First impression: Can-Am Spyder motorcycle

Consumer Reports staffers had a chance to sample a few bikes at a recent driving event outside New York. This is part two of three. Also see our first impressions of the Aprillia 850 Mana.

Can-Am Spyder
The Can-Am Spyder is a three-wheeled bike with two in front and one giant wheel in back. The Spyder is made by Bombardier Recreational Products, which also makes Ski-Doo snowmobiles and Sea-Doo watercraft. It uses a 106-hp, 998 cc Rotax V-twin engine and belt drive, and it is available with either a five-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission. It even has a reverse gear and standard electronic stability control. It weighs 697 pounds.

Base price is $16,199 for the manual transmission model. The CVT adds another $1,500.

Eric Evarts: A Can-Am spokesman told me this bike is meant to attract new riders to cycles. Indeed, as a relatively novice rider, it had looked intriguing to me on the road as a more stable, potentially user-friendly alternative to a motorcycle. But the stability that was attractive standing still turned into a liability in turns. Since the bike doesn’t lean, you really have to. So it’s not an alternative for people with physical disabilities for example. In turns, it’s a really long reach to the far handlebar, and it’s hard to know where its limits are. Clearly, there is a learning curve. Perversely, the new rider in me found it more intimidating than two-wheelers.

Gabe Shenhar: The Can-Am’s width undermines the feeling of riding a bike. The fact that it doesn’t lean further removes the natural flow of man and machine. It is very fast, but only in a straight line. It does not like cornering. In fact it is so reluctant to turn that you have to “help” it by leaning your body outward like on a boat or an ATV, and that requires quite a bit of physical exertion.  To me, there was nothing fun about the Can-Am, or maybe I just didn’t get the point. I was happy to get off of it.

Jim Travers: Riding the Can-Am Spyder is unlike any other vehicle I’ve driven or ridden. The big three-wheeler, with two of those wheels and a lot of weight in front, feels more like a road-going snowmobile than a motorcycle. Fast and powerful, the company says the 106-horsepower engine is good for 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. I don’t doubt them. But in spite of lots of grip, I never felt comfortable in corners. I didn’t push it hard enough to activate electronic stability control, but it still felt disconcerting and twitchy. And the faster I went, the more it felt like work. Some of this was undoubtedly due to my inexperience, but frankly, I’d just as soon take my bikes with two wheels.

Also see our first impression of the Brammo electric motorcycles coming to Best Buy.

Read our scooter and motorcycle buying advice and ratings; watch our video scooter buyer's guide; and check our more motorcycle blogs.

Comments

[Jay]

I'm not trying to be impertinent, but should you not be referring to a 3-wheeler as a "trike" instead of a "bike"?

[mk]

sure would smoke them harley boyz though.

[spyryder]

These reviewers obviously didn't spend much time on a Spyder. It takes a bit getting accustomed to it, especially if you're used to motorcycles. They're a blast to ride! similar in handling to a snowmobile or ATV.

[Michael Stecker]

I've had my Spyder for about a month. Due to the lousy weather I've only put 530 miles on it, but the bike gets more and more fun as you get used to it. There is a definite learning curve and it is really more for those looking for a sporty ride. Probably not really a good beginner's bike, but my wife enjoys riding as a passenger on this where she won't get on my Victory Vegas. It's also been great for commuting to work and its larger size (compared with my motorcycle) greatly increases other's visibility of you.

[George Ostan]

I have had my Spyder for 10 months and have put almost 8,000 miles on it. I can understand the testers critique of the handling in turns, but as other have commented, it's a part of the learning curve. The single most important modification I have made is to install a $230.00 sway bar that has reduced the turning effort, the body motions required and the stability of the front end. I believe that Can-Am should make their sway bar larger as it will make both newbies and experienced riders much more confident from day 1. It's a great machine.

[Alan M]

Being an owner now for almost a year, I can tell you that the three reviewers don't get out too much. The Spyder handles superbly in turns...AND, you lean into the turn, not to the outside, as one of the 'reviewers' said. I guess he wishes not to follow the rules of physics???

You can't judge the Spyder on a 15 minute ride. Try it for a week or two and then make a valid conclusion. It's like nothing out there.

To get a real idea of what a Spyder is like, go to www.spyderlovers.com, a board for Spyder enthusiasts.

I don't wish to be rude but I have to be after reading these 3 short-sighted views...maybe they'll be happier in a Yugo...anyway, the Spyder is a beast, it can be modified in one of hundreds of ways (lots of aftermarket companies now), and the popularity is out of this world. There's a good reason this bike is so popular...it's an amazing ride that puts safety first without compromising fun.

Do yourself a favor and test-ride one...you'll get it...don't listen to the reviewers above...I don't know why they have a bias but I can assure you that they haven't spent much time on a Spyder and obviously don't have a great feel...

Some people (the reviewers)

[BIGGS]

I WAS IN FT.BRAGG CALIF.IN JULY THIS YEAR,MAN AND WOMAN SHOWED UP IN A CAN-AM SPYDER, THEY HAD TO BE IN THERE 70'S, WOW!!

