How to Mod 2020RT riding position to be closer to F3- any ideas?

[BeRight]

Reason: I gave my perfect condition 2015 F3-S to my brother ( his first 3 wheeler - he loves loves it) and as of yesterday I have a 2020 RT. In riding the RT for 1+ hours I got sharp pains to right hip and right knee.

I took a break and road to my brother's - pains returned during ride. I took a 15 minute break and hopped on "his" F-3 did a 1 1/2 hour round trip ride - zero pain.

I concluded - Dah! - riding position/narrower seating area.

I love everything else about the 2020RT and would like to keep it - allot for the money given $2k instant rebate from BRP and dealer not charging freight/setup/doc fees. Love the better wind protection to rider/smoother ride/heated grips/radio/GPS Aux interface/looks/ etc.

Even without pain issue I need handlebar risers and or F3 handlebar and a better seat+backrest and highway pegs to raise legs (haven't found anyone that makes them - maybe DIY).

Any/all ideas greatly appreciated

Hopefully I don't have to sell/trade it in for a F3-T.

P.S. I did a demo ride on a 2019 RT, in 2019, and had no pain - probably because it was a shorter ride - stupid is as stupid does.

 

[JayBros]

You're sitting on the RT and were sitting more in the F3-S is my first and best thought. Consider a Russell Day Long seat but I believe you have to send them your seat so they can use the pan.

In the no cost area, how limber are you? Stretching exercises or some yoga might help on a short term trial basis.

 

[Copperman]

You can always change out the handlebars for a more comfortable ride. For me, I ended up putting the F3 "Long Reach" bars on mine.

 

[Jetfixer]

Try the Comfort Seat and change the handlebars. I used the F3 Attitude bars and love them.

 

[BeRight]

Thanks for all the advice so far - all worth a try

 

[BeRight]

Perhaps my journey for a pain free ride will help others.

Reflection: I've been actively riding motorcycles for 2+ decades. 2 wheelers until 2008 when I bought first Spyder RS that I road thru 2015. Decided to tone down my riding style with a 3- wheeler (member of 150 club multiple times on 2 wheelers).

2015 is when I first experienced Right hip+ Knee pain riding Spyder RS - 2015 F3 was first introduced and I traded-in my RS for the F3 (not having ridden one before hand).

Got lucky - F3 brought pain free riding thru 2020, plus of course lots of smiles for 5 years.

2020RT got my attention for its looks, amenities, value for the money (lower than what I paid for 2015 F3 ), my desire for a riding style change once again - more chilled longer journey's vs. fast shorter rides - plus it was perfect timing to give F3 to my brother (that's another story).

Didn't get lucky this time - pain returned with 2020RT on first ride (80 mile ride - pain at about 70 miles).

I've decided to do baby steps toward saving my RT - maybe less will be good enough.

I plan to keep it and ride it thru next spring no matter what. No pain no gain- :roflblack:

Late Nov. thru February usually brings few opportunities to ride (super cold and snow) - but I do ride as low as 38F -trade-in value shouldn't be much different. Plus I've always been able to ride year round in MD.

Baby step 1: Installed backrest, Ordered 2" riser and knee+hip compression wraps. Plan to order, later today, Dave's gel/memory foam driver seat insert. I've modified and reshaped seats before in my 2 wheeler days.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions and support in this journey.

 

[Doug44]

I had pain other places, neck and between the shoulders but the F3 short reach factory bar and factory backrest was a total game changer for me. Now just perfect for me and I am sure I can ride 500 + miles a day. Not many years ago I did 1000 mile days on Gold Wings so am confident at age 76 500 + miles will be attainable. My discomfort was bad enough it was a deal breaker I either had to fix it or sell it. I am still amazed at BRP and why they put these bars on a touring model and/or don't offer a choice.

 

[BeRight]

Hi
Just got back from a 60+ mile night ride - 60's clear skies - just perfect weather and little traffic - my first night ride - loved it.

This distance is typical of 95% of my riding until spring.

Wow headlights are great. Best I've ever had on any vehicle.

Progress: with just backrest, Airhawk pad (butt better), and compression hip and knee wraps under riding pants - I experienced only a small amount of pain during last 2 miles - nothing to write home about.hyea:

I, for sure, need closer handlebars and will give Dave's seat insert a try.

I ride almost everyday and will report any changes.

Next update will be after handlebar risers install.

I am 5'8, 32" shirts sleeve length, and 30" inseam. I sit up straight in very back of seat and my arms reach out perfectly straight for grips and my foot reaches brake pedal without stretching out.

