Performance mods or scrap F3-S?

[jcthorne]

It's hardly slow. 0 to 60 MPH in 4.8 seconds. You must have a very fast car!

2.95secs

Yes, the car is faster. Spyder is more fun....

 

[ARtraveler]

I see this is an older thread. (7/2015) I am thinking the OP has made a decision. He made a total of six comments and the last one was a kind of ticked off statement. He did not hear what he wanted and moved along.

His final post:
"No getting chains yanked here. And I must say for a community I really don't like being associated with you guys, not all but most have very rude comments to say.

I will not even think of .50 on every dollar are you slow?
I did research and knew it wasn't a 180 mph bike but being promised more at the dealer which we have one which now I know has a horrible rep for lying. I thought it was a little more advanced when purchased no Internet search said top speed.
As for cruises status a ton of bikes include that class including a hyubasa yes it's true, although I'd classify it as a drag bike.
I never expected to keep up with a crotch rocket but I expected more by far.

I asked for advice and thank those of you honestly answering it. Those of you trolling sorry but you're very unhelpful and should stop giving this site a bad name. "

If it was a real situation, very sorry he made a $30K mistake. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

Meanwhile, back at the SL site :roflblack: ...

 

[CA Railwhale]

uniqueness

Thanks for all the advice and if it were not for me having way too many toys as is and most friends having sport bikes I just don't think I'll ever feel the passion of the putting around till I'm much older I'm actually 33 and I loved the looks for ever but the sales man told me many lies to talk me into the f3-s where I was looking at the cheaper rt. He had me convinced it would be better in most ways. Now I do admit it's sexy and will get the most attention no matter what. But I am a little out of place with riders around here. No 3 up clubs or anything and like I said friends just don't ride well with 3 up.
I guess I'm looking to sell before I hack because it's showroom perfect.
I have listed it on Craigs list. Any recommendations where to list it? I paid 21 k and I want 19950 which I think is fair for a 500 mile bike.

One of the major attractions of the F-3 is that there are very few of them around. I'm constantly getting questions about mine. plus it's a blast to ride. It'll comfortably do eighty five to ninety mph which is plenty fast enough for me.

 

[DriftersWay]

I wouldn't hold your breath for any real performance upgrades in the near future. There just isn't a big market for them. There's more of a market for geezer mods like lighting, extended pegs, floorboards, windshields, and bags.
Enjoy your f3 for what it is and consider adding a second bike to your garage.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

GEEZER MODS LMAO:yes:

 

[Workdirections]

Ok I bought a new 2015 f3-s sm6, and it just doesn't impress me performance wise.
I would be more than happy with a 6th gear with some power but I top Rev my 5th at like 115 mph and shift to 6th and nothing really changes its like the computer stops throttle response. I can't understand how a 1330cc engine is barely faster than a 998cc.
I know it's new but before I wait 3 years for some decent add-ons and I'm not talking a turbo (cost outweighs the performance)
Is there any chance of nanny limiting I couldn't imagine pipes and air intake add that much. I love the torque but I don't like being the slowest "fat kid" (3 up) bike I know I'm not gonna beat the 2 wheels r1 and hyubasas but come on more speed scotty!

Should I just sell it? I do love the comfort and torque. But I can't live with my car going faster

I know this is an old post but can't see this being the last time someone has this query. This is what I found
1. if your intending to ride with your friends who have sports bikes don't expect to do 150 mph on it.
2. You will definately need to make some changes - handling is everything on the F3 so I would recommend changing all the suspensions to adjustable ones (I use foxes)
3. Upgrade anti roll bar
4. Change exhaust

All these will effectively make the F3 make more contact with the road so you can go into corners better and ride more aggressive when you need to. The exhaust change gives you more grunt (sound - i use two brothers) plus adds a bit more power.

When I first got my F3 i thoroughly researched it, test drove it a few times. But admittedly soon found that cornering and stability was lacking now it's fully spec'd up it handles perfectly at speed, the superbike guys i ride with are very impressed that i am able to keep up with them when riding at a reasonable speed (in terms of superbikes). plus it gets so much attention. remember bike life is expensive.

