Not really a motorcycle.. but ... 2010 Can-Am

[Justin]

Well looks like the Goldwing has some competition now  

http://spyder.brp.com/en-US/

[Paul Barnard]

How the fuck does that cost more than most new cars?

[falconati]

I think this is more competition for trikes, not 2-wheelers

[Marcster]

I think this is more competition for trikes, not 2-wheelers

And the Smart Car Cabriolet:

[sleazy rider]

I saw one on the road out in Arizona last week.  Coming up from the rear, I realized it was the new model from a picture posted here a bit ago.  It didn't look *that* bad.  Hell, I'd ride it.

[ninegear]

How the fuck does that cost more than most new cars?

thats what i was wondering.

i think i saw one of those on GI joe.the new movie not the old tv show

[nomagnashn]

929 lbs for the base model with only 100hp?

I'm not a hp junkie (I moved from a ZX-12R to the Sprint) but I think this thing needs a lot more hp.

Having said that, I'd ride one.     But I wouldn't buy one.

[nomagnashn]

How the fuck does that cost more than most new cars?

You can ask that about most Goldwings and 1/2 of the HDs out there....

[Justin]

929 lbs for the base model with only 100hp?

I'm not a hp junkie (I moved from a ZX-12R to the Sprint) but I think this thing needs a lot more hp.

Having said that, I'd ride one.     But I wouldn't buy one.

agreed, 100 HP for 1/2 a ton is not very good

[BlueRidgeKat]

agreed, 100 HP for 1/2 a ton is not very good

Whats the HP of a GoldWing?

I like the look of this thing better than a Wing.

[Brent099]

Those things just don't do it for me.  Trikes in general seem like they combine the impracticalities of a motorcycle without many of the benefits.  In my opinion, there are so many other things that would provide a better riding or driving experience for the money.

There's a couple in my area that bought matching his and hers can am spyders.  It was kind of comical watching them try to communicate at an intersection since they couldn't share the lane and apparently didn't have a comm system. The lead rider would have to twist all the way around to communicate with her husband, causing her to miss the light change.  Didn't look like they were having fun.  Oh well.

4 wheels moves the body, 2 wheels moves the soul, but 3 wheels just makes you look like a dork.

[Justin]

Whats the HP of a GoldWing?

I like the look of this thing better than a Wing.

About 120 HP and 125 Lbs of torque and weighs 100 Lbs less...

[ninegear]

You can ask that about most Goldwings and 1/2 of the HDs out there....

thats why you buy one off craigs list lol.

[Kootenanny]

I hadn't seen the new one yet.

I stopped into a Can-Am dealer a couple of days ago--I happened to be in the city on business, and saw the Spyder parked out near the road.  When I was looking over the demo unit, I noticed a small nail in the rear tire, and thought it'd be a good deed to let someone know about it.

I entered the large showroom.  There was a desk near the door, with a "young lady" sitting there.  When I told her I'd noticed a nail in the tire of the Spyder sitting on the edge of the parking lot, she looked at me like I was speaking Greek or something.  I told her again that there was a nail in the tire of their demo Spyder--I pointed it out (the only one on the lot)--and she picked up her phone and called for someone to come to the front.  

I went to look at a display of Spyders, just for fun (I was relieved to note that some 2009 Spyders still have a clutch and gearshift), but after several minutes no-one had come out, so I left.  I hope my comment about the nail got passed on.  Note--there were other employees in the showroom, but no-one seemed to give a sh*t.  Oh, well.  I will comment that I'd feel naked riding a Spyder, with no levers at all, and only one foot control (the brakes--there is only the footpedal, and on the auto ones, no shift lever at all).  And it doesn't lean.  Like Brent, I fail to see the attraction of a trike...

[Brad1445]

Not competition for any bike.  Maybe the handicap carts at walmart.

[Lon]

Whats the HP of a GoldWing?

I like the look of this thing better than a Wing.

108 (or something close) 118hp and 898lbs wet

I think this competes with Gold Wing trikes.

[Lon]

Those things just don't do it for me.  Trikes in general seem like they combine the impracticalities of a motorcycle without many of the benefits.  In my opinion, there are so many other things that would provide a better riding or driving experience for the money.

