Anyone riding a Spyder tomorrow?
- Thread starter glhs837
- Start date
GWguy
*
I test rode one there last year. Didn't like the feeling. The bike goes around a corner flat, but inertia is working on your body and it feels like you're being thrown off the bike in the opposite direction of the turn. It would take more getting used to than I would want to deal with after riding a 2-wheel for 50 years.
GWguy
*
Oh hell I dont plan on buying one, just another machine I have never operated
It's definitely worth going up just to look at it and try it out.
desertrat
0_0
Used to ride three wheelers in the dunes and desert when they were popular. I was definitely different, but fun as all get out. Probably not as much sliding through corners on the Spyder though.
itsbob
I bowl overhand
itsbob
I bowl overhand
My only take is IF I was looking for a three wheeler, the Spyder would probably be the best/better option.
Most of the Trikes out there are conversions, and nobody but Can-AM has put any kind of engineering or made their design specifically for three wheel riding.
(T-Rex being the only exception I can think of)
Conversion kits for trikes can go anywhere from a cradle that your back tire sits in (for lack of a better descritpion) to a full rear end tear down and rebuild, but still, the design starts with a motorcycle that's intended to lean and be ridden like a motorcycle.
Can-AMs have never been motorcycles, and were designed from day one to be what they are.
GWguy
*
A standard trike is a motorcycle with an axle added to the rear.
The Spyder has an incredible amount of very sophisticated electronics and sensors to help keep you from being able to do dumb things.
VSS Vehicle Stability System - Standard
SCS Stability Control System - Standard
TCS Traction Control System - Standard
ABS Anti-lock Braking System - Standard
DESS Digitally Encoded Security System - Standard
DPS Dynamic Power Steering - Standard
Here's a link to the RT version. Look thru the specs...
Spyder RT Motorcycle |#Can-Am Roadster
glhs837
Power with Control
Yep, if I were going to go three wheels, this would be very preferrable over standard trike, IMHO. The safety systems alone are worth it, I think.
I know to most folks, most of that stuff is just a bunch of letters with no real meaning, but trust a man who has pushed these things to their limits, they can make a difference between living and dying.
Spyder 2013 AutoTechREV Presentation - YouTube
I love the dynamic interplay of two wheels too much to really entertain this, but were I physically unable to work a two wheeler, I might jump, or if my lady ever decided she wanted to ride with me, I would give that aspect up to to ride with her. But in that case I would keep a bike for when it was just me.
I know to most folks, most of that stuff is just a bunch of letters with no real meaning, but trust a man who has pushed these things to their limits, they can make a difference between living and dying.
Spyder 2013 AutoTechREV Presentation - YouTube
I love the dynamic interplay of two wheels too much to really entertain this, but were I physically unable to work a two wheeler, I might jump, or if my lady ever decided she wanted to ride with me, I would give that aspect up to to ride with her. But in that case I would keep a bike for when it was just me.
Last edited:
Vince
......
No, you're not. They look stupid. I know that doesn't sound right, but that's the feeling I get when I see one. The design is stupid.
glhs837
Power with Control
Well, look are subjective, but the design isnt stupid. If your premise is that you want three wheels and a motorcycle open air riding experience, this is a very good answer. Much better than slapping training wheels on a regular bike. I gave up tricycles in the late 60s
So, ride was a loop. Took Baptist Church Road to the Chaptico Circle, and 234 up to the Chaptico-Mechanicsville Road, then took that back to RT 5, then south to the start.
It is NOT a motorcycle. Honestly, I think a car driver with no motorcycle experience might have an easier transition than a long time rider. and folks with a lot of ATV time might have it easier than people who have not. I have been riding since about 1981 or so, and ignoring the little voices screaming WRONGWRONGWRONG as I did things that would mean death on a bike, or just are not the same took constant attention. Major differences
1. Steering is like a car/ATV, and that took me til about halfway through the ride to get, and almost the whole ride to get to the "Stop thinking about it and just do it" point. My brain eventually just flipped my countersteering instincts so I was pushing and pulling opposite of what I do on the bike.
2. Braking in one pedal, right side, left foot does nothing. Only took about 2 miles for that to become just a thing done, not thought about.
