Too many Can-Am Spyder on the roads in Quebec!

[kingoffleece]

Maybe I'm the only one here with Spyder experience?  Having been on snowmobiles since I was 9 I've had a blast on Spyders.

They've come a LONG way since I rode the first road worthy prototypes many years ago.  They really scoot and corner now and while you needn't lean with them it's a whole lot more fun to do so.

It's most definitely not a motorcycle but much easier to ride quickly than a hack, which I also have 1000's of miles on.  Not nearly as cool, though IMO.

My friends dealership sells plenty to older riders who no longer feel comfortable holding up a bike or the wife is uncomfortable with HIM holding up the bike.  Hey, it is what it is.  There is a whole subset of much younger riders who mod the heck out of them-very similar to the Hayabusa custom crowd in attitude.

Would I own one?  That wasn't the question, but no, not for me.  My V7, Tiger 1050, and hopefully soon to be Norge push the right buttons.  I will add that every time I'm stopped somewhere and Spyder riders show up (enough times to get a fair and representive sample I think) when asked the owners will be very positive in their comments.

[Trevor G]

Never been a fan of trikes.  I do understand that trikes are great for people with ailments and disabilities. But to call a trike a motorcycle is silly.

In reverse order: Trikes are not motorcycles but are classified that way because they also aren't cars.  They have similar  safety issues, hence a helmet is required for sensible folk.

I don't have ailments or disabilities and I love our Spyder.  It's tricked out with suspension and perfomance mods. It corners so well that we can consistently and easily lift the inside front wheel when cornering at around-town speeds, which probably gives the same sort of thrill as popping a mono does on two wheels.  Even my wife will do the same on my command with me on the back!

It's hard to explain but it is a real thrill, easily as exciting as motorcycling.  I do both.

[Trevor G]

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).

Well, I guess you ride your Can Am much harder than we do.

WE ride ours hard enough to lift the inside front wheel under spirited cornering.  Even my wife can do that with some encouragement from me on the back.  Neither of us have ever felt like we were being "thrown off".

Perhaps, my friend, you are talking about something of which you have no personal experience??   

In really spirited riding where you don't want to lose time by lifting the front inside wheel you simply weight the front end and lean forward and inwards, just like you do on a bike, to keep it planted.   

[Kev m]

Well, I guess you ride your Can Am much harder than we do.

WE ride ours hard enough to lift the inside front wheel under spirited cornering.  Even my wife can do that with some encouragement from me on the back.  Neither of us have ever felt like we were being "thrown off".

Perhaps, my friend, you are talking about something of which you have no personal experience??   

In really spirited riding where you don't want to lose time by lifting the front inside wheel you simply weight the front end and lean forward and inwards, just like you do on a bike, to keep it planted.   

You are correct, in that I've not ridden one and am repeating what a trusted friend who has ridden then has told me. But yes, he's quite an aggressive rider so that might have something to do with it.

It's likely we're different only on the perceived significance of the forces we're discussing, no?

Related question...Do any of the current models incorporate any ability for the machine to tilt or have they made any changes to the front end?

To some extent the fact that you're sometimes lifting the inside wheel is a testament to the forces I'm describing no? And logic dictates that if you're not feeling them, then simply increasing speeds would do the trick.

 I can understand why leaning in the seat, even if the machine doesn't really tilt would have an effect on the ergonomics.

And you have to admit there are differences between it and a car for those reasons.

I also have heard it compared to snow mobiles, which I do have experience with and most certainly occupied a similar place/experience which was not quite bike or car.

[Aaron D.]

Why in the world would anyone care if someone else is riding a Spyder? Just wave and be done with it.

Not for me, but the people on them seem to like them.

[Subdewd]

I once saw a hacked up Chrysler K car in Salem IL. where
the owner "engineer" replaced the rear axle with a single
wheel. I guess he wanted a can am but couldn't justify
the cash outlay.  I tried to do a quick u turn to tail him to get
details but got caught at a traffic signal. I can only hope
it was registered as a motorcycle.

[Lannis]

Why in the world would anyone care if someone else is riding a Spyder? Just wave and be done with it.

Discussion board.   Something to discuss.   Doesn't really have to be "about" anything, or "caring" .....

Lannis

[atavar]

Why in the world would anyone care if someone else is riding a Spyder? Just wave and be done with it.

Not for me, but the people on them seem to like them.

I care because in my experience the drivers of those are as a class unskilled and inexperienced drivers.  I avoid them like the plague on the road.  The people that have them seem to think that they can just drive them like a car, and I suspect they are not really that good at driving a car. 
I am sure there are some very good CanAm drivers out there, but by and large the best thing to do is to stay away from them. 
Don't even get me started on the mid-life-crisis motorcycle owners.. 

