Yesterday a friend of mine who works at a powersports typw of place told me that they were doing test rides of the new Spyders from BRP, Cam-Am, Bombardier, whatever they're called now and wanted some folks with motorcycle endorsements to come out and test ride them. Who am I to say no. Here are what the things look like though...

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/studio1_1024_en.jpg

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/studio3_1024_en.jpg

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/outdoor1_1024_en.jpg


Have to say it was better than I expected, but still weird. I think I spent most of the half hour ride trying to decide what it was. It drives like a car (no leaning, one brake ABS, traction control, stability control), but is open like a bike and it feels like a bike when sitting on it as well as a five speed transmission like a sporty. The two wheels in front were just really kind of weird getting used to, almost felt like an old ski doo sled.
The thing had a ton of power for a 990 and with that much weight in front you squack the back tire easily.
All in all it was fun, but I will not be rushing out to buy one even though the price isn't bad at $15,000. I think instead of feeling like I am on some sort of Alien spacecraft I'll stick with my Sporty...


http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/232.JPG

Did your friend mention how it will be classified in terms of license requirements? Was the M endorsement for testers because that's what it's considered, or because they wanted people who knew what a bike felt like? If they can get the gov to classify it as a G-licensed vehicle and market it to the cage community, I could see it being a huge hit. It'd give people the 'freedom of the open road' without all of the inherent dangers that usually accompany it.

I'm perfectly happy with my bike, but I have to say; it does look pretty cool!

I have no idea how they are going to classify it yet. They required motorcycle licenses for the testing.

i bet it would be a lotta fun to throw around curves @ 90MPH

no need for me to own one, tho

Two friends placed orders in March --- delivery expected in Sept. These guys have to have one of everything.

I like it. Tadpole trikes are cool IMO.:banana

DC

So... what's up front? Trunk space?

Do the front wheels "tip" at all during super-hard cornering?

I assume it's rear-wheel drive, but I can't tell from the company pics.

Cornering is computer controlled, to the extent of slowing down the engine, to prevent roll overs.

if you had "trike" as one of the options, i woulda picked that instead of motorcycle.

The spyder is the reason I'm riding my sporty :banana The VP of my company bought the sporty, then saw the spyder and had to have one. He put a deposit down on a silver one and the sporty sat for 8 months till I made him an offer.:tour


I saw one in person and they are a lot lower than I woulda thought. It's more of a snowmobile with wheels than a trike (if that makes sense).

Cornering is computer controlled, to the extent of slowing down the engine, to prevent roll overs.

So... how does slowing down the engine help you if you're already going, say... 70+mph into a 35 or 40mph corner?

That would most likely be doable on some motorcycles.

Probably doable in a car as well?

I'm not sure how a trike would handle that situation?

The above scenario is all hypothetical, of course... I've never ridden a trike, and I'm sure corners have to be approached with a different mindset and level of driving skill. Just curious how "tippy" these things are.

Sat on one at Americade, its got a square car rear tire, not going to be leaning too much with that. I didn't care for the front end. WAY TOO MUCH TO GO WRONG. Its all hydraulic and electronic, and what happens when you need a reflash? Trailer? If you want a trike go get a Lehman, or the GW trikes are really nice, and functional.

How about one of theses?
http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/medium/DSC00123.JPG

How about one of theses?
http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/medium/DSC00123.JPG

WTF IS THE POINT?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?!?!?!

i'd bet a mini cooper would be cheaper and more versatile than that P.O.S

I rode one at Laconia Bike Week this year. Pic in my Gallery
CanAm Spyder Tour (http://xlforum.net/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=23854&cat=500)

I've seen a few of these on the road now in Milwaukee (few = 3-4 over the summer).

I posted on another thread on this a few months ago that I would give it a try. After seeing them on the road, I wouldn't buy one. I wouldn't put down someone who had one though.

I would think of this as an enhanced trike, as reversing the 3 wheel setup, I would assume it can corner more quickly than a comparable trike. In addition, it "looks" like it has a lower center of gravity, and might have a more forward sitting position. I could see where these things might add together to get a more exhilirated experience over a regular trike, but I think acceleration would be less than a comparable motorcycle, and cornering would be less than a comparable sports-car.

This is from the same people that bring us Lear Jets.

Looks cool.

So... how does slowing down the engine help you if you're already going, say... 70+mph into a 35 or 40mph corner?

That would most likely be doable on some motorcycles.

Probably doable in a car as well?

I'm not sure how a trike would handle that situation?

The above scenario is all hypothetical, of course... I've never ridden a trike, and I'm sure corners have to be approached with a different mindset and level of driving skill. Just curious how "tippy" these things are.

I read the article 6 months ago, don't remember all the particulars. But, I remember they said that, guys/gals that like to ride on the edge would be disappointed.

I looks real simular to a snow mobile, only instead of the ski's up front, it has wheels and instead of the track on the back its got a wheel... a snowmobile for southerners? Hawiian snow mobile?

I looks real simular to a snow mobile, only instead of the ski's up front, it has wheels and instead of the track on the back its got a wheel... a snowmobile for southerners? Hawiian snow mobile?


Exactly what it is!!!! These guys are great at engineering snowmobiles so they put wheels on one, tweaked it a bit and repackaged it so it slides around the motorcycle endorsement requirements. :geek:geek:geek

I think they look cool as hell, but I'll wait to see what happens to them by next year.....

I'd classify that as the most useless machine ever invented!

I can imagine the sales pitch......"Finally, a motorcycle for those out there with inner ear defects!"

does it have reverse?

Yep, 1 way down is reverse after using a lockout lever.

I read the article 6 months ago, don't remember all the particulars. But, I remember they said that, guys/gals that like to ride on the edge would be disappointed.

I'd agree with that, it would take a lot of getting used to if you want to ride it hard and have it handle like a sports car. It absolutely does not lean, they tell you that before you ride and it and let you know that leaning will tip you right over.

I'm not knocking it at all and I wouldn't rip anyone for buying one (okay, maybe friendly ripping), but definitely not for a motorcycle person. They would be a lot of fun to own, but not fun to own as a motorcycle.

Oh, and the space up front is a 4 cubic foot insulated trunk/cooler with a drain plug, good thinking.