 

[Richardv]

agree

It has been my experience that more modern engines don't break in as quickly as older engines. The new harder materials and coatings make it so the rings don't seat as quickly as they did in the "old days". There are a number of things that I listen to and feel that let me know when my engines are broken in. First is how tight the engine is when you start to rev into the higher rev band when new and as it frees up as it gets broken in. Then there is the pitch of how the engine sounds and feels. As the engine breaks in the pitch changes and the engine smooths out. Probably the easest to tell is fuel mileage. As the engine breaks in the gas mileage goes up.

That said you can baby an engine too much which is nearly as bad as pushing it before it is ready. My key to proper break in is reving through the gears up to when the engine feels tight and not push beyond that point and never running at a constant throttle. As the engine loosens up I push as far as the engine lets me and is "happy". When I am done I have an engine that wants to rev right to the limit and is very smooth doing it.

As for how long it takes I never go by the manual but rather what the engine tell me along the way. For example our new Jeep trail hawk is just now broken in and has 5,500 miles on it. Our Scion FRS had almost 7,000 miles on it before it really started to sing but once it did.....boy does it ever!

My Dad taught me to listen to and feel the engine back when I was just a kid and the lessons he taught me have served me well over the last 55 or so years.

One comment on sleds is my favorite sled was the original Ski-Doo TNT 340 RV. It wasn't worth a damn in deep powder but was almost better than sex on broken trails.

.....what about the 640..... :yes:

 

[Tazzel]

When I had my RS, I had a crotch rocket guy come over to my Spyder and asked "how fast does that thing go" I told him I had never tested it but I thought they could go up to 110 to 120mph. He said "well I can go 160mph on my whatever whatever" I said that's great but what good is that if the speed limits top out at 75mph?

He just kind of looked at me funny and walked away.

 

[Trbayth]

When I had my RS, I had a crotch rocket guy come over to my Spyder and asked "how fast does that thing go" I told him I had never tested it but I thought they could go up to 110 to 120mph. He said "well I can go 160mph on my whatever whatever" I said that's great but what good is that if the speed limits top out at 75mph?

He just kind of looked at me funny and walked away.

Don't know what his tone of voice was when he said that but my answer would have been "that's cool. How often do you go to the track?" If he said never then I would have asked "so what good is 160mph top speed?"

 

[Bob Denman]

 

[SpyderF3-s]

IMHO-It's a Spyder, not a rice rocket! SELL IT!

 

[Considering a Spyder]

Why is everyone so defensive here?

I stumbled on this forum since im thinking of buying F3 Spyder this summer and because they are very uncommon here in Sweden i also checked some international forums like this one and some youtube clips. I am still very interested in a Spyder and i think the performance will be good enough for me since im more familiar with cars and atvs then with sportsbikes.
I must say that this thread on this forum made me a bit hesitant because of the tone here. I really hope that this isn't typical for the Spyder community in general.
I mean from what i understand this thread was about someone who wondered how to increase the performance of the Spyder and to me that seems like a valid question even if i personally think the Spyder would have more than enough power for me. To me that question is still interesting more from an engineering standpoint because it seems like the engine of the F3 would be able to handle more power than it does at the moment and if im not mistaking the same Rotax engine when used in other vehicles does have more power so it makes sense to be curious if there is any way to get more performance out of it.
So i was a bit surprised that so many went on the defensive and told him to sell the bike instead of trying to answer the question.
And sorry for my poor English, its not my first language.

 

[Firefly]

I appreciate the valid responses those that are just commenting to up their posts status, that's just mean I really want to know info. I was sold a bike that had potential and had no reviews I found about performance most were on the 998cc. I am trying to be honest with myself but if there is honestly not a chance this attractive bike can achieve more speed (and I don't drive excessive fast I just like a little burst every now and then) if I wanted a cruiser I would not of bought a sport bike which the dealer let me test in a 2 mile area no expressway test and a pushy sale. Which I do regreat. If I could of had a longer better test I would of know better. But from a mechanical standpoint it has potential it seems to be limited by electronics.
would anyone (without abusing me and accusing me of trolling) have any ideas if it's software\programmer or open intake and exhaust. And would these be a viable option in the future? Or is there not a market for this? After all this was a 21 k investment and I could of bought 2 BMW top of the line racing bikes but this is comfortable.

