RT or F3

[oldrider60]

I put this post originally in the ST forum before I figured I had made a mistake and should have posted it in either the F3 or RT side.

I have test ridden a F3 and an RT Manual and Automatic. Both bikes have pluses and minuses. I am leaning toward a 6 speed manual transmission however I’m hoping some personal experiences from owners might help me make the best decision for myself.

I have owned a few 2 wheelers, one being a HD V-Rod that was not only a comfortable day rider but the performance was off the hook. At this time I own a 2011 Kawasaki Voyager trike (converted by Calif Side Car in 2013. This has been a costly mistake.

When the F3 came out I sat on one. I found the forward peg position right at home and the lower to the ground seat position much more to my liking. I would have liked to have been able to tow a trailer, however the response from BRP when inquiring about towing was they are not going to offer a trailer hitch and no you cannot tow a trailer.

The RT has a bunch of things I won’t ever use; 2 up riding, a radio that I currently don’t use on my trike now. An adjustable shield…may be of use but I have been riding with a fixed shield and never considered something adjustable being a plus. It does have a lot more storage and the ability to tow a trailer is a plus. As well one sits higher on the bike which I don’t particularly care for. I do like the cruise control and the ability to obtain heated grips.
The F3 feels and acts like my V-Rod but lacks the storage of an RT. A few companies are coming out with after - market bags so concerns about additional storage may be mute.

I rode the F3 without a shield and nearly got blown off the bike on the freeway during a test ride. My helmet could be some of the cause as I use a Bell Mag 9 which by its design may have been exacerbating the issue. Maybe someone can comment on shields here. I don’t want a bunch of air on me but I don’t want to feel like I am riding in a car either.

I can put a Tee Bag on the back of the F3 but I have photography equipment I would like to take along but would be quite limited on what I can take. There is too much gear plain and simple to try to cram on this model.

Most of my rides will 1 to 3 day jaunts but if I want to go out for a few weeks or a month am I going to regret the decision to go with an F3.

 

[Bob Denman]

It sounds to me as if you need to get your priorities sorted out, before starting to write any checks...:shocked:
But think about this: Is it better to have it, and not need it; or need it, and not have it? :dontknow:
Buy the bike that'll fulfill your needs the best! :thumbup:

 

[Tazzel]

I like them all!!! I had an RS SE5 for 3 years and recently traded for an F3. I like the speed and manoeuvrability of the RS's and the F3's in the metro areas and in the local mountain twisties. I still work full time so I don’t go trekking cross country but maybe someday and I think the RT would fit for that. The RS and F3 are still nice for 3 or 4 day excursions. I don’t take much just what I can fit in the frunk and barrel bag strapped to the back. Once I went to a semi automatic, I never looked back. I would recommend this over a manual any day, but that’s my preference.

You posted another post on F3 or ST as well. All the Sypders are great machines, test drive them all to decide. My friend has the ST and the bike is very comfortable but I do notice the power difference when I ride the ST vs the F3

 

[BeRight]

I also recently (april/2015) made the similar comparisons of RT versus F3, before purchasing the F3. Only you can make the trade-offs and choose the ride most suited for you. Not unlike when I purchased two wheelers in the past no one motorcycle seemed to fit all my desires at the time - my Yamaha FZ1 came close during my two wheeler days (also owned harley, honda and Ducati's).

I can share with you on why I chose F3 over RT: 1. More comfortable riding position for my hips and knees 2. Preferred the looks (cruiser versus touring) 3. Had confidence that a third party would market a mounting bracket for GIVI side and top cases ( hasn't happened yet - but fortunately fellow Spyderlovers figured out how to do it and shared with others - and I in turn shared my experience with others). With my two GIVI side cases and top case I think my F3 has equivalent storage to that of an RT.

My perspective of the negatives of the F3: Belt vibrations, windshield (or lack their of) and First generation. I have yet to find or been able to modify mounting of a windshield that meets my needs and matches styling of F3.

Despite the negatives, I am very pleased with my F3 and choice of same.

