Don't get this three-wheeled vehicle confused with a motorcycle trike. Can-Am goes to great lengths to inform you that the Spyder is a roadster. Now that we've got that settled . . .
I had a chance to ride one of these three-wheelers at Arizona Bike Week and it was a great example of why it's worthwhile to try something again that you've test-ridden before. They change. And usually for the better.
It was just about a year ago that I had the chance to spend a day on the Spyder RS, which is the bottom-of-the-line model, without all the two-up touring options the rest of these roadsters have. This time I chose the RT, which comes with rear bags and a top bag that doubles as a cushy passenger backrest. I wanted to see what differences there might be.
For instance, I wondered if the RT would have a wider wheelspan, go slower (they all use the same engine), or feel more stable with the extra weight. I didn't think about technological improvements, although I should have. That's where I noticed differences.
It turned out that the 2011 RT and RS are virtually identical machines, with the exception that the RT weighs more and has more storage capacity, thanks to the touring set-up. The RS has a little more horsepower, while the RT makes a little more torque. The RT also puts out more wattage in order to power the gear you will presumably have with you on a longer ride.
On the road
That's all fine, but how does it handle?
One of the things I had noticed on the RS was that the footpegs were rear-set. The usefulness of that set-up made total sense when I first starting riding around in the parking lot. The Spyder turns like a car, and like a car, if you go left, centrifugal force wants to throw you to the right. Rear-set pegs allow you to brace yourself against that force. I also found it desirable to lean my upper body across the machine in the direction of the turn.
On the RT, or perhaps it's more precise to say "on the 2011 models," the pegs are not so rear-set. And yet, I didn't find myself being thrown the other way as forcefully as I had before. Part of this may have had to do with the deeper seat on the RT, which held me in place more, but I suspect at least some of it had to do with the Spyder's Vehicle Stability System and Stability Control System. I'm not going to try to explain what these systems do; you can find details on the Can-Am website.
Out on the road, the RT has the kind of acceleration you would expect from a 929-pound (dry weight) vehicle with a 998cc engine. Which is to say it's not a rocket, but the guy in front of me did manage to lay some rubber taking off from a stop one time. You sit very high on the Spyder and have good visibility. You are also very visible. The bulk of the RT is such that I felt almost like I was riding in an open-top Volkswagen Beetle, and it made me wonder how close to Beetle-size the Spyder is.
All in all, I'd say the Spyder is a capable machine that continues to get better. If you're interested in a trike, this is definitely an option. If you want a bike that you lean into the corners you needn't consider a Spyder. Different strokes for different folks.
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