Can Am?

[SpecialK]

Anyone tried these out or have one? I rode on one last Fall (it was bright yellow Nana!)...as a backseater, it seemed to shift smoothly, stop good (LOL) and run quickly..rode pretty good for a straight seat ancient passenger.<br />
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I think it would be difficult to get used to the bulk up front in steering, but that's just a personal thought.<br />
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The trunk held the helmets and I didn't think/remember that it had all that much room for anything else.<br />
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All in all, was fun for a ride - not for us to buy, though.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/go/6823/" target="_blank">Can-Am Spyder roadster: three wheeled motorcycle</a><br />
<br />
Kay

 

[Nana]

Mike test-drove one just for fun last fall too. He loves his harleys, but had the chance to ride one and jumped on it. He said it was fun to ride and easy to steer, but isn't his cup of tea! Funny, I hadn't even seen one except pictures until a month ago, but since have followed or ridden beside two--both driven by guys in their 20's who looked like they were having the time of their lives <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" />. They are really unique looking!

 

[Gorilla]

I test drove one this past February. They took us as a group of test rides on a 15 mile ride. I road both the automatic and the normal shifter models. They were nice riding handled well. They were pretty quick. Storage is not that great, but will store a couple of helmets. My problem with it is the riding position. It is somewhat like a sport bike position just not as far leaning forward, but enough to bother my back. My back was telling me after the 15 miles that it was not happy. Outside of that issue not a bad machine for the money.<br />
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I think it is more designed for the sports rider in mind.

Ted

 

[ben721364]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Nana</strong>
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<div class="message">Mike test-drove one just for fun last fall too. He loves his harleys, but had the chance to ride one and jumped on it. He said it was fun to ride and easy to steer, but isn't his cup of tea! Funny, I hadn't even seen one except pictures until a month ago, but since have followed or ridden beside two--both driven by guys in their 20's who looked like they were having the time of their lives <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" />. They are really unique looking!</div>

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</div>One of my neighbors bought a Can Am Spyder reverse trike to tool around town on and likes it so much he is trying to sell his H-D. Thank goodness! The Spyder has a muffler! <BBG>

 

[SpecialK]

that is a huge part of the HD, isn't it?...the sound :yes: LOL We added midrange pipes for a more...err...true HD effect or so John tells me..okay he writes it to me I can't hear too well right now.

 

[SpecialK]

I agree Trigala. I have a problem on most bikes (not the TG) because I like to sit straight (lower spine). It seems from my <u>very limited </u>knowledge that the TG and Harleys in general seem to put my feet where I want them (I'm 5'6 so like the pegs right where they are - not back behind me) and leave my back where it's comfortable.<br />
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John and I tried out a Goldwing...I absolutely loved it - gorgeous bike..but he nor I could sit comfortably on it with our legs in the more straight to back position. <br />
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I thought getting older was supposed to come loaded with perks? LOL

 

[ben721364]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>SpecialK</strong>
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<div class="message">I agree Trigala. I have a problem on most bikes (not the TG) because I like to sit straight (lower spine). It seems from my <u>very limited </u>knowledge that the TG and Harleys in general seem to put my feet where I want them (I'm 5'6 so like the pegs right where they are - not back behind me) and leave my back where it's comfortable.<br />
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John and I tried out a Goldwing...I absolutely loved it - gorgeous bike..but he nor I could sit comfortably on it with our legs in the more straight to back position. <br />
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I thought getting older was supposed to come loaded with perks? LOL</div>

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</div>I think it all in what one is used to. I can't sit on/ride a cruiser for more than 1/2 hour without discomfort and am very nervous in turns with my feet out in front.

