Can Am Spyder. Anybody own one?

[Titan]

Saw a post here in the last couple of days where somebody linked to an article about the Can Am Spyder.

http://spyder.brp.com/en-US/See/Can-Am/Showroom/Showroom-RT.htm

I guess I've been living under a rock since I wasn't really aware of the machine. But I've read a lot about it in the last day or two, watched some videos,  and I'm quite interested in the thing and seriously considering buying one.

Anybody here own one or ridden one long enough to have any opinion of it?

[elraque]

One of my cow-orkers (co-workers?) bought one this summer. He says he loves riding/driving it. I guess it takes some getting used to.

He also says he HATES the fuel consumption -- I think he said he gets somewhere between 21 and 25 MPG. But he loves the added stability of three wheels. I think there's a story behind that, but I'm not willing to ask him about it. I think he's kind of sensitive.

[GreenLantern57]

flamingobabe #44 got one recently.

[Sharkey]

MoLee has one and loves it. He hangs out a lot over here http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/index.php
They are a active group and do quite a few rides. Lamont one of the founders of the VRCC started Spider Lovers.

[Super Santa]

Flamingo Babe got one about April and has put over 10,000 miles on it already.  She loves it.

[COOK'n in Utah]

defiantly a learning curve to riding it. Turning is the biggest thing. Feels underpowered then you look Down and you moving pretty good. Ride before you buy if you can...

cookn

[PAVALKER]

I sat on quite a few, took a nice test ride on one... and stayed in a Holiday Inn Express, so I'm probably qualified to say that it does have a different ride, steers quite differently than a bike (more like a quad) and makes you acutely aware that you need to stay in the center of the lane (with the wheels up front as a good reminder).  Don't get me wrong... it is kinda fun, but not like a bike.... and I would get one for myself if it had a mower deck, snow plow attachment and a set of Rivco Risers with an Ultimate seat...... (and maybe heated clothing for when I use the snow plow attachment).....

[Hoghead]

I have a good friend with one and he loves it. He is 75 and he rides it like hes a teenager. One day we were going riding and we started out on I20 for about 15 miles. He jokingly ask me how fast I wanted run about a hundred. I said no I dont feel like riding fast today. He said well you take the lead. I was on my old V65 and I hit interstate and I kicked it up to 105 and ran that way for about 15 miles. He stayed right with me. I was impressed. It handles really good even at high speeds. We have raced a few times and I can outrun him but its not easy. The downside of this was he got a lemon and it dies randomly and Canam could not fix it after several times in the shop. He finally lemon lawed it. After a yr and some lawyer fees they have settled with him with a new 2011 top of the line model with him paying 7k. I really dont think he came out all that well, but he is happy with it. I dont know if this is very common or not. Even with the troubles he still wants the spyder. They are a very nice machine, but I would do some research before I spent that kind of money. I have ridden it some and its just not for me. I think they are a little pricey. This 2011 sells for 27k.

[hotglue #43]

I'll let Flamingobabe tell ya how much she loves her Spyder.........  She got it on Monday before Memorial Day weekend... end of May, we left Thursday and rode to Tucumcari MN and back......at the end of the holiday weekend she added 2000 mile to that.... she now has over 12,000 mile on it and LOVES it!!!!!!!  So far.... she has riden it in every state between the Mississippi River and the Rockies..... Plus some.....

[Brad]

My wife and I both got to use one for a day.  She loved it and I liked it for the first hour.  After about an hour the riding position was causing me some pain in my wrists.  She used the automatic transmission and wants to get one.  In Nevada you don't even need a MC licence to ride one.

[Mo Lee]

MoLee has one and loves it. He hangs out a lot over here http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/index.php
They are a active group and do quite a few rides. Lamont one of the founders of the VRCC started Spider Lovers.

Yep I've had one for nearly two years, I alternate riding it with the two Valks and even only riding it part time it has 9000 miles. For me it really shines in the winter, if there is a little ice or snow on the roads I still ride. They have a lot of technology in this machine and with the wheels up front they are very stable and if you get too comfortable with the machine it has a nanny to look out for you. Horsepower it will almost stay with the Valk, corners as good if not better than the Valk and as attention getter a little better than the Valk, you can't stop for gas without a bunch of questions. I like it however for me it won't replace the Valk, it about like riding a really fast four wheeler on the highway, did I say it was fast. Go to Spyderlovers.com and read or join and ask questions there is a great group off people there that are very helpful, just remember it is new technology and there is bound to be bugs to work out and on motorcycle forums you tend to only hear from the ones who have had problems so you have to put on your BS filter. I should also mention there is several of us there who have a Valkyrie past and present.

