F3 vs. RS

[Dragonrider]

F3 w 115 hp and 850lb and my 08 RS 106 hp at 697 lb dry weight both --- don't see the hp gain I'm looking for - right now the 1330 RT won't beat my RS 0 to 100 - I am craving high HP - guess wait for demo ride to see if it enough ----- disappointed in only 115 hp grrrrrrrrrr

The 990 likes high revs, and comes alive above 5K - the 1330 is a low end torque machine, pulling from the bottom, and liking it down there. These are VERY different drive trains, and the 1330 (in the RT) is ideal for touring. IMHO, it was never intended as a performance option.

I suspect the majority of riders prefer the 1330's performance curve - I know I do.

Perhaps Lamont knows if the fuel mapping and/or timing has been changed to enhance the 1330's performance in the F3 - it may be the case, but I doubt it.

If you really want a hot rod, I think the SlingShot is the ticket.

 

[Flanker]

here's my dilemma...... i have an '09 RS/SE 5 with over 40,000 CAREFREE (S)miles... ZERO issues since new...
i was hoping that BRP would offer the 1330/6 speed in the RS for 2015... not so lucky on that one...
although i amNOT fond of the F3 looks, i am a PERFORMANCE kind'a guy... drag racers all my life...

i REALLY want that GIDDY-UP, and i'm thinking of buy the new F3, but my dilemma is; i DO NOT WANT TO GIVE UP MY RS....
my question to all of you,is; is this over the top, or have other SPYD3R rides ever owned 2.... NOT 2: 1 for you, and i for spouse.... but 2 for YOU...?
Dan P
Easley, SC
SPYD3R
View attachment 96218

Damn, Dude! My eyeballs hurt..................turn that full color yelling down! :joke:

As you can see from my sig, I've got three bolt on mods to my engine. I'd love to have it dynoed (talked to three shops with motorcycle dynos, and they won't touch my Spyder), but if I were a betting man; I'd guess around 115-120 HP and 80-83 ft/lbs of torque at the crank. I see BRP lists 115 HP for the F3 (and 96 ft/lbs of torque), though I'm not sure if that's a crank or R wheel figure. F3 dry weight is listed at 850!!!!!! 2015 RSS weight is listed at 798. If I remember rightly the dry weight for my '12 RSS was listed at 699.

If I could get it; I'd want exactly 3 things from the F3. That 6th gear, the bigger front wheels/brakes, and cruise control...........................otherwise, I'm still very pleased with my RSS. BRP went exactly in the wrong direction on the F3's weight, I HATE (see what I mean :joke foot forward controls, and BRP's decision to run with the Yamaha V MAX intake scoops and RAM pickup grill were :roflblack:. Those styling elements sucked :cus: on the original vehicles and didn't improve any on the F3. Not that I'm opinionated..........................or anything.

Still like to figure a way to shoehorn my ZX14 motor/transmission into my Spyder and ditch about 125 lbs of Spyder blubber!

 

[ARtraveler]

We really do have to sit back and wait for the early purchasers to give us their impressions of how their new ride handles.

Speculation always tends to run rampant at this time of year. It's all we have at the time.

Most speculation tends to be in the ballpark though. Time will tell if it is ultimately correct or not.

I had the 1330 pegged back in 2010 or so. I said a bigger engine in the :spyder2: would result in smoother, quieter, and peppier operation, as well better gas mileage. I think I was pretty close on that one. :thumbup:

 

[Dragonrider]

You spend heap time in sweat lodge... eagle must bring visions in sleep!!

 

[Rob Rodriguez]

Here is what I don't understand.........

The SlingShot is released and Polaris has a press event where the media drive it, write articles, do video articles, give driving impressions, etc, etc. The F3 is released and BRP has none of this.

Why?

 

[ChasingWind]

I like the the looks - trunk space sucks - but hopefully all that torque will blow me away lol --- they got 260 hp in their jet skis and have a twin cam 350hp motor in the works ------need more power [emoji14][emoji3] just saying

 

[ChasingWind]

And yes the sling shot is very tempting - might have 2 new toys this summer

 

[Bob Denman]

We'll need to see pictures... :2thumbs:

 

[sledmaster]

I own a 2008 GS, and a 2013 ST-S. I am NOT a cruiser guy.

But I just got back from riding the F3 up in Quebec for a couple of days, and have to tell you, you will probably forget you even own a RS once you ride it. By virtue of putting the rider in a lower and further back position the chassis now handles like magic. I seriously thought it would not handle as well as a GS/RS, but once you try one it will blow you away. The power of the 1330 is crazy good with the lighter platform, but the handling is simply unreal. Instead of doing all of the work with your arms, you use your thighs more.

