F3 and Knees

[SpyderSue]

I found that my legs in a more forward position also helped my knees. I think according to the chart, I should have been fine at foot position 3 but my left knee was screaming at me within a half hour. I ended up moving to position 4 so that my legs are just a bit more straight and I can ride all day long with no knee issues.

When you sit on the "seating dummy" make sure you see where the next position forward is (can you reach it easily) because the chart may have you at a 1 or 2 and you may want to get the pegs at the next notch forward because of your knees.

You'll love the F3. Can't wait to hear what you think!

Great advice! Thanks When I had horses, the longer leg position also felt better for extended rides, so that all makes perfect sense.

 

[DDT]

My F3 has caused me on knee problems. If did however cause my calf muscles to hurt at night. The next time I rode it I just put my heel on the frame and problem solved. Love my F3.

 

[Trevor G]

Hi all. I'm considering pulling the plug on an F3 Ltd. I currently have an '09 GS SE5 with almost 36k miles on it. I've put most of them on since I bought it used in 2012. My problem with the GS is after a week of riding, my knees and hips scream. I've got arthritis in my left knee (who doesn't?), and even though I have lost a lot of weight to help with that. It still give me fits.

Does the riding position of the F3 present any problems for us 'mature (I'm 57)'? Did you have problems with your knees or hips that have been resolved when you bought the F3.

Sue

We fitted Rivco floor boards for our RS and that made a lot of difference, but you still cannot move your feet far enough forward. They end up 2" lower and maybe 6" further forward. I don't know how you can ride with the original pegs!

We fitted floor boards to our F3 to help with foot placement - it's quite comfortable but we chose a Corbin seat because the oem ones were really bad. You might also find a rider's backrest to be useful, and the short reach bars (which are the ones which come back closest to you).

We still have the RS and the seating position is so much improved on the F3 it's like an entirely different concept.

 

[OJ UK]

Hi there Sue! Well I traded my RS for an F3 and the difference for me is night and day. The F3 stock seat is great, it supports your lower back
and the adjustability of the foot pegs is a boon. I can ride all day and not suffer. I have fitted some foot boards and they allow me to move my
feet around more which is good too. My advice would be to try the F3 on a long run before you alter anything.
You may just like it the way it is out of the crate!

Here's a picture of the foot boards I fitted:

 

[SpyderSue]

Hi there Sue! Well I traded my RS for an F3 and the difference for me is night and day. The F3 stock seat is great, it supports your lower back
and the adjustability of the foot pegs is a boon. I can ride all day and not suffer. I have fitted some foot boards and they allow me to move my
feet around more which is good too. My advice would be to try the F3 on a long run before you alter anything.
You may just like it the way it is out of the crate!

Here's a picture of the foot boards I fitted:

Nice ride! I'm looking at the LTD Special Edition, so it comes with the floorboards - which I think I will like very much. My dealer is letting me take a 2 to 3 hour test ride while they do some work on my GS, so I'll get a good sense of how it fits on roads I know and love! Thanks for the encouragement - this is exactly was I was hoping to hear :yes:

 

[oldrunner48]

My knees hurt as well.

I have bad knees as well. A half hour on my ST and I needed to stop and walk around to relieve some of the pain. I traded my ST-S for a 2015 F3 in March and can say with certainty that my knee pain is all but gone. The riding position on the F3 is perfect for my old 67 year old knees.

 

[SpyderSue]

I have bad knees as well. A half hour on my ST and I needed to stop and walk around to relieve some of the pain. I traded my ST-S for a 2015 F3 in March and can say with certainty that my knee pain is all but gone. The riding position on the F3 is perfect for my old 67 year old knees.

I'm SO glad to hear this.
:clap:

 

[oldrunner48]

Go for the F3!

I'm SO glad to hear this.
:clap:

I thought I would add a little more insight on my move to an F3. In MHO the F3 is a whole different ride. Where my ST-S was fun to ride around town and to the store, the F3 is an absolute hoot. Handling is much more precise, adding a whole new level of excitement in the curves. The 1330 triple is much more powerful and responsive.
This is my first experience with a semi automatic transmission and I love it. I come from a dual sport background and really thought long and hard about giving up the "control" I thought I needed. In my case with age has come the realization that concessions need to be made if I want the wind in my face.
Now if I can just sell my BMW GS all will be right in my world.

 

[SpyderSue]

I thought I would add a little more insight on my move to an F3. In MHO the F3 is a whole different ride. Where my ST-S was fun to ride around town and to the store, the F3 is an absolute hoot. Handling is much more precise, adding a whole new level of excitement in the curves. The 1330 triple is much more powerful and responsive.
This is my first experience with a semi automatic transmission and I love it. I come from a dual sport background and really thought long and hard about giving up the "control" I thought I needed. In my case with age has come the realization that concessions need to be made if I want the wind in my face.
Now if I can just sell my BMW GS all will be right in my world.

My BF rides a BMW GS800. I've had my Spyder '09 GS SE5 for almost 4 years, and it was the right Spyder to buy to see if I'd ride. I do. Alot. But also have been paying the price in pain. If I didn't do the multiple day big rides, this bike would be fine. Fun for a day in Rocky Mtn. National Park, or around town as you say. But by day 3 I'm on 800mg of Ibuprophen 3x a day just to stay sane. But next trip is to Utah for 2 weeks - bike and hike. The thought of getting off the Spyder in pain and then starting a hike doesn't thrill me. I'd rather get there excited about the hike ahead, as it is my favorite thing to do. Well, that and ride my Spyder. And hike, and ride. Oh dear - I've created a loop! lol! :yes:

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[vondalyn]

are you going for it?

how'd the test ride go yesterday?

 

[SpyderSue]

how'd the test ride go yesterday?

Great. Put down a deposit! YIKES!

 

[vondalyn]

HOORAY!!!!

Great. Put down a deposit! YIKES!

you'll soon be one very happy F3 owner. Which year/model/color did you choose? You'll have to bring it by and show it off (or let's go riding!)

 

[SpyderSue]

you'll soon be one very happy F3 owner. Which year/model/color did you choose? You'll have to bring it by and show it off (or let's go riding!)

I decided on the "go big or go home" theory. I bought the 2016 F3 Limited, special edition. Triple black. Oh my!

So, then my current Spyder has decided she's really pissed at me - blew up her drive belt! Could have been a rock, or just tired rubber. So I have a NEW project this week now... However, when I'm done with that, she will have new front brakes and rotors, a new valve cover gasket, oil change, new belt... Someone's going to be very lucky when they buy her...

 

[vondalyn]

I decided on the "go big or go home" theory. I bought the 2016 F3 Limited, special edition. Triple black. Oh my!

So, then my current Spyder has decided she's really pissed at me - blew up her drive belt! Could have been a rock, or just tired rubber. So I have a NEW project this week now... However, when I'm done with that, she will have new front brakes and rotors, a new valve cover gasket, oil change, new belt... Someone's going to be very lucky when they buy her...

NICE! That's what I did with the RT -- why not get all the bells and whistles -- thus the limited. You'll be SO happy with the F3. What a different ride. Let me know when you get it (her?). I haven't seen one in person yet.