Spyder F3 - Just About Did the Unthinkable!

[TnHeath]

I came close to trading for one the other day. After riding one, I was impressed with the smooth ride, great handling, impressive engine (1,330cc), Porsche-like exhaust. Was really tempted. But how could I give up my trike with the great storage, audio system, awesome power...and just as easy to drive after I installed a rake kit? Just couldn't do it. But, having said this, I can see why someone could buy one.*

Could you give this up?

 

[Gold Rush]

I came close to trading for one the other day. After riding one, I was impressed with the smooth ride, great handling, impressive engine (1,330cc), Porsche-like exhaust. Was really tempted. But how could I give up my trike with the great storage, audio system, awesome power...and just as easy to drive after I installed a rake kit? Just couldn't do it. But, having said this, I can see why someone could buy one.*

Could you give this up?

View attachment 27530

Conventional trikes are not for everyone just like everyone does not fall in love with the Spiders. Personally, I would not own or ride one. Tried it a couple years ago and realized it was not for me. I understand the F3 is a different bread of Spider but I'll still stay with my Roadsmith thank you very much... :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[hogcowboy]

Even Spyder riders are saying they wish they had waited and purchased an F3. I refuse to test ride one for that very reason. When I test ride it's because I'm ready. I'm not ready yet but I'm very tempted myself.

 

[Sully]

I came close to trading for one the other day. After riding one, I was impressed with the smooth ride, great handling, impressive engine (1,330cc), Porsche-like exhaust. Was really tempted. But how could I give up my trike with the great storage, audio system, awesome power...and just as easy to drive after I installed a rake kit? Just couldn't do it. But, having said this, I can see why someone could buy one.*

Could you give this up?

View attachment 27530

If it's not Broke don't Fix it. epper: Keep it ThumbUp

 

[bikerbillone]

Oh my, do not make that mistake. My friend just traded his 2010 RT Spyder for a TriGlide, the heat on his legs was intolerable, he had done all he could and seems the recall was never gonna happen, and if so, would it help? Anyway, it's history for him, he's not bashing the Spyder, he's just done with it. I'm guessing the 3 cylinders are an improvement, but he was not willing to take the chance. If BRP does not take care of it's customers, then they won't return.

 

[rhino 2]

When I bought a spyder in 08, My Sons who had BRP snowmobiles said don't...
And their reasons were, When you need a part whether on recall or warranty, All you'll hear from BRP Is the part is on backorder.. And it'll sit for weeks while you lose a ridding season.. They were right.. BRP hasn't changed to this day..

 

[bikerbillone]

So I've also heard, poor customer support. I once was enthralled with the Spyder, still like the body style.

 

[KeithsBMW]

Stick with the Honda, more HP, much better Looking, far more reliable. Being a former Spyder owner, don't go there. They would not even make an effort to enable me to get a manufacturing defect repaired under warranty.
Did the repair at my own cost and labor and sold it for 1/2 what I had invested in it, with 8000 miles on it. Lesson learned, never purchase a BRP product ever again. Like the Honda

 

[hogcowboy]

never purchase a BRP product ever again. Like the Honda

Based just on what I've seen with the 2013 model, that would be wise advice. But it does make a difference what dealer you are using. The one we have will take a part off a trike to keep you happy and fight BRP on the side. I'd say he's about less than 1% that would bend over backwards for the customer. But I also saw him get yelled at by a customer for something that wasn't their problem and he did not try very hard to resolve that issue. I'm very happy with our 12 model but not real sure I want to push my luck either. Know what I mean?

 

[dirtdobber]

My wife loves. So last year in Leeds, AL they had a spyder rally with plenty to test ride. Could not get my wife on one. Lol I test roadie several of them. They look cool I will say that for em. I was not impressed. After riding the tourer for 2 hours I realized there was no way I could make a trip on one.
very happy with my RS GW and our Freewheeler.

 

[JaysGone]

Nope not me. Im not even temped to test ride one.
Something just inherently wrong about it to me.
Took me getting my Valkyrie just to get over having a radiator on a motor cycle.
Im funny that way.
Given a choice. I still want an air cooled bike.

 

[Retired Army]

Of those that have experience with both two wheels in front verses two in the rear, is there much difference in handling? I have only ridden two in the rear.