3. Throttle same as bike, with some differences brought on by the semi-auto trans, but no real adjustment required there, just no need to roll off and on for shifts.
4. Trans was semi-automatic, no clutch, rider commands upshifts using a button thing using left thumb. No biggie on that, worked well. Felt mildly odd to not be using a clutch, but that transition took about 1 minute or two. Downshifts can be commanded by the rider, or can just be left to the machine. I played around with both, as the throttle blip the bike gave the engine when it downshifted disconcerted me, since I had the throttle closed. Played with both modes, not sure which I would use everyday. No biggie either way.
Overall, by the end of the ride, I was pleasantly surprised. Once I got in the groove, it was pretty cool. Given either the lack of the physical ability to operate a bike, say a bad back that physically wont allow you to hold a bike upright at stops. Or wanting to take someone riding regularly that simply will not get on a bike, I think these machines are a great way to enjoy as close to a motorcycle experience as you can get.
Since almost all of the subtle kinesthetic joy of operating a motorcycle is gone, that leaves just the enjoyment of riding out in the open, which by itself is a great thing. And thats a thing. I talk to warm weather riders at work, and given my experience yesterday, I think I got some insight. I have been wondering about that split. Why am I happy to suffer cold and other discomfort to ride my bike, when I could enjoy my much faster more comfortable car? While others will only ride when it's nice out? I think your "as much as possible" riders are more in love with the physical aspect, while your warm day riders are more in love with the scenery aspect? Out of six riders yesterday, all motorcyclists, I was the only one that rode there
One last thought....... I need some heated grips and a heated seat wouldn't be a bad thing either....this thing had both, and even though I wore my thin gloves vice my gauntlets, it was heavenly to hold those heated grips
So, ride was a loop. Took Baptist Church Road to the Chaptico Circle, and 234 up to the Chaptico-Mechanicsville Road, then took that back to RT 5, then south to the start.
It is NOT a motorcycle. Honestly, I think a car driver with no motorcycle experience might have an easier transition than a long time rider. and folks with a lot of ATV time might have it easier than people who have not. I have been riding since about 1981 or so, and ignoring the little voices screaming WRONGWRONGWRONG as I did things that would mean death on a bike, or just are not the same took constant attention. Major differences
1. Steering is like a car/ATV, and that took me til about halfway through the ride to get, and almost the whole ride to get to the "Stop thinking about it and just do it" point. My brain eventually just flipped my countersteering instincts so I was pushing and pulling opposite of what I do on the bike.
2. Braking in one pedal, right side, left foot does nothing. Only took about 2 miles for that to become just a thing done, not thought about.
3. Throttle same as bike, with some differences brought on by the semi-auto trans, but no real adjustment required there, just no need to roll off and on for shifts.
4. Trans was semi-automatic, no clutch, rider commands upshifts using a button thing using left thumb. No biggie on that, worked well. Felt mildly odd to not be using a clutch, but that transition took about 1 minute or two. Downshifts can be commanded by the rider, or can just be left to the machine. I played around with both, as the throttle blip the bike gave the engine when it downshifted disconcerted me, since I had the throttle closed. Played with both modes, not sure which I would use everyday. No biggie either way.
Overall, by the end of the ride, I was pleasantly surprised. Once I got in the groove, it was pretty cool. Given either the lack of the physical ability to operate a bike, say a bad back that physically wont allow you to hold a bike upright at stops. Or wanting to take someone riding regularly that simply will not get on a bike, I think these machines are a great way to enjoy as close to a motorcycle experience as you can get.
Since almost all of the subtle kinesthetic joy of operating a motorcycle is gone, that leaves just the enjoyment of riding out in the open, which by itself is a great thing. And thats a thing. I talk to warm weather riders at work, and given my experience yesterday, I think I got some insight. I have been wondering about that split. Why am I happy to suffer cold and other discomfort to ride my bike, when I could enjoy my much faster more comfortable car? While others will only ride when it's nice out? I think your "as much as possible" riders are more in love with the physical aspect, while your warm day riders are more in love with the scenery aspect? Out of six riders yesterday, all motorcyclists, I was the only one that rode there
One last thought....... I need some heated grips and a heated seat wouldn't be a bad thing either....this thing had both, and even though I wore my thin gloves vice my gauntlets, it was heavenly to hold those heated grips