Kawasaki Concours Forum
Riding => It's not a Concours - other Bikes => Topic started by: tidewatergirl on July 17, 2011, 08:43:37 AM
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When I saw the Can-Am pull up in the parking lot today at a breakfast house....and saw a guy climb off that had crippling arthritis in his hands and hips.... I thought great and alternative to the VStar Classic that I gave up....that was just to heavy for me to handle. Don't know much about them so would appreciate some "grown-up" input as opposed to the sophmorite comments that Rick had to move to the Arena and banned the last time. I am really considering one of these and they aren't cheap. Is the mileage more like car....the handling more like a car. I know I can go to the spyderlovers.com but I would rather hear it from the "trusted folks" of connie riders.
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Heres my opinion, if I couldnt handle a bike anymore, and it was either a trike, spyder, or a car. It would be a spyder. If thats what it takes to get me out on the road not in a cage then I'd happily own one. Hell I'm 24 and I'd love to have one, they are just too expensive.
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They accelerate like a muscle car, so in the fives zero to 60, very fast but not connie fast. They get around 35 miles per gallon, and they handle very good. They look fantastic, sound great, very comfy for the driver and the passenger and you can get them fully decked out with stereo and lots of storage.
Fantastic bike,
Just not my style.
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Heres my opinion, if I couldnt handle a bike anymore, and it was either a trike, spyder, or a car. It would be a spyder. If thats what it takes to get me out on the road not in a cage then I'd happily own one. Hell I'm 24 and I'd love to have one, they are just too expensive.
Ditto! My wife and I have tested them (she used to ride) and she would buy one in a second if the cash was there. I'd buy one just to have because they're pretty cool, plenty fast, have a lot of features and let's face it, there are days having more wheels than two would be a good thing.
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Thanks for the encouragement...now its time to go to the dealer and have a ride around. Will let you know how it feels. I love the Can-Am website.....starts out with the ZZ TOP band and road movie!
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I'd ride one ;)
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I liked the thought of them, but I want the free parking places I find on a bike. I would not be able to hide the Spyder to easily. The fully loaded ones are awesome, but at $26,000 the BMW 1600 trumps it pretty fast. IMHO.
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They have one big advantage over a trike. Two wheels in front, which is important going through corners. A coworker had a Goldwing converted to a trike. After riding it for 1 month he sold it. Said it pushed really bad in corners. He backed up traffic on cloverleafs because he had to take them so slowly.
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I am considering one for two up touring. Just easier.... Not for solo, though.
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If you ride quads or snowmobiles, you'll take to it like a fish to water! On one of my test rides on one, I tried to lock em up on a gravel road at somewhere around 45-50 mph & all it did was squat down & come to a controlled, no slide, no weave, stop... No muss, No fuss!!! Will definetly give your upper body a workout, but in a good way. Yep, I'd own one too! Of course, I'd prolly chip it & put on some pipes to hear that sweet Aprillia motor just a bit....
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Its a lot of nothing compared to the ZX14/C14 T-Rex three-wheeler below
I didn't like riding the can-am due to the sheer lack of performance in every category except braking. I guess if you want to talk yourself into one thats possible.
(http://www.moto123.com/ArtImages/109545/2009-campagna-trex-001.jpg)
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Those T-rex's are like $50G's last time I looked!!!! These look pretty awesome too:
(http://www.winstrikes.com/images/thoroughbred/stallion-red.jpg)
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I personally like them as well. I was contemplating one myself as well. I thought the best part would be wife and I can switch to driving it. But the cost, the handling (I read they take the corners a bit harder than bikes and is nanied to the teeth with all kinds of sensors/ecu), and the fact that I will be wishing for two wheels anyway, decided to stay with just a two wheeler.
I admit I never got around to test drive one. But if you like them, test drive and see what you think.
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Its a lot of nothing compared to the ZX14/C14 T-Rex three-wheeler below
I didn't like riding the can-am due to the sheer lack of performance in every category except braking. I guess if you want to talk yourself into one thats possible.
(http://www.moto123.com/ArtImages/109545/2009-campagna-trex-001.jpg)
Are these T-rex street legal? I am getting me-self one as soon as I win this lottery (I hear the odds are pretty good - once in every 5000...years)
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I have a pair of them, I like them a lot, I bought them in 08 when they came out. My wife has the SE5 I ride a SM5. They are very fun to ride, we also ride Ski Doo snowmobiles. I am a very big fan of Bombardier...had a Sea Doo Islandia Jet boat also.
Best advice get out and ride one!
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Like others have said, the day that I get too old for a motorcycle I will be looking at one of these. I'm hoping there will be a robust used market for them by then.
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It is my understanding that David Hough (of Proficient Motorcycling fame) bought one at 73 and is now using it. If the day comes that I can no longer ride 2 wheels, I hope to still be able to ride 3.
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I have a pair of them, I like them a lot, I bought them in 08 when they came out. My wife has the SE5 I ride a SM5. They are very fun to ride, we also ride Ski Doo snowmobiles. I am a very big fan of Bombardier...had a Sea Doo Islandia Jet boat also.
Best advice get out and ride one!
