Can Am?

[ben721364]

Though I haven't yet ridden either Can Am trike, I tend to agree that it should have ample power. I also like the fact that the company offers a trailer and a full warranty. 2f/1r is a layout that I like as well, having had a Grinnall Scorpion 111. I don't understand the criticism of the Can Am either.

Try this: BLOG.SPYDERFRED.COM

This is Fred Rau, he has a demo unit equipped with the factory trailer option. He rode it home (from Quebec I think) to CA with his wife and 250lbs of baggage in the trailer. According to him lack of power wasn't a problem. I suspect it's power to weight ratio is better than the one I have on my Tri-Glide. I'm thinking we will probably own one of these when we head out to Nova Scotia next June.

PS: nice to see a thread on the Spyder RT-S without someone bashing it.

Dwight

 

[Nana]

I met Fred Rau and actually sat on his Spyder when he was in Celina, Ohio last month. It is a very nice trike! and has a number of great features. He spoke very highly of the power and the ride. I am very small, and I found it to not "fit" me as-is. I would need to adjust/change the seat and the handlebars (if they can be changed) in order to feel comfortable on it very long. But as far as quality, etc., it looked good. It isn't the style that appeals to me personally, but I sure saw nothing wrong with the trike.

 

[BlueTrinity]

I met a gentleman and his wife that rode in on one at the HD York Factory Open House and had a long talk with him. I commented that the seating position looked more like a performance bike and said it was initially uncomfortable but pointed out the "risers" the dealer had mounted on the ends of the bars for him. They brought his arms up and back so that he was sitting in a far more upright position which he found far more comfortable (imagine that!).

They were former HD riders and he said that he is extremely pleased with the trike, particularly the stability, handling and ride. It is equipped with power steering, ABS and heated seats.

I am going to visit the dealer outside York next week to ride a demo. I really want to find out first hand what the reverse trike is like and I suspect that I'm going to love the handling and ride.

Bottom line though; I agree with Spirit, I really have no desire to own one.

 

[Dwight]

Hey Dave,

If you get to ride a RT-S I would sure like to hear your thoughts on it. I've been pretty happy with all of the trikes I've owned but I've really wanted a sportier trike that was still capable of long distance touring. I'm hoping the RT-S will fill the bill.

Dwight

 

[ben721364]

Hey Dave,

If you get to ride a RT-S I would sure like to hear your thoughts on it. I've been pretty happy with all of the trikes I've owned but I've really wanted a sportier trike that was still capable of long distance touring. I'm hoping the RT-S will fill the bill.

Dwight

Me too, Dwight!

 

[Trikers]

Originally Posted by Dwight
Hey Dave,
If you get to ride a RT-S I would sure like to hear your thoughts on it. I've been pretty happy with all of the trikes I've owned but I've really wanted a sportier trike that was still capable of long distance touring. I'm hoping the RT-S will fill the bill.
Dwight

As a formal owner of a Spyder with touring kit (not RT-S version) I can guarantee that it's a sportier (fast) bike and still good for touring. The RT-S is specialy made for touing so it would be better then my first edition...
However, consider this: it's steering is TOTALY different, you can go very fast in corners, also with the security systems on board but you have to push your feet realy DOWN in the pedals to compensate. It's more riding like on a Quad.
It's very strange when you drive this vehicle the first few miles so a good tip: test drive it for at least an hour on curvy roads. 2 wheels in front or in rear makes a BIG different in steering and handling, but when driving normal and on touring you notice this less.

Regards, Pierre

 

[ben721364]

All this discussion is really whetting my appetite. I look forward to riding a Spyder in November. I would think that a 2F/1R chassis would be more stable that 1F/2R, all other things equal.

 

[Trikers]

All this discussion is really whetting my appetite. I look forward to riding a Spyder in November. I would think that a 2F/1R chassis would be more stable that 1F/2R, all other things equal.