I'm really looking for a good reason to keep it.
if you are around ky and want it I'll be selling it otherwise after my first checkup is finished. I find it to be fair at 19950.00 (I know this is not the place to sell but it's my thoughts) I'm eating 2k for my taxes and dumb luck. 6th miles on it clean no lean title.

Wow.. where to start...
1. The F3 IS a cruiser.. not a sport bike.
2. It can do over 140mph. Just how much faster did you need?
3. It's a quick bike 0-60, 60-90,etc. are pretty quick. Quicker than the 998.. I've owned both.
4. You can add a Power Commander, but it's not going to give you that much extra.
5. You can still buy brand new 2015 F3's for under 15,000... so the sale price of yours is going to be more in the 12,000 range depending on miles and add-ons.

Good luck. Perhaps a GG Taurus is more what you'd like... 185 HP and runs like a bat out of hell. $80,000 and you can have one. If you didn't get the test ride you needed then you shouldn't have laid down the cash... I would walk and go to a different dealer.

Good luck, but I think you're chasing unicorns here....

 

[Bob Denman]

 

[Capt. Bob]

Wow.. where to start...
1. The F3 IS a cruiser.. not a sport bike.
2. It can do over 140mph. Just how much faster did you need?
3. It's a quick bike 0-60, 60-90,etc. are pretty quick. Quicker than the 998.. I've owned both.
4. You can add a Power Commander, but it's not going to give you that much extra.
5. You can still buy brand new 2015 F3's for under 15,000... so the sale price of yours is going to be more in the 12,000 range depending on miles and add-ons.

Good luck. Perhaps a GG Taurus is more what you'd like... 185 HP and runs like a bat out of hell. $80,000 and you can have one. If you didn't get the test ride you needed then you shouldn't have laid down the cash... I would walk and go to a different dealer.

Good luck, but I think you're chasing unicorns here....

Firefly, The only concern I have about your post is item #2 where you suggest that an F3 can run 140mph. You must have a special one because I think mine runs out of steam significantly South of 120mph.

 

[Tazzel]

Who brought this thread back to life? The original poster purchased and F3 early on thinking for some reason it was a crotch rocket.

 

[Considering a Spyder]

Who brought this thread back to life? The original poster purchased and F3 early on thinking for some reason it was a crotch rocket.

Im guessing im guilty of that.
I have been trying to get as much info about the Spyder F3 as i can.. First i looked at youtube reviews and there are some but not many about the F3, then i looked at Swedish Spyder forums but that seemed like a really small community so then i stated to look at international forums and found this forum and started reading about the F3.
I read many different treads but then i found this one and i was a bit curious because i have always wondered how come BRP chose to tune down the new Rotax engine when they use it in the Spyder..It seems like that engine is built to handle more and when used in other BRP products it actually does just that.. Maybe they use different cams in the other version and maybe they just use different software for this one.. I mean that happens in the car industry and sometimes it actually makes sense to tune down a engine..Maybe to get better milage or maybe to get a different torque curve.
So what i was expecting when i started reading this thread was answers like if you want better performance you can do this..Or because this version of the new Rotax engine is so much different then the version used in the other BRP product it would be to expensive to tune it..Or there isnt any software tuning for it at this moment but someone is working on it..
That was what i was expecting..You know a community where ppl are helping each others out and sharing information..
So i was quite surprised when there was almost no constructive answers and lots and lots of answers like sell it.
I can understand that a Spyder is not for everyone and that its not fair to compare it to a sportsbike because it is to heavy to be a sportsbike, but still its also not a slow veteran vehicle built for slow cruises.. I mean compared to most cars it has impressive acceleration and there is a tuner market even for cars that are much slower than a spyder... For me thats not very interesting anymore to do the actual tuning.. I done that when i was younger with sportscars and smaller motorbikes and even atvs..And yes its fun but its also expensive and lots of work..So if i buy a Spyder i would probably be very satisfied with the performance it has stock.. But the nerdy tech side of me is still curious about what is out there when it comes to tuning.