I haven't ridden the big Spyder, but the little one is very fun.  It's work to ride it at its limits while holding smooth lines, though.

It's not like a bike or a car, really.  It's got a low center of gravity (unlike a Gold Wing trike or perhaps the new Spyder, actually).  You can get it moving pretty well - maybe faster than bikes in corners if ridden well (I don't know for sure) - but you would be working really hard to make it hold a good line.

2 tiny traction patches + 500lbs,
4 large traction patches + 2200lbs (for a small roadster), or
3 large traction patches + 700lbs

The problem I have with the R/T is how tall it is... It's so tall that I think you'd lose some of the cornering fun that can be had on the little Spyder.

[VFRider]

I was following one owned by an employee of the company.   It had a certain appeal, but not for me.   That's my interceptor and I own a similar Miata as well.  I think its placed in the market just as it is in the picture.  For somebody that wants open air but not another car and not quite wanting a bike.

The front end reminds me of a Formula Ford racer car.  I like it, but no....maybe when, as they say, I can't get a leg over a bike.

[cworley5150]

I have ridden one.  It is most defintely not for me.  Just a really weird experience.  There is no way that you can corner one of these as fast as a sportbike.  The stability and traction control takes over and cuts the throttle and I think it may also apply the brakes to slow you down if you are cornering too hard.  It was also a bitch to muscle through turns.  I don't think there is any way to turn off the computer aided controls either.  Power was OK.  The engine is actually pretty nice.  Good torque.  Just a lot of weight to move.  

As others have said, the appeal of this thing (as with most trikes) is totally lost on me.  I would just buy a Honda S2000 or Miata before buying one of these.  It doesn't really have the same appeal as a bike at all.  Completely different riding experience.  The Spyder reminded me of riding an ATV on the street.  Couldn't corner very fast, it was hard to steer and felt really awkward in corners.  

[Marcster]

I don't personally want a Can-Am or a trike, but if it floats someone else's boat then I'm glad those options are out there...  I wonder if the reason that people go with those options is because they have balance issues, which, again is fine and those solutions allow them to ride with their friends.

And if I'm would go with three wheels, then this is the way I'd go:



But the Piaggio MP3 can be dumped, as it does lean (therefore requiring balance).

[Kootenanny]

...I wonder if the reason that people go with those options is because they have balance issues, which, again is fine and those solutions allow them to ride with their friends.

Far more likely it's due to confidence issues or spousal issues...

[Liquidsilver]

4 wheels moves the body, 2 wheels moves the soul, but 3 wheels just makes you look like a dork.

 
Winnah!!!!  

[shah269]

Can one take their motorcycle test with one of these things?  

[Ves]

Can one take their motorcycle test with one of these things?  

No class M required to drive one...  I guess there's a few people out there who like them...

[hig4s]

No class M required to drive one...  I guess there's a few people out there who like them...

Depends on what state, in Florida you need a motorcycle license to ride one and you CANNOT take the test on one!!! really sucks for people that want to get one and get into the sport that are not physically able to hold up a two wheel vehicle.

[Tar Snake]

Far more likely it's due to confidence issues or spousal issues...

Actually I think this is where they make sense especially the new touring one. Let's say you're a retired couple off to enjoy your golden years (Like a lot of Boomer's). 900lbs of Gold Wing + the Mrs. + all your stuff = 1200-something lbs to balance!   and you're north of 60 yrs old?

I could see it for people that have been life long riders that want to keep riding and have a social life that involves the motorcycle world, the great part about travelling on a motorcycle is often fellow riders that are complete strangers become friends easily as you have something to talk about (the ride, weather, bikes) right off the bat.

If the couple gets the Miata, they lose that to some extent.

[Kootenanny]

Actually I think this is where they make sense especially the new touring one. Let's say you're a retired couple off to enjoy your golden years (Like a lot of Boomer's). 900lbs of Gold Wing + the Mrs. + all your stuff = 1200-something lbs to balance!   and you're north of 60 yrs old?

