RT or F3 for a new senior, petite, female rider?

[wvedec]

CROSS-POSTED IN THE RT FORUM.

I ride a motorcycle and have never ridden a Spyder.

I would like my wife to ride with me, but she won't ride on a motorcycle as a rider or passenger. She has made comments that she might ride a Spyder. I suspect most would be as a passenger, but some could be as the "driver".

I have narrowed down my search to a 2014 or later RT-S or RT-limited, or a 2015 or later F3-S, F3-T, or F3 Limited. i want the 1330 Rotak engine.

Being a "senior", comfort is an issue. So, I am leaning toward the RT, especially for 2-up riding. However, as my wife is short (5' 2") and has short legs, I worry about the firt for her with the RT. I assume that a Triaxis handlebar would take care of any reach problem, but I am concerned that the reach of her leg to the brake pedal might be a problem.

The advantage of the F3 is the UFit system, which should allow us to dial in the fit, but I am wondering if sporty nature of this model might make it much less comfortable to ride than the RT, especially 2-up.

Also, does one of these take more effort to steer than the other?

I realize that a test ride is the best way to deal with these issues, but I would like to first get some feedback from Spyder riders so that I would be better prepared when we go shopping.

Thanks for your help,
Wayne

 

[Pirate looks at --]

Couple of things

I have both models, my wife is a bit taller at 5'8", and she drives both of them. As far as her being a passenger, the RT would be the better choice. The passenger floor boards are adjustable. The RT back seat was designed with the female frame in mind and it will fit her like a glove. As the Ryder you will hardly know she is there as you will have a pile room in the front. As a Ryder she may have a challenge with the RT, but you can purchase an after market Hand brake, but it may be a challenge to reach the floorboards that are standard on the models yiu are looking at.

With the F3, I would look at the T or L. Now you mentioned that the sportiness of that model may not be what yiu are looking for, and quite frankly, the sportiness of that model is the most obvious reason to buy it. So if two up, stay with the RT.

Now yiu yiu have to decide, does your wife really really really want to drive, or is that your dream! We have two spyders and I can tell you it is just a awesome to go Ryding together. But dies she want it??????? If she does really want to be the driver then the U-fit system can help you fit the bike to her and yiu can ryde any existing machine you want to.

Long way of saying 2 up RT, you on one her on another you could go with any F3 model that fits the type of Ryding yiu do.

 

[d.o.spyder-rts]

:welcome:you've made a good selection with the 1330 ACE engine and have come to the right place to ask your questions. I own as 2016 RT-S and love it. Go to a dealer and let your wife test out the passenger and rider positions. As you stated a test ride is the best way to go. I've riden both and found both to steer the same. One of the errors riders coming from two wheels to a spyder make is a gripping the handle bars to tightly. This can lead to the spyder "wandering" in the lane. A relaxed grip is best. Good luck with your shopping. Dale

 

[PrairieSpyder]

:welcome:

Pirate asked the right question. Does your wife really want to be a ryder or even a passenger? I bought my first Spyder used from a HD dealer. A guy traded it in because his wife wouldn't ride with him, so he went back to what he wanted to ride himself. If you buy without your wife really buying in, you'll make some other shopper very happy.

As to fit, going to a dealer and sitting on an RT will answer the question about her ability to reach a brake pedal. I'm 5'3" and had no problem on that model. And yes, the tri-axis bars were a god-send for comfort, though the reach of the standard bars was quite adequate for me. Also have her sit on the u-fit device to learn about seating position on an F3. I have short arms and got the short reach handlebars and then added 2" risers.

 

[Chupaca]

Only one.....

Posted to the other thread....when you post to a specific forum it automatically appears on the general forum and becomes a dupe...shopping is the fun part....:thumbup:

 

[TXrider]

5'1" and loving my RT-Limited

I ryde an 2015 RT limited and the fit is great....I rode the Four Corners of the US with no problems, stock seat [with added backrest] I did add the tri-axis bars [HUGE addition for comfort - for us vertically challenged folks!!] the bike is very comfortable. :2thumbs:
One test Ryde at a dealership will either convince your wife to ryde or double up - which ever she chooses is great.:clap:
My husband bought another Rt-Limited - he loves to ryde it when he doesn't want to mess with the 1K plus pounds of his RoadGlide!
Good luck to you both!

 

[ARtraveler]

From the other thread:

:welcome: You have pretty much answered your own questions.

I recommend test drives--with the Missus on board. If she don't like it, she wont ride.

If your looking comfort for both driver and passenger, RT is probably your best bet. Seating for passengers is quite second class, more so on the F3, and a little better on the RT.

I own both a 2014 (1330) and a 2011 (990). Go for the 1330 for sure.

Let us know what you decide. Thanks for giving us a chance to give some input. :yes:

 

[Benggolf]

At the risk of oversimplifying; the RT is great for long cruises and cross-country riding bar none. The F3/F3T offers lots of fun when you want a more spirited performance and handling machine.

My wife loves the our RTL, but refuses to even back-ride on the F3T. :sour:

Yes, do take your wife for an extended test ride at the dealership and let her tell you what she prefers.
Somehow, she will feel more "secure" on an RT....that's what the wife says.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I asked my wife to take a class before we purchased a Spyder for her. She did:

She loved it, and at 4'10" she had limits on what she could ride. While just 52, she is adventurous and in good shape.

A few weeks later we got this, and she loves it and rides great.

My suggestion is your wife take the three wheeler class, if available. At a minimum she and you rent or borrow one and go to a parking lot and try it out.

 

[JayBros]

SWMBO said there's room for only one Spyder in the garage although I can easily fit two, so an F3 to keep the RT company is out of the question. The first year I owned the RT she was not overly enthusiastic about riding but she very much likes to ride now and enjoys immensely the folks we have met riding. I don't think she would enjoy riding two up on an F3 although I would have a ball being a hooligan.

 

[Devious56]

My wife is 5' 2" and a senior, and likes riding on our RT Limited better than she did on our Harley Ultra Classic. We took the riders school together, she rode and RT and I rode and F3. We both had a good time and I have to say my wife struggled during the morning session, but after lunch one of the instructors said, that lady just got the idea, and I looked around , and there was my wife, like she had been riding for years. I, really like the F3 and U-fit system. If I was going to own a Spyder, and ride by myself, I would own an F#. But since we ride together most of the time, the RT Limited is the way to go. We always have room for her purse, our, rain suits, and what ever else we think we need to drag along. Plenty of room of a weekend adventure. In my case, we got the RT first and it took me a while to quit trying to ride it like a 2 wheeler, and maybe my wife seeing my antics at learning the concept of three wheels helped he when she started riding.

So there is an idea, BRP from time to time, offetrs to pay for the riders course, and supplys the schools with Spyders for people to take the course on. It would be a good time for her to decide if she liked driving or not, without having to spend a lot of money.

Good luck in what you decide, it is a big step............

David

 

[MDBrion]

Always....

Always room for two !


:yes:

 

[loisk]

I reckon Jim has the answer - if your wife tries out a spyder as he suggests.

I hate being a passenger, but love riding my own spyder.

At 5'4" having had an RS and ST, I have to say that my F3S is the best of all for me by far. For some reason the ergonomics of the RT have never suited me. I know lots of ladies who love being a passenger on the RT, but it's not for me and may not be for your wife either.