Can-Am Spyder...a motorcycle?

BeautifulDeviant

BeautifulDeviant

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While I was at the Toronto Motorcycle Show, I checked out the Can-Am display of Spyders...and as sharp as they are...I wondered, can they really be called a motorcycle, when by definition a motorcycle is a two-wheeled vehicle powered by a motor?

In truth, they look more like a snowmobile on wheels...with the wide front end and narrow rear.
There certainly was a lot of interest by prospective buyers and owners.
Is it a new class of vehicle like the ATV?

Thoughts?
 
I've seen a few of these on the road. I don't think I'd really want one (unless something happened and I was unable to ride 2 wheels anymore), but whatever floats their boat is fine by me!

From the Ontario government's website: http://www.ontario.ca/driving-and-roads/whats-threewheeled-motorcycle
A three-wheeled motorcycle – also called a motor tricycle - is designed with either a single front wheel and two rear wheels, or two front wheels and a single rear wheel.
If you take a road test on a three-wheeled motorcycle, you will get a class ‘M’ licence with an ‘M’ condition. With this licence, you will only be able to drive a three-wheeled motorcycle.
Motor tricycles must:

  • travel on three wheels, which are in contact with the ground
  • have straddled seating for the driver
  • use a handle bar for steering controls
  • have no more than four seats
  • have a gross vehicle weight of 1,000 kg or less
  • not have a structure partly or fully enclosing the driver and passenger except in front of the driver and the seat backrest
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As tricky said, if you're doing your M1-exit or M2-exit on Spyder, you will only get a limited motorcycle license and will not be ride a regular motorcycle, as it's a 3-wheeler with automatic transmission.
 
Well you do need an M class lic to ride one I believe, but personally I do not consider it a motorcycle....My friend has one all pimped out with stretched swing arm 20" wheels etc, and when he rides it, it looks cool but not motorcycle cool IMO...When he takes turns he tries to lean it like a motorcycle and hang off it, and it just looks funny because the thing doesnt lean...It steers like a car or other vehicles not like a motorcycle...And when he tired to ride downtown with some of my friends on motorcycles, he just gets left behind, because it can not fit in the tight spaces and make fast maneuvers in tight spaces like the bikes can...The tires are basically car tires
 
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I just don't understand the appeal. None of the thrill of a bike, almost all of the danger. For similar money, pick up a miata and enjoy open-air motoring with a cage around you (or buy a proper bike).
 
GreyGhost said:
I just don't understand the appeal. None of the thrill of a bike, almost all of the danger. For similar money, pick up a miata and enjoy open-air motoring with a cage around you (or buy a proper bike).
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The guy I know has both a motorcycle and the Canam, and to be honest even when there is custom bikes around the Spyder gets way more attention by the general public...I guess the appeal is its different and not that popular, so a for a lot of people when they see one in person, its the first time they have ever seen one...
 
The one time I rode one, I tried to take a corner at the recommended speed. The thing literally tried to throw me off mid corner.

Never riding one again.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2
 
GreyGhost said:
I just don't understand the appeal. None of the thrill of a bike, almost all of the danger. For similar money, pick up a miata and enjoy open-air motoring with a cage around you (or buy a proper bike).
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Considering that Baby-Boomers are hitting their retirement years with a lot of money, it does have an appeal to an older market...a 'motorcycle' without the risk, perhaps? There were definitely more 'experienced' folks and families at the display.
 
A local dealer gave me one for the afternoon,I would say when riding a straight line it feels like a motorbike but cornering is boring,don't lean just turn the bars. I actually find it to be a pretty dull ride but I think my wife liked it as it probably feels less scarey as a passenger.I had the big touring model,and I am about 6 foot 1,' not a real big guy and I found it realy cramped.If I'm gonna be cramped I'd rather be in a little spitfire or mgb, they are a whole lotta fun, you're doing 60 and it feels like a hundred.I guess by definition the spyder is a motorbike, but then my wife thinks I'm handsome, it's all in the eye of the beholder.
 