My Positives of the RT: 1. Recent year models have excellent track record - even base model comes loaded with most needed items as stock. 2. Large support group. 3. Great windshield 4. Less belt vibration issues reported (that I've read). 5. Can tow a small trailer 6. Better comfort and visibility for passenger (I don't take passengers - solo rider).

My negatives of RT: 1. Price 2. Looks 3. Riding position

It is nice to have choices - different strokes for different folks. I think one can make either one work for most/all requirements other than towing (only RT).

 

[SpyderAnn01]

The decision is yours alone to make. I personally don't like the seating position of the F3 and I love that my RT is higher. For me being able to pull a trailer is huge and something that I would not give up. I ride about 35,000 miles a year and I wouldn't want to do it on an F3.

 

[Chupaca]

Huh.....

Didn't we just do this with the ST vs F3...?? same response as before...:thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

The decision is yours alone to make. I personally don't like the seating position of the F3 and I love that my RT is higher. For me being able to pull a trailer is huge and something that I would not give up. I ride about 35,000 miles a year and I wouldn't want to do it on an F3.

The past Saturday; I spent about an hour trying to get an F-3 to fit me, or met to fit the F-3! :shocked:
The dealership had one on the floor, with all of that adjustable hardware on it...
I finally decided that the bars in position #2 seemed pretty good, and the pegs in position #3 were "okay"... But my hips didn't like the way that I had to sit! :gaah:
The F-3 is a great bike, but I'm glad to have my RT! :thumbup:

 

[BikerDoc]

I have both the RT and the F3 and love aspects of both of them. I have ridden the F3 on a Saddlesore 1000 but found it to be more "work" than doing the Saddlesore 1000 on the RT. Especially on the longer rides the lack of convenient storage becomes a greater nuisance and I even have tail bag and soft side saddlebags for the F3.
The F3 an absolutely blast riding the curves, hills, and swerves of my neighborhood, but when push comes to shove I could never own the F3 as my only Spyder

 

[ricford]

I see the problem here. You're the guy who can't make up his mind. I mean, you've been married, what? four or five times??? I'm here to help you and save your life from passing on from stress. This is the decision. Buy the RT. There, that wasn't so hard was it. I'm here to help.

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm here to help you and save your life from passing on from stress. This is the decision. Buy the RT. There, that wasn't so hard was it. I'm here to help.

:agree:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

COMPARISION

BRP's reply about the Trailer Hitch is Typical.............Since they don't make one , they are going to say YOU CAN'T TOW WITH IT......well that's BS plain and simple.....Lamont made a Hitch with thoughts to sell them But decided against it because of possible liability issues....The F-3 can certainly tow a trailer.....if I had an F-3 for a week I could design one, it's not really complicated, I've built 3 for my other Spyder's......................Mike :thumbup:

 

[Blue_VGR]

Buy the RT!

I put this post originally in the ST forum before I figured I had made a mistake and should have posted it in either the F3 or RT side.


I have owned a few 2 wheelers, one being a HD V-Rod that was not only a comfortable day rider but the performance was off the hook. At this time I own a 2011 Kawasaki Voyager trike (converted by Calif Side Car in 2013. This has been a costly mistake.

Buy the RT - You won't have the front end Wobble you probably have on your Triked Voyager! :banghead: (Wobble, Wobble)

Mike

 

[oldrider60]

Didn't we just do this with the ST vs F3...?? same response as before...:thumbup:

Ya at the top I mentioned this, sorry for the confusion. I was so busy trying to write a post that was a coherent of thought pattern as I could make it. I posted it in the wrong place.

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: We have to be coherent also?!? :banghead:

 

[happyspyder2039]

I put this post originally in the ST forum before I figured I had made a mistake and should have posted it in either the F3 or RT side.

I have test ridden a F3 and an RT Manual and Automatic. Both bikes have pluses and minuses. I am leaning toward a 6 speed manual transmission however I’m hoping some personal experiences from owners might help me make the best decision for myself.

I have owned a few 2 wheelers, one being a HD V-Rod that was not only a comfortable day rider but the performance was off the hook. At this time I own a 2011 Kawasaki Voyager trike (converted by Calif Side Car in 2013. This has been a costly mistake.

