Author Topic: Too many Can-Am Spyder on the roads in Quebec! (Read 21993 times)

Steph · « **on:** August 30, 2015, 05:54:09 AM »

Just spent 3 weeks back home in Quebec, way too many Can-Am Spyder on the street -it's like Toyota Prius in London.
Must be catering for those with snowmobile withdrawal!

rodekyll · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2015, 06:03:52 AM »

It's the snow machine choice for the climate conscious Canadian.

AJ Huff · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2015, 07:17:42 AM »

Very very popular here.

-AJ

nick949 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2015, 07:23:29 AM »

National toy of Quebec - and you don't even have to dress like a gay pirate, unlike most of the bike riders.

Nick

Lannis · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2015, 07:31:41 AM »

Quote from: nick949 on August 30, 2015, 07:23:29 AM

National toy of Quebec - and you don't even have to dress like a gay pirate, unlike most of the bike riders.

Nick

Big jacked-up 4WD pickups are the state toy of our region.

In southern PA, you see a lot of these side-by-side ATVs running around.

Neither of those are motorcycles either.

Lannis

Steph · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2015, 08:02:51 AM »

Quote from: nick949 on August 30, 2015, 07:23:29 AM

National toy of Quebec - and you don't even have to dress like a gay pirate, unlike most of the bike riders.

Nick

It was kind of funny seeing them at intersections, slowing down to a crawl with the old lady at the back leaning way over to the right to make the corner. Thought to myself, wow, how long did it take her to figure out how much to lean-in

atavar · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2015, 08:16:29 AM »

I don't know about you all but I find them rather frightening. What we actually have here is a generation of people without the skills to ride a motorcycle who go out and by this motorcycle shaped object thinking that it is safer or easier to ride. Then they jump in to traffic with no training and without learning the skills they need to ride the machine properly and expect everyone else on the road to watch out for them.
I do know that riding a trike is completely different from riding a motorcycle and that trikes can be even more risky to ride than motorcycles if ridden ineptly. I can see how a trike would be a blast to ride if the rider had the skills and training to ride it properly.
Granted i am completely ignorant about the machines, I have never ridden one and have no close friends who ride one. I don't even know if they require motorcycle endorsement on your operators license.
Any feedback from owners or people in the know would help educate me. Are these machines classified as a motorcycle or tricycle? Do the state and the insurance companies agree on their classification?

Kev m · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2015, 08:33:33 AM »

From what I understand they are very stable and nothing like traditional trikes. But they're also not like motorcycles as you don't lean to turn them which is actually a problem in fast curves as there is nothing but your arm and leg strength to counteract the force which is trying to throw you off the machine to the outside of the curve. If anyone is leaning perhaps they're doing so to try and counteract that force.

unclepete · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2015, 11:59:24 AM »

I know a guy who's been riding one for several years . Life long biker , mid seventies , has a couple of Ducs in the garage .
Don't remember what ailment prompted it , but he got to where he no longer wanted to put too much stress on his legs holding up a bike . So he rides the Spyder , and the Ducatis stay at home .
He told me there was considerable resentment from younger motorcycle riders toward his Spyder . I asked why . He felt that mostly people don't want to face the reality of aging ; don't want to see where they're headed ; same reason we don't like visiting old folk's homes or hospitals , graveyards or morgues .
I've got a sidecar under a tarp for when the time comes .

Lannis · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2015, 12:11:09 PM »

Quote from: unclepete on August 30, 2015, 11:59:24 AM

He felt that mostly people don't want to face the reality of aging ; don't want to see where they're headed ; same reason we don't like visiting old folk's homes or hospitals , graveyards or morgues .
I've got a sidecar under a tarp for when the time comes .

I'm going to get a sidecar at some point - first to ride the dog in, then for my son to ride ME in ....

I see people denying the reality of aging all the time - it's been the bane of my existence trying to deal with the family members in the generation ahead of me. Don't want to admit that things are "slowing down", don't want to admit that they can't really take care of themselves, don't want to make any plans for the future except "I'm going to exist just like I am now, forever."

I visit nursing homes and assisted living homes all the time, even take my granddaughters to them, the old folks love toddlers. We decorate graves a couple times a year.

None of us are getting out of this alive; might as well face up to it like a man .....

But nothing wrong with discussing Can-Ams on here. We talk about watches, guns, SUVs, boats, all sorts of other non-motorcycle-related stuff - people have varied interests on WG ....

Lannis

tiger_one · « **Reply #10 on:** August 30, 2015, 12:13:49 PM »

Saw two Slingshots yesterday at a Cracker Barrel, they got a lot of attention. Looked like a small space ship on wheels pulling out.

