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2008 Can-Am Spyder Test

31243 Views 64 Replies 27 Participants Last post by newagetwotone, Jul 14, 2008

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Discussion Starter · Aug 1, 2007

Original Article:
2008 Can-Am Spyder Test

Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article 2008 Can-Am Spyder Test in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested.

21 - 40 of 65 Posts

10024

· #21 · Aug 2, 2007

How big of a stretch would it be to put the tree-wheel scooter front end on this thing? It would lean, be really stable, attract a boat load of attention, and still be macho enough for a sport biker to ride.....well almost.

pplassm

· #22 · Aug 2, 2007

You guys are missing the point. This thing is NOT a motorcycle, and was not meant to be one.

The only link to motorcycling is the fact that a motorcycle license and helmet are required in most states.

That doesn't make it any less fun.

BrowningBAR

· #23 · Aug 2, 2007

At least you wouldn't be able to drop this one a half a dozen times...

BrowningBAR

· #24 · Aug 2, 2007

Agreed.

.

DonM

· #25 · Aug 2, 2007

It needs a gun rack

Sorry, the Spyder still reminds me of a motorcycle the Consumer Products Safety Council,CPSC, would design to keep us well, safe. I know if I bought one that I would be fighting the constant force to pitch me off in a turn and hating it.
The market for this trilobyte is the off-road four wheeler owners, who will see it as a safe way to go out in the rain. Go figure.

So, any interesting vehicles at the Burning Man Festival this year?

3833

· #26 · Aug 2, 2007

Actually, a 3 wheeled design is inherantly UNstable: there is a reason why all the trike ATVs left the market in a flood of lawsuits.

The low center of gravity and handling nanny can help save it, but non-leaning trikes really aren't as good at cornering as either cars (with two wheels on the outside) or bikes (which lean inwards). You push a trike to the limit too hard and it will highside you out over it.

sachiwilson

· #27 · Aug 2, 2007

A three wheeler with one front wheel is inherently unstable.

A three wheeler with TWO front wheels is a different matter entirely.

SmokeU

· #28 · Aug 2, 2007

Are you poking fun of me or did I just not read the article completely? Either way, cheerio.

Kenneth_Moore

· #29 · Aug 2, 2007

The guys at the local dealership I spoke to said they did everything they could to get the Spyder to tip when they had one in for demo rides. No matter how hard they cornered, or any combination of braking and power they used, the thing was stable. Apparently lawsuit avoidance had a lot to do with the overall design and implementation of the various control systems.

longride

· #30 · Aug 2, 2007

Kenneth_Moore said:
Apparently lawsuit avoidance had a lot to do with the overall design and implementation of the various control systems.

Unfortunately, most designs are now developed around lawsuits and stupidity. We get waring stickers on motorcycles to tell us gasoline is flammable. No Shyt! Hell, the Easy-Bake Oven toy had to be recalled this year even though they ahve been making the thing for 40 years. Some kids couldn't figure out that a light bulb gets hot. I guess between lawsuits and the dumbing down of America, we will soon have 'safety' systems on just about everything.

Buzglyd

· #31 · Aug 2, 2007

longride said:
Unfortunately, most designs are now developed around lawsuits and stupidity. We get waring stickers on motorcycles to tell us gasoline is flammable. No Shyt! Hell, the Easy-Bake Oven toy had to be recalled this year even though they ahve been making the thing for 40 years. Some kids couldn't figure out that a light bulb gets hot. I guess between lawsuits and the dumbing down of America, we will soon have 'safety' systems on just about everything.

I was at the Vespa dealer in O'side and they had those Piaggio MP3 scooters in there. The warning sticker under the seat said, "No Pets."

Kenneth_Moore

· #32 · Aug 2, 2007

longride said:
Unfortunately, most designs are now developed around lawsuits and stupidity. We get waring stickers on motorcycles to tell us gasoline is flammable. No Shyt! Hell, the Easy-Bake Oven toy had to be recalled this year even though they ahve been making the thing for 40 years. Some kids couldn't figure out that a light bulb gets hot. I guess between lawsuits and the dumbing down of America, we will soon have 'safety' systems on just about everything.

And the one thing that needs the warning sticker most doesn't have any: PEOPLE!!!!

mscuddy

· #33 · Aug 2, 2007

Tricycle.com?

Next you'll be foisting one of these off on us...

Morgan, the World's Leading 3-Wheeler

35661

· #34 · Aug 2, 2007

I took one for over an hour a couple weeks ago. Had a blast, but was odd in corners. I felt plenty of push, but the nannies would kick in before I could get in too much trouble. I would spend a lot on new rear tires. It is easy and fun to do burn outs at launch.

The_AirHawk

· #35 · Aug 2, 2007

Kenneth_Moore said:
And the one thing that needs the warning sticker most doesn't have any: PEOPLE!!!!

Tattoo seen on the back of a man's shaved head:

"Warning! This person is STUPID - Avoid Contact with Speaking Parts!"

BrowningBAR

· #36 · Aug 2, 2007

THAT is pretty sweet looking! Kind of like Mad Max meets Jules Verne.

I wonder if you can travel in time with it?

The_AirHawk

· #37 · Aug 2, 2007

nweaver said:
Actually, a 3 wheeled design is inherantly UNstable: there is a reason why all the trike ATVs left the market in a flood of lawsuits.

No, they left the market because of staged "yellow journalism" stunts on 20/20 and 60 minutes, et. al.

Much like the BS over the "exploding" Chevy/GMC pickup fuel-tanks.

I and several of my friends rode them constantly through the '80s - never once managed to turn one over, no matter WHAT stupidity we did with 'em. (but did come close a few times!) The major "problem" I saw with stability on these things was an absolute lack of any real suspension for the back - a couple of trailing-arms (sometimes!) & live axle and the "sponginess" of the underinflated rear tires was the extent of anything I remember on any of of those things.

By the time they developed any kind of independent rear-suspension, it was a moot point - they were "gone", and all that effort went to the 4-wheelers.

And of course, manufacturing only quads has made the offroad-powersports industry easily 110% safer. (/sarcasm)

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Kevin_Duke

· #38 · Aug 2, 2007

Kenneth_Moore said:
"The Can-Am name is familiar to motorcyclists who were around during the 1970s and didn't take Hunter S. Thompson-levels of hallucinogens."

And to some of us who did.

Glad you're still functioning! Love your sig!

Kevin_Duke

· #39 · Aug 2, 2007

Cheesebeast said:
Melange a trois would be a simple mix of three. Quite wholesome.

Menage a trois, well, less wholesome.

I read it initially as "Menage a trois", cause I am a perv.

Crafty...

And here's proof you can be a perv and articulate at the same time! Thanks, 'Beast.

Buzglyd

· #40 · Aug 2, 2007

mscuddy said:
Next you'll be foisting one of these off on us...

Morgan, the World's Leading 3-Wheeler

No doubt there is one of those in perfect running order in the Cuddy garage.

21 - 40 of 65 Posts

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