Can AM's vs Goldwings and others

[MangoMike]

I owned a 2010 Can-Am RT for 3 years, and after many modifications, we loved it. Until it broke down and left us stranded 1000 miles from home. Had to ship it back to my dealer, who had just gotten in a GW with Lehman conversion. We were able to come to terms, and I now own a GW.<br />
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If you are looking at a new RT, they are very nice. My mechanical problem was unusual, and does not happen very often. We installed a Corbin seat, which was fantastic; also changed the shocks (the new ones are better than the 2010), and made some other mods. The RT was fun to ride, and comfortable. But, as others have said, the Rotex engine likes high revs, which I didn't like when travelling at highway speeds. It also has a small gas tank, and uses premium gas. I averaged about 29 mpg.

Also, check the maintenance cost on the Spyder, it is VERY expensive, much more than the Wing. $300 oil changes, 12000 mile service was $1200. Your dealer might be different, but the Spyder is a very expensive bike to have serviced.<br />
<br />
The GW on the other hand is a much more comfortable bike for long distance travel. It has a very wide torque band, so it is much more relaxing to ride at highway speeds. It also has a larger gas tanks, uses regular, and I've been getting about 34 mpg.<br />
<br />
I love the GW and would never go back to a Spyder. But, the Spyder was fun and had some great features. <br />
<br />
Try them both, for as long a ride as possible.

[Bill Reber]

Well it's going to be your toy so make it pop for you !

[Diesel-Dawg]

I have owned a 2001 Valkyrie Interstate with Lehman kit, a 2006 Goldwing with Champion kit, a 2011 Harley Tri Glide Ultra classic, and now I am riding a new 2013 Spyder RT Limited. It is a fantastic ride. More storage space than any other trike I have owned and it comes standard with ABS braked, which the others did not even offer. I could go on and on, but so far, I like the Spyder RT Limited. I could have bought any trike I desired, but the Can-Am offers the most for the money.

[2002Trike]

Test ride as many Trikes as You can, if You can. I have enjoyed riding many, many different Trikes including Gold Wings, Aeros, VTXs, Can Ams (Both Models, I personally prefer the Tour Edition), Harleys (Various Models), and one Yamaha since being introduced to the Trike World and TRIKE TALK .com.....I've enjoyed Them all, but still prefer my Gold Wing Motor Trike IRS(really enjoyed the VTXs also)....GOOD LUCK in Your Quest.....

with skuuter, ride as any as possible, it is like buying a GOOD pair of shoes, you know the correct one when you find it

[2006gold]

We have both a MT GW trike and a Can-Am RT Limited, the Can-Am being for the wife. I've driven both and prefer the GW, especially if we're going to be riding for any distance. Just more comfortable, most notably for the passenger. We will be adding armrests to the Can Am so the passenger can feel more secure. I find the Can Am a bit more tiring for longer rides. Also, check out insurance costs - we were astounded at the cost of insuring the Can Am vs. the Goldwing.

[Calgary]

2006gold

Thanx for your input! Do you mind sharing the difference in the insurance premiums for the CanAm vs. the Goldwing!

[2006gold]

The GW will be $362 for next year, while the Can Am is going to run $713. I'm not convinced the insurance people understand that the GW is a trike. Guess I'd better check on that, then maybe the premiums will be more equal.

[2006gold]

Talked with my insurance company (Geico). The premium on the Can-Am is so high because they consider my wife a inexperienced rider, and said it would come down pretty close to that of the GW if she had no claims.

[Bill Reber]

Geico vrs Prgressive on a 2010 Gold wing trike 460.00 a year includes my Aspen camper . Progressive 862.00 a year and they call that a deal also they want you to have gone to a mc safety class with in 3 years anything older than that they don't count ...so they can keep Progressive.

[BeHereNow]

I'm still on 2 wheels, don't know if that matters. I love Progressive.
My '09 Triumph Rocket coverage just dropped again, $333 a year - full coveragae as another year on the payments. I report that I ride 10k a year, as I have consistently.
I've had two claims, not my fault either time, but Progressive has paid out about $8000 in repairs, and just got my new quote (the $333/yr).
Towed both times - no cost to me.
Been riding about 45+ years on and off, never took a course.
No speeding tickets last 8 or 10 years.

All of my car, truck, house insurance is another company.
They wanted a bunch more money for the bike.
Some say it depends on the state.