 

[BlueTrinity]

<font color="black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">Rode in a Ride for Sight charity ride yesterday and the guy ahead of me was on a Can Am he got a couple of months ago.</span></font><br />
<br />
<font color="black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">He's a younger guy - about 66 - (well, a lot younger than me anyway) and last year he was on the Wing he had for about 6 years. He was raving about the easy handling (the Wing had no EZSteer), but you could see the gleam in his eye, looking at my Ultra.</span></font><br />
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<font color="black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">The handling was obvious in the turns, but the seating position would have absolutely have killed my back. Unlike previous years, he bailed out a quarter way through the ride, so maybe…..</span></font><br />
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<font color="black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">Being a life-long motorhead, I‘ve got to admit I would like to ride one just to see what it'll do, but I really don’t like the looks of them and question the comfort. </span></font><br />
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<font color="black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">You folks that have them don’t really need to take any shots at me. You likely don’t have any particular affection for my Harley either. If you got a Can Am and love it, get on it and let’s go!</span></font><br />
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<font color="black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">I’ll proudly ride with you – even behind you. </span></font>

 

[spiritdream]

Never ridden one - no desire to - but my brother in law has one. Mid 50's and never rode a bike before.....he also complained about the forward lean, so he just put on new risers which he says is much more comfortable, and is in the process of having a custom seat built. He's told me about a new touring model that'll be out next year (I think?), that should get rid of that lean.

 

[ben721364]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>spiritdream</strong>
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<div class="message">Never ridden one - no desire to - but my brother in law has one. Mid 50's and never rode a bike before.....he also complained about the forward lean, so he just put on new risers which he says is much more comfortable, and is in the process of having a custom seat built. He's told me about a new touring model that'll be out next year (I think?), that should get rid of that lean.</div>

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</div>I felt the same as you with respect to "conventional" 1F/2R trikes until I was encouraged to test ride one at an BMW m/c rally. A 20 mile test ride changed my outlook toward trikes completely. The newer ones are nothing like the old H-D 'meter maid' trikes...

 

[Ozarkryder]

Got to ride a Spyder last summer- sportbike riding position, quick steering, I drove the automatic transmission version, kept wanting to shift on my own not when the Spyder wanted to. Was fun, but in that set-up it is for back-road storming, canyon carving duty. We tour on Her Purpleness, so the Spyder isn't for us. If I had the extra $$$ though.....

 

[saybel]

We have a couple of dealers in the area, and have seen a couple on the road. Look like fun, but not for me!!

 

[John Luciano]

Rear tire wear is a problem and very expensive to replace ( I was told by a dealer u send the whole rim and tire back to be reshod ) I think the tire wear is do to too much throttle on take off <LOL> . The Can Am has power steering once the motor is running. I have seen them for 3 years now at Americade. The line to demo is so long I don't even try . I think the low profile on a high way would scare me to death. Like riding a snow mobile on the highway ( wait is is a snowmobile ) it is made by Skeedoo (Bombardiar) I will try one some day but buy one NOT I love my (1500 Goldwing ):yes:

 

[ben721364]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>John Luciano</strong>
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<div class="message">Rear tire wear is a problem and very expensive to replace ( I was told by a dealer u send the whole rim and tire back to be reshod ) I think the tire wear is do to too much throttle on take off <LOL> . The Can Am has power steering once the motor is running. I have seen them for 3 years now at Americade. The line to demo is so long I don't even try . I think the low profile on a high way would scare me to death. Like riding a snow mobile on the highway ( wait is is a snowmobile ) it is made by Skeedoo (Bombardiar) I will try one some day but buy one NOT I love my (1500 Goldwing ):yes:</div>

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</div>John,<br />
If you think the Spyder is low to the ground you should try a T-Rex or a Grinnall Scorpion 111! <g> The Spyder appears to be approximately the same height as some of the cruiser based 1F/2R trikes.<br />
As regards rear tire wear and the necessity to send the wheel somewhere to have the tire replaced; I haven't heard of this before. What's so complex about the wheel? It doesn't look materially different from the rear wheel on other 1F/2R trikes? Is the excessive tire wear, as reported, because of the tread compound (sticky/soft) or because of wheel spin?

