The Spyder by Can-Am is a newly created trike offering 2-wheels up front with a single wheel in back. This trike has been in production for 10 years and is currently working on the 5th generation bike. The power is gained through a v-twin 990cc liquid cooled, electronic fuel injection motor. The gear box is a 5-speed with an additional reverse gear. All this translates to 106 horsepower and 77 foot-pounds of torque! The Spyder also has 
St
ability Control System (SCS), Traction Control System (TCS) and Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), this adds up to offer Vehicle Stability System
(VSS). The VSS immediately detects any loss of traction and quickly takes steps to correct it. When cornering, should the computers detect one of the front tires is lifting, the motor will automatically be retarded, slowing the bike while maintaining maneuvering safety in the twisties. I almost forgot to mention the Power Steering and 7.13 gallon gas tank. The Spyder weighs in at a nimble 697 pounds. The nervous system of the Spyder consists of 5 individual on-board computers, Electronic Control Units (ECU) monitoring a range of functions, from wheel slippage to digitally encoded security information. These ECU send out 25 tests per second! Even Bill Gates hasn't designed a computer to react that fast! Performance times are 0-60 in well under 5 seconds! All this power equates to about 35mpg, which I feel isn't enough for the touring rider in me. Hopefully Can-Am will offer a 6-speed transmission for those highway speeds which might drop the rpm's in the range of the mid to low 3k. Price.....................($14,995) less than half the cost of a Boss Hoss and Harley-Davidson Trike. Orders are expected to delivered in mid to late September.
Rob's Performance Motor Sports in Johnson Creek, WI had an Open House demo day on Saturday, July 7 and I just had to take a Spyder out to see what all the hype was about. After only 15 miles I learned that this trike had loads of power! Yes it is very quick and the braking system was very good. There isn't a front hand brake. This took a little getting used to. The foot brake not only works the rear brake but the front as well. This is what manufacturers call "linked braking." As for steering in the corners, I still feel I had to muscle through the turns. Being a 2-wheel motorcycle rider, I like to lean into the turns. I noticed at highway speeds the tachometer was well over 4000rpm! I thought my Ultra Classic at 3000rpm was a lot! As for this being a touring machine, I don't think so. I need cruise control, a great sounding radio and lots of storage room. I'm sure it can be done, but as for me motoring the Spyder from Watertown, WI to Rapid City, SD not happening. It is a sport trike and one that can be had for an average price for the list of goodies that are standard features. For someone that is looking at getting a trike to ride, do yourself a favor.....drive one of these before going out and dropping $30,000+ on another manufacturer.
As for me, I'm sticking to my Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic. We have been together for over 4 years and I have not been disappointed.
St
ability Control System (SCS), Traction Control System (TCS) and Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), this adds up to offer Vehicle Stability System
(VSS). The VSS immediately detects any loss of traction and quickly takes steps to correct it. When cornering, should the computers detect one of the front tires is lifting, the motor will automatically be retarded, slowing the bike while maintaining maneuvering safety in the twisties. I almost forgot to mention the Power Steering and 7.13 gallon gas tank. The Spyder weighs in at a nimble 697 pounds. The nervous system of the Spyder consists of 5 individual on-board computers, Electronic Control Units (ECU) monitoring a range of functions, from wheel slippage to digitally encoded security information. These ECU send out 25 tests per second! Even Bill Gates hasn't designed a computer to react that fast! Performance times are 0-60 in well under 5 seconds! All this power equates to about 35mpg, which I feel isn't enough for the touring rider in me. Hopefully Can-Am will offer a 6-speed transmission for those highway speeds which might drop the rpm's in the range of the mid to low 3k. Price.....................($14,995) less than half the cost of a Boss Hoss and Harley-Davidson Trike. Orders are expected to delivered in mid to late September.Rob's Performance Motor Sports in Johnson Creek, WI had an Open House demo day on Saturday, July 7 and I just had to take a Spyder out to see what all the hype was about. After only 15 miles I learned that this trike had loads of power! Yes it is very quick and the braking system was very good. There isn't a front hand brake. This took a little getting used to. The foot brake not only works the rear brake but the front as well. This is what manufacturers call "linked braking." As for steering in the corners, I still feel I had to muscle through the turns. Being a 2-wheel motorcycle rider, I like to lean into the turns. I noticed at highway speeds the tachometer was well over 4000rpm! I thought my Ultra Classic at 3000rpm was a lot! As for this being a touring machine, I don't think so. I need cruise control, a great sounding radio and lots of storage room. I'm sure it can be done, but as for me motoring the Spyder from Watertown, WI to Rapid City, SD not happening. It is a sport trike and one that can be had for an average price for the list of goodies that are standard features. For someone that is looking at getting a trike to ride, do yourself a favor.....drive one of these before going out and dropping $30,000+ on another manufacturer.
As for me, I'm sticking to my Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic. We have been together for over 4 years and I have not been disappointed.
