Ride Report: Can-Am Spyder RS

To break with convention is a bold and risky move.

It could be disastrous for a manufacturer. Or it could create something unique. A machine that fits no known category of vehicle, but instead defines its own.

And that’s exactly what happened with the Can-Am Spyder.

In creating the Spyder, Bombardier Recreational Products started with a concept and created a machine like nothing else on the road - it’s not a motorcycle, it’s not a car. But it’s the most fun you can have on ….. 3 wheels!

I spent a few hours with Todd Webster from Spyder Ryder Australia and took one of his Spyders through the northern NSW and QLD hinterland. Spyder Ryder has 2 machines available for tours and hire. To hire one you will need to hold an open motorcycle licence, but Todd can take you out for a tour if you don’t or if you simply want to sit back and enjoy the scenery.

When we met up with Todd - our photographer Dean Saffron came along for the ride - he showed us over the Spyder and gave me an essential safety brief, pointing out all the things that are different to a motorcycle.

For a start there’s no front brake lever, all braking is done from a pedal at your right foot. The Electronic Brake Distribution system decides how to balance the braking between the front and rear.

There’s no clutch lever either, instead there’s an up/down switch on the left handlebar for the electronically controlled 5 speed transmission, and another switch to select reverse.

And of course there’s the wheels - 3 of them! Two up front and one at the rear. With 3 wheels the machine is inherently more stable than a normal motorcycle, no more accidental drops in the gravel carpark either!

And those wheels are quite wide too - 5 inch at the front, 7 inch at the rear and fitted with tyres that look like they belong on a car. In fact they’re specialised soft compound motorcycle tyres.

Todd also explained to me that the Spyder is fitted with power steering, ABS, Traction Control and a Vehicle Stability System that would kick in if one of the wheels lifted off the ground (not likely I was hoping).

Another uncommon, but very practical feature, is the 44 litres of storage space in the nose of the Spyder. So with our gear loaded, including all of Dean’s camera gear, we were ready to head out on the road.

Firing up the engine unleashed the familiar sound of a big v-twin. The Spyder is powered by a liquid cooled 1000cc Rotax v-twin, and develops 106hp and 104Nm of torque. Translated that means 0 to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds - not that I was going to try - and enough pulling power to happily carry 2 people on top of its own 317kg. It gets its power to the ground through a belt drive to the rear wheel.

Even on the phone Todd warned me I would have to unlearn a lot of what I knew about riding a motorcycle. As we moved off I realised what he meant.

There’s no counter steering or leaning into a turn like on a motorcycle. Instead you turn the handlebars left to go left, and for a motorcyclist that feels totally back to front at first. The first few corners in the back streets were … well … interesting while I got used to something so different to anything else I had ever ridden or even driven.

Changing gear was an absolute joy. Forget about a clutch! Press the up (+) button and the Spyder shifts up a gear in under 0.6 second. Down changes are just as easy and as you press the down (-) button the electronics blips the throttle perfectly for you.
The gearbox also changes down for you automatically as you slow the vehicle for a corner or as you come to a stop. I found it can also happen part way through a roundabout so I decided to take control of that myself and change down for corners before the electronics made the decision for me. It worked flawlessly coming up to traffic lights though, and meant one less thing to deal with.

As Todd led us south towards Murwillumbah I knew he’d be watching me in his mirrors and possibly thinking that here’s another motorcyclist a little out of his comfort zone. In fact it took me about an hour to really get confident with how the Spyder handles.

Every chance he got Todd would give me some more tips on how to get the most out of my time with the Spyder. Obviously some were from personal experience, and others from watching motorcyclists adapt to the very different riding style.

Breaking my tendency to sit back and lean forward as I do on the GSX-R was one of the first. Instead, sitting forward and a little more upright made it easier to turn the machine into corners.

By the time we made our first stop for photos I was feeling pretty happy on board. And while Dean did his thing with the camera it gave me a chance to hop on the back with Todd to get a passengers perspective.

I’d been watching Dean on the back of the other machine and he seemed to be quite relaxed. The seat is quite comfortable, there’s a couple of big handrails to grab hold of and Todd’s Spyders are fitted with very solid back rests that come as optional accessories for the RS model.

As we circled for photos I realised, once again, that it was a very different sensation to being on the back of a motorcycle. But I was also starting to get comfortable and think that I could get very used to travelling like this.

With our photo shoot completed we headed into Murwillumbah, and it was here that I realised just how much attention these unusual machines attract. As we rode down the main street people in cafes stopped eating and talking and turned to look, and people on the footpaths stopped and stared.

From Murwillumbah it was time to head home, and we’d decided to come back along Tomewin Rd and into Currumbin. It’s a stretch of road that I never feel comfortable on. The surface is broken in a lot of places, there’s corrugations in the corners and normally debris on the road to deal with as well. But it is twisty! And since I was now feeling quite comfortable on the Spyder it gave me one last chance to really see what it could do.

Todd gave me one more riding tip. The Spyder actually likes the power on just before the apex of the corner. It helps to pull the front around and hold a much tighter line, and it means you can go a bit harder through the corner. Don’t try that on two wheels on a rough surface.

On 2 wheels I would normally avoid it, but on 3 wheels Tomewin Rd was fun. The Spyder’s stability and grip levels were impressive and filled me with confidence. I found myself pushing harder into the corners than I’d imagined. Even on corners with gravel on the road the Spyder hugged the corner and the traction control made sure that I never had any more than a tiny amount of rear wheel spin as I applied the power.

Now I was sold on the concept! The Spyder is one of the safest and sure footed vehicles I’d ever ridden or driven. With the feeling of freedom of a motorcycle, and the stability of a car you have the best of both worlds in a package like no other. It’s really bridging the gap between a motorcycle and a sports car.

The question I always ask myself after a test ride is whether I’d want to own the machine. With the Spyder it’s not a simple answer. If I could add it to the garage as well as a motorcycle I would, but I think I’d miss the riding style of a motorcycle if I had to choose between the two. Personally, I think I’ll be keeping a motorcycle in the garage but Todd will be getting a call regularly when I want to get out and do something totally different.

If you’re thinking of buying a Spyder my suggestion is that you make sure you spend a reasonable amount of time riding one before making your decision. At upwards of $31,000 you want to know you’ll be happy before you part with your money and you certainly won’t know that from a short test ride. I’d go for an extended test ride from a dealer or give Todd at Spyder Ryder a call and hire one for a day.

Spyder Ryder also organises tours and if you’re visiting the Gold Coast or northern NSW areas it’s a great way to see this part of the country. And even if you live in the area it’s worth a ride just to experience what these machines are like. Most people will find sitting on the back of a Spyder an easy and comfortable way to travel, and far less daunting than leaning into corners. And with Todd’s extensive knowledge and experience on the machines you’re certain to have a good time.

All the details for hire and tours can be found on the Spyder Ryder website at www.spyderryder.com.au

The Spyder is a fantastic vehicle, and totally unique. Even if you never get to own one, do yourself a favour and at least experience riding one.

Photography: Dean Saffron.