So for me its hard to understand why ppl here were so rude to someone who just wanted to know how to get more performance out of his spyder..Yes its a valid point to make that the spyder is not a sportsbike.. But i still think ppl here could have been more helpful to him.

I know ppl in forums sometimes can be a bit more aggressive than ppl are irl because of all the keyboard warriors out there.. But i really hope that the Spyder community in general isn't as defensive and rude as ppl have been on this thread.

 

[loisk]

Hi from Australia - yes, threads sometimes get very aggro and defensive. For a while, when I copped some flack, I wondered if it was the language barrier - I suspect the Aussie way of speaking is different to that of Americans.

You make a good point.

To answer -
i have an f3s, and so does my husband. Mine is my third spyder.

I recently posted a query about an ecm remap being done in Australia, which increases hp and nm somewhat. It turns out it is one fellow in Western Australia doing this and it is apparently not brp approved.

The f3s has plenty of oomph. I can't talk about high speeds, as our limit here is 110kph (except for a few roads a couple of thousand kilometres from me).

A popular thing is to add a bypass pipe in place of the pre-muffler, freeing up the exhaust system and adding a smidgen to perceived performance.

A second popular thing thing is to swap the stock sway bar for a stronger one from bajaron.
Great for winding roads.

A third thing on the f3 and f3s is to, as a minimum, get the brp 'two up shock' for the rear instead of the ....€*^><... one they supply. If you are buying new, make this part of the deal. I ride one-up and am not heavy, and find it essential.

I have Bajaron and rear shock, husband also has bypass pipe, mine may follow or may not. Down to $ as everything is more expensive here.

I hope this little summary helps and that you have fun looking for a spyder. It is what it is and I love mine.

 

[Considering a Spyder]

Thank you loisk

Yes maybe its a language thing or a cultural thing..I don't know.
For me English isn't my first language so i have to adapt a bit when posting on forums like this but i hope i express myself well enough to make myself understood.

One interesting observation is that you are from Australia of all countries.. Im Swedish and Australia is literally on the other side of the world but my experience from talking with ppl from Australia is that ppl seem so helpful and down to earth.

And yes your post did help, it was the kind of answer i was hoping for when i started reading this tread. So thanks alot

 

[loisk]

No worries, mate.

By the way, your English is just fine - puts my Swedish to shame :dg1::dg2:

 

[RTDillon1960]

Agree with your message

Hi from Australia - yes, threads sometimes get very aggro and defensive. For a while, when I copped some flack, I wondered if it was the language barrier - I suspect the Aussie way of speaking is different to that of Americans.

You make a good point.

To answer -
i have an f3s, and so does my husband. Mine is my third spyder.

I recently posted a query about an ecm remap being done in Australia, which increases hp and nm somewhat. It turns out it is one fellow in Western Australia doing this and it is apparently not brp approved.

The f3s has plenty of oomph. I can't talk about high speeds, as our limit here is 110kph (except for a few roads a couple of thousand kilometres from me).

A popular thing is to add a bypass pipe in place of the pre-muffler, freeing up the exhaust system and adding a smidgen to perceived performance.

A second popular thing thing is to swap the stock sway bar for a stronger one from bajaron.
Great for winding roads.

A third thing on the f3 and f3s is to, as a minimum, get the brp 'two up shock' for the rear instead of the ....€*^><... one they supply. If you are buying new, make this part of the deal. I ride one-up and am not heavy, and find it essential.

I have Bajaron and rear shock, husband also has bypass pipe, mine may follow or may not. Down to $ as everything is more expensive here.

I hope this little summary helps and that you have fun looking for a Spyder. It is what it is and I love mine.

I agree completely with your point. I am a big guy who happens to love riding faster than most of the old geezers do. I'd love to find performance upgrades for this trike. If I could get a turbocharger or supercharger for this engine i'd jump on it. :banghead: