Jetfixer
Well-known member
We've added a 2021 F3 Limited to our collection recently and in doing some upgrades and lighting mods, I've noticed some quality control issues reminiscent of our 2020 RTL. Today we went to a Can Am factory sponsored riding event and I found the same issues on at least 3 other new F3's.
1- The forward glove box latch does not catch on any of them. I found out riding home from the dealer when the wind under the windshield lifted the door open. Any light object placed there would have been blown out. A very simple fix was to unscrew the knob from the bottom of the glove box lid and add a washer. Now it latches very strongly. Apparently these are not checked at the factory.
2- The drivers seat is mounted by two plastic rivets only. The first thing I noticed is that they are the wrong size for the holes and will continually work loose. While attaching a Can Am drivers backrest, the kit includes two bolts for mounting the seat, but there are no clip nuts in the holes since they used plastic rivets. The kit did not include clip nuts ( and wasn't supposed to per the instructions). Another simple fix was to head to the local auto parts store for clip nuts. All other new F3's I've looked at also only had the rivets, and they were already loose in the showroom.
3- See number 2 above. The passenger seat is captured by one locking latch that is unlocked with the key. However, it also relies on the drivers seat being mounted securely. On our new F3 and all the ones I've seen in the showrooms, the passenger seats were so loose that you can pop it out of the forward hooks and it would only be attached by the latch which is off center toward the right side. The fix for item #2 above also fixes this issue.
4- In running wires for the Lamonster side bag lights, I found that the lower body panel on both sides was not attached at all. There is a plastic hook that does interlock with the upper panel, but there was supposed to be a bolt in the front position. No bolt, and no clip nut for it either. At the lower rear of these panels, there also is supposed to be hardware locking these panels to the bottom, forward section of each side compartment. Ours had nothing there on either side, so I added nuts and bolts. At the showroom today, one bike had plastic rivets in these holes. I wouldn't trust plastic rivets here due to the fact that they are mounted vertically and if they came loose, they would just fall out. I added clip nuts and bolts to the forward mounting positions. If you're checking this out, you can feel for the holes (or rivets) at the bottom forward of the side compartments. Or use a mirror.
If you are in the market for a new F3, don't let these issues stop you. It's a great bike! But give it a thorough looking at and get the dealer to fix these issues first.
1- The forward glove box latch does not catch on any of them. I found out riding home from the dealer when the wind under the windshield lifted the door open. Any light object placed there would have been blown out. A very simple fix was to unscrew the knob from the bottom of the glove box lid and add a washer. Now it latches very strongly. Apparently these are not checked at the factory.
2- The drivers seat is mounted by two plastic rivets only. The first thing I noticed is that they are the wrong size for the holes and will continually work loose. While attaching a Can Am drivers backrest, the kit includes two bolts for mounting the seat, but there are no clip nuts in the holes since they used plastic rivets. The kit did not include clip nuts ( and wasn't supposed to per the instructions). Another simple fix was to head to the local auto parts store for clip nuts. All other new F3's I've looked at also only had the rivets, and they were already loose in the showroom.
3- See number 2 above. The passenger seat is captured by one locking latch that is unlocked with the key. However, it also relies on the drivers seat being mounted securely. On our new F3 and all the ones I've seen in the showrooms, the passenger seats were so loose that you can pop it out of the forward hooks and it would only be attached by the latch which is off center toward the right side. The fix for item #2 above also fixes this issue.
4- In running wires for the Lamonster side bag lights, I found that the lower body panel on both sides was not attached at all. There is a plastic hook that does interlock with the upper panel, but there was supposed to be a bolt in the front position. No bolt, and no clip nut for it either. At the lower rear of these panels, there also is supposed to be hardware locking these panels to the bottom, forward section of each side compartment. Ours had nothing there on either side, so I added nuts and bolts. At the showroom today, one bike had plastic rivets in these holes. I wouldn't trust plastic rivets here due to the fact that they are mounted vertically and if they came loose, they would just fall out. I added clip nuts and bolts to the forward mounting positions. If you're checking this out, you can feel for the holes (or rivets) at the bottom forward of the side compartments. Or use a mirror.
If you are in the market for a new F3, don't let these issues stop you. It's a great bike! But give it a thorough looking at and get the dealer to fix these issues first.