[POPS 57]

I picked a used one up for the wife last week. 09 SE5 with 1,600 miles on it. It had $2,500 in extras on it and 8 months of warranty left. Payed around $13,000 out the door. I rode it around for a week and had a blast on it. Now i like toys and am not a one horse person. We have snowmobiles and 4 wheelers, boats and classic cars. I like my valk better but this thing like all the other toys is fun in it's own way. And the wife just loves it. Would i have one if not for the wife. All i will say is not yet but with age i could see it as a real option.

[hubcapsc]

Flamingo Babe got one about April and has put over 10,000 miles on it already.  She loves it.

-Mike

[RTaz]

  My wife Devl has one ...we picked it up a couple of months ago...I have taken it out a few times and enjoy it...it has surprising power 106hp and is lighter then it looks..something like 750lbs....low end gears rev. up a little bit and has a good top end...I've had it up to about 100mph and it still had good throttle...it takes some getting used too however..you better plan on leaning into your turns because it will want to throw you off if you don't...the riding position ain't all that bad..it is comfortable and easy on the back the leg position does have a tendency to cramp up my legs...but I have a bad left leg....  it seem rather warm around the legs which up here in Michigan can be a good thing...the wind can also be a factor...ours has a corbin faring with a10" windscreen good but Devl still wears a face shield...I am much taller and wear a full face on this machine...but I have always had sensitive eyes....all in all if I am forced to ride three wheels to stay in the wind I would not hesitate buying another one...its fun and thats all I can say...

   

[hotglue #43]

RTaz....  we mounted an inner shroud that forces the air off the radiator out the hole one the right side..... made a big difference there.... This winter I will pull the pipes and wrap them to keep the heat off the legs and move it out the back on the left side!  But I can see how the extra heat would help ya out in the Northern Climes....

[flamingobabe #44]

I purchased my Spyder May 24th 2010 with 1700 miles on it...Mark rode it home..when I got home he said take off and ride...we are leaving for Tucumcari Thursday....now I will tell you...I tried to do 2 wheels, 750 Shadow, back in 2000, I could never find a happy place..in 1 year I put about 400 miles and I hated every minute of it....The Spyder was a short learning curve...to me it rides like a 4-wheeler...I have the SE5 (semi-automatic) I also have a 4-wheeler with a paddle shift...just like the Spyder ..I love it...I have over 12,000 miles, 17 states and I'm ready to go ride NOW!!!!! It's not like a 2 wheel bike....but it is just what I need....I have plenty of power...I can be in 5th gear and go to pass someone and all I have to do is roll on the throttle and the next thing you know...90mph+   The Spyder has had some problems..transmission....but I believe most of them were cause from my in-experience...on our last trip...(3 weeks) I never had any problems...I believe the Spyder takes some getting use to just like any toy we buy..but Can-am stands behind their product...when I purchased mine there was an extended warrant until Jan. 2014...so if you are looking for used that is something to think about...I love my Spyder...fb

[RTaz]

RTaz....  we mounted an inner shroud that forces the air off the radiator out the hole one the right side..... made a big difference there.... This winter I will pull the pipes and wrap them to keep the heat off the legs and move it out the back on the left side!  But I can see how the extra heat would help ya out in the Northern Climes....

Thanks Hotglue...sounds like a winter project...sure is good seeing the ladies on those Spyders...we will have to get them together matching black/silver spyders and us and go for a nice ride....

[hotglue #43]

Sounds like a good idea!!!!!!!!!  Are we coming up there???? or are y'all coming down here...... or we can meet in the middle!!!!!!

[Mo Lee]

Sounds like a good idea!!!!!!!!!  Are we coming up there???? or are y'all coming down here...... or we can meet in the middle!!!!!!

I got an idea, meet in the middle at Spyderfest in Cuba Mo the last of April. Who knows how many Spyders will be there this time. I should note two wheelers are welcome and Mo has some great roads to ride.

[RTaz]

Sounds like a good idea!!!!!!!!!  Are we coming up there???? or are y'all coming down here...... or we can meet in the middle!!!!!!

We might be able to come down there...or maybe meet in the middle...of course you know your always welcome up here....

