Can-Am Spyder riders.

Wife and I were looking at traveling around Canada over then next few years.

I wanted a Kawi Concours, she liked it but not crazy about it, then see saw the Can-Am commercials, she went; Why not one of those? I went cost more!
She went, cruising Canada on one of those? YES, lets check it out.
So I did the test drive at the Ontario place, liked it.
Told her, it was strange riding it, but enjoyable, and we went looking at dealers.

And bought one. Now she wants to get her bike license so she can ride it also, may have to get a second one :-)
 
I did the demo as well but it was in the rain. Still got a good feel for what a Spyder is and isn't. Handling at first was strange but when I shifted my weight around for turns it started to make sense. Definitely a cool idea for touring.
 
Just watch the gas mileage on your long hauls... it's pretty abysmal - fellow I was chatting with says he gets 28 mpg when being nice, and down to 23 mpg when having some fun on it. About the same as my Ranger pickup truck (i4 engine)!

Otherwise, I've heard they're fantastic all in all.
 
I have an almost fully loaded RT, and during break in I am getting 9l per 100km. thats just over 31mpg.

Not complaining, It's 400kg.

I get about 40mpg on the KLR, whats just over 200 kg, I do tend to keep the right side active :-)
 
My single biggest issue with the Spyder is that it has every negative of a car, like large garage space needed, large price tag, you can't just easily put it in a truck or van, you need a whole lane to ride it in, making going around obstacles harder.........and they also incorporate all of the negatives of a bike , like being out in the elements, and the danger of being vulnerable in a collision with a car.

And they incorporate none of the positives of a car, and none of the positives of a bike. It's almost like their design mission stated that it had to take the negative limitations of driving cars and the negative limitations of riding bikes, all rolled up into one package that had none of the best benefits of either car or bike.

That said, if I were to become disabled, I would buy one, just to stay riding.....or build a Cobra kit car.
 
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Omnivore,

What you are saying is, I believe its bad until I need it.

I have a friend that used to work in Vancouver for a software firm, hated MS/Gates Inc, did not like Italian sports cars.
M$ bought his company, he became a Multi-Millionaire and now drives a Ferrari.
Its all in the timing.
 
^ not sure why or how thats relevant to his argument... he made some good points

On the other hand, riding the Spyder gives you the same open air riding sensation as a motorcycle. They're great for cruising and touring.. I don't see why anyone would buy one for around-town riding so most of the negatives about its size are pointless. Out on the open road the feeling is very similar to bikes and I could easily see myself touring on one. The added size and comfort are great for touring. The power is there and it comes on nice and smooth, the traction control works (I tried my best to defeat it in the rain, the rear would only step out about a foot and then regain traction), and there are lots of available options.

Its heavy on the price only if you compare it to cheaper bikes... but compare it to the big BMW or Honda tourers and its right there.
 
I've read that a number of owners have had problems with their Spyder catching on fire. Google "Can Am Spyder fire" and you'll get a few threads. This for instance. Has CanAm resolved the problem? Or even acknowledged it yet?
 
Did hear about the fires and did some research on it.

The first models GS made in 2005/6/7 did not have enough insulation between the tank and engine / exhaust, could heat up and pressurize the fuel system and catch on fire when riden hard and in hot weather.

None of the newer/later models have that issue, except for one RS I read about where a guy put a turbo on and to make room for a hot turbo removed insulation and had the hot turbo touch the fuel tank. Live and learn.
 
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omnivore said:
My single biggest issue with the Spyder is that it has every negative of a car, like large garage space needed, large price tag, you can't just easily put it in a truck or van, you need a whole lane to ride it in, making going around obstacles harder.........and they also incorporate all of the negatives of a bike , like being out in the elements, and the danger of being vulnerable in a collision with a car.

And they incorporate none of the positives of a car, and none of the positives of a bike. It's almost like their design mission stated that it had to take the negative limitations of driving cars and the negative limitations of riding bikes, all rolled up into one package that had none of the best benefits of either car or bike.

That said, if I were to become disabled, I would buy one, just to stay riding.....or build a Cobra kit car.
Click to expand...

A men!
 
omnivore said:
My single biggest issue with the Spyder is that it has every negative of a car, like large garage space needed, large price tag, you can't just easily put it in a truck or van, you need a whole lane to ride it in, making going around obstacles harder.........and they also incorporate all of the negatives of a bike , like being out in the elements, and the danger of being vulnerable in a collision with a car.

And they incorporate none of the positives of a car, and none of the positives of a bike. It's almost like their design mission stated that it had to take the negative limitations of driving cars and the negative limitations of riding bikes, all rolled up into one package that had none of the best benefits of either car or bike.

That said, if I were to become disabled, I would buy one, just to stay riding.....or build a Cobra kit car.
Click to expand...

Man, if there was ever a blurb to dissuade a person from wanting to buy a Spyder I think you just nailed it on the head... I generally think they are neat but you are right with everything you are saying.
 
KLR-Andy said:
Omnivore,

What you are saying is, I believe its bad until I need it.

I have a friend that used to work in Vancouver for a software firm, hated MS/Gates Inc, did not like Italian sports cars.
M$ bought his company, he became a Multi-Millionaire and now drives a Ferrari.
Its all in the timing.
Click to expand...

What in the wide world of kcuf does this have to do with what Omni typed....which was bang spot on why the Can-am is pointless.
 
He is saying that I chastise the Can Am for all of the negatives it's 3 wheeled stance provides, but would happily engage it if I NEEDED it (eg: if I were crippled etc)....and he is right. It isn't that I would like it, but I would more be inclined to TOLERATE it if my physical well being were hampered too much to ride a 2 wheeler....and even then I might be more inclined to go convertible sports car with sportbike-like performance (eg: Cobra kit car replica)

As a note: I have ridden 2 different Spyders, for a half day each. My dad and I did work on the owner of Team Vincent's place in Ayr, and were invited to take them for a day.
We did. My dad was enthralled and loved it. I was soon bored of it. The best part about it was the attention you got in traffic-May as well drive a red Ferrari with a topless porn star beside you, with the amount of looks you get.
 
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Don't like them at all.
Went on a demo day at Snow City on the RT. Doing a corner, at the speed limit, the bike tried to violently throw me off...
 
You probably didn't lean into the turn ^ it makes all the difference.

If you stay in your normal upright riding position while turning on a Spyder, you definitely feel like it wants to throw you off. You have to lean and slide your butt around, moreso than on a motorcycle.
 
omnivore said:
The best part about it was the attention you got in traffic-May as well drive a red Ferrari with a topless porn star beside you, with the amount of looks you get.
Click to expand...

That was the biggest reason for getting rid of the one I had. The attention was fine to a point, but got to be quite annoying. Too many crowds around the Spyder at just about any stop, not to forget the numerous times people even asking a bunch of questions while at red lights.

Oh and really, the Rotax 993 is not powerful enough. I'd bet that a 250cc bike could out accelerate it.
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