2015 F3S SE6 TOURING Spyder mods

[spyderyderjim]

Here are my F3S TOURING mods.
Update 22 Oct 2015:
My Show Chrome RT shield (from Accessories)25" H x 27 1/2" wide, with Aluminum angle/flat bar solid mountings gives me total wind protection, no helmet noise.
RT shield at 20" above center handlebar mount, I look through top 1", works good for me.
Givi Wingracks with Givi topcase mount; N141 (or N140 will work); with 22" long x 1/4" thick Aluminum sidebar extension connected to outside front & rear handhold bolts, for topcase mount.
(special thanks to Guzzi for posting photos of his F3S Wingrack & sidebags)!!!
Givi E41NN sidecases. Givi 2015 V56N topcase.
My 2012 Stage 5 Elka shocks 325# Eibach springs. (just cut away half moon 1" of plastic underneath for reservoir to fit).
2015 Elka stage 2 rear shock with Hyperco 8" long 800# single spring 2.25 ID; gives correct 1" rear ride height sag for me; (I am buying a 900# single 8" spring so will only need 2 turns spring preload)!
Note: The Elka dual 800# short 2 3/4" black spring/900# Eibach 5 1/4" Red spring are way too soft & sag 2" for too low of rear ride height with just driver;
with passenger the F3 Elka dual springs bottoms out on speed bumps in parking lots!
(call John at F3 Elka shock website 1-800-557-0552 to order; (suggest a 900# Hyperco 8" long single spring 2.25" ID for Elka rear F3 shock).
(Not sure if John at Elka will install a Hyperco 900# SINGLE 8" long 2.25 ID rear spring on Elka rear shock for) F3 Spyders;
I had to buy Hyperco single 8" length spring on my own). My F3S Rear Elka stage 2 shock is a Major improvement with corrected ride height (with Hyperco 8" long 800# single spring, (I am changing to 900# single spring); firm but dampening absorbs all small harsh bumps felt with stock shock.BRP floorboards are good; (but I added 1/2" firm pad foam to absorb small vibrations).
Brake linkage shortened/pedal lowered.
Russell backrest.
Custom F3S seats; Russell seat spring at base, 2" memory foam with a 1/2" Gel pad sandwiched between foam, Custom leather seat cover off my RT seat.
Magnaflow car muffler to mellow out the in line triple motor sound!!
Yokohama S.drive 205-55-15 rear high performance car tire, has excellent dry/wet traction, smoother ride, grips in corners, (only about 9-10,000 miles wear).
Still managed to ride 10,000 miles in 6 months on Awesome F3S Spyder, (with all the TOURING mods I designed/built)!!
BRP built the ultimate F3S SE6 Spyder (well, until 2016 F3-T comes out in Jan 2016, just need to add sidebars & a V56 Givi Topcase to it, ha); with quick low end torque, more power than anyone really needs, consistent 39 mpg, handles corners at twice posted speed, light handling, very easy to ride, etc!!!
Enjoy your F3 Spyder rydes.
Jim

 

[Big Arm]

:congrats: Jim, Looks Great :bowdown: Hope to see it next fall. Ride safe.

 

[BeRight]

Great looking mods

Very impressive Givi top case and side cases mounting :clap: looks fantastic

 

[xBobbyx]

Looks great.

 

[llyrad]

Looks great!

"Custom F3S seats; Russell seat spring at base, 2" memory foam with a 1/2" Gel pad sandwiched between foam, Custom leather seat cover off my RT seat"

Bike looks great, and that seat looks incredibly comfortable!

 

[BikerDoc]

Wow you have been busy.. Looks super

 

[Guzzi]

Here are my F3S TOURING mods.
RT shield at 16" above center handlebar mount; (will be replaced with 20" Med Gray Madstad shield next week).
Givi Wingracks with Givi topcase mount; N141 (or N140 will work); with 15" long sidebar extension for topcase mount.
(special thanks to Guzzi for posting photos of his F3S Wingrack & sidebags)!!!
Givi E41NN sidecases.
Givi E52 topcase (will be replaced with new 2015 E56NN topcase later).
My 2012 Stage 5 Elka shocks 325# Eibach springs. (just cut away 1" of plastic underneath for reservoir to fit).
2015 Elka stage 2 rear shock with 800# short 2 3/4" black spring/800# Eibach 5 1/4" Red spring. (call John at F3 Elka shock website 1-800-557-0552 to order).
Rear F3S Elka delivered in 2 weeks; John is good!!
Rear Elka shock a Major improvement with correct ride height; dampening absorbs all small harsh bumps felt with stock shock.
BRP floorboards are good; (but I added 1/2" firm pad foam to absorb small vibrations).
Brake linkage shortened/pedal lowered.
Russell backrest.
Custom F3S seats; Russell seat spring at base, 2" memory foam with a 1/2" Gel pad sandwiched between foam, Custom leather seat cover off my RT seat.
Magnaflow car muffler to mellow out the in line triple motor sound!!
Still managed to ride 4,500 miles in 7 weeks on Awesome F3S Spyder!!
BRP built the ultimate F3S SE6 Spyder; with quick low end torque, more power than anyone really needs, great 39 mpg, handles corners at twice posted speed, light handling, very easy to ride, etc!!!
Enjoy your Summer rides.
Jim