It sure is more stable but corners need a LOT more input from the driver, so after a while you either like or don't like this behavior. Again it's a totaly different drive regarding a "normal" trike. If you like relaxed rides stay with 1F/2R, if you rather like it sportier but more stable go for it. A one hour test drive will tell you. Never buy this vehicle whithout a descent testdrive! The Spyder is smaller, it's not a flagship like the Harley or Golwing trikes, that's also a big difference when you compare both worlds. I love both combinations (2 front or 2 rear) but have to stick to 2 rear because I have CFS sickness, so sporty isn't for me anymore.

 

[ben721364]

Good comments, all. Thank you.

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

I will say that a lot of women here in our area have gone with this trike after failing to enjoy two wheels. When I meet up with them, I hear the same thing over and over......they love them and finally feel comfortable riding everywhere and it's the best thing that has happened to them. But I wouldn't give up my TG or 1/f2/r trike for one. All those people have never ridden a traditional trike, so they have no comparison there. One of the ladies did tell me that there was no way she would want to ride a Trike as big as mine!

 

[Trikers]

I will say that a lot of women here in our area have gone with this trike after failing to enjoy two wheels. When I meet up with them, I hear the same thing over and over......they love them and finally feel comfortable riding everywhere and it's the best thing that has happened to them. But I wouldn't give up my TG or 1/f2/r trike for one. All those people have never ridden a traditional trike, so they have no comparison there. One of the ladies did tell me that there was no way she would want to ride a Trike as big as mine!

Correct, size mathers

 

[ben721364]

I will say that a lot of women here in our area have gone with this trike after failing to enjoy two wheels. When I meet up with them, I hear the same thing over and over......they love them and finally feel comfortable riding everywhere and it's the best thing that has happened to them. But I wouldn't give up my TG or 1/f2/r trike for one. All those people have never ridden a traditional trike, so they have no comparison there. One of the ladies did tell me that there was no way she would want to ride a Trike as big as mine!

Interesting observation. Do you not know women who ride/own/have ridden 1F/2R trikes? I know several who regularly pilot their own GL1800 and K LT trikes as well as 2 wheel versions of the same and who tour quite extensively. I met one petite lady on a Boss Hoss trike...

Not having ridden a Spyder yet, I can only comment based on experience with a GL1800 and a K LT based trike and with a Grinnall Scorpion 111 [2F/1R] trike. I like the concept and fully expect to like the Spyder once I get a good test ride under my belt.

 

[John Luciano]

Price wise it is a good choice for someone not wanting only 1F 1R . I am sure they feel very safe and stable. Many think the GW/ Harley 2R1 Front is huge but have never riding it. My 67 year old friend does just fine on it even with me on the back riding B###

 

[Trikers]

Price wise it is a good choice for someone not wanting only 1F 1R . I am sure they feel very safe and stable. Many think the GW/ Harley 2R1 Front is huge but have never riding it. My 67 year old friend does just fine on it even with me on the back riding B###

It's more "comfty" for "older" people to drive a 1F/2R because the size of the vehicle, the position on it and the seat. The Spyder has a more sporty seat position when compared (could be different in the new RT-S version however). In my touring kit was a riser to rise the handle bars to compensate that. I am sure the new RT-S touring model has not that sporty seat position but the seat position is stil smaller then on a 1F/2R.

About the safety; the Spyder is one of the safest vehicles around because of all the high tech on board (ABS-EPS-EBD etc.); take a look at the specs on a very good article here: motorcycle-usa
For me it couldn't be better but this was in some cases a downside for drivers who wanted to do things like drifting in a corner. If you go too fast in a corner the engine actualy shuts down very short times to avoid that, (not a nice effect though) but that's great because you can drive safe and at it's limit in corners. Once you handle the Spyder at it's best (takes some days) it's an amazing machine but you can't compare it with the comfort of a 1F/2R.
If you have to make the choice between the Spyder and a 1F/2R it will become very hard. The Spyder costs a lot less then most others. If you have the ability to testdrive the Spyder for a few hours or a day you will be astonished about this vehicle and it will make the choice even worse. If money doesn't mathers you have to choose between more safe and comfort enough (Spyder) or a bit less safe/safe enough and more comfort/size (1F/2R)

 

[ben721364]

Excellent analysis/presentation. Thank you.