[RTaz]

Sounds like a good idea!!!!!!!!!  Are we coming up there???? or are y'all coming down here...... or we can meet in the middle!!!!!!

I got an idea, meet in the middle at Spyderfest in Cuba Mo the last of April. Who knows how many Spyders will be there this time. I should note two wheelers are welcome and Mo has some great roads to ride.

now that sounds like a good idea...hmmmm.....

[flamingobabe #44]

Mo Lee...I wish I could...but have a yearly Lions convention that weekend that we are already committed for...some day I'll get to go to a Syper fest.....fb

Sounds like a good idea!!!!!!!!!  Are we coming up there???? or are y'all coming down here...... or we can meet in the middle!!!!!!

I got an idea, meet in the middle at Spyderfest in Cuba Mo the last of April. Who knows how many Spyders will be there this time. I should note two wheelers are welcome and Mo has some great roads to ride.

[Titan]

Thanks tons for all the information! I kinda didn't expect anyone here among all the Valk lovers to have a Can Am. Some of you guys say you've ridden them and think they're nice but wouldn't want one until you're too old to ride on two wheels.

If it's a machine that gets dissed as only being for old guys, like the Gold Wing, then I wouldn't want to own one anymore than I do a Wing. And the funny part of this is that I really am "old"! But I sure don't have any problem on two wheels and love riding a bada$$ bike.

I do find it interesting that a lot of ladies are riding them on their own 'cause there's lots of ladies that would love to have their own machine but don't want to ride two wheels. My wife, who doesn't like to ride at all, is quite interested in me getting a Can Am because she would "feel safer" and would even be interested in driving one herself! That is a really BIG deal coming from her!

I plan to go to a local dealer and take a look. Who Knows? I might have to have me one of those!

[hubcapsc]

If it's a machine that gets dissed as only being for old guys, like the Gold Wing, then I wouldn't want to own one anymore than I do a Wing. And the funny part of this is that I really am "old"! But I sure don't have any problem on two wheels and love riding a bada$$ bike.

I finally got to ride a GoldWing this past weekend... I just noodled a mile or so down the road and back, unable to get over how
much I hated Magoo's kick shifter or how really really good the rear brakes were... all things considered, though, I think
a wing is a bada$$ bike...

-Mike "with a pink ribbon..."

[Lamonster VRCC#0001]

I got my first Spyder in Dec. of 07 and have a little over 48,000 miles on it now. I've been coast to coast 3 times and it has yet to let me down.


I was lucky enough to be one of 5 guys that the factory gave the new RT to test drive two months before the dealers had them. I did a little over 9000 mile trip on it this year riding from East TN to Daytona and then to San Diego and up the coast to Oregon then back down to Arizona and then up to Missouri then back down to East TN. It was a great trip with my average day being 750 miles plus in the saddle. The most I've done is 1200 miles in a day. I have over 18,000 on this RT.




When I sold my Valkyrie I went to the Boss Hoss and there were a few VRCC guys there. When I went to the Spyder there are a good group of VRCC guys and gals there too. I think we all just like something different and the Spyder is about as different as it gets. Three years later it still puts a smile on my face. 

[fudgie]

How does it ride/ steer different then a Valk trike?  ???

[Lamonster VRCC#0001]

How does it ride/ steer different then a Valk trike?  ???

Never ridden a Valk trike but I spent a little time on a Goldwing trike. I would say it's more like driving a 4-wheeler than anything else. It does have power steering. It also comes with VSS and living a little over 100 miles from the Deals Gap I can tell you that I can run full throttle into a turn and never hit the brakes, I can let the computer do all the braking for me. It's really a fun ride.

[Mo Lee]

Thanks Lamont I was hoping you would check in over here, since you know more about the Spyder than anyone I know.

[Lamonster VRCC#0001]

Thanks Lamont I was hoping you would check in over here, since you know more about the Spyder than anyone I know.

I don't know about that but I do have a few friends that like them and like to eat good BBQ. 

http://spyder.brp.com/en-US/Share/Community/Team-Blog/Blog-Entry.html?EntryID=39bca22c-0f1a-4497-86d8-ab1403c73e64

[Mo Lee]

10-4 Bro

[Hoser]

I really like the RT touring model, have not seen one yet, but I know the base model is ALMOST as fast as a Valkyrie.  And yes I'm sure!
The RT is on my possible trike list, when I get older.    hoser