[Mac]

Don't send a sport bike rider out to review a CanAm. I've had mine for several months and over 6,000 miles. I love it AND it corners beautifully.

[Gary Allen]

I have test driven a 2008 model in august 09. Different ride and handling than my HD 883c, but none the less I was impresed
with the performance and ride. I could not get used to the crotch rocket type bars and back controls. I am now viewing a 2009 RT model, that looks like a great improvment for touring.

[Alex del Rosario]

I have been riding all sorts of motorcycles for 40 years. The first time I rode the Spyder, I got intimidated. I can relate to the 3 testers.

Tell you what, the first time I rode two wheels, I felt the same thing, those were scary moments. How many falls, I could not count. But I got up, and mastered it. I also remember my first roller coaster ride. Scary but not anymore, it's all fun after that first stint.

My Spyder has been mastered. Taking the tightest U-turn is a breeze unlike my Gold Wing. You guys ride in the rain? Try it, it's a blast. Loose gravel is not a problem either, it's playground time.

[Kirk]

For clarification, by practical, I meant as a motorcycle. It does look like it satisfies it's niche nicely. It is just not for me.

[Dave]

I rented one of these today. I am an average motorcycle rider with limited 2 years experience on big touring bikes (K1200LT). This is a totally different ride and requires getting use to. I keep reaching for the front brake and find myself turning the wrong way at high speeds. Since you have to lean and turn in the direction you want to go there are some techniques that require detunning in your head. I found I quickly overcame this and find myself wonder if I will remember how to ride a real bike after being on this for a day or two.

Plus side
- Great HP and power curve. The V-Twin kicks butt.
- Lots of looks and attention
- Design of controls are great. everything where you expect them.
- Reverse works great
- Balance during bumps or road debris less of a worry
- ABS

Neg side
- Uncomfortable after 1 or 2 hours == I'm 50 years and find the snowmobile or ATV position a little uncomfortable after a long ride. Good for a commute but cross country I doubt it.
- Engine is tinny sounding like a sport bike. I like either quite and smooth or thundery like a HD. Some like the tone, it's not my taste.

I found my front wheels getting close to curbs and objects. I think this takes some getting use to after riding a bike. I also found it hard to remember there are three tire paths. You can not stradle a pot hole or debris or the rear gets it. All this seems like it would work out in my head in time. If I dont kill myself. I can believe my opinion of the machine would improve in time. For now I prefer a full bagger.

Not a good machine for people with physical limitations. Far reach on bars, requires full lean at speed. It may work ok for city driving for limited riders.

[ShovelheadKevin]

"Posted by: mk | Jun 29, 2009 10:38:11 PM

sure would smoke them harley boyz though."

My response:
Hey MK.......I have a daily driver '79 Shovelhead and I can show you timeslips from the track {Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Ga}with my best this year of 11:70sec @ 134mph.

Bring your 3-wheeler on!!!

[Brian Box]

Hi this bike is awesome. i have done 3000kms and once i got used to it it leaves my mates on KTM's & Suzuki Bandits for DEAD.Round the hills they could not even get near me .Anyone that writes up a story after riding it for 5 minutes has no right to comment.The biggest problem i have is holding it back as it has magic performance.i find that i tend to be riding it at high speed all the time as i am so comfortable on it .Once you learn how to ride it it is like part of you .The only thing i did not find happy with was the price of the add on's which are not cheap,even those i still bought them as my wife felt very safe with the fany back rest .I felt like that she was not even on the bike with me as Jude was usuing the backrest to lean on instead of me.Great Bike i love it and now my Suzuki Boualvard
stays in the shed happy riding
cheers from Boxy

[Brian Box]

Hi George could you please tell me where to get a sway bar for my Spyder as i live in New Zealand and there are not many spyders around and not really any good parts places i may have to import one my email address is [EDIT] and i would appreciate your help
thank you
SPYDERS FOREVER

[Kathy Fletcher]

I have had my Spyder for 8 months and have over 14000 miles on it. Highway and mountain driving - it is all wonderful. I had my Vstar 1100 for 1.5 years and put 1000 miles on it - unstable, uncomfortable for long rides, poor cornering(always scraping the floorboards). Would never consider riding a bike in the rain and wind that I have pushed my Spyder through. This is the right machine for me and probably for many others. My advice - try it more than once, it improves with every try.

[D]

have had riddern mine for 51 hrs now touring stright line nice logn sweepers but go the tight stuff and you soon find out how unstable this is, i have done the shocks that inproved it, next is the sway bar, but then i think the plastic brackets which push
down on the sway bar have a lot to do with the crapie handling.
That said im getting steel eyelet ajustable bolts i reckon this should do it.

[George Ostan]

Hi George could you please tell me where to get a sway bar for my Spyder as i live in New Zealand and there are not many spyders around and not really any good parts places i may have to import one my email address is [EDIT] and i would appreciate your help
thank you
SPYDERS FOREVER

Brian,
Sorry for the delay but I haven't been here in quite a while. The company selling the swaybar is Evoluzione.net and they can be found direct or through Spydertalk.com, sponsors. Good luck