When the F3 came out I sat on one. I found the forward peg position right at home and the lower to the ground seat position much more to my liking. I would have liked to have been able to tow a trailer, however the response from BRP when inquiring about towing was they are not going to offer a trailer hitch and no you cannot tow a trailer.

The RT has a bunch of things I won’t ever use; 2 up riding, a radio that I currently don’t use on my trike now. An adjustable shield…may be of use but I have been riding with a fixed shield and never considered something adjustable being a plus. It does have a lot more storage and the ability to tow a trailer is a plus. As well one sits higher on the bike which I don’t particularly care for. I do like the cruise control and the ability to obtain heated grips.
The F3 feels and acts like my V-Rod but lacks the storage of an RT. A few companies are coming out with after - market bags so concerns about additional storage may be mute.

I rode the F3 without a shield and nearly got blown off the bike on the freeway during a test ride. My helmet could be some of the cause as I use a Bell Mag 9 which by its design may have been exacerbating the issue. Maybe someone can comment on shields here. I don’t want a bunch of air on me but I don’t want to feel like I am riding in a car either.

I can put a Tee Bag on the back of the F3 but I have photography equipment I would like to take along but would be quite limited on what I can take. There is too much gear plain and simple to try to cram on this model.

Most of my rides will 1 to 3 day jaunts but if I want to go out for a few weeks or a month am I going to regret the decision to go with an F3.

buy both & switch every other day!

 

[Midian]

I was facing this same question and have yet to still make a purchase; the model year coming to a close now will bring up more deals on older models so it pays for me to sit tight right now. But I settled on the RT Limited. I come from the world of badass outlaw choppers but now some health-related issues have me going to Can Am. But I realize now, since getting older, I do want the radio, and the adjustable windshield and the back rest and all those things I swore I would never want just two years ago. (That's the funny thing about using the word "never" right?). But I am changing with my life and accepting it. Hell, if I didn't change I would still be a drunken mess nailing train wreck after train wreck of women in my life instead of slowing down and finding one, amazingly good woman. Times change. Tastes change. Life changes. I am not the guy I used to be and that is very cool to me. It seems like a learned a lot from the last 42 years!

Long story endless... Make the right choice for you. We can only make our decisions with the information we have available at the time. If we had a crystal ball I think 'what's the best motorcycle for me' wouldn't be in the top 10 questions we would ask it. In the end, follow your gut. You know you more than you think. Best of luck!

 

[KJWEB]

I come from the world of badass outlaw choppers but now some health-related issues have me going to Can Am. Life changes. I am not the guy I used to be and that is very cool to me.

My kids use to call me "Billy Bad AZZ Biker Dude"........now, they just call me "Bill." :shocked::thumbup:

 

[0992]

I currently have an 14 RT Ltd that I ride and my wife has an 11 RT Ltd she rides. We both test rode the F3 and both liked it. I'm going to take her 11 RT Ltd and sell it and buy an F3 so we will have 1 of each. I'm going to wait till the new 16's are announced and then make my move.
I'm hoping the 16 F3's will have some changes on them especially in the luggage area and windshield area.
My 14 RT Ltd has a hitch and I have the matching trailer for it so if an F3 has no trailering capacity, that has no never mind for me.
This way I can ride either bike and she can also. We will both have 3 cylinders and 6 speed transmissions which is my goal.
Short trips I'd take the F3 and long trips I'd take the 14 RT Ltd and if we both ride long trips I'd just throw the trailer on the 14 and have plenty of room for week long trips.

 

[Midian]

My kids use to call me "Billy Bad AZZ Biker Dude"........now, they just call me "Bill." :shocked::thumbup:

It's kind of nice to have the break and be able to relax now, right? :roflblack:

 

[spydaman60]

we have the f3s and just love it.:yes::yes: is it the right decision if you plan on taking a couple day journey? the answer is probably yes. :clap::clap:if you're going for a week, the answer is definitely not. nojokewe have the "el cheapo saddlebags" we put on for trips and take off riding around locally. heading to spyder odessey next week, and they'll go back on. if you want a great day or weekend riding machine get the f3s. if you're looking for the long hauls, get the rt. we came from the rss and have even less storage on the f3 than the rs.:thumbup: hope this might help ya!:thumbup: