From Ryker to Spyder F3 advice and questions

[delkhouri]

I am really thinking about selling my ryker rally and getting a spyder f3s or f3t. I am interested in doing this for the following reasons:

1) better/more comfortable/smoother for longer rides and touring
2) Cruise control for longer rides
3) Would like to ride two up sometimes
4) ability to shift gears

I can modify the ryker to meet my needs in most ways but i cannot change out the cvt… that loud droning cvt that runs at 6000rpms at 55mph and gets poor gas mileage is the biggest reason I want to make the trade for a F3

Has anyone made the trade from a Ryker to an F3? Is there anything about the ryker you miss? I would love to hear some feedback on this.

 

[Bob204bc]

I don't believe any current F3 offers a manual so you will have to be satisfied with the paddle shift. Also, please don't expect better fuel mileage. I consistently get between 32 and 35 mpg except in the west at high elevation (5,000 - 12,000 feet) where I have achieved in the low 40's. Premium fuel only.

 

[delkhouri]

I don't believe any current F3 offers a manual so you will have to be satisfied with the paddle shift. Also, please don't expect better fuel mileage. I consistently get between 32 and 35 mpg except in the west at high elevation (5,000 - 12,000 feet) where I have achieved in the low 40's. Premium fuel only.

Yeah i think you are correct about the manual transmission no longer being available on a the F3… but a paddle shifter is still better than a CVT. The CVT is always at a super high rpm so on the highway im right around 7k rpm

From the reports i have read the f3 seems to average in the mid to upper thirties and my ryker is more like 30 with a smaller engine and less power (but also less weight)… again that comes back to the cvt running at such high rpms all the time and the ryker literally can’t coast. You move your hand off the throttle and it engine brakes hard.

 

[ARtraveler]

What has been said about the F3 is right on.

I get average 40 mpg with both of our F3's. We do a lot of country roads at 40-45 mph (avg. 3000 rpm's) in fourth gear. That may contribute to our "higher" mpg.

 

[Vincef329]

I dove in! I've been riding my 2020 Rally for a year and loving it. Last month I ordered an F3S. I went to a BRP test ride and put a few miles on the big boy RT sea to sky, good enough for me to dive in. Good luck!

 

[Mazo EMS2]

My wife rode a Ryker for one summer then upgraded to an RT the next summer. For all the reasons you mentioned. Never looked back....the Ryker has its place, but just not a good ride for day long rides and features. It was a great intro bike for her, being her first

 

[njfishfan]

Back in may I sold my 2019 Ryker and picked up a 2021 F3 Limited...and love it. The Ryker is more fun in my opinion ,being able to do burn outs and slide the end in turns, etc. That being said I love the comfort ,having a radio ,and the storage that the limited has and wife loves being on the back when we out touring and is much better on the highway.

 

[Sarge707]

I am lucky I have both and the F3 is a manual so I'm happy!

 

[delkhouri]

Does anyone know any places in ohio that rent Spyders.. particularly looking at the f3? I can’t seem to find any and I think it would go a long way with helping me decide

 

[Pooch]

If you can’t find a rental just go to the dealer and take a test drive.
Go back again and take another test drive… or over to another dealer for a test drive. I did this a lot… for 3 years. Just could not get totally comfortable with the machine.
When they came out with the redesigned 2020-21 Spyder RTL….that did it…just what I was looking for. Have had my 2021 since February…haven’t looked back….really enjoying the handling, comfort, and storage…plus much better mpg than my Gold Wing trike.
Be sure to include your wife with you on the test drives!
Let us know what you come up with.