Hymes Inc. · « **Reply #11 on:** August 30, 2015, 12:33:07 PM »

Never been a fan of trikes. To me anything with more then two wheels is not a motorcycle, its a car. Sidecars I do count as the exception because you can take the sidecar off and you still have a motorcycle. I do understand that trikes are great for people with ailments and disabilities. But to call a trike a motorcycle is silly.

Guido Valvole · « **Reply #12 on:** August 30, 2015, 12:46:28 PM »

When it gets to *that* point, I'll scrounge up a TriKing or something similar. (Guzzi content

)
If you check videos of (original) Morgans racing, vintage sidecar races in the UK from what I've seen, the passenger does play monkey a bit.
cr

redrider90 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 30, 2015, 12:48:40 PM »

Quote from: Hymes Inc. on August 30, 2015, 12:33:07 PM

But to call a trike a motorcycle is silly.

Except when you T-bone the cage that pulls out in front of you. Then the trike rider flies over the handle bar just like the 2 wheeler.

mgfan · « **Reply #14 on:** August 30, 2015, 01:48:13 PM »

Never mind leaning on a trike. I see more and more cagers leaning when going around a corner! Not only do they lose perspective of where they are in their lane, but can't see down the raod properly either!

rodekyll · « **Reply #15 on:** August 30, 2015, 02:35:57 PM »

A trike is not a bike, but a motor trike is a motor cycle.

Tom · « **Reply #16 on:** August 30, 2015, 02:59:59 PM »

Trikes are considered motorcycles by the states. Don't know of any that give them a separate vehicle status for title and registration. Of course, if you show up for your motorcycle riders test they could reject your vehicle.

.

Kev m · « **Reply #17 on:** August 30, 2015, 04:04:31 PM »

Motor cycle = motor driven cycle, not BIcycle like BI as in 2.

I think fed regulations are anything under 4 wheels is a motorcycle, and most (or all now) states share the definition.

Obviously it's different than a traditional two wheeler in many aspects, but it shares most of the open air experience, the risk, the need and/or state laws for gear.

To call them a car is therefore silly.

But no one is asking you to like them or not recognize the differences between them and most motorcycles.

AJ Huff · « **Reply #18 on:** August 30, 2015, 04:17:57 PM »

It must be a regional thing. I would estimate 10% of all motorcycles I see peer week are trikes. During the week that can be as high as quarter. I see maybe a dozen Can Am Spyders a week. Two or three slingshots.

-AJ

redrider90 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 30, 2015, 04:27:42 PM »

Quote from: Tom on August 30, 2015, 02:59:59 PM

Trikes are considered motorcycles by the states. Don't know of any that give them a separate vehicle status for title and registration. Of course, if you show up for your motorcycle riders test they could reject your vehicle. .

Is there a state that classifies a 3 wheeler separate than a two wheeler? I googled MC tests in a 6 states real quick and all of them treated 3 wheelers as Motorcycles that take the same test as a 2 wheeler.

I'll answer my own question. Penn has a 2 wheel and a 3 wheel MC license. So you get a restriction "9" and all can drive is a 3 wheeler. If you have a stand MC license without a restriction you can ride both 2 and 3 wheeler. So there is at least one state that has separate licenses for 2 vs 3 wheeler.

atavar · « **Reply #20 on:** August 30, 2015, 04:37:27 PM »

When the time comes I plan to switch to a convertible roadster. Might as well be honest about it. An SLK or even a Miata would attract me a lot more than a trike.

ITSec · « **Reply #21 on:** August 30, 2015, 06:33:18 PM »

Quote from: Tom on August 30, 2015, 02:59:59 PM

Trikes are considered motorcycles by the states. Don't know of any that give them a separate vehicle status for title and registration. Of course, if you show up for your motorcycle riders test they could reject your vehicle. .

Actually, the state by state differences are messy and annoying. To show how silly they can be, here in Nevada a Harley trike is NOT a motorcycle (two driven wheels in back, doncha know) while a CanAm Spyder (much better stability and handling, especially when cornering) is a motorcycle. Hunhhh? Even a Polaris Slingshot is a motorcycle in Nevada, what with its steering wheel and stickshift - because it has a single driven rear wheel.

I used to use snowmobiles a lot - they were our only transportation for six months every winter when I lived in a bush community in northern Manitoba. I raced them too, though not seriously. I'd take a Spyder over any other 3-wheeled vehicle, but its a snowmobile with wheels, not a motorcycle. After all, who is CanAm? Bombardier Recreational Vehicles, same people as SkiDoo - one of the originators of the snowmobile.

Dave Bell · « **Reply #22 on:** August 30, 2015, 06:45:50 PM »

Quote from: nick949 on August 30, 2015, 07:23:29 AM

National toy of Quebec - and you don't even have to dress like a gay pirate, unlike most of the bike riders.

Nick

I love it. I always say (in my head) that there are a lot of Pirates out today......

