Can-Am Spyder - View our gallery and visit their site, now live!
Our recent post with information from AutoblogGreen's ongoing coverage of three-wheeled transportation alternatives has received a lot of attention. With that in mind, we bring you additional coverage, this time of the Can-Am Spyder. AutoblogGreen has a few details of the design on their site, but for our Autoblog readers, we'll focus on the performance aspects of such a machine.
The engine is rumored to be similar to the 60 degree V-Twin powering Aprilia sportbikes. Aprilia, in turn, is rumored to be focusing R&D on a new engine of their own design, which would leave the door open for Can-Am to use the Rotax-designed engine in their own vehicles. The 697 lbs. vehicles should have well over 100 horsepower at the rear wheels, making its power to weight ratio particularly admirable. What's more, the handling should be similarly stellar, making good use of those wide tires on three contact patches and expected traction control and ABS brakes.
Well over 100 horsepower at the rear-wheels. Less than 700 pounds dry. Interested? Save up $15 thousand and wait until April, when dealers will get their first stocks.
Gallery: Can-Am Spyder
[Source: Autobloggreen]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ohmy 8:04PM (2/12/2007)
so cool...
hope these become popular...
i'm not brave enough to drive one of these, there are just too many idiots out there driving invincible SUVs, but it would be nice to see them zoom by once in awhile and dream of younger years...
Reply
DiedFamous 8:46PM (2/12/2007)
100 Bhp to the rear wheels? I only see one rear wheel, I thought that was the idea....
Reply
Monte 9:11PM (2/12/2007)
There were a couple of these parked in downtown San Diego today. A couple of guys from Can-Am were there and answered a few questions. They mentioned the engine cranks out 120hp, so 100 at the rear wheel sounds about right.
I sat on one, and the riding position was just slightly leaned forward. As one of the Can-Am guys said, it's kind of a sport-touring seating position.
The vehicles were pre-production, and they looked fairly nice.
As a motorcycle rider, one thing that felt sligthly strange was the lack of a brake lever on the right grip. There's just the one brake pedal on the right foot peg. A lot of motorcycle riders only use the front brakes (the ones controlled by the lever on the right grip), so it seems to me that it might take a little getting used to for moto riders. Another thing that might take some getting used to for motorcyclists is the switch from counter-steering to regular steering. Though I'm sure there must be people who ride both motorcycles and ATVs, so I can't imagine either of these is too big an issue.
The guys also mentioned that there's some storage space up front, though I didn't have a chance to see for myself.
Overall, it seems like a pretty interesting vehicle, and it might appeal to those who are not quite comfortable with a regular motorcycle but still want some of the benefits.
I snapped a few pics. Unfortunately, all I had was my phone, so the pictures aren't that great.
http://montegreene.com/images/Can-Am_Spyder1.jpg
http://montegreene.com/images/Can-Am_Spyder2.jpg
http://montegreene.com/images/Can-Am_Spyder3.jpg
Reply
Scott Eaton 9:29PM (2/12/2007)
I like the styling and stuff... well it takes balls to make that. Still, I'll keep my Triumph Bonneville which can lane split.
Reply
houston 11:08PM (2/12/2007)
As soon as someone puts a roll cage on one of these, like to bmw c1, I'm trading in my protege5.
As awesome as this is, I'm still not suicidal enough to sit on something that's hurtling down the road without any safety equipment whatsoever.
Reply
theonlybiker 12:30AM (2/13/2007)
I am 53yrs old. (a young 53) I ride a Ducati 999 and a few harleys. this thing seems to be ok.. a little like a car and a little like a motorcycle. just not enough of either to make me plunk down 15K.
Reply
Dandy 8:28AM (2/13/2007)
Man those things would be a blast, I'd definitely rock one of those. Of course I'm a bit nuts and was out riding yesterday in a chilly 30 degrees.
I think one of these things would be fun around the autox course?
Reply
Kazuya 5:25PM (2/13/2007)
While it looks nice, I question the practicality.
A lot of motorcyclists where I live (Perth, Australia) mainly get their bikes for ultimate control and thrills (this is more of a training wheel bike to people like those) or for peak hour lane splitting (and this will be pressed to squeeze in between traffic).
That said and done it probably would never come to Australia anyway, but looks nice :).
Reply
Da Breaks 7:23PM (2/13/2007)
the VW proto looked better for a reverse trike.
Reply
Da Breaks 7:44PM (2/13/2007)
or the sub3 wheeler,
come to think of it, this thing is fugliest of all the newer trikes.
Plus you are going to be compared to a motorcycle, and on this thing you look like an idiot. At least the VW (moonraker/gnx?) and sub3 wheeler have some sort of cage. I couldn't justify something thats is unprotected from the elements and crashes like a bike, but also looks ugly AND expensive.
Reply
robinson 8:20PM (2/23/2007)
I like it. it's not ugly, just different. I have a number of bikes now, spending most of my time on a ZZR1200. This is another non Harley I would buy
fogdog
Reply
patrick 1:42PM (3/02/2007)
These are already being built out of crotch rockets to perform by custom shops. check out you tube look up "trike burnout"
Reply
patrick 1:42PM (3/02/2007)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTWsPpb0u6Y
Reply
John 12:31AM (4/20/2007)
I'll let you all know how much fun you're missing as soon as I get mine.
Reply
Mark L 2:25PM (12/11/2007)
Hi John
I totally agree with you. I am a drag racer and street rider. I would love to own one soon. These are the cheapest of all the three wheelers. My local dealer has 33 sold already and orders are not stopping any time soon. 6 to 9 month waiting time to get your if you are lucky. They can not build them fast enough.
These have abs brakes, track control and are just build nice. Attention to detail is there and then some. Baby boomers and older bike riders that can not hold up the bikes any more are buying these up fast.
I am going to take one for a test ride when the weather gets better. Winter here in New England (that is in USA) and will let you know what it does in the 1/4 mile.
There is a trunk in the very front of the machine, liquid cooled four stroke. Does it get any better than this? The rear fender and side grap bars can come off with ease. They really thought about upgrades and options for the owner.
Keep you feet on the pegs and ride safe. Bottom line JUST RIDE and HAVE FUN dong it.