Guest tx2sturgis Posted August 23, 2009 #1 Posted August 23, 2009 (edited) At the GiantSideRally in Lubbock, I took a demo ride on the Can-Am Spyder. For the Darksiders: These have a car tire on the back...does that count???? I rode one of these Can-Am Spyders yesterday...yes thats me in the blue shirt..we were on an escorted demo ride around the lake perimeter...lasted about 15 minutes. You had a choice of riding a standard 5 speed or a 5 speed automatic. I rode the auto. You push a left thumb button to upshift, and downshifts are fully automatic..they do also have a reverse. It was sure different!! My overall impression is that for a motorcycle rider, its not all that!....but...for someone who cant (or wont) ride a 2 wheel bike, this might be kinda fun. They are quick, and they sure do turn heads! http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/tx2sturgis/can-am/IMG_2680.jpg http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/tx2sturgis/can-am/IMG_2681.jpg http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/tx2sturgis/can-am/IMG_2682.jpg http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/tx2sturgis/can-am/IMG_2685.jpg http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h113/tx2sturgis/can-am/IMG_2686.jpg Edited August 23, 2009 by tx2sturgis
Snarley Bill Posted August 23, 2009 #2 Posted August 23, 2009 i am not a big fan of trikes, but i could do one of those. they look mean with that big rear tire. maybe a busa or zx-14 motor would make it the cats meow.
mini-muffin Posted August 23, 2009 #3 Posted August 23, 2009 Very well done pics and a story. Ya know someone might not have believed you if there weren't any pics. Not me of course but someone would have asked. Glad you had fun though. I thought it might not be bad for a bit of a test ride, not sure I'd want to own one. Margaret
juggler Posted August 23, 2009 #4 Posted August 23, 2009 I kind of like those. I sure would like to do what you did and take a demo ride. I'm sure it's no direct replacement for a motorcycle, but if something happened where I could no long ride on two wheels, I'd be on one of these.
Guest tx2sturgis Posted August 23, 2009 #5 Posted August 23, 2009 (edited) Thanks for the replies. I had missed a couple opportunities in the past to ride one, and always wanted to. They are very different from a normal trike. If feels more like you are riding a 4 wheel ATV. The steering and feel is very similar. It does not feel ANYTHING like a motorcycle, once you are moving. I like the autoshift. Very easy to use. When you first sit on the SE5 ( the auto) you notice there is no clutch lever, no front brake lever, and no shift lever under your left toe. There is only a brake lever under your right foot, and thats all as far as rider controls, other than steering. ( of course the normal turn signal, brights, horn, and start buttons are there, along with some other goodies on the dash) The brake lever under your right foot controls a 3 wheel ABS equipped braking system, thats works VERY well. Once underway, by the thumb operated shifter and the throttle, all you have to do is hit the thumb button to upshift.....and downshifts are handled by the computer, when its needed. I guess its just felt weird because I was in the forward crouching position that is familiar to sportbike riders, and I'm not used to that. Also, your upper bodyweight is resting on your hands, as you hold the grips, and you feel EVERY road bump that both front wheels hit. The bar is firmly jostled side to side as you hit road imperfections, and this also felt foreign to me. I suppose you get used to it. In fact, after about 5 minutes of this I was slightly releasing the death grip I had on the bars, as I became accustomed to the steering feel. Once I did that, the ride was a bit more tolerable. Of course, you really need a full face lid when riding this thing, since the wind protection from your mid-torso and up is non-existent. Plenty of power seemed to be on tap, although we never got above 55 mph on the demo loop. I can tell you that the Spyder corners WELL, like any trike I have ever ridden, and cornering on some sand-covered road surfaces doesnt scare you like they might on a large 2 wheel road bike....it was like they werent even there. I dont see the Spyder Roadster as a replacement for a touring bike, but maybe as an additional fun toy to play with on the weekends, if you have the extra coin. The SE5 that I rode costs around $18,000. Edited August 24, 2009 by tx2sturgis
autopilot Posted August 24, 2009 #6 Posted August 24, 2009 They remind me of a snowmobile on wheels. I like the idea of 2 in the front 1 in the back for a trike; seems it would be a more stable platform. But, why can't somebody come up with one that's cruiser styled so you can kind of sit in it instead of perching on it?