Point taken, but...I've now seen a few Spyders on the road, and none of 'em was being ridden by anyone "north of 60."  And the few riders I've met off their machines certainly didn't have any visible health problems that would make it hard for 'em to balance a bike.

[Tar Snake]

Point taken, but...I've now seen a few Spyders on the road, and none of 'em was being ridden by anyone "north of 60."  And the few riders I've met off their machines certainly didn't have any visible health problems that would make it hard for 'em to balance a bike.

True, but I was thinking of the RT model in particular.

I did meet a girl who said she loved hers because she liked sportbikes, but she was too short for most of them and kept dropping hers.

[Kootenanny]

I did meet a girl who said she loved hers because she liked sportbikes, but she was too short for most of them and kept dropping hers.

This might sound harsh, but that girl doesn't "get it"--the whole reason one loves sportbikes is for the sport, which IMO includes the odd bit of lean angle.  If my bike didn't lean, I wouldn't own it.  Sounds like this girl likes the look of a sportbike, but she doesn't understand the concept.  

As for being "too short," well there are ways around that.  If she'd taken the time to learn...

[st2sam]

Actually I think this is where they make sense especially the new touring one. Let's say you're a retired couple off to enjoy your golden years (Like a lot of Boomer's). 900lbs of Gold Wing + the Mrs. + all your stuff = 1200-something lbs to balance!   and you're north of 60 yrs old?

I could see it for people that have been life long riders that want to keep riding and have a social life that involves the motorcycle world, the great part about travelling on a motorcycle is often fellow riders that are complete strangers become friends easily as you have something to talk about (the ride, weather, bikes) right off the bat.

If the couple gets the Miata, they lose that to some extent.

I agree 100%......
I consider them motorcycles (because you can't put the top up). IMHO way more fun and exciting than driving a miata.

[cvrider]

I am a long time MC rider. Currently I own a Ducati ST2 and a Multistrada as well as a Miata. In July I test rode the small (non-touring) version of the Spyder. I took it out for over two hours to get as good an idea as I could as to what it was like.
This was the 5 speed (plus reverse) version. I found it to be a totally unique experience - unlike anything I'd ridden before.
After doing more research and soul searching for a couple of weeks I went back and bought one. It took me several rides over a period of time before I began to get in "sync" with the machine. The more I rode it, the more I liked it, and the more I was impressed with the thought that went into designing and building the "roadster", as BRP calls it. I like it. Like most things in life, it's not everyones cup of tea. As for me, I will always have at least one two wheeled machine in my garage. Only now, I will say the same thing about the three wheeled machine too. The Miata?  Probably not.  

[Tar Snake]

I am a long time MC rider. Currently I own a Ducati ST2 and a Multistrada as well as a Miata. In July I test rode the small (non-touring) version of the Spyder. I took it out for over two hours to get as good an idea as I could as to what it was like.
This was the 5 speed (plus reverse) version. I found it to be a totally unique experience - unlike anything I'd ridden before.
After doing more research and soul searching for a couple of weeks I went back and bought one. It took me several rides over a period of time before I began to get in "sync" with the machine. The more I rode it, the more I liked it, and the more I was impressed with the thought that went into designing and building the "roadster", as BRP calls it. I like it. Like most things in life, it's not everyones cup of tea. As for me, I will always have at least one two wheeled machine in my garage. Only now, I will say the same thing about the three wheeled machine too. The Miata?  Probably not.  

Nice review!

I am curious to ride one, just to see how different it is. The only thing similar I'd ever ridden was a 3-wheeled ATV, but the layout is backwards of the Spyder, 1 front 2 rear wheels on the ATV. I kept turning the handlebars the wrong way if I wasn't paying attention since 3 wheelers don't countersteer like a motorcycle does.

How much does the trunk on the front hold? That seems like a neat feature as well as not having to put your feet down at stops.

[cvrider]

The front cargo area is listed as holding 44 liters. That doesn't sound like much but I found that combined with the tank bag, rear seat bag and tail bag I was able to carry about the same amount of stuff as I am able to carry on either of my bag equipped Ducatis. I've taken 5-6 day trips already with no real problems luggage-wise. However, if I needed to take a passenger that would eliminate the seat and tail bag, which would make saddlebags neccessary. A number of Spyder owners have added bags the last couple of years and I'm sure that's what prompted BRP to introduce the RT with all the Gold Wing
type features. The less expensive and lighter RS is more to my liking.

