The folks at Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) have a winner with the Can-Am Spyder, a hi-tech, three-wheeled vehicle. This testosterone-laden roadster is an absolute head-turner. Only question is, should it be classified as a motorcycle or an ATV on steroids.
The Can-Am Spyder comes in a semi-automatic (SE5) and manual (SM5) version. According to Motorcycle USA, “No matter how you describe the riding experience, the one word that keeps surfacing to the top is “fun.” Plus amazing, unreal, incredible, awesome and a whole slew of positive adjectives. Bottom line is the Can-Am Spyder Roadster is an absolute kick-in-the-butt to ride.”
The SE5 rides like a snowmobile and matches the overall BRP riding position common to their ATV, Snow and PWC products but it is beneath the cover where these models differ. More computing technology brings even more automobile-like features to the roadster.
The Spyder’s operator manual is filled with safety and performance acronyms like VSS, ABS and TCS which stand for Vehicle Stability System, Anti-lock Brakes and Traction Control System, respectively. The VSS supplied by Bosch can also be experienced on the Chevy Silverado and Toyota Camry. The system intervenes by applying brake pressure or cutting the throttle with the onset of wheel lift or if the G-meter under the seat senses excessive lateral movement.
Despite all the technology incorporated to keep you from rolling over in the turns, BRP has built in a lot of fun as well as safety. The traction control system took a back seat to the giggles on our ride around Dallas as burnouts became rampant. Stocked with the Rotax 998cc V-Twin engine previously used in the Aprilia but remapped for more torque, the SE5 boasts 106 hp and 77 ft-lbs of torque, letting it run from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
Much like an ATV, snowmobile or PWC, the Spyder has Dynamic Power Steering which is computer controlled and tied to torque and wheel speed. All told, there are five ECUs in the Spyder, in different boxes placed around the machine that are interdependent but have a redundant backup system for safety.
So how exactly does this thing work? A centrifugal clutch ensures no engagement of the clutch under 1,800 rpm, eliminating the need for a clutch lever, leaving you freely idling at full stop. Poking the “+” button opens the clutch, shifts, closes the clutch and reengages gears in 200 milliseconds, which is essentially imperceptible to us humans and smooth as can be expected.
Gear ratios are the same for both the SM and SE models. On the downshift, you can manually toggle the “-“ button at your fingertip or you can wait for the machine to automatically downshift itself. Upon coming down to 2,500 rpm in any gear, the system will automatically downshift for you, enhancing the reacceleration ability of the Spyder for any such emergency need to escape danger.
There is nothing on the road quite like the Spyder SE5. Government perception and legislation reflects this as you can drive the Spyder without a motorcycle endorsement on your license in California and Delaware, but will need it if you reside in any other state. Canada, the home of the Spyder, still can’t agree on what the hell it is, so the rules have yet to be written. Since licensing and registration differs per state, your best bet is to check with both the BRP site and your local DMV for more information.
The Price: The 2009 stock version, which comes in gray, retails for $15,449. If you want a Spyder in yellow or red you will need to add another $400. And if you want the SE5 version, that will set you back another $1,500. Go online to www.brp.com to find the closet dealer.
