I want to give a big thank-you to David and Wade at Colorado Sport Bike Rentals, in southwest Denver, for giving me this opportunity: I recently took their rental Can-Am Spyder out for a day to see just what these things are like.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the Spyder, that’s it in the picture there. It’s a three-wheeler with two bike-sized wheels in front and one car-sized wheel in back. As such, it turns like a car, with you steering to the right to go right, and steering left to go left. You do not lean into the turns the way you do on a two-wheeled cycle. Rather, you brace yourself on the rear-set pegs and lean across the body of the bike into the turn. It takes some getting used to.

I was out on the Spyder for 4-5 hours and the broad, well-padded seat never got uncomfortable. These machines are definitely good for riding all day. Being accustomed as I am to a large windshield or full fairing, I did wish I had something more than the bikini fairing to block the wind.

The Spyder is a pretty heavy machine so it’s probably a good thing that it comes with a reverse gear. You have to learn the drill to engage it: Drop into first, pull the R lever toward you, then click the foot lever down again. Easy as long as someone has explained it to you in advance, as David did. And in case you forget, the owner’s manual is slipped up under the cowling above the instrument panel.

The suspension was nothing to brag about going over rough pavement, but that’s true of my Concours, too. These things aren’t cars.

So I headed out after a brief familiarization in the parking lot and paid special attention to the attention the Spyder and I attracted. If you want people to look at you the Spyder is definitely your ticket. Stopped at a red light, a mom and her kids in the car next to me were all eyes. At another light on Federal Blvd. two guys eyed us with considerable interest and the passenger rolled down his window with one question: How fast does it go?

I couldn’t give him a good answer because I hadn’t been on the highway with it yet, but I can tell you now it will go as fast as you need to go. The engine is about 1,000cc and while it is not exploding with power it does respond to that twist of the wrist. And trust me, until you get some miles on it, you’re not going to want to twist that wrist very far, especially in the curvy stuff. Heading up Bear Creek Road to Evergreen I was definitely slowing the traffic behind me.

Stopping in Evergreen and several other mountain towns I deliberately set myself up to be approached by the curious people walking past. They didn’t disappoint me. The most common question was, “Do you need a motorcycle license to drive one of these?” Yes, you do, although here in Colorado you can actually get a trike license that lets you drive a three-wheeler but is not valid for you to ride a two-wheeler.

With three wheels, and perhaps due to seeing those two wheels in front of me, I never even had the inclination to put my feet down when coming to a stop.

Eventually I did get the hang of it and the more I did the more fun it was to ride. By the time I was headed toward Golden down Clear Creek Canyon I wasn’t even delaying the traffic behind me. But neither was I in any danger of getting a speeding ticket. I’m betting that if you ride one of these things regularly and get really used to it it all gets to be second nature.

Probably the bottom line in all this is, would I buy a Spyder? Truthfully, no, I would not, not at this time. I like two wheels one heck of a lot. But let some time pass, to where I’m getting quite a bit older and riding a two-wheeler is no longer a good option, and yes indeed, I could be in the market. In the meantime, if you’re looking for something completely different just a day or several, you can rent one from David and Wade. They’d be happy to hear from you.

Recent from National Motorcycle Examiner
AMA Grand Tours Series might add a spark to your motorcycle touring plans

Biker Quote for Today

We don’t stop riding because we get old, we get old because we stop riding.

I showed up for my first day on the new job Tuesday and right there, in the primo spot in the parking lot, like the guy must have been the first person to come to work that day, sat a brand new Can-Am Spyder.

I’ve read about these things in the motomags but this was the first one I’ve ever seen. And I still don’t know what to think of it. It a three-wheeler with two in front and one in back. This particular one was bright red and still had the temporary tag on it.

The thing about these is that while it is really cool looking, very sleek and shiny, and looks like a lot of fun, what it looks like most is a snowmobile on wheels. I’ve never ridden a snowmobile but they’ve always looked like a lot of fun, too, but the question that seems to be asked the most is this: Is it a motorcycle? I’ve read a bunch of articles and the bottom line is, it’s up to you to decide.

If you want to learn more about it, here’s an article on Edmunds.com where they talk about putting it through the paces. They liked it.

The full name for the Spyder is BRP Can-Am Spyder Grand Sport Roadster. It is manufactured by Bombardier Recreational Products, which is the BRP in the name. Bombardier makes small aircraft, including those really little commercial jets you may have flown in on Northwest Airlines. They own Cessna, too, I believe.

So that was an interesting way to start the first day on the new job. I’ll probably never find out who owns it, though. Too many thousands of people working there. And with the change in the weather he probably won’t be riding it to work again any time soon. But I’m glad I got to see it.

Biker Quote for Today

Would I buy one of everything? Oh, hell yes, if I could. But that’s a little out of my reach so you have to be selective.