[Baz]

I spoke with a couple who were riding a Spyder and actually loved the thing & said they do a fair bit of touring on it. (They were in their 40's)

I would have real issues with the cramped leg room touring on one though.

[cvrider]

Because of the low profile of the machine the seat-to-footpeg distance is a bit short for me too. I've helped that out some by padding the seat to give a bit more height. Also, the aftermarket is offering both footboards and forward footpeg kits to improve the ergonomics.  The above is in regards to the RS model.  I'm not positive but I believe the new RT/touring model has
better ergonomics designed into it for the more touring oriented rider. I know the handlebars are considerably different.

As far as the title of this thread (Not really a motorcycle....), in fact, it is not marketed as a motorcycle in any way. None of the BRP/Can Am literature mentions a motorcycle in any context. They started with a clean sheet of paper to build a "product" they felt there was a market for. And when they were done they called it a "roadster". They never refer to it as a "trike" or even a "reverse trike". However, since this a motorcycle forum, it is inevitable that comparisons will be made. I know I did.

I am a former Buell owner and they often used the term "different in every sense" in their advertising. With apologies to Buell, the Can Am Spyder truly is.    

[G]

to me the spyder sits and feels just like their snowmobiles. I'm told their sleds are realcomfortable for long rides dont know for sure because i ride arctic cat sleds

[Kootenanny]

I am a former Buell owner and they often used the term "different in every sense" in their advertising. With apologies to Buell, the Can Am Spyder truly is.    

Yes, but a Buell is still a motorcycle...they didn't go so far as to add an extra wheel!

[JamesG]

This might sound harsh, but that girl doesn't "get it"--the whole reason one loves sportbikes is for the sport, which IMO includes the odd bit of lean angle.  If my bike didn't lean, I wouldn't own it.  Sounds like this girl likes the look of a sportbike, but she doesn't understand the concept.  

Thats fine for you.  But everything isn't about you.

But believe it or not, there are sport bike owners who don't like to lean their bikes over and rail thru corners at the edge of traction. There is an entire segment, that might even be a majority, of the sportbike market that is only interested in how quick a bike is and how fast it can get there.  To them, the look, feel, and straightline performance is more important than cornering clearance.

Thats the kind of person the Spyder is for.

[Oilhed]

I spoke with a couple who were riding a Spyder and actually loved the thing & said they do a fair bit of touring on it. (They were in their 40's)

I'm an even bigger fan of the RS:

[Kootenanny]

Thats fine for you.  But everything isn't about you.

It's not?  

But believe it or not, there are sport bike owners who don't like to lean their bikes over and rail thru corners at the edge of traction. There is an entire segment, that might even be a majority, of the sportbike market that is only interested in how quick a bike is and how fast it can get there.  To them, the look, feel, and straightline performance is more important than cornering clearance.

Thats the kind of person the Spyder is for.

So, it's for people who just don't "get it!?"

[Yamadavidson]

My kid sells them Malcolm Smiths dealer and Ive got to ride them twice. I cant imagine someone that rides a bike taking to one of these. I guess if your other vehicle is a crown vic you could get pretty excited by the spyder. Its not a bike nor does it pretend to be a bike, most of the people that my son talks to about them says they would never ride a bike out of safety concerns but feel that not having to balance is a major safety benefit.  They seem to be selling well though and have a riders club that is based at Malcolms so to each his own but I would put a side car on a bike first if I had trouble with my legs holding up a bike and for those mostly worried about balance..... Wow are you in for a suprise in so CA traffic.GFL

[spd2918]

I am not into trikes, but if I had one that didn't lean the two wheels would be out front.  This makes the most sense for cornering.

[Kootenanny]

...most of the people that my son talks to about them says they would never ride a bike out of safety concerns but feel that not having to balance is a major safety benefit.

Definitely people who don't "get it."