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new Can am spyder

3K views 10 replies 10 participants last post by  tvolk 
#1 ·
Saw the new Can AM Spyder today. Dealer demo unit--high end trim.

Actually quite nice . Obviously aimed at Touring market.

They offered a test ride but I did not have time.

Anybody done a test ride yet?
 
#2 ·
Rode one when they first came out.
It is NOT a motorcycle even tho licensed as one.
Rides like a sidecar rig, you steer it around the corner, no countersteering or leaning.
It felt like it was trying to throw me off in the corners, you really need to get with the body movement leaning to the inside of the corner.
Lots of power and second gear wheel spin was fun.
Impossible to fall over will be a benifit for some and I know folks who love thier's.
Just was not my prefered way to get wind in my face.
Opinions are free, it's your hard earned cash so just go ride one and enjoy it if it suits you.
 
#3 ·
I took a test ride on the RT a couple of weeks ago. The 40 min ride had some sweepers and some tighter turns.

What I found was that the unit I was on seemed sketchy, particularly in the sweepers. It could have been me, but I felt like I had to correct all the way through the curve. I have since learned that tire pressure is very important in the front tires. They only run about 17psi in those things and too much or too little can throw the handling off. Apparently, you can also stiffen the front shocks to and that will help.

Power was ok, but I didn't really get a chance to open it. It ain't no K1200GT, I'll tell ya that.

The RT I rode was the top of the line, so it had electronic suspension, stereo, electric parking brake (yes, a parking brake), fog lights, cruise, heated grips.

All Spyders have ABS, traction control, and stability control. Basically, it's virtually impossible to spin this thing out. Take a corner too hard and the stability control kicks in to keep all 3 tires on the road.

There is NO front hand brake. All brakes are linked via the foot pedal under your right foot.

They offer an auto tranny that works pretty cool. A friend rode the RS (sportier version) with the auto. Basically, just like on the FJR AE, you thumb a button on the left bar to shift up, BUT as you slow down it will automatically downshift for you. You do have the option of pulling on the shifter button to downshift as well.

And storage! OMG, that RT had tons of storage. Front trunk, rear trunk, 2 side bags, PLUS a smaller compartment on the "tank".

My friend was so impressed with the RS he rode, he traded his B-King in on a blacked out RS the next week. So far he loves it. He had the chance to ride in some rain and he said he felt the traction control kick in a few times and never felt out of control.

The thing that really sucks about them in my opinion is the gas mileage. We talked to several owners there for the RT test ride and all of them said the best they've seen is 35mpg. I asked the factory rep about the RT mileage. They claim 30mpg. Put a pencil to it: 30mpg on a 6gal tank. You ain't gonna do any Iron Butts on that thing.

To be fair, though, the reps told us that all these demo units are pre-production, so some things could change.
 
#4 ·
I rode with a guy who owns one a few weeks ago. We did 300 miles that day. Watching him steer through the tight turns was a sight to behold. He was really working it. However, he kept up with the other BMWs at almost all speeds.

I was considering one of these for my wife, but after he told me how much effort sterering the thing through tight turns requires, I have rethought that. I am not sure what the market is for these things. Maybe when I can no longer ride on 2 wheels (age, or whatever) this wil be an option, until then I'll stick with what I have.
 
#5 ·
Wife got the model now called the RS a couple years back. Loves it. She is 4'10" and had a hard time finding a bike she could ride that had enuf power to tour. We've done some good trips and planning on a Rockies round trip late Spring. We added bags, trunk, Russell seat, etc.

I switch back and forth with my LT frequently. Quite fun

Rode the new RT last weekend. BRP has been listening to their customers and did a great job with the new model. It needs heated seat, but that's about it. We threw it around 2-up and had a ball. W still loves her RS, mainly cuz we built it!!
 
#7 ·
The seating position is terrible as it is like sitting on a chair and you will get a sore lower back in a short time. Gas mileage is terrible and they are hard to steer. I would never trade my motorcycle for one. I would get a Goldwing trike before one of those.
 
#8 ·
dbqfan said:
The seating position is terrible as it is like sitting on a chair and you will get a sore lower back in a short time. Gas mileage is terrible and they are hard to steer. I would never trade my motorcycle for one. I would get a Goldwing trike before one of those.
My wife has done several 600+ mile days on hers. She has the Heli bar setup along with the CanAm riser so the bar position is very similar to the RT. Her pegs are a little farther back than the floor boards on the RT, but no sore back issues at all. She doesn't have any problem steering the thing, and the CanAm will flat run away from a triked GW in the corners, trust me.
 
#9 ·
hoog62 said:
My wife has done several 600+ mile days on hers. She has the Heli bar setup along with the CanAm riser so the bar position is very similar to the RT. Her pegs are a little farther back than the floor boards on the RT, but no sore back issues at all. She doesn't have any problem steering the thing, and the CanAm will flat run away from a triked GW in the corners, trust me.
How, did you convert to goldwingism :histerica
 
#10 ·
dbqfan said:
............. Gas mileage is terrible and they are hard to steer....................
Wondering why there's any steering difficulty? Don't the Spyders have power assisted steering? At least the one that I rode seemed to pretty easy to turn.
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#11 ·
When I looked at the new RT I spent 30 minutes with the dealer specialist (for the Spyder) in service. He is a very enthusiastic guy who has a lot of miles on Spyders. He said that the RT has power assisted steering (as do all the spyders) --and Can AM adjusted the steering assist to optimize steering ease and feel just for the RT.

He also said that you can not pull any trailer except the official Can AM unit. I did not ask him what would stop somebody from pulling another unit--although maybe they will not sell you a hitch without their trailer!

He did say that when the trailer was plugged in the computer adjusted the electronic nannies (all good things in my opinion) to account for the trailer.

Still have not done a test ride and will probably not until Spring.
 
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