It's not a Trike, It's not a Bike, What is it ??

[Sully]

copied this from Yahoo

Not a Trike, Not a Bike: What is the 2015 Can-Am Spyder F3?

From a language standpoint, it does not fall under the “bike” heading since bi equals two. State law varies but in CA, an M1 endorsement is not required to ride a Can-Am Spyder. So past tire-roasting fun, what is it? Since 2008, there have been heated motorcyclist debates on where the Spyder lies – let us know what you think in the comments below. After recently hard riding the 2015 Can-Am Spyder F3 for two full days in the Canadian backcountry, it is clear this is an entirely different animal.

[/FONT]Getting bogged down in argument about designation of this vehicle is beside the point. What matters is how it makes you feel, and there wasn’t a motorcyclist journo on the press launch that wasn’t smiling while riding. The 2015 Can-Am Spyder F3 hits 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and corners like a high-tech snowmobile or quad. It is sporty and breaks all your assumptions about what riding a three-wheel vehicle means.

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For a motorcyclist, it is another tool in the shed, not to replace your shiny sportbike but to offer a different experience of occasional fun. For a never-before rider, it offers a sporty open-air experience and taste of what two-wheels is like. Then there are those injured or paralyzed that can use a Can-Am Spyder to stay riding. With a base MSRP of $19,499, the Spyder F3 isn’t cheap but I feel it justified for what you’re getting.

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The 2015 Can-Am Spyder F3 is about head-in-the-wind adventure, not stop and go traffic. This latest offering is ripe with stability tech and improvements including a 160 lb weight savings over the current RT model. The Can-Am Spyder F3 locates the rider lower and further back, moving the pegs forward and redirecting force exerted on the rider’s arms during cornering to the legs. Additionally, BRP’s proprietary “U-Fit System” allows the rider to choose between five different footpeg positions and four different handle bar option



For power, the 2015 Can-Am Spyder F3 received an all-new Rotax 1,330cc 3-cylinder engine with manual 6-speed transmission or semi-automatic SE transmission. Total power is claimed at 115hp and 96 ft-lb of torque. Holding the big-bore triple wide open, thumbing through the gears to 160 km/h (99 mph) when crossing the braking markers then jumping on the powerful Brembo ABS braking system was an experience FAR gnarlier than expected. Anticipate 250 miles on a single tank of fuel and nearly 10,000 miles between oil changes.

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Bottom line is BRP’s Can-Am Spyder in general is smooth fun, especially the latest 2015 Spyder F3-S. It only takes 5 minutes in the saddle to shatter any preconceived notions. Are those who’ve only ridden a Spyder considered motorcyclists? That is up for debate. What is clear is this three-wheel vehicle is another weapon in open-air adventure. It’s its own animal and owns its space in the industry. How can you argue with a performance-minded vehicle that gets you grinning ear-to-ear under throttle?

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[rhino 2]

I had a spyder, How does the saying go; Fool me once, Shame on You'
Fool me twice Shame on Me....

[ride3]

The F3 has gotten some great reviews from people other than spyder lovers. Had a spyder also and had no complaints.

[Hummingbird]

It's not a Trike, It's not a Bike, What is it ??


Just my opinion but It's not very attractive
I've heard about how comfortable, how this and how that but have yet to hear about how beautiful it is ‹(•¿•)›

[tfdeputydawg]

Saw/read that article on my home page.
It is a trike 3 wheels and handlebars
May be a nice trike but, IMHO, it's reputation was ruined by all the problems encountered with the previous touring model.
I was really thinking of getting one of those back when they first came out. 2 friends did and both trikes spent more time in the shop than on the road. Along with the multitude of complaints posted on it's forum back then!
NOT FOR ME!

[ride3]

It's not a Trike, It's not a Bike, What is it ??


Just my opinion but It's not very attractive
I've herad about how comfortable, how this and how that but have yet to hear about how beautiful it is ‹(•¿•)›

i like the look, excluding the front grill. looks like a lawn mower

[Phu Cat]

I just can't get turned on to 'em. You'll never catch me with one in my garage whatEVER it is.

PC

[2006gold]

Hey, I'm open minded - own a Can Am, Harley Sportster, now a Stallion. WILL have another Goldwing trike before something kills me (the way it's going, that's not far off). Give me an open road and open air and just ride.

[bustedwing]

I did take one for a test drive, about 35 miles of different roads. It handled great, took corners so good it almost threw me out of the saddle. The automatic transmission, I hated. When you rolled off the throttle to up shift, the engine RPM didn't drop down by the time the next gear engaged. I can't imagine the drive train taking that kind of abuse and lasting very long.

[mynameisearl]

Its a trike, just has a hell of a reverse.

[ride3]

I did take one for a test drive, about 35 miles of different roads. It handled great, took corners so good it almost threw me out of the saddle. The automatic transmission, I hated. When you rolled off the throttle to up shift, the engine RPM didn't drop down by the time the next gear engaged. I can't imagine the drive train taking that kind of abuse and lasting very long.

You don't have to roll off the throttle to upshift on the semi-automatic. Vey smooth shifting was my experience.

[DJFaninTN]

I did take one for a test drive, about 35 miles of different roads. It handled great, took corners so good it almost threw me out of the saddle. The automatic transmission, I hated. When you rolled off the throttle to up shift, the engine RPM didn't drop down by the time the next gear engaged. I can't imagine the drive train taking that kind of abuse and lasting very long.

you actually drove an F3? may I ask where??

[0pini0nated]

you actually drove an F3? may I ask where??

Me too.

My local BRP dealer originally said he'd have one by mid-November to demo ride. But at the end of September, things changed.

NOW, my dealer expects ONE (1) in the mid-Atlantic market, in the middle of January '15, as a demo. If I decide to order one after riding it, he tells me I'd take delivery at the latter part of February.

His distributor rep said BRP will start filling the pipeline with F3s, starting with the Southern tier (Florida, Texas, California, etc.)

*YMMV* - this time-frame was related to me third-hand, so it my be incorrect.

[dirtdobber]

My wife loves the can am spyder. I personally do not care for it. I hate the semi auto transmission.
The ride was fair but not what I call as good. Handles very good. I could not get over the sitting position.
I will stay with 2 wheel bikes and trikes. Just not my cup of tea.

[Tripod1]

The Can Am seems to be a very polarizing beast. What do you think of this kind of trike then folks. No bars, three pedals, yeh yeh its a car for many but damn its a whole lot of fun like a bike! We've been selling a few kits in AUS for a couple of years and now we have a kit or two heading to the USA soon. Both will end up as demo trikes, one on the East Coast and one closer to the West (Denver).

I'm interested though in whether there is the mild detesting of the whole idea to some degree like the Spyder or a more positive outlook on the basis that its not a bike with one too many wheels but a super light sports car (under 900 pounds) with one too few wheels and a 6 speed sequential box and 150+ horsepower (Honda Blackbird power). Its also twice as wide and half as high as a Can Am Spyder. It grips like a limpet!!

I appreciate you reading, Andrew. Designer for Tri Pod Cars

[Veritas44]

Interesting CAR

[John Luciano]

Spyder is a motorcycle in Conn. U can't take a test on it but you need an endorsement.

[hdlongrod]

Really isn't much of a debate to me. If you understand english you know a 3 wheeled bike (motorcycle or bicycle) is a trike.