[Beorn of Ga]

I had a Can Am for a month. Lost my behind on getting rid of it.
The cons from my point of view (not in order of priority).
* service is expensive
*Wind either natural or trucks on the interstate really move it around.
* gas mileage is poor.
*Had a bunch of problems with it. Dealer had to order everything from Canada. It took a week to get the parts.
* Lots of storage, but all of it is odd shaped.
*I tour, dealers are far apart and few.
* Did not like the way it cornered.
* Very sensitive steering.

I now have a Triglide. It cost a bunch to get rid of the heat, but none of above problems. I love it.

I have owned 3 Gold wings (two wheel) and liked them all.

There are a lot of people that like the Can Am, so maybe it's just me.
Good luck.

[2006gold]

What year model did you have?

[Diesel-Dawg]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Beorn of Ga</strong>
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<div class="message">I had a Can Am for a month. Lost my behind on getting rid of it. <br />
The cons from my point of view (not in order of priority).<br />
* service is expensive<br />
*Wind either natural or trucks on the interstate really move it around.<br />
* gas mileage is poor.<br />
*Had a bunch of problems with it. Dealer had to order everything from Canada. It took a week to get the parts.<br />
* Lots of storage, but all of it is odd shaped.<br />
*I tour, dealers are far apart and few.<br />
* Did not like the way it cornered.<br />
* Very sensitive steering.<br />
<br />
I now have a Triglide. It cost a bunch to get rid of the heat, but none of above problems. I love it.<br />
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I have owned 3 Gold wings (two wheel) and liked them all.<br />
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There are a lot of people that like the Can Am, so maybe it's just me. <br />
Good luck.</div>

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</div>You are correct. Different trikes for different folks. I just got rid of my 2011 Tri glide Ultra Classic. Liked the seating on it, but it was not dependable at all.

Now I am wondering if I stepped into the same mole hole...so far, I like the Spyder RT Limited (2013)

[Beorn of Ga]

I had a 2011 RT Limited. All of the problems I had were electrical related. <br />
<br />
Please take the Can Am out on an interstate with big trucks to see how unstable they are with wind gust. I adjusted the shocks everyway possiable with no good results.<br />
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I go to busness meeting on my bike, and there was no storage space that would hold a brief case.

[bikerbillone]

I see you've had two trikes since the Canam.......With the trusty Wing being the final choice.

[brianl]

I've only test driven the Canam and goldwing 1800 with a champion kit. I own a 97 goldwing and decided on a Roadsmith kit. Still waiting for it to come in. (dealer says hopefully monday) The Canam handled well but I'm spoiled by the smooth sound and shifting of the Goldwing. The Canam engine felt kind of like a go-cart to me.

[RoadBoss]

Try the Can Am and conventional trikes. What you like will depend on your preferred riding style. If you like sport bikes you will probably like the Spyder. If you like Gold Wings or Harley you will like a conventional trike.

[spydercatjohn]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Lexi</strong>
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<div class="message">I am thinking of getting a trike and considering Can Am, Goldwing. What are the pros and cons?<br />
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thanks</div>

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</div>The Spyder costs $10,000 less than the Triglide or Goldwing and has the following advantages:<br />
Antilock brakes<br />
Traction control<br />
Stability control<br />
Brembo brakes<br />
Two front wheels better braking than two rear wheels<br />
Better tracking<br />
Optimum center of mass<br />
Faster than Triglide of Goldwing 0 to 60<br />
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Disadvantages<br />
Lower mpg<br />
More expensive to maintain than Goldwing

[Tango]

The Spyder costs $10,000 less than the Triglide or Goldwing and has the following advantages:
Antilock brakes
Traction control
Stability control
Brembo brakes
Two front wheels better braking than two rear wheels
Better tracking
Optimum center of mass
Faster than Triglide of Goldwing 0 to 60

Disadvantages
Lower mpg
More expensive to maintain than Goldwing

Owning a GW trike means 2 maintenance isssues(bike+trike) to take care of. A typical dealer visit to do my trike was $300. That was every 8,000 miles. What are the Spyder's charged for a visit? Tom

[spydercatjohn]

Owning a GW trike means 2 maintenance isssues(bike+trike) to take care of. A typical dealer visit to do my trike was $300. That was every 8,000 miles. What are the Spyder's charged for a visit? Tom

Spyder 600 mi service $300. My Honda Metropolitan scooter 600 mi service was $200. Spyder dealer was offering a 3 year prepaid maintenance package for $1800.