Looks great! Glad my pics helped. Now I got to dig out my wingrack extentions so I can mount my top case. Thanks! GUZZI

 

[MikeP]

Here are my F3S TOURING mods.
RT shield at 16" above center handlebar mount; (will be replaced with 20" Med Gray Madstad shield next week).
Givi Wingracks with Givi topcase mount; N141 (or N140 will work); with 15" long sidebar extension for topcase mount.
(special thanks to Guzzi for posting photos of his F3S Wingrack & sidebags)!!!
Givi E41NN sidecases.
Givi E52 topcase (will be replaced with new 2015 E56NN topcase later).
My 2012 Stage 5 Elka shocks 325# Eibach springs. (just cut away 1" of plastic underneath for reservoir to fit).
2015 Elka stage 2 rear shock with 800# short 2 3/4" black spring/800# Eibach 5 1/4" Red spring. (call John at F3 Elka shock website 1-800-557-0552 to order).
Rear F3S Elka delivered in 2 weeks; John is good!!
Rear Elka shock a Major improvement with correct ride height; dampening absorbs all small harsh bumps felt with stock shock.
BRP floorboards are good; (but I added 1/2" firm pad foam to absorb small vibrations).
Brake linkage shortened/pedal lowered.
Russell backrest.
Custom F3S seats; Russell seat spring at base, 2" memory foam with a 1/2" Gel pad sandwiched between foam, Custom leather seat cover off my RT seat.
Magnaflow car muffler to mellow out the in line triple motor sound!!
Still managed to ride 4,500 miles in 7 weeks on Awesome F3S Spyder!!
BRP built the ultimate F3S SE6 Spyder; with quick low end torque, more power than anyone really needs, great 39 mpg, handles corners at twice posted speed, light handling, very easy to ride, etc!!!
Enjoy your Summer rides.
Jim

LOVE IT!!!!

 

[Big Jeff]

F S Touring Mods-Rear Spring

Mods look great. Just what I am attempting to do with my new F3S. Some questions on the Elka Stage 2 rear shock. When I ride with a passenger I exceed the manufacturer weight rating for the F3. What is the weight rating of that aftermarket Elka Stage 2 and can they match the spring to the weight that I specifiy to them. Any additional specifications on the rear shock ordering would be great. Thanks for the information.

 

[spyderyderjim]

"Custom F3S seats; Russell seat spring at base, 2" memory foam with a 1/2" Gel pad sandwiched between foam, Custom leather seat cover off my RT seat"

Bike looks great, and that seat looks incredibly comfortable!

Thanks everyone.
I just wanted to share what any DIY Guy/Gal can modify: F3S seat, backrest, add Givi storage equal to or maybe a little more than RT, Elka shocks, RT windshield with DIY 1/4" thick Aluminum flatbar/1" x 1" Angle brackets mounted, for a great F3S TOURING Spyder.
The stock F3 seat can be an easy mod with a Conformax 1" foam with attached 1/2" Gel facing down at seat base foam.
You just remove staples, pull off stock seat cover, cut out center stock foam, (leave edges of foam around seat base & about 1" stock foam over seat base), insert center cut out foam with the Comformax foam pad with Gel down; staple seat cover back on.
The 20" Conformax pad is enough for both Passenger & Drivers seat.
https://onlygel.com/index.php/confo...x-retach-anywheretm-gel-seat-cushion-265.html
Yes the seat is very comfy!!!
Enjoy.
Jim

 

[spyderyderjim]

Mods look great. Just what I am attempting to do with my new F3S. Some questions on the Elka Stage 2 rear shock. When I ride with a passenger I exceed the manufacturer weight rating for the F3. What is the weight rating of that aftermarket Elka Stage 2 and can they match the spring to the weight that I specifiy to them. Any additional specifications on the rear shock ordering would be great. Thanks for the information.

John at Elka will set up F3 rear Elka with correct single 8" long spring for your weight.
But on F3, rear single spring needs to be stronger for driver only; and a even stronger single spring set up for 2 up riding to get correct ride height!!
A Rear F3 Elka dual shock springs John at Elka set up for a 250# rider was way too soft for ride height for rider; & 2 up riding!!
Should be a stronger 900# Hyperco single 8" long spring for 2 up riding.
Note: The dual springs on Elka rear shock do NOT work because they sag 2" when sitting on F3S with the Eibach 800# 5 1/4" long spring/800# 2 3/4" long springs.
(My rear Elka 650/800# dual springs was set up for 200# rider, (the 1 3/4" rear sag is way too much).
But I bought/installed Hyperco 800# single rear spring 8" long 2 1/4" ID, to get ride height up to normal 1/2" sag.
Hope this explains a little on F3 Elka rear shock spring sag problem.
Jim

 

[ABQSpyder]

Looking Good!