Guest tx2sturgis Posted August 24, 2009 #7 Posted August 24, 2009 They remind me of a snowmobile on wheels. I like the idea of 2 in the front 1 in the back for a trike; seems it would be a more stable platform. But, why can't somebody come up with one that's cruiser styled so you can kind of sit in it instead of perching on it? They have. Its called a T-Rex. I took pictures of one in 2005 in Deadwood SD. Two wheels in front and one in back.
silverdeer0454 Posted August 24, 2009 #8 Posted August 24, 2009 They remind me of a snowmobile on wheels. I like the idea of 2 in the front 1 in the back for a trike; seems it would be a more stable platform. But, why can't somebody come up with one that's cruiser styled so you can kind of sit in it instead of perching on it? Well afterall...it is built by a snowmobile company - Bombardier
autopilot Posted August 24, 2009 #9 Posted August 24, 2009 Well afterall...it is built by a snowmobile company - Bombardier There ya go! Tx2sturgis- I was aware of the T-rex (and like it......probably couldn't get in & out of it, but I like it), but when I wrote "in" I didn't mean quite that far. You know....the same old difference between sportbike style & cruiser style. I think a cruiser styled reverse trike would be pretty neat! If the price was right I might even buy one.
Ivan Posted August 24, 2009 #10 Posted August 24, 2009 They need to put ape hangers on those Spyders. Then they might be cool.
Guest tx2sturgis Posted August 25, 2009 #11 Posted August 25, 2009 (edited) There ya go! Tx2sturgis- I was aware of the T-rex (and like it......probably couldn't get in & out of it, but I like it), but when I wrote "in" I didn't mean quite that far. You know....the same old difference between sportbike style & cruiser style. I think a cruiser styled reverse trike would be pretty neat! If the price was right I might even buy one. Something like that might be do-able...take the front end out of a front drive car, and hang a seat out back and a single, non-powered trailing wheel....hmmmm..... Edited August 25, 2009 by tx2sturgis
Guest tx2sturgis Posted September 3, 2009 #12 Posted September 3, 2009 Well lookee here! They musta read my post on 8-23! This is what I wrote: I dont see the Spyder Roadster as a replacement for a touring bike, but maybe as an additional fun toy to play with on the weekends, if you have the extra coin. Well now they DO have a touring version folks!! The Spyder Roadster RT: http://www.motorcycle.com/images/content/Review/3spyder0901.jpg Heres the story so far:http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/2010-canam-spyder-rt-preview-88698.html Hmmmmm....as they used to say on laughin...vedddy entuhvesting!!!
Guest tx2sturgis Posted September 3, 2009 #13 Posted September 3, 2009 Well lookee here! They musta read my post on 8-23! This is what I wrote: "I dont see the Spyder Roadster as a replacement for a touring bike, but maybe as an additional fun toy to play with on the weekends, if you have the extra coin. " Well now they DO have a touring version folks!! The Spyder Roadster RT: http://www.motorcycle.com/images/content/Review/3spyder0901.jpg And it even has an optional trailer!!! This is news!!! Heres the story so far:http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/2010-canam-spyder-rt-preview-88698.html Hmmmmm....as they used to say on laughin...vedddy entuhvesting!!!
Dano Posted September 3, 2009 #14 Posted September 3, 2009 Of course, you could repaint it to make it fun!
Guest tx2sturgis Posted September 3, 2009 #15 Posted September 3, 2009 OMG...I looked at those pics and nearly hurled!!! Thats just gross!
Freebird Posted September 3, 2009 #16 Posted September 3, 2009 I think that touring model is pretty nice. I too have ridden the Spyder and it was a lot of fun. I can see the touring model being a hit.
autopilot Posted September 3, 2009 #17 Posted September 3, 2009 Well, now! Ain't that just skippy? Have to look at that up close.
Bummer Posted September 3, 2009 #20 Posted September 3, 2009 Seems unlikely. It was parked among these.
autopilot Posted September 4, 2009 #21 Posted September 4, 2009 My Can-AM Spyder - Commentary: Rev. 1: After looking closely at the available pic.s & spec.s , etc., I like it better than I do it's predecessor. Still not quite cruiser material, but, not bad. Seat looks a good bit more comfy. With a little brainstorming suitable foot position relocation could be done. But, with pricing between ~$21,000-$25,000 for the 3 versions, I don't think I'll be getting one soon. I do kinda like it, though. I suppose one could justify (and rationalize) the expenditure, if you take all the technology into ac.....NO, NO, NO! Stop that! I am not going to start down that road, besides, I'm waiting to see what Yamaha brings us in the new Venture. Now, then, Bummer! Who did you say builds that Gold thing??
Bummer Posted September 4, 2009 #22 Posted September 4, 2009 Now, then, Bummer! Who did you say builds that Gold thing?? It was a part of the Hannigan display at the MotoGP. I'm not sure if it's a Goldspider or a Spiderwingwing.
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