Like you I have not yet ridden the RT (touring). I think it might punch the right buttons for me. BTW. I am older than dirt!

It's more "comfty" for "older" people to drive a 1F/2R because the size of the vehicle, the position on it and the seat. The Spyder has a more sporty seat position when compared (could be different in the new RT-S version however). In my touring kit was a riser to rise the handle bars to compensate that. I am sure the new RT-S touring model has not that sporty seat position but the seat position is stil smaller then on a 1F/2R.

About the safety; the Spyder is one of the safest vehicles around because of all the high tech on board (ABS-EPS-EBD etc.); take a look at the specs on a very good article here: motorcycle-usa
For me it couldn't be better but this was in some cases a downside for drivers who wanted to do things like drifting in a corner. If you go too fast in a corner the engine actualy shuts down very short times to avoid that, (not a nice effect though) but that's great because you can drive safe and at it's limit in corners. Once you handle the Spyder at it's best (takes some days) it's an amazing machine but you can't compare it with the comfort of a 1F/2R.
If you have to make the choice between the Spyder and a 1F/2R it will become very hard. The Spyder costs a lot less then most others. If you have the ability to testdrive the Spyder for a few hours or a day you will be astonished about this vehicle and it will make the choice even worse. If money doesn't mathers you have to choose between more safe and comfort enough (Spyder) or a bit less safe/safe enough and more comfort/size (1F/2R)

 

[Trikers]

Excellent analysis/presentation. Thank you.

Like you I have not yet ridden the RT (touring). I think it might punch the right buttons for me. BTW. I am older than dirt!

IMHO the RT-S is the same bike but with more panels and luggage possibility. It has a bigger look, like a mini Goldwing. Made for touring but stil sporty and the same previous safetyness.

Even if you don't want to buy it it's still a pleasure to testdrive this vehicle when the possibilty is near you (Can-Am hits frequently the road with hundreds of vehicles to testdrive trough the US.)

Old? The galaxy: that's old!

 

[ben721364]

IMHO the RT-S is the same bike but with more panels and luggage possibility. It has a bigger look, like a mini Goldwing. Made for touring but stil sporty and the same previous safetyness.

Even if you don't want to buy it it's still a pleasure to testdrive this vehicle when the possibilty is near you (Can-Am hits frequently the road with hundreds of vehicles to testdrive trough the US.)

Old? The galaxy: that's old!

I'm still waiting for the opportunity to check out the RT and believe that you are generally correct. The engine is tuned to favor of torque at the expense of HP and I believe the front track is a bit wider (2" or so). I don't know if the wheelbase is longer but read somewhere that the weight is in the 900+# range making it considerably heavier that the original
Spyder but by the same token considerably lighter than a GL or even a K LT based 1F/2R trike.

 

[wriddle]

While were waiting to get a new trike my wife seen these and think they are neat looking although people say there fun to ride there just not a harley it looks like someone sitting on top of a custom made golf course lawn mower

 

[magusjinx]

Saw a two year old Can-Am Spyder today ... The gentleman said he got it new ... Tried to explain the traction system to me ... Made it sound that if the bike detected one wheel off the ground it would either reduce throttle or shut down ... Weird ... He also said it got about 35 miles per gallon ... My neighbors olde Toyota pick up gets that ...

Oh yeah ... This fellas female companion (not know if they was wed) was riding a Harley 2-wheeler ... I liked the fairly sturdy looking front suspension tho ...

 

[John Luciano]

I am here at Americade I have see at least 15 Spyders in only the first 3 hours.They are taken over and really catchin on