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Have any of you guys seen or ridden a Can Am Spyder?
What do you think? Is it just an oddity or novelty like other trikes>
Or is it a compelling alternative to 2-wheelers by providing more comfort and stability?

Okay I demoed one last Sunday so its about time I do a write up.

The first impression that I got from the Sypder was, its different than anything else you will see on the road. It looks like a cross between a Sea Doo and a Skidoo one of the demo guys was joking that they called it the Road Doo. It has a futuristic look but is largely plastic feeling.
The machine is deceptively large, it doesn't feel that wide when your on it. And one of the problems they have had on Demos are people hanging too far over to one side or the other. This is a machine that can only be ridden in the middle of the lane.

It has a 900 something CC rotax v twin thats quiet at idle but has a nice growl. It spins up quite nicely. The layout is different. There is a very light hydraulic clutch that I could not get a good feel from. And no front brake lever!

All 3 wheels share 1 brake lever located at your right foot. This is a linked abs system with traction control.
There is a conventional 1 down 5 up tranny with one difference there is reverse under first that somehow you how to pull in the clutch and push up a reverse lever with the same left hand and then hit the trans down half a click. Not easy.

We started with a simple cone course to get the feeling of the machine. It felt like a sled, the only thing that didn't was the fact that it wasn't a CVT trans so we all kept stalling out. And it was odd to only have the rear brake. I rarely use my rear brake so this took some real thought. I'm not sure why they didn't give us a normal 2 levers. I'm still not sure if this is marketed to existing riders or non bike people.

We got to do a nice long 30 minute demo in which we really moved. It had plenty of power as quite a few long burnout marks in Gilford will attest too. The sypder would comfortable fly along at 60 or crawl at 10 both in second gear, so top speed must be really high.It can corner, but remember that you steer into a corner instead of leaning and counter steering.

Which brings me to my complaints. I ride sleds all winter, and detest 4 wheelers. This machine had the absolute worst traits of the both combined and put on the road. Yes it will turn but I could hang my butt all the way off to one side like you do on a sled and it just wouldn't matter the suspension was quad like. And the steering was quite jerky, I could live with both these problems. The big deal in my eyes was a completely overbearing computer system. Turn the handlebars too far for your speed and motor kicks out. Try and power slide the motor kicks out. Spin the rear wheel and the motor kicks out. Try and one front tire more than 2 mm off the pavement.. and you guessed over bearing computer to the rescue. Rest your foot on the brake lever that was mounted way too high and 45 seconds later your in limphome mode at 30 mph, that would be fun in the desert 500 miles from a dealer. Couple that with the computer running the brakes and the traction control and I wasn't sure who was in control me or Hal 2000.

The sypder was different, but I fail to see a real market for it. 14k for machine that well I couldn't really see what it was meant to do. It has a trunk but no way to mount saddle bags. Its quick but not wild enough to be a sport machine. And it cruises with a V twin, but no way would you fit in with any pack. And I don't like that the special tires will only be available at Can-am dealers, that will be expensive.

I enjoyed the test ride but once I got back on my sprint I started thinking about how a motorcycle works and why I ride something with 2 wheels. And concluded that I wouldn't buy one. That and trying to remember how to ride a bike after 30 minutes of having to do everything wrong.

Well that concludes my longest post ever. I apologize for any and all spelling and grammar errors.

In my eyes yes.
You nailed it there.

Dill, thanks for the detailed review!

I saw one of these at a bike event the other day, and immediately discounted it as an oddity like most trikes. In retrospect, I wish I had spent more time looking at it.

Your comments about the computer control systems echo my original concerns exactly. Why does anything need so much electronic wizardry? It's like Big Brother deciding how you can ride it. Plus I'm guessing if it fails the Spyder may be unstable, and/or EXPENSIVE to repair.

That being said, in the days of $3+ gasoline, this may be a compelling alternative to inexpensive transportation to people that just aren't up to a 2-wheeled motorcycle. The 3 wheels probably make it all the more stable, especially in somewhat inclement weather.

Thanks again Dill!

Thanks for the review. I've always liked trikes and had high hopes for this one, but now those hopes are dashed, dashed I tell you!