Stallion to Can-Am Spyder Comparision

[Mattel]

OK guys and gals, I have had several questions that deal with the topic of comparing the Stallion to the Can-Am Spyder. Can several of you step up and give us a comprehensive comparision only if you have rode one? Let us know what model of the Can-am it was, as they have a new touring edition that looks closer to the Stallion. Manual shift or electric for the Can-Am.

[oleman69]

I rode a Can-Am after selling my Ultra and got to say it's a hoot to ride and still would like to have one even though we're not into sport type bikes it has plenty of power and I think that it handles better than my 1800 Motortrike it will depend on what you are looking for a sport bike or touring bike , we went with the 2006 Goldwing for the longer ride comfort. Hope it helps. Marty

[Juju]

Mattel, are you contemplating yet another purchase of the motorcycle kind?
I do think the new touring version of the Spyder is one snappy-looking machine. Thinking about maybe test-driving one myself, but not until the weather warms up some.

[Mattel]

JuJu,<br />
I was not thinking of a Can-Am, but Bela was. I rode one over the summer in the Mountains of NC and TNN. I have had several people IM me asking me this question , and i thought it would be good to have this info on the board. I thought it did not have as much power as the stallion, and in the mountains it was harder to control in the twisties. It has computer traction control which should guard against a tip over, but in the turns I felt like I was sitting so high on the Can-Am that it was trying to through me off in the turns. I felt like I was riding an ATV and it felt like I was going a lot faster at the same speed on the Can-Am due to the seat hight being higher than the Stallion. You sit down lower in the Stallion, and I think that helps with the cenrtifical force in the corners. I did not enjoy riding it in the twisties as much as the Stallion. I thought it was a solid bike, and I have seen the touring version and I do admire the styling, trailer, and all the amenities. I think the Can-AM has a great vehicle on their hands, and I think it will give the Stallion a run for their money.

But at the end of the day, they are two diffrent vehicles. You have to ride both, and ride them hard to apreciate what each of them can do.<br />
<br />
I think the Can-Am has a lower price point, and that may make a huge diffrence for some peole. The Can-Am has a shifter or automatic, but I hear the rear brakes cannot be operated by just the left hand control due to some mechanical issue.<br />
<br />
In this market, I think I will keep my Stallion (it is bellas anyway). I still have my Ducati, and I am still enjoying it too. This winter I have been workning on getting it in tip top shape (see picture for my progress). At 400lbs it is a great bike to toss around in the mountains!

[Mikethetrike]

Hi,<br />
<br />
Never had a Stallion but I had a Can Am Spyder for about a year and did just over 6000 miles on it. It was the manual version black and yellow and really looked the part. <br />
The bike does not have a brake on the handle bars, something I found really strange coming from a biking background. In the end I designed and made up a kit that actuated the foot brake from a normal handle bar lever which made it feel more natural. <br />
There are lots of electronic gizmos making it a very safe bike to ride these include ABS, traction control and stability control which sorts things out if one of the front wheels come off the ground, and they do quiet offen, all very impressive.<br />
It was fast, I had it up to an indicated 120 mph and acceleration was excellent with a slick gearbox which was quick to use, even had a reverse that made life easy. The steering is power assisted and light and took a while to get used to. I found it necessary to increase the spring settings on the suspension and increase the front tyre pressure from 15 to 30 psi to reduce the wallowing in the corners. However it cornered well and you could make quick progress around country lanes providing you moved around in the saddle to keep on the thing. <br />
I found the seating position made my back ache after about an hour’s riding and one of the first things I did was to fit was to fit risers to the bars to improve the situation. The wife also found it uncomfortable and I made extensions to move the rear rests lower and further forward to keep her happy.

The rear backrest in my opinion is a must have option.<br />
I had a test ride on the semi auto and that was really good fun, you change up by the push of a button and as you slowed down it blipped the throttle and changed down for you. The system worked really well and added to the pleasure of riding.<br />
I sat on the new touring version of the bike at a recent show and this model is as comfy as a Goldwing and has all the bells and whistles. If this was available when I bought mine a year ago I would have gone for that and probably would still have it now. <br />
However the complexity of these bikes is their downfall, when they go wrong you have big problems, also they seem to be all plastic and quiet flimsy and these points make the resale value poor.<br />
OK it was great fun, the wife was not too keen so it had to go. My 1800 Goldwing CSC trike makes us both smile and is as much fun, and hopefully I will not lose a small fortune when it is sold in a few years time.

[Juju]

Good to know! Thanks for offering such detailed reviews, you guys.

Mattel, I can just SEE you flicking that Ducati around on the mountain roads. And Bella got the Stallion? What a super deal for her!

[Mattel]

Yup. She's liking it. Not now though, snow and sleet is comming down on us, and the bikes are wintering in the stable down the mountain. Spring is just around the corner. until then, it is the computer......

[Gorilla]

Yep and more snow on the way for you

[John Luciano]

Sound to me after talking to the CT DMV that reg. and getting a Stallion on the road in Connecticut is going to be a challenge. They told me they are sure it is not motorcycle and it does not meet safety standards of a car . No 5mph bumper, head rests and no airbags or seat belts.

[Mattel]

<div class="bbcode_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote">
<div class="quote_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote_container"></div>

<div class="bbcode_postedby">
<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>John Luciano</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=25415#post25415" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
</div>
<div class="message">Sound to me after talking to the CT DMV that reg. and getting a Stallion on the road in Connecticut is going to be a challenge. They told me they are sure it is not motorcycle and it does not meet safety standards of a car . No 5mph bumper, head rests and no airbags or seat belts.</div>

</div>
</div>
</div>Mike,<br />
See the new thread marked Stallion not a Trike??? I am going to respond to this on that thread so we don't confuse this thread conversation.