The trike does have traction control?<br />
Be careful. If you ride a Spyder, you might eat your vow to not buy one. <g><br />
Best,<br />
Ben

 

[BlueTrinity]

I'm a bit confused. How do you have traction control on just one drive wheel?

 

[ben721364]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>BlueTrinity</strong>
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<div class="message">I'm a bit confused. How do you have traction control on just one drive wheel?</div>

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</div>I kinda, sorta misspoke. If one truly wants to burn rubber, he/she can <b><b>in a straight line</b></b>. Steer in either direction or if the computer senses a yaw, traction control comes into play and reduces throttle and if needed applies the brakes, as I understand it.<br />
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I'm hoping someone will enlighten us as to why the sales person told John the rear wheel had to be shipped off somewhere for a tire replacement. I expect the sales person might be mistaken as I think we would have heard about it before now.

 

[BlueTrinity]

I rekon I shouldn’t be second guesin’ them safety computers with my hillbilly logic, but I sure hope that when the rider goes into a skid and the trike’s computer quickly applies braking, that he has the seat belt fastened and the side air bag deploys just before he hits tha tree.

But then again, it all makes 'bout as much sense as having to send the wheel back to the manufacturer to get a tire put on. Sort of gives a sense of urgency to finding a way to carry a spare don’t it?

 

[ben721364]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>BlueTrinity</strong>
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<div class="message"><font color="black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">I rekon I shouldn’t be second guesin’ them safety computers with my hillbilly logic, but I sure hope that when the rider goes into a skid and the trike’s computer quickly applies braking, that he has the seat belt fastened and the side air bag deploys just before he hits tha tree.</span></font><br />
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<font color="black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">But then again, it all makes 'bout as much sense as having to send the wheel back to the manufacturer to get a tire put on. Sort of gives a sense of urgency to finding a way to carry a spare don’t it?</span></font></div>

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</div>Having owned/driven a 2F/1R trike (Grinnall Scorpion 111) I can attest to the <u><b>fun</b></u> one can have with throttle induced oversteer. <g> Seriously, as I understand it, the Spyder system first backs off on the throttle just a bit and (hopefully before the rear end breaks loose) when it detects sideways movement though not so soon that it induces understeer. I think the computer tries to maintain steering neutrality.

 

[BlueTrinity]

No offense intended Ben, I was just messin' around with stuff that don't seem logical to me.

Then again, back awhiles, I would have never guessed we could be exchanging notes like this without licking a two cent stamp and waiting a week for the answer. And yep, just for the record, my spell check don't like the way I type and the grammar checker absolutely hates me.

I do believe you about the automatic throttle thingy and I’ll be waiting to hear the response as to WHY a local tire shop can’t install a tire on the rim. I betting there telling folks it takes a special tire too; “and by the way, we’re the only ones who sell it.” :banghead:

 

[ben721364]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>BlueTrinity</strong>
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<div class="message"><font color="black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">No offense intended Ben, I was just messin' around with stuff that don't seem logical to me.</span></font><br />
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<font color="black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">Then again, back awhiles, I would have never guessed we could be exchanging notes like this without licking a two cent stamp and waiting a week for the answer. And yep, just for the record, my spell check don't like the way I type and the grammar checker absolutely hates me.</span></font><br />
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<font color="black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">I do believe you about the automatic throttle thingy and I’ll be waiting to hear the response as to <i>WHY</i> a local tire shop can’t install a tire on the rim. I betting there telling folks it takes a special tire too; <i>“and by the way, we’re the only ones who sell it.” :banghead:</i></span></font></div>

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</div>Hey Dave,<br />
I certainly didn't take offense with your observation. I do remember reading somewhere that the tires are 'specially built' for the Spyder and that may be so, though I suspect that yours is the correct theory. I have owned one lightweight car with the same size and know that there are a few different ties available in the size; some sticky and some not so sticky.