Was my exact same scenario. My wife and I both had them. She had SE5 and I SM5. Rode them lots and liked them lots. I like the feel of a 2 wheel bike though and after a year I got bored with it. I ended up trading mine in on a 2009 Honda DN-01 for my wife. I'm happy about trading it, but I could easily see myself owning another someday. So far everything you are reading seems pretty accurate in my opinion.
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:doh:
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?54457-Not-sure-what-caused-this (http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?54457-Not-sure-what-caused-this)
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wow that's crazy!
I'd own one in a heartbeat, long before a t-rex. If I want to sit like that, I'll get a convertible.
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My Buddy (who can no longer ride a bike) has one. We went down a fast twisty road together and the Spyder did well.
I'm not saying to buy it to go thru the twisties at breakneck speeds. Just saying it clearly handled well in the twisties.
If I get to the point that I can't handle a bike, I would consider one.
I haven't rode his bike. Here is the little that I know.
As far as handling on the road, you turn it like a car, left to go left and right to go right. So it will steer differently than a bike.
Also, you shift it, but No clutch lever.
Ride safe, Ted
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They are not motorcycles, but they are kind of cool none the less.
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The comment made before about comparing the ride to a 4wheeler is spot on. There is NO lean in the corners. Some things to think about, IIRC unless it has changed, the only source for tires is the Can-Am dealer. I don't know if the wear rate has changed, but I think initially it wasn't any better than a regular motorcycle,...... and you had to buy 3 tires. Early Spyders had power steering and electrical issues so I would do some research to see if those issues were addressed. BTW, I would consider one also if I could not ride a 2 wheel bike.
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I did some research on them before deciding they were just too pricey for me. On the tire issue - with some fender trimming, there are car tires that will fir and work well, so that wasn't much of an issue. For me, ther seating position of the standard model was ok, but a bit sport bike. There are ways to fix that, but I'd like the option built into a different model. The full dress version is nice, and somewhat cheaper than a GW trike. But they do have a little less carrying capacity, and for my taste. they should have gone with a bigger engine. Still, I'd own one today if it wasn't for the price.
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Mazda Miata
Better in every way. Just my opinion.
And anybody who knows how do drive even a little should know that any high performance car will out corner any high performance MC. IT is the straight line performance where the MC is better.
Fact, not opinion!
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Mazda Miata
Better in every way. Just my opinion.
And anybody who knows how do drive even a little should know that any high performance car will out corner any high performance MC. IT is the straight line performance where the MC is better.
Fact, not opinion!
Now ya went and did it. I hafta disagree on BOTH comments!!!
Ya sed: any high performance car will out corner any high performance MC. IT is the straight line performance where the MC is better.
What about a "Drag type" of " high performance car "?
Won't out corner, and it "may" out-accererate a bike! <sly grin>
Ride safe, Ted
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He's got ya there.
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dang...somebody labeled this thread "adult conversation"...and I totally fell for it.
Is everybody a lawyer in here but me?
Context, you guys...dang again...
saxman
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ha, caughtcha lookin
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I don't think I would like a trike or a can am. I like to lean. If I can't or don't want to ride anymore I will probably get a convertible.
I think you have to get the touring model to get the power steering.
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This "Adult conversation" has been going on long enough, it's time for some T&A (Truth and Answers) by gawd ;)
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There is a guy in our riding group that has the touring version and he loves it. He rides 2 up the majority of the time and they are in their late 60's early 70's. He had some issues early on and had to get it towed in twice. The issues were all related to the computer and once they replaced that, he has been problem free ever since. And here is one ..... because of his troubles, the dealer went to bat for him with Can-am and they gave him a $500 certificate for free accessories. I just like the fact that they acknowledged his troubles and tried to do what they could to apologize. Some companies would just fix it and move on to the next.
I would buy one ......... some day.
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They are not motorcycles, but they are kind of cool none the less.
Tell that to the bmv...
They wear motorcycle tags, and are considered as a 3 wheel mc here in Ohio..to be clear.
Yesterday on the way to work on my C14 I rolled up alongside of one decked out to the max, and the rider was a 30 yr old woman.... I got a chance to look it and her, over pretty well before rolling on. Not a bad ride.
My tendency is more towards T-Rex tho when I have to give up on 2 wheels... I am currently going thru negotiations with a fellow ADV Rider for a complete C14 engine,electronics and running gear to begin fabbing into my own t-rex version nekid trike. Been wanting to do this since the 14 came out...
As for performance, I was PASSED by a Rex on Wolfpen Gap rd in Georgia while riding 2 up and loaded down for the RWTW and I'll tell you he was moving out fast and stable... I could not stay up with him thru the turns, but could read his plate in the straightaways...
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My wife and I test drove a CanAm last year in Texas. It is a different feeling going down the road... kinda feels like you oscillate from side to side at first. It was different and interesting to say the least. The funny thing about it was getting back on my C14 and almost forgetting to put my feet down at a stop light right after riding the CanAm. Good luck.
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Yes they do handle much like a snowmobile and for me that's a negative. Bad history with snowmobiles. I test rode one on a hot day and was disappointed in the lack of airflow.
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You test rode a snowmobile on a hot day?
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You test rode a snowmobile on a hot day?
Good question Mr. VJ !! Gave me a good laugh ! :rotflmao:
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Maybe it was my snowmobile suit ;D