RS-S vs F3 vs F3-S

[Robertc610]

So how's it going everyone?! New to the site and the spyder world. Thinking about purchasing a spyder at the end of the month when I go on vacation back to my home state(way cheaper than where I am now and decent prices shipping back) but cannot decide which model. I won't be doing long trips so that is why i am going with the base/sport models. I know the three I listed have many cosmetic and mechanical differences. I just want to get people's opinions before I go and spend the money. Below I've listed a few questions but I know it will come down to me riding them. Thanks in advance for any opinions/advice!!!
1. Which engine do you prefer and why?
2. Is there a big difference in throttle response and shift points between the v-twin and the new 1330 ACE?
3. If so is there a big difference in performance between the F3 vs the F3-S and is it worth the extra $ ?
4. Which has better maneuvering through turns?
5. Which style do your prefer between the 3 models? (Preferably I like the way the RS-S has the more sporty look rather than the cruiser style of the F3's)

 

[Chupaca]

Welcome welcome....

To the spyder world (soon) and this awesome site....:clap: I will say I am a die hard RS 998 V-twin manual 5 speed spyder ryder. So all my responses will be in that direction. Question here is....
What are you looking for in your ryde....hills with twisties and an agresive ryde or around town and freeway ryding??
Are you looking for a manual or a Semi-automatic..?? although the manual is hard to get in the RT and F3's
and beauty is in the eye of the beholder gonna have to be your choice....

As you said..test ryde will clear it all up and shopping is half the fun....:thumbup:

 

[Robertc610]

Actually a combination of all of those riding types. Where I live there are many twisting and winding roads near my house. I also would like to ride around town but I don't see myself taking it on long distance rides on the highway but I will be cruising on the highway. It will be a lot of mixed driving.

 

[blacklightning]

Maintenance cost is less frequent on the 1330 and therefore less expensive than the Vtwin. It is also easier to ride the F3 faster in the corners. But, if experienced in riding, i feel like you can learn to be faster on the rss. If i didn't have a bad back, and was a little younger, I would prefer the rss. A test ride is the only way to determine what is best for you.

 

[Road-Kill]

I bought the F3s because of its looks. When I was looking for a new bike last year my buddy suggested the Spyder. I laughed and told him I would never ride a "plastic" bike. I never knew Can-Am came out with the F3 and after a test ride it was sold. Without the new F3 series I would have bought the Honda VFR1200x. My thoughts.

 

[PistonBlown]

Personally I'm a RS fan as I like the riding position and the way the engine delivers power. I do a lot of riding on twisty hilly roads and the RS is a good fit for those.

But if your coming from riding motorbikes then it probably easiest to ask what bikes have you had and which did you prefer?

If I was comparing Spyders with Honda's range for example I'd say rough comparison would be:
RS = VFR
ST = ST
F3 = Valkyrie
RT = Goldwing

...not only on style but also the riding position and to an extent the power delivery.

 

[Hypurone]

I was gonna pass on getting a Spyder (even tho it was really my only option after my accident, would never do a conventional trike!) until I saw the F3-S! The rest is history. I love the boulevard brawler look and it gets up and moves quite well. I rail on it in the twisties with its low center of gravity. You really need to try them both if they both are "calling" to you.... Up until they brought out the base model (has 15 less HP), the only "real" difference between the F3 and the F3-S is the cruise control (a big thing in my book at the end of the day when you are tired and have a long ride home) and maybe the front shocks though I found them to be underachievers and have replaced all of the shocks....

 

[Ex-Rocket]

I have never owned a RS or a ST. But I did own a 2012 RTS with the 998 engine and I guess the 2 negatives would be that the 998 engine use some oil and the higher maintance cost. Now I own a 2015 RTS and love the power of the 1330 engine. It uses zero oil between oil changes and really happy they added the 6 speed transmission. If you are tall like me, at 6'2", I would feel very cramped on the RS, as I feel somewhat cramped on the RT. The F3 would be the perfect fit for a person. If your a shorter person then maybe the RS would be a good fit. To me the RS is more like a croctch rocket and the F3 is a more relaxed as far as the leg position goes. But like others have said, a test ride on both would clear whatever doubts as to what would fit you the best. Happy hunting.

 

[Robertc610]

Thank you all so much for the opinions I actually took a test drive on a F3-s today and was pretty impressed. I just need to ride the F3 and I think I'll have my decision then

 

[Bob Denman]

Happy Shopping! :welcome:

 

[sprdmx]

It’s all really personal preference. I had a 2012 RSS and I loved it. But the riding position really bothered my knees and I’m only 32. I got my 2017 F3S this year and I couldn’t be happier. The riding position is very comfortable and having a 6th gear is great. Only drawback is that the frunk is smaller so I can’t fit some of the things I used to in my rss, but it’s worth it!

 

[Robertc610]

It’s all really personal preference. I had a 2012 RSS and I loved it. But the riding position really bothered my knees and I’m only 32. I got my 2017 F3S this year and I couldn’t be happier. The riding position is very comfortable and having a 6th gear is great. Only drawback is that the frunk is smaller so I can’t fit some of the things I used to in my rss, but it’s worth it!

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Did you get a chance to test ride the base F3 or did you go straight to the F3-S?

 

[sprdmx]

Did you get a chance to test ride the base F3 or did you go straight to the F3-S?

Went right to the F3-S primarily based on looks and sport mode for the fun factor.

 

[blacklightning]

Did you get a chance to test ride the base F3 or did you go straight to the F3-S?

The difference in the F3 and F3S will only be due to additional equiptment that you can get on the bike like cruise and such. The diffence in the riding position will actually be when you ride the RSS.