 

[ARtraveler]

Great looking mods. If that seat is half as comfortable as it looks, I think you have a winner. :yes::yes:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

It's impressive what you can do with a Spyder, Jim. When did you trade your RT?

 

[hawkiii]

Very nice set up. A lot less expensive and more capacity. Nice job.

 

[BeRight]

Not cheap but worth it to some/many

I plan to duplicate his setup - he has provided me with great advice and support:thumbup: - My total cost around $1,100 (all new luggage E52NFA/E41N's, wing rack mounting bracket, extra hardware). Increase or decrease price based on GIVI case model and where one purchases same.

I've always used GIVI cases and just stick with what works for me. Been waiting it seems like forever for a third party to offer mounting brackets for GIVI - not happening - one supplier said he was going to do it back in early April and still hasn't even started on it.

I also will add ADMORE running/brake/blinker led light kit for GIVI E52 top case ($116 - new total cost $1,216) higher brake lighting always a good thing. I've used this kit before and it works great and is really bright. My GIVI E52 top case installed on/in 2008 on my previous Spyder still looks brand new.


This setup can easily be removed (two backseat handhold bolts on each side) and restored to original configuration for future sale of bike. As we all know, one rarely/never gets the value of added accessories on re-sale of bike.

Hope to have all components next week for assembly.

 

[Bob Denman]

:clap: :2thumbs: :congrats: on the GREAT job!

 

[Magdave]

First one I have seen I actually like the look of. If you don't mind how much do you have $$ tied up in her total? I am guessing close to $30k?

 

[magicinstalls]

39 miles per gallon?

Here are my F3S TOURING mods.
Update 25 June 2015: My 2013 RT shield with Aluminum angle/flat bar solid mountings gives me total wind protection, no helmet noise.
RT shield at 20" above center handlebar mount, I look through top 1", works good for me.
(20" Med Gray Madstad shield did NOT give me wind protection I wanted, base plate flexed front to back, shield moved side to side;
tried every available adjustment position);
(I had to pay $40 to ship back the scratched shield they sent me; plus shipping it to me, very poor customer service).
Givi Wingracks with Givi topcase mount; N141 (or N140 will work); with 15" long sidebar extension for topcase mount.
(special thanks to Guzzi for posting photos of his F3S Wingrack & sidebags)!!!
Givi E41NN sidecases.
Givi E52 topcase (will be replaced with new 2015 E56NN topcase later).
My 2012 Stage 5 Elka shocks 325# Eibach springs. (just cut away 1" of plastic underneath for reservoir to fit).
2015 Elka stage 2 rear shock with Hyperco 8" high 800# single spring gives correct 1" rear ride sag height for me!
Note: The 800# short 2 3/4" black spring/800# Eibach 5 1/4" Red spring are way too soft & sag 2" for too low of rear ride height with just driver;
with passenger the F3 bottoms out on speed bumps in parking lots!
(call John at F3 Elka shock website 1-800-557-0552 to order; (suggest a 800# or 900# Hyperco 8" long single spring 2 1/4" ID for Elka rear F3 shock).
Rear F3S Elka delivered in 2 weeks; John is good!!
My F3S Rear Elka stage 2 shock a Major improvement with corrected ride height (with Hyperco 8" long 800# single spring); firm but dampening absorbs all small harsh bumps felt with stock shock.
BRP floorboards are good; (but I added 1/2" firm pad foam to absorb small vibrations).
Brake linkage shortened/pedal lowered.
Russell backrest.
Custom F3S seats; Russell seat spring at base, 2" memory foam with a 1/2" Gel pad sandwiched between foam, Custom leather seat cover off my RT seat.
Magnaflow car muffler to mellow out the in line triple motor sound!!
Still managed to ride 6,000 miles in 9 weeks on Awesome F3S Spyder!!
BRP built the ultimate F3S SE6 Spyder; with quick low end torque, more power than anyone really needs, great 39 mpg, handles corners at twice posted speed, light handling, very easy to ride, etc!!!
Enjoy your Summer rides

[/

Better check your mileage again their Jim. The best the F3 can get is 33 I've never gotten better than 28…

 

[Nyparrothead]

you are SOOO right about the stock shock setup on the F3.. When I first brought this subject up I was told here that It was my fault for being overweight and I shouldn't expect a stock shock to work... BS!! the stock shock is barely adequate to take the weight of the bike. I was told by Fox that the stock shock is sprung at 160 lbs.. that spring is barely able to hold the weight of the unit without sagging not to mention hitting any size bump on the road.

The Elka shock made the F3 a different machine and its a shame the Mother BRP (like nearly all other manufacturers) cheap out when it come to such an integral part of their products. Being a long time Goldwing rider I am reminded of the cheap inadequate suspension Honda uses. The suspension sags under the weight of the machine dry, With no one on it it is overloaded.

IMHO, replacing the OEM rear shock would be the first upgrade everyone should make!!

Mark