 

[Livin2Ride]

Of those that have experience with both two wheels in front verses two in the rear, is there much difference in handling? I have only ridden two in the rear.

I can only speak of the Spyder RT vs the TriGlide. 1up I don't think there is that much difference however 2 up is a completly different story. The 2 wheels in the back do a much better job of handling things then. I alway thought the problem with the Spyder handling was because almost 100% of the passenger weight goes on that single back tire.

 

[KeithsBMW]

I can only speak of the Spyder RT vs the TriGlide. 1up I don't think there is that much difference however 2 up is a completly different story. The 2 wheels in the back do a much better job of handling things then. I alway thought the problem with the Spyder handling was because almost 100% of the passenger weight goes on that single back tire.

Always wondered why my Spyder always seemed on the edge of drifting off to the side in a curve. Didn't make sense being two widespread tires in front should stick like glue, but was always skittish when pushed. Must be the light weight on the front end (nothing but an empty plastic trunk on the front third of trike. My trike with one tire in front sticks like glue in the curves (but does have a front tire just over 7 inch's wide).
Have often wondered how a single front wheel trike with a narrower tire would handle in a turn, trying to overcome the two wide rear tires that are always trying to push trike straight ahead in turns.

 

[Retired Army]

http://www.jetrike.com/tadpole-or-delta.html

Although these are not motorized the article does shed some light on wheel placement.

 

[Gorilla]

I would not give up that beautiful wing and I'm a Harley guy.

 

[rhino 2]

Always wondered why my Spyder always seemed on the edge of drifting off to the side in a curve. Didn't make sense being two widespread tires in front should stick like glue, but was always skittish when pushed.straight ahead in turns.

I had a spyder [suffered with] for 3 years, The drifting is caused by two factors.. One; Its the rear wheel reacting to the crown [falling off] in the road, And two; With one wheel in the rear pushing the two front wheels it acts like the tail wagging the dog....

 

[dirtdobber]

We have a mystery IRS on a super glide with a 110 front tire. I have not rode anything that handles as goo as this thing does. The 110 front tire can slide some if you are hitting it hard through the curves. But you really need a seat belt to keep you on. It out handles the driver by a long shot. But it is rough riding, pure performance trike. The ride is fair for the rider, not so good for a passenger.
It does take some serious speed to get the front tire to slide any.

 

[ride3]

Had a 2011 spyder for 16k miles. Had no real mechanical issues, and dealt with heat and seating comfort on my dime. A good dealer is critical when purchasing one, no doubt. The 2014-15 with the 1330 does help with the heat issues and power for sure. I always thought the 2 wheels in the front would be better for handling and to some extent it did.

However, with my rewaco I never feel like i am going to be tossed off the bike when going to fast around a curve and it feels way more stable. I also feel like i can really push the envelope around curves where i'd be a little leary doing that on the spyder. Not bashing, because it was my first bike and I loved it but i do get bored with things esp if i have to worry about issues popping up randomly. My only concern now is getting a flat tire and for all the idiots driving around me not paying attention.

Your wing is a beauty, but trying new things has its place also.

 

[Chazzman]

My first move from 2 wheels was a 2011 RT. It left me stranded twice in 200 miles. The dealer said it was an electrical issue and had no idea when it would be ready. I walked into the shop and back to where my Rt was, as I walked up unknowingly the service advisor said to the other guys these Spyders are a real piece of S@@@! I go to the General manager and he offers to reverse my deal or give me another new RT that would be in Saturday. I was commited to moving to 3 wheels and ignorantly thought conventional was a nightmare to handle in the twisties. So I took the new one. I am going 70 MPH and the thing goes into Limp Mode and immediately slows to 30 MPH. That will get you killed in the left lane of the interstate. I sold the thing and went to a Goldwing CSC Viper and "wow" what a difference. I would not trade my GL1800 for 3 Spyders. The 2011 was a nightmare! Don't fill full of gas or it will set a code, shift a certain way or it will set a code, and the list goes on. The gravational pull was horrible in the twisties, rear passenger space was tight and my wife is 115 lbs. The dealer network was terrible, parts support terrible, customer support a "JOKE". I am sure the newer models are much better but I will never know.