Posts: 144
Threads: 5
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Aug 2016
Does anyone on this forum have experience with a Can-am Spyder? My initial reaction was always "That's not a motorcycle" but lately I've been looking for a way for my wife to join me on rides. She has her MC endorsement but has never felt comfortable with anything on two wheels. I test-drove a Harley three-wheeler but don't think that's the solution for her; cornering was vastly different from a two-wheeler...
I've never driven a Spyder -- at least not yet -- but would like to hear any opinions -- good or bad. If I went this way for her, I'd be thinking used, in the $10-12K range, with automatic (paddle shift?) transmission.
Thanks.
Frank
Posts: 23,466
Threads: 697
Likes Received: 572 in 258 posts
Likes Given: 752
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 79
Threads: 4
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Jul 2015
I have a buddy that has owned Spyders since 2009. He absolutely loves them. He has been on several multi day 1000k+ mile trips riding two up and sometimes pulling a folding camp trailer. He and his wife rode from the Pacific Northwest to Branson, Mo a couple of years ago.
I would suggest that you rent one for a weekend first just to see how she likes it. The semi-automatic with the paddle shift is the way to go.
Posts: 144
Threads: 5
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Aug 2016
Thanks to the ferret and to Pete. The thread the ferret referenced has about all the info I could have asked for. Guess I should have searched for it myself
Posts: 23,466
Threads: 697
Likes Received: 572 in 258 posts
Likes Given: 752
Joined: Apr 2025
Lol, well I by virtue of being a moderstor, read almost every post, and many of the subjects stick with me, then a specific search word will pull up relevant threads. I'm not as good at it as Cormanus and popgun however.
Posts: 3,872
Threads: 186
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Dec 2013
My wife and I both were invited to try out a Can Am Spyder recently. This is a 2015 touring model with the paddle shift. It was just "okay" in my view. Not at all exciting to ride and I did not like the paddle shift. Our friend loves it though and that's all that matters. For what they cost I would have a nice used Miata or Honda S2000.
I also did not like having three wheel tracks to consider. Missing road debris is all the more challenging.
Posts: 912
Threads: 19
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: May 2015
My wife rides a Can-Am and loves it. She never really got comfortable on 2 wheels, owned several bikes, and discovered the Can-Am at a bike show one winter. Test rode one and said this is it. 5 years later still loves it.
Excellent well made machine, runs well and no problems at all. I ride it once or twice a year but it's not for me, my version of 3 wheels involves a sidecar.
I highly recommend the machines. Paddle shift works fine. I see some excellent bargains on CL from time to time.
Posts: 1,268
Threads: 6
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Jul 2014
I was just thinking about the Can-Ams. Was at the Jersey shore this weekend and it seemed like more bikes were out than normal. I must have seen 50 or so bikes in total. From what I could tell, 40 were Harleys. Two Honda Gold Wings. Two sport bikes of some kind, One Yamaha FJ something, One Triumph and five Can-Ams. I thought that was a larger than used to seeing number of Can Ams. They must be really catching on.
Posts: 743
Threads: 79
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Jan 2015
(06-11-2017, 12:01 AM)decarmine_imp Wrote: Does anyone on this forum have experience with a Can-am Spyder? My initial reaction was always "That's not a motorcycle" but lately I've been looking for a way for my wife to join me on rides. She has her MC endorsement but has never felt comfortable with anything on two wheels. I test-drove a Harley three-wheeler but don't think that's the solution for her; cornering was vastly different from a two-wheeler...
I've never driven a Spyder -- at least not yet -- but would like to hear any opinions -- good or bad. If I went this way for her, I'd be thinking used, in the $10-12K range, with automatic (paddle shift?) transmission.
Thanks.
Frank
I rode one of the older models once. I hated it. Turning was a chore. It felt like it was trying to buck my off like a bronco. Since you can't lean it the g forces suck.
Posts: 144
Threads: 5
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Aug 2016
(06-12-2017, 03:27 AM)Rebel73_imp Wrote: (06-11-2017, 12:01 AM)decarmine_imp Wrote: Does anyone on this forum have experience with a Can-am Spyder? My initial reaction was always "That's not a motorcycle" but lately I've been looking for a way for my wife to join me on rides. She has her MC endorsement but has never felt comfortable with anything on two wheels. I test-drove a Harley three-wheeler but don't think that's the solution for her; cornering was vastly different from a two-wheeler...
I've never driven a Spyder -- at least not yet -- but would like to hear any opinions -- good or bad. If I went this way for her, I'd be thinking used, in the $10-12K range, with automatic (paddle shift?) transmission.
Thanks.
Frank
I rode one of the older models once. I hated it. Turning was a chore. It felt like it was trying to buck my off like a bronco. Since you can't lean it the g forces suck.
That's how I felt riding a Harley three-wheeler. Was kinda hoping the Spyder was different. Sounds similar...