Yes, I am a curmudgeon.

[Aaron D.]

Yes, Lannis, I am discussing it.

Atavar, in a world of texting drivers looking at their phones while lighting a cigarette, I'd rather be in a crowd of trike riders who at least will likely notice motorcyclists as they ride along.

[Yukonica]

I'm not mentally ready to return to 3 wheels but it would extend my riding season so I'm not ruling out the possibility in my future.
Its' the end of August and the snow is already creeping down the mountains. Soon My commute will be back to 4 wheeled vehicles and riding will be restricted after work hours if the conditions merit it.

CanAm vs hack is worth pondering. I haven't been on either. I like the concept of a Ural but I've read driving sidecars is really very physical and the whole point of going down that road is based on not having the 'energy' to safely ride on two wheels... CanAm may be the fresh air machine of choice.

As for earlier three wheels? I had a blast on my tricycle as a kid.

[MGPilot]

A couple of guys I know have SlingShots. Really like them. In WA state, if it has seatbelts and a steering wheel, it's not a motorcycle. So no motorcycle license or helmets needed. Where a CanAm would be considered a 3-wheeled motorcycle and requires license/helmet.

[nunzio]

They could be leaning because it's FUN to lean!!!!

[atavar]

Yes, Lannis, I am discussing it.

Atavar, in a world of texting drivers looking at their phones while lighting a cigarette, I'd rather be in a crowd of trike riders who at least will likely notice motorcyclists as they ride along.

From what I see they are so self involved that they notice nothing.  The CanAm drivers I have seen for example are the *worst* drivers for driving in to an oncoming turn lane during a left hand turn.  You would think they would be extra careful at avoiding head-on situations but in reality this is not the case.  They instead opt for doing anything they can to expand the turning radius on a corner. 

[grinmaul]

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 wonder what they classify the 2 wheel drive Ural?

The spyder in middle ontario seems to be mostly ridden by the elderly and the very overweight. i would like to play around on one, always wanted a street snowmobile.


I am still undecided what i am going to do when the time comes, that is a long way away and who knows what will be available. but if i had to stop 2 wheels today, my choice would be sidecar, then maybe spyder, but i think a nice AC Cobra kit car would be a heck of a lot of fun:)

[atavar]

I agree, I see no reason to tempt fate to smack me down.  When I get to the point that I physically cannot M/C some snazzy convertible roadster really sounds like the way to go.  Can you say Kompressor?

[biking sailor]

A couple of guys I know have SlingShots. Really like them. In WA state, if it has seatbelts and a steering wheel, it's not a motorcycle. So no motorcycle license or helmets needed. Where a CanAm would be considered a 3-wheeled motorcycle and requires license/helmet.

SO in Washington state the Slingshot is considered not a motorcycle, but is it considered a car?  Or is it a motorcycle that just doesn'y requie "drivers" to have a MC endorsement.  I've read several articles on them and the subject usually comes up "what are they".  I believe the concensus was the manufacturuer wanted it to be classified a motorcycle, since they don't have air bags, and crumple zone requirements like regular cars.  How do they get over that in Washington?

Disclosure, in my mind a Slingshot is a car (steering wheel, gas/brake/clutch pedals, seat with seat belt, arm rest, center console with gear shift lever just like any small car), only with one wheel in back.  Sort of like the Elio thing, or other multitudes of three wheeled cars from the past.

[ITSec]

SO in Washington state the Slingshot is considered not a motorcycle, but is it considered a car?  Or is it a motorcycle that just doesn'y requie "drivers" to have a MC endorsement.  I've read several articles on them and the subject usually comes up "what are they".  I believe the concensus was the manufacturuer wanted it to be classified a motorcycle, since they don't have air bags, and crumple zone requirements like regular cars.  How do they get over that in Washington?

Disclosure, in my mind a Slingshot is a car (steering wheel, gas/brake/clutch pedals, seat with seat belt, arm rest, center console with gear shift lever just like any small car), only with one wheel in back.  Sort of like the Elio thing, or other multitudes of three wheeled cars from the past.

Federal law - the Slingshot is a motorcycle.

State law - varies widely by state, so much that Polaris put up a web page where you can look up the applicable regulation. http://www.polaris.com/en-us/slingshot/license-requirements

My opinion - if you can come out/off of the vehicle in a fall, roll or collision and the vehicle does not have protections for you (i.e., roll bar), then it's a motorcycle and helmet laws apply.

