Anyone have a Can Am Spyder?
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MotoGP
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,138
From: Austin, Tx
If you're doing mostly county roads, state roads, provincial roads - call Martha Stewart! Hahaha!
The Superhawk is best around town, the county or two, and the adjacent areas of decadence.
If I wanted a "motorcycle experience" that was great for the Interstates these machines are the cat's cookies. What a blast! I've seen one up close and it's all there.
The Superhawk is best around town, the county or two, and the adjacent areas of decadence.
If I wanted a "motorcycle experience" that was great for the Interstates these machines are the cat's cookies. What a blast! I've seen one up close and it's all there.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 135
From: Glenview, IL
my friend who happens to be a girl... has one... looks good on her 
j/k might as well save some money and ride and ATV, handles the same just a little faster. well i suppose street legal too.
j/k might as well save some money and ride and ATV, handles the same just a little faster. well i suppose street legal too.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 226
From: Corpus Christi, TX
i rode one last week. thats it in a nutshell it is a ATV for the street. when you're riding it you can't tell that it only has one wheel out back. the only thing that is motorcycle-esque is the wind in your face, unless you get the full-dresser, then theres nothing about it like a bike. The handling is really tight and sensitive and it wants to cruise around 5k rpm. pretty sluggish when you get on it but the 990 rotax v-twin sounds nice with aftermarket pipes. they should have put a 1500 in it, IMHO. I would only buy one if I was crippled and couldn't ride anything else, or if I was a millionaire and could afford a variety of toys.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Montreal
I tested one for a couple of weeks two summers ago (when I was working for a bike rag). In terms of what it`s designed to do (and that is, offer a "wind in your face" alternative for sports car buffs, or anyone who either cannot or will not ride a bike) it is great. The numerous computers on board babysit the thing and limit the fun that can be had however (but keep the ambulance-chasing lawyers at bay). The seat is ultra-comfortable and the riding position is semi-porty. It handles well generally (although it doesn`t lean and generates substantial G forces in the corners, particularly challenging for passengers) although the three tracks cause it to wander slightly on uneven pavement. Wind (and rain) protection is fairly good, exceptionally so for the lower body and legs. The engine is well calibrated and pulls well although IMO it could use more power given the weight of the vehicle. While fairly smooth, the low gearing makes the engine spin just shy of 5500 rpm at 65 mph, and vibration makes the bars tingle.
Would I trade my bike for one? no Would I make room in a large garage for one (to complement my collection of bikes,...)? yes
Would I trade my bike for one? no Would I make room in a large garage for one (to complement my collection of bikes,...)? yes
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Squid
Squid
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 92
From: Springfield, MO
Would I trade my Hawk for one? No. Would I add one to my collection? In a hearbeat! They look good, are comfortable and perform reasonably well. I'd love to have one cause I'm only good for 200 miles on the Hawk.
Duc Hawk
SuperSport
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 691
From: Malibu's canyons
Rode a friends and wanted off right away. Felt really odd in the corners where the outside wheel feels like it wants to come up, but the nanny circuits keep it down. That said I see LOTS of them in around here.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: northwest Arkansas
so, may I ask you gentlemen a question? If you guys are down on the spyder are you down on all trikes or just that 1? not that I have 1 (cant afford) but was considering building 1 out of my '81 goldwing
pragmatic anarchist
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 380
From: Philadelphia, PA
My son works with a guy who had a T-Rex (wrecked it recently...pun?). I didn't like how it looked but saw a Speed show where some guy was flailing one. Looked like a blast. Major downside is price. I'd go for a Dax with a turbo'd 'busa and that extra rear wheel. No modern Morgan for me, those guys used to put a glove down on the corners! I have no problem with trikes or sidecars. Might put one on Baby someday so the dogs can ride!
Remember stock is BAD!
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 760
From: Jacksonville FL
As previously mentioned I can see the use for a trike if you are have a disability, are elderly or can't support the weight of a motorcycle. Some wind in the face is better than no wind at all.
One trike that I would like to ride is the Piagio MP3. This scooter will lean over in a corner, inspite of having it being a trike. I also hear that it has a 500cc engine. So no I am not "down on all trikes".
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
My son works with a guy who had a T-Rex (wrecked it recently...pun?). I didn't like how it looked but saw a Speed show where some guy was flailing one. Looked like a blast. Major downside is price. I'd go for a Dax with a turbo'd 'busa and that extra rear wheel. No modern Morgan for me, those guys used to put a glove down on the corners! I have no problem with trikes or sidecars. Might put one on Baby someday so the dogs can ride!
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From: Toronto
Y'know, if Atom's were street legal in Canada I'd rob a bank to get one...I agree they are the dogs! In the UK I had a Lotus 7 and that thing was THE best car I ever had.
The Can Am Spyder appeals coz it's different, and to be honest, so many tricks in terms of ABS / TSC / ESC blah blah...but that kind of techonology impresses me no end.
I'm booked to have a test ride this weekend. I'll probably just trade my Buell rather than let go of the VTR.....let the Bank carry the debt
The Can Am Spyder appeals coz it's different, and to be honest, so many tricks in terms of ABS / TSC / ESC blah blah...but that kind of techonology impresses me no end.
I'm booked to have a test ride this weekend. I'll probably just trade my Buell rather than let go of the VTR.....let the Bank carry the debt
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Squid
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 86
From: Detroit, MI
The only thing I didn't like about the one I rode was how low it was. You can't see around anything and it made me question how visible you are to all the cagers. Though I guess I wasn't much lower than I would be riding a cruiser.
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MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,631
From: Montreal
Can-Am should fit the 1170 cc DOHC triple they currently offer in some Ski-Doo sleds in the Spyder. Laid down in the frame, not only would it lower the CG, but it would up power significantly (rated at 130+hp in the sled) and run a lot smoother too. Time will tell I guess....
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From: Toronto
The Spyder is $13,000 on an 08 with 9,000 kms. I'm trying to keep the VTR and sell the Buell...a (Spyder) test ride at the weekend should tell me if it's for me.
The main reason I would buy it is that the wife will ride on the back of the Spyder, but I wouldn't want her on the back of the VTR.....
As an aside, the insurance, fully comp, is less than the VTR with basic coverage. I guess all the 'save me' toys must reduce the risk?
The main reason I would buy it is that the wife will ride on the back of the Spyder, but I wouldn't want her on the back of the VTR.....
As an aside, the insurance, fully comp, is less than the VTR with basic coverage. I guess all the 'save me' toys must reduce the risk?
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From: Toronto
Good point! The Spyder I have in mind is the RS - the basic, sport version with the 5 speed manual. I don't care for the touring version...just not for me...
I was surprised, though, that the trike was cheaper to insure than the VTR....
I was surprised, though, that the trike was cheaper to insure than the VTR....
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justinity
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Jan 30, 2011 12:42 AM