I don't think the risers are going to be enough. If not which handlebars would you recommend?? I'd hate to go through handlebar selection like I did windshield's on my 2015 F3-s. I went through 3 windshields and just gave up - even custom designed windshield brackets with help from a fellow Spyder rider in Phoenix,AZ

Cheers

P.S. Riser is on backorder from Lamonster - looks like a bunch of 2020 Spyder purchase.

 

[troop]

Risers: http://store.valueaccessories.net/HandlebarRiserSpyderF3RT.aspx
Helibars: http://store.valueaccessories.net/HeliBarsHSTXhandlebarsF3andRT.aspx

 

[bikerbillone]

I am close to your size, I think the attitude bars would have worked for me, but I instead went for the 'short reach'. They were OK, but a bit close. I did what some others did on the short reach, I hacked the steering pin off, adjusted them to my reach and torqued the four bar bolts down as required; rock solid. Works fine for me.

 

[bikerbillone]

I am close to your size, I think the attitude bars would have worked for me, but I instead went for the 'short reach'. They were OK, but a bit close. I did what some others did on the short reach, I hacked the steering pin off, adjusted them to my reach and torqued the four bar bolts down as required; rock solid. Works fine for me.

 

[BeRight]

I am close to your size, I think the attitude bars would have worked for me, but I instead went for the 'short reach'. They were OK, but a bit close. I did what some others did on the short reach, I hacked the steering pin off, adjusted them to my reach and torqued the four bar bolts down as required; rock solid. Works fine for me.

Thank you for the recommendation

Cheers

 

[BeRight]

Risers: http://store.valueaccessories.net/HandlebarRiserSpyderF3RT.aspx
Helibars: http://store.valueaccessories.net/HeliBarsHSTXhandlebarsF3andRT.aspx

Thank you for the recommendations. Already backordered risers from Lamonster - so I have to wait.

Those Helibars look impressive - $$$$$ - i'll definitely do more research on these.

Cheers

 

[bikerbillone]

BeRight, my pleasure, trying to pay it fwd if I've had the experience. I get good information here for a newbie for the most part, if I get a grumble, I back off.

 

[BeRight]

BeRight, my pleasure, trying to pay it fwd if I've had the experience. I get good information here for a newbie for the most part, if I get a grumble, I back off.

I'm been on and off this site since 2008 and I find that the vast majority are very supportive and helpful. I even post my careless and not well thought out mistakes - lessons learned for me and maybe others.

A rare few grumblers - I do the same as you - just ignore and more on to other posts.

I'll never forget, nor never stop appreciating what many others here have done to help me. One of the larger efforts was by Lamonster in 2008. With continued guiding and quickly answering my posted questions, I was able to replace a long muti-point wiring harness in my 2008 RS which fixed a ton of ills. I try to pay forward by posting here and buying his products when I need/want a new mod. He is quality as a person and only sells quality tested on Spyder's/Ryker's products.

 

[bikerbillone]

Cool Beans, I don't have to tell you anything about SpyderLovers, you are one of the 'old timers', so I'll follow. Be safe.
Wm

 

[ThreeWheels]

Thank you for the recommendations. Already backordered risers from Lamonster - so I have to wait.

Those Helibars look impressive - $$$$$ - i'll definitely do more research on these.

Cheers

You will love the HeliBars. I had mine put on at the dealer before I even took receipt of my 2020.
The floorboards on the 2020 RT are indeed impressive.
Still, you might investigate the possibility of highway pegs.

 

[BeRight]

You will love the HeliBars. I had mine put on at the dealer before I even took receipt of my 2020.
The floorboards on the 2020 RT are indeed impressive.
Still, you might investigate the possibility of highway pegs.

Thank u for suggestion: I've been looking for highway pegs to no avail. Investigating rigging up something temporary to try. Right now the Helibars and Tri-axis are out of my price range - maybe in the spring if all else fails.

 

[south GA Farm Boy]

Just go trade the RT for a F3 is the only way to stop the pain! I rode a RT Limited and my hip would get out of joint and be painful! I had two RT Limited in a row and both of them caused me hip pain, even when I added foot pegs further up! I didn't learn fast, so it was expensive to keep trading. In 2018 I bought me a F3 Limited and I haven't had a hip join pain since! It's the only way, just get you a F3.

 

[BeRight]

I am close to your size, I think the attitude bars would have worked for me, but I instead went for the 'short reach'. They were OK, but a bit close. I did what some others did on the short reach, I hacked the steering pin off, adjusted them to my reach and torqued the four bar bolts down as required; rock solid. Works fine for me.

Hi, I'm wondering if the standard F3 bar would work?? The short reach bar is recommended (BRP website) for heights starting at 5'. I know the dynamics are different on the RT but it would be interesting to try one - I might if I find a really cheap one.