I too, was surprised at the amount of ppl at the CanAm display.

They found a niche, all the power to them.
 
Considering that Baby-Boomers are hitting their retirement years with a lot of money, it does have an appeal to an older market...a 'motorcycle' without the risk, perhaps? There were definitely more 'experienced' folks and families at the display.
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that's a crock - the appeal with the CanAm is in Quebec where it can be ridden all year as it's okay in the snow.
AFAIK it has little or no appeal to two wheel riders for the reasons mentioned. It's awkward and ungainly.
Ride in Quebec - you'll see lots - it's where it's made and it's useful for longer season riding.

Goldwing riders have a high average age and of necessity a high income...so what.

Goldwing Owners Forum
www.goldwingowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2226&page... - Cached
Page 9- how old were you Honda Goldwing Forum General Discussion. ... The
average age on this Gold Wing Owners board is 56. Oldest is 76 ...
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and that is higher than the Spyder owners. Expensive bikes of any sort ( outside SS ) will tend to have higher owner ages for both monetary and insurance reasons.

What ever floats your boat is fine but I don't consider the CanAm a bike and as a note in the CanAm forum said - most bike riders don't like them.
 
I thought the feds revamped the enclosure laws on M/Cs a few years ago but of course provinces can overrule. The Quebec T-Rex looks cooler IMO but doesn't meet Ontario regs due to side by side seating, a steering wheel and roof.
The Spyder doesn't do anything for me. The rider looks like someone trying to hump a snowmobile.
The pleasure of a M/C is the balance of flowing through a curve in harmony with gravity, not fighting it.
I'd accept a sidecar rig because of the off beat nature but the interest in a Spyder seems to come from people wanting to pretend to be bikers.
When my 2 wheel days are over I'll be looking at Miatas or the like.
PS I see a lot of Spyders in the USA.
 
Well my wife has one and loves it. After low-siding on her Vulcan to avoid a Truck in her lane (surgery and broken ankle) she never felt comfortable back on two wheels. The Spyder solved all that.

I still prefer my V-Strom and I find the Spyder difficult to ride but she has no problems. She has a full M license from her 2 wheel days.

You do lean into a corner on a Spyder, it does help because even with the power steering riding the twisties can be quite a workout.

We like to travel allot and not on 400 series highways and the excessive storage on the Spyder affords us 3-4 day trips with gear, food and clothing. Going to Horton's drive thru with me as the "b**tch" always turns a few heads. That's probably the real downside to riding with one of these. You cannot stop anywhere without someone coming up and asking "How do like your Spyder".

We are younger baby boomers and we are still waiting for the "lots of money" mentioned above. But the Spyder is not cheap but it is well placed in the market and competes primarily with Gold Wings and to a certain extent the $39K Harley trike. CanAM does know their market.

Is it a motorcycle? Does it matter, don't buy one then!!
John
 
Shows that most owners (who responded) are over 40 and earn more than 100K a year.
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which as I said is lower than the Wing forum age substantially and as I said any expensive ride other than SS would be the same.
Income is irrelevant....would apply to all expensive toys.
 
I know or have known a couple guys that have them. In both cases the reason they bought them was because they were life long riders whose knees had deteriorated to the point where they could no longer hold up their bikes. Having a Spyder allowed them to keep riding.
 
:toothy3:IMO would rather ride the can am spyder before a scooter. At least its a cool looking ride that will garner much attention as johnnyp636 has said,

View attachment 30856

no contest!!!Keep in mind this is just my opinion:toothy3:
 
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I am just conveying my opinion thats it and am entitled to it this is a public forum remember.

How do I ride irresponsibly?

I do no different than the majority of riders on this forum on group rides, I go with the flow whatever that may be or fast or slow.So don't get your knickers in a knot Dave

If I offended you directly I apologize
 
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