I could run the F3 really hard into a corner, one that would have got the nanny to kick in on my GS or ST-S, and the F3 just rails. When the nanny finally does kick in, it doesn't immediately cut the throttle like it used to, it first gives you a bit of ABS action and you can actually get the rear tire to slide slightly. It simply rails, and with the new seating position you are locked in between the foot pegs and the seat bucket. Again, I am NOT a cruiser rider, never have been, but have to admit the F3 pretty much obsoletes my GS and ST-S. It is that good. I will be riding one next year, ZERO doubt. It is such a bad ass bitchin' machine. It looks way better in real life. It sounds throaty and deeper, it pulls hard and stretches your arms, hard to admit but it is so much more fun I am almost in denial. Kind of like crack cocaine I suppose, very addictive. Wouldn't know, just an assumption. The wind protection from the wide body is way better than you would expect. But the key is how the chassis handles with the rider locked in and so much further down and back. It is like magic what it does to the revised chassis. The lower gearing and lighter platform with the revised VSS calibration let you have way more fun. It is so easy to ride. You will forget about your RS, I know this sounds like crap, but I have over 80,000 miles on GS and ST-S, and I now have been bitten by the F3. They say "Riding has Evolved", and it is totally true. Big time. All I can say is you MUST try one for yourself, then you will understand. Seriously. It just obsoleted everything else in my garage.

 

[Bob Denman]

Coming from you; this endorsement carries some weight!! :bowdown:
Thank you, for telling us all what it feels like! :2thumbs:

 

[sledmaster]

The media event just occurred Sunday-Tuesday. There were 21 media guys there from all over the planet, mostly motorcycle but also automotive and Lifestyle. It will take them a few days to get their ride impressions written. Most of the bike guys were from So Cal, and they had not much Spyder experience going into this. They came away with a new appreciation of what BRP was up to. Most of them got it, in that they understand this is the first Spyder that will REALLY be taken seriously by the motorcycle enthusiasts. Some of them really liked it. They all liked the engine but really were surprised by the image it projected and the look of it, along with the feel and the handling. Let's just say we now have their respect and attention.

So just give it a few days. We just got back yesterday so I am just now able to get some of the ride impressions up with some photos. I was the only off-road/snowmobile guy there, and I believe the only one that actually owns a couple of Spyders, and for sure the only one with over 80,000 miles on them. I did my best to infect them with Spyder enthusiasm and help them understand the benefits of the platform. They had little Spyder experience to draw from so I helped them fill in the blanks.

 

[Bob Denman]

Next time you get called out for something like this...

:shocked: Do you need someone to carry your bags for you??

 

[sledmaster]

We actually flew up there in a Lear jet. No kidding. Talk about cool! :yes:

 

[Bob Denman]

:bowdown: Oh wait... They can probably dig up a Lear Jet pretty easy! :2thumbs:

 

[SPYD3R]

Sledmaster

hey Sledmaster.....
thx for the info... i, we; all of us, REALLY appreciate it...
however, you talk about 'less' weight in the F3 vs. the RS... yet others have stated the F3 weighs in @ about 50 lbs more... wha'sup'wit'dat....????

also.... i went to my local SPYD3R dealer today... i was ready to put down some CA$H... but my salesman told me to hold off until January 2015... that's when they'll be getting the F3 in... he told me i'd be the 1st call he makes when they are notified of the arrival date... you can bet your BIPPY i'll be there wit bells on my toes..... as they say... i can't wait... :yes:
Dan P
Easley, SC
SPYD3R

 

[sledmaster]

I believe the weight reduction would be with the 1330 in comparison to a comparable RT model, so you would be correct in it being 50 lbs. more than an RS. We can check the spec sheets to be sure. Sorry for the confusion!

When I rode it I would say it didn't really feel any heavier than an ST-S but felt lighter than an RT. 50 pounds is what 6 gallons of gas? Most riders can not feel that little of a difference when the mass is centered.

 

[SPYD3R]

G-FORCE

I believe the weight reduction would be with the 1330 in comparison to a comparable RT model, so you would be correct in it being 50 lbs. more than an RS. We can check the spec sheets to be sure. Sorry for the confusion!

When I rode it I would say it didn't really feel any heavier than an ST-S but felt lighter than an RT. 50 pounds is what 6 gallons of gas? Most riders can not feel that little of a difference when the mass is centered.

all i wanna feel is G-FORCE...... :yes:

 

[larryd]

let the wheels start turning

Let see, a F3 rear sprocket & belt on a 2014 RT...Would that equal a touring rocket???

 

[arntufun]

We actually flew up there in a Lear jet. No kidding. Talk about cool! :yes:

View attachment 96285

So what you are saying is, your just another cookie jar test pilot (paid to go).......... I'll wait until the real test riders comment. .:thumbup: Your review seems straight from the textbook.......

 

[Rob Rodriguez]

Thanks for the info Sledmaster. That's the kind of info I'm looking for.

I guess it would make more sense to me if BRP did the Dealer event and the press event the same day. Then do the public release a week, 10 days later. That would give the press guys the opportunity to get their articles, videos, etc finished and the dealers at least some info and back in the shop so that when the public was brought in all this stuff would be ready to go..............Just saying.