ITSec · « **Reply #23 on:** August 30, 2015, 06:54:01 PM »

Quote from: Dave Bell on August 30, 2015, 06:45:50 PM

I love it. I always say (in my head) that there are a lot of Pirates out today......

Pirates and spacemen, hmmm?

(Channeling Shawn Phillips...)

Joy is at the end of hoping, happiness is there some days,
Jesus told me I'm a spaceman, and I believe in every word he says!

canuguzzi · « **Reply #24 on:** August 30, 2015, 08:20:54 PM »

Quote from: redrider90 on August 30, 2015, 04:27:42 PM

Is there a state that classifies a 3 wheeler separate than a two wheeler? I googled MC tests in a 6 states real quick and all of them treated 3 wheelers as Motorcycles that take the same test as a 2 wheeler.

I'll answer my own question. Penn has a 2 wheel and a 3 wheel MC license. So you get a restriction "9" and all can drive is a 3 wheeler. If you have a stand MC license without a restriction you can ride both 2 and 3 wheeler. So there is at least one state that has separate licenses for 2 vs 3 wheeler.

Several states require you obtain a motorcycle license to operate a Can-Am. Why, is beyond reason as the skills are not transferable. While you might wear a helmet and similar riding gear, they do not handle like trikes or motorcycles, they occupy space differently in that you stay in lane position not moving within the lane and so on.

In California you don't need a special license other than to drive a car but cross the border into Oregon and you need a motorcycle license.

To be covered, have a motorcycle license and you're good for just about all contingencies.

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #25 on:** August 30, 2015, 08:44:49 PM »

We have a spider dealer here in town and a rally every summer. Most local "bikers" are still duped by the HD "lifestyle" bullshit.

Trevor G · « **Reply #26 on:** August 30, 2015, 08:52:23 PM »

Quote from: Kev m on August 30, 2015, 08:33:33 AM

From what I understand they are very stable and nothing like traditional trikes.

True

Quote

But they're also not like motorcycles as you don't lean to turn them which is actually a problem in fast curves as there is nothing but your arm and leg strength to counteract the force which is trying to throw you off the machine to the outside of the curve.

It's no different to a car. Do you have trouble when cornering in a car with "the force which is trying to throw you off the machine to the outside of the curve"?

I think not.

Kev m · « **Reply #27 on:** August 30, 2015, 09:04:00 PM »

Quote from: Trevor G on August 30, 2015, 08:52:23 PM

True

It's no different to a car. Do you have trouble when cornering in a car with "the force which is trying to throw you off the machine to the outside of the curve"?

I think not.

Think again my friend.

The difference between it and a car is in ergonomics.

In a car you're IN a seat, with a seat belt, and bolsters. And the seat bolsters are larger/more aggressive on a performance car that is meant to corner harder.

The Can-Am has a traditional motorcycle seat. A perch on which you sit, with no additional belting or bracing to fight the cornering forces (which I already explained you don't have to fight to remain in the seat of a traditional motorcycle because of the lean).

Trevor G · « **Reply #28 on:** August 31, 2015, 03:16:39 AM »

Quote from: atavar on August 30, 2015, 08:16:29 AM

I don't know about you all but I find them rather frightening. What we actually have here is a generation of people without the skills to ride a motorcycle who go out and by this motorcycle shaped object thinking that it is safer or easier to ride. Then they jump in to traffic with no training and without learning the skills they need to ride the machine properly and expect everyone else on the road to watch out for them.

It's especially good fun watching them paddle with their feet as they take off, just like a Harley rider. ;-)

They're working on a fluorescent safety vest for Syder riders with two different messages: "Steer clear I'm slow" and "Keep clear, I wobble a lot."

It's no different to driving a car except that you don't have a roof or seat belts.

Tell me, what skills does a Spyder rider need in traffic which he doesn't have from driving a car?

Quote

I do know that riding a trike is completely different from riding a motorcycle and that trikes can be even more risky to ride than motorcycles if ridden ineptly. I can see how a trike would be a blast to ride if the rider had the skills and training to ride it properly.

Are you sure?

Quote

Granted i am completely ignorant about the machines, I have never ridden one and have no close friends who ride one. I don't even know if they require motorcycle endorsement on your operators license.

That happens. ;-)

Trevor G · « **Reply #29 on:** August 31, 2015, 03:21:08 AM »

Quote from: unclepete on August 30, 2015, 11:59:24 AM

I know a guy ...He told me there was considerable resentment from younger motorcycle riders toward his Spyder ..

Never encountered any resentment from motorcyclists. Envy maybe... ;-)

My wife (who is in her early 50s) went on several social rides with motorcyclists on sport bikes, including on some twisty roads, and had no problems being accepted.

This was in and out of Phoenix AZ where motorcyclists seem to be extremely friendly

News:

Author Topic: Too many Can-Am Spyder on the roads in Quebec! (Read 21993 times)

Hymes Inc.

Dave Bell

canuguzzi