's a quick comparison video of all three types of drives:

https://youtu.be/zPSmSDpVdxs

[ARtraveler]

I love these threads...

More of everything!!!
Make it:
Cheaper
'Faster
Get better fuel mileage
Carry everything that I might ever own
Handle better (Standard BajaRon Bars should be required!)
Brake harder
The tires should last the life of the bike, and have enough traction for tree-climbing!
Why can't I ride through a carwash, without getting wet?
(you can... just don't turn on the water! )
It should have a nuclear generator for charging capabilities

But do you know what?
When these threads started popping up about the RTs (thirty seconds after their introduction...)
BRP was listening, and the 2014 models pretty much ticked off everything that folks were screaming for!

I guess we are in luck then.

$2,000 more for a trunk on the F3? Sorry, not this guy.

[armyspydervet]

I guess we are in luck then.

$2,000 more for a trunk on the F3? Sorry, not this guy.

It's $2000 by the time you add all the features. You think BRP would have just put it all together, but no they make more money that way. I am going back and forth on a trailer. If I could find a nice discounted Freedom Trailer, I would probably get that instead.

[Bob Denman]

Chris,
If you go that route: your lovely Bride will just have all that much more room, for shopping expeditions!

[tmcquain]

Shaft drives are not without their own peculiarities also...
They're often a fair amount heavier
You lose efficiency, by twisting the power output at so many right angles...
The cost is higher; probably MUCH higher, since you're changing around an existing design...
Depending on the IQ level of the folks who designed the rear of the bike: "Jacking" under power can range from "No big deal", to "Omigawd!"

Here's a quick comparison video of all three types of drives:

https://youtu.be/zPSmSDpVdxs

Bob,

Great video, now I know.....didn't realize the power drop off...that with the extra weight would make for a much less exciting ride....

[Bob Denman]

Truthfully; I don't know if most of us in here would notice the changes in performance.
The bikes aren't marketed to the crowd that cares about quarter-mile times, or cutting the fastest laps...

But it might be a consideration...

[JimVonBaden]

Bob,

Great video, now I know.....didn't realize the power drop off...that with the extra weight would make for a much less exciting ride....

It really depends on the design. BMW motorcycles use shaft drives on a lot of their bikes. The parasitic load is not that high with a proper design. Yes, a little more than a belt, but not huge.

[SPYD3R]

the F3 is AWESOME just the way it is.... mho...
DAN P
SPYD3R

[KID Ryker]

the F3 is AWESOME just the way it is.... mho...
DAN P
SPYD3R

F3T also AWESOME

[Peteoz]

My personal pet hate that I'd like to see changed is the indicator switch. Because it's pretty sensitive, I frequently turn on the opposing indicator when cancelling on the freeway, and you can not see the indicator light on the dash....I have Lamont's mirror indicators, but having to look at the outside of the mirrors for a second or so to check while travelling at 70mph in traffic always concerns me. It would be great to have either a brighter dash indicator or a "hold for 3 seconds and auto cancel" switch function as many bikes have.

anyone else have that issue and found a workaround?

Pete

[JimVonBaden]

My personal pet hate that I'd like to see changed is the indicator switch. Because it's pretty sensitive, I frequently turn on the opposing indicator when cancelling on the freeway, and you can not see the indicator light on the dash....I have Lamont's mirror indicators, but having to look at the outside of the mirrors for a second or so to check while travelling at 70mph in traffic always concerns me. It would be great to have either a brighter dash indicator or a "hold for 3 seconds and auto cancel" switch function as many bikes have.

anyone else have that issue and found a workaround?

Pete

Good call. It doesn't have a positive center or click feel when using it.

[tmcquain]

I agree, I do like that it cancels after turning, but changing lanes don't help.

[loisk]

My personal pet hate that I'd like to see changed is the indicator switch. Because it's pretty sensitive, I frequently turn on the opposing indicator when cancelling on the freeway, and you can not see the indicator light on the dash....I have Lamont's mirror indicators, but having to look at the outside of the mirrors for a second or so to check while travelling at 70mph in traffic always concerns me. It would be great to have either a brighter dash indicator or a "hold for 3 seconds and auto cancel" switch function as many bikes have.

anyone else have that issue and found a workaround?

Pete

Hey Pete - change your speedo to KPH and the indicators might work better

[Wildrice]

Brand new Buick Regal with all the below options for $22,995. I paid more for my new 2015 F3's--Hmmm I guess cutting off 2000# cost more money

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...32859060&Log=0

[JimVonBaden]

Brand new Buick Regal with all the below options for $22,995. I paid more for my new 2015 F3's--Hmmm I guess cutting off 2000# cost more money

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...32859060&Log=0

If you bought vehicles by weight, they would all weigh 6 tons. If you think lighter should be cheaper, go price out a Bugatti Veyron.

[Wildrice]

If you bought vehicles by weight, they would all weigh 6 tons. If you think lighter should be cheaper, go price out a Bugatti Veyron.

My point wasn't the weight. My point what was included for under $23K, I probably have close to $27K in my F3's without air conditioning, 4 doors, Stereo, less HP, check out the entire list of what's included in that 2016 Buick & then compare it to the price of building a F3's. There has got to be a huge mark up on the Spyder. My Hayabusa sold for $11k with 180 HP, but racing is expensive--1298 cc rebuilt engine with all new reinforced rods, pistons, valves/springs, porting, secondary fuel injection, rebuilt reinforced trans, water injector, suspension, etc on a 530 lb close to $30K but racing is expensive 343 rwhp & 212# of torque. The Spyder's are stock with less than impressive power.

[JimVonBaden]

My point wasn't the weight. My point what was included for under $23K, I probably have close to $27K in my F3's without air conditioning, 4 doors, Stereo, less HP, check out the entire list of what's included in that 2016 Buick & then compare it to the price of building a F3's. There has got to be a huge mark up on the Spyder. My Hayabusa sold for $11k with 180 HP, but racing is expensive--1298 cc rebuilt engine with all new reinforced rods, pistons, valves/springs, porting, secondary fuel injection, rebuilt reinforced trans, water injector, suspension, etc on a 530 lb close to $30K but racing is expensive 343 rwhp & 212# of torque. The Spyder's are stock with less than impressive power.

Economies of scale, same as a low volume car. You build only a few thousand of them and it costs just as much as a high volume car/bike to design and set up manufacturing for, but you can't amortize it over a million vehicles. You have to make your money back on many fewer, so higher price.

[DGoebel]

Go figure... I agree with exactly what armyspydervet posited. (I did 20 years in the USAF, as did my wife )

I just bought my first '13 RT Limited with the expectation of determining if my spouse would enjoy riding double more than my past rides, And with the intent of trading it in or selling it for a down payment on a future F3-T Limited or deluxe or whatever fully loaded Touring models will be called.

We've ridden together for more time and distance in the last three weeks than the past 10 years! She loves riding double on the Spyder and is now starting to learn to drive it herself. She has her own scooter that she loves driving for the past 9 years, but has never liked anything larger until the Spyder.

Worth every penny! Looking forward to future model improvements!