[Kev m]

My opinion - if you can come out/off of the vehicle in a fall, roll or collision and the vehicle does not have protections for you (i.e., roll bar), then it's a motorcycle and helmet laws apply.

I like that definition - it's reasonable.

Auto = vehicle with crash ratings, seat belts, etc.

Cycle = vehicle without crash ratings or restraints - crash protection is the purview of the operator/rider.

 

[BRIO]

I agree, I see no reason to tempt fate to smack me down.  When I get to the point that I physically cannot M/C some snazzy convertible roadster really sounds like the way to go.  Can you say Kompressor?

Yet another SLK reference from you. You may have to go out and buy one at this rate. Just don't do what I did. Get it with the manual...

[atavar]

Yet another SLK reference from you. You may have to go out and buy one at this rate. Just don't do what I did. Get it with the manual...

Nah, I want the AMG with the paddle shifters..   
Hey, it is cheaper than a comparable Caddilac..

[Penderic]

What? Do I have to be sober too? Dang.

[Tom]

Youse......guys are overthinking it.  A car made and/or sold in the U.S. has to meet FED DOT requirements for a car.  The Slingshot and Spyder are not cars.  However as a motorcycle, the states can and have modified their laws for their state as to how that 3 wheel motorcycle use is governed.  Which brings up another thing.  Since it's registered in one state that is not a helmet state, guess what happens when you cross into a helmet state?  Can you say "ticket time".    Yes......argue with the cop on the side of the road.

[oldbike54]

 Well hell fellas , Kaybec is the spiritual home of the Spyder , it is pronounced "Bomb bar dee aay" after all 

Out of state customer to young female at the Dairy Queen in Nacogdoches Texas , "How do you pronounce the name of this place ?" Her reply "D a i r y Q u e e n " 

  Dusty

[jas67]

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

They remind me of the Batmobile.

[jas67]

Related question...Do any of the current models incorporate any ability for the machine to tilt or have they made any changes to the front end?

They have a new model, the F3, which has a much lower seat height, and forward controls.   That might handle better with a lower CG, though, I think that BRP is just trying to appeal to the feat forward crowd from the looks of this marketing pic.



That said, I'm inclined to think that when I can no longer hold up a two wheeler, I might just buy a BMW Z4, Miata or other roadster, but, I also might be willing to give a Spyder a go.

[jas67]

I like that definition - it's reasonable.

Auto = vehicle with crash ratings, seat belts, etc.

Cycle = vehicle without crash ratings or restraints - crash protection is the purview of the operator/rider.

 

Yep.   The Elio is also considered a "motorcycle" despite the enclosed cabin.

[rodekyll]

But the elio still doesn't exist.  This from their website:


** No money or other consideration is being solicited at this time, and if sent in to Elio Motors, will not be accepted. No offer to buy securities of Elio Motors can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until Elio Motor’s offering statement is qualified. Any such offer to buy securities may be withdrawn or revoked, without obligation or commitment of any kind, at any time before notice of its acceptance is given after the qualification date. Any indications of interest in Elio Motor’s offering involves no obligation or commitment of any kind. Elio Motors filed its offering statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 28, 2015.

This little fella on the other hand DOES exist.  I photographed one on Whidbey Island two weeks ago, having seen it a year earlier but couldn't leave the ferry queue to catch it:

https://www.google.com/search?q=nmg+car&biw=1221&bih=588&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI_Nqx_oHXxwIVjaSICh3AcAKA&dpr=1.3

[Kev m]

Yep.   The Elio is also considered a "motorcycle" despite the enclosed cabin.

Enclosed cabin doesn't equal meeting any crash standards.

I see that as a problem since it will hold you in place in a crash... That might be as dumb as a motorcycle with a seatbelt.

[jas67]

This little fella on the other hand DOES exist.  I photographed one on Whidbey Island two weeks ago, having seen it a year earlier but couldn't leave the ferry queue to catch it:

https://www.google.com/search?q=nmg+car&biw=1221&bih=588&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI_Nqx_oHXxwIVjaSICh3AcAKA&dpr=1.3

The fact that the MSRP of the Myers is twice that of the Elio speaks to the improbability of the Elios ever actually attaining that $6,800 MSRP.   That said, the Myers is electric, which would make it cost more.

[rodekyll]

Add a potted begonia to the roof of the NMG and you could claim the design was by Dr Seuss.   

The owner claimed 70 minutes @80mph/4-hr recharge.  He was ahead of my car getting onto the highway and scooted right on up to the speed limit -- no lack of power.