Can Am Spyder

[Richard Kuysten]

#3611

Currently doing a promo and offering test rides, still a lot of empty spaces:Free Registration at http://www.spyderexperience.com

[Arne Rohde]

#14972

I was thinking of going to the Taupo days this weekend, until I read the “Spyder Experience conditions to participation” and the Waiver that you have to sign. No way am I agreeing to those. I suggest anyone considering test riding one read the documents carefully before signing up. Presumably some dealers would allow test rides without all the legalese involved with the demo days.Note: IANAL (I Am Not A Lawyer, don't play one on TV, and don't even watch lawyer programs on TV except for The Court Report on TVNZ7).

[Dave Ross]

#14973

I must admit that I don't get the Spyder thing, nor the trikes for that matter. If it comes to that, I'd much rather drive a nice convertible.

[Richard Kuysten]

#14974

If it comes to that, I'd much rather drive a nice convertible.

  I do Alex, 😉  but the Spyder intrigues me with it's difference.  Mind you I once drove a little three wheeler called a Reliant with a two at the front and one at the rear.  Two stroke and you had to step inside the bonnet to kick start it.

[Arne Rohde]

#14975

I think you mean one at the front and two at the rear. Which makes them want to tip over very easily on corner. I remember the Bond Bug from the 1970s, and saw one again recently at Southward's Motor Museum. Cute little thing, and very visible despite its diminutive size.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bond_Bug

[Anonymous]

#14976

i took up their offer on 04mar. it's quite a safe ride actually.  ;D anyway, didn't really enjoy the experience; so no spyder for me. was tempted by the 50% discount on the manual model though.

[Richard Kuysten]

#14977

I think you mean one at the front and two at the rear. Which makes them want to tip over very easily on corner. I remember the Bond Bug from the 1970s, and saw one again recently at Southward's Motor Museum. Cute little thing, and very visible despite its diminutive size.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bond_Bug

Right again Arne, your memory is clearly much better than mine  😉 from the link it would have been the Regal because the dates match. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliant_RegalI was probably getting it mixed up with the Morgan I owned when I was about 5  😉 http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/sales/pedal_car_2010/pedal_car.html

[Anonymous]

#14978

I think you mean one at the front and two at the rear. Which makes them want to tip over very easily on corner. I remember the Bond Bug from the 1970s, and saw one again recently at Southward's Motor Museum. Cute little thing, and very visible despite its diminutive size.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bond_Bug

This was the first car I ever owned,I seem to remember spending almost as much time repairing it as I did actually driving it.mine was a Bond Bug 750 ES and went like a rocket,it sometimes thought it was a motorcycle though and gave you the two wheel experience at the most inconvenient of times.......it was quicker than a mini in a straight line,but sadly you had to shift you weight like a sidecar passenger if you wanted to go round corners in anger....great fun though and I owe a lot of my mechanical knowledge to the nights I spent underneath that vehicle......

[Richard Kuysten]

#14979

Well despite all the legal worries I did it.  I have to say it was very well organised with half an hours training around small section of cones which was much more difficult than out on the road.  The major difference is of course the need to pull the bars the way you want to go but if you've ridden a quad then you'll know how it feels.  Secondly there is no hand brake, just like on a car you only have a foot brake and this took some getting used to and I kept grabbing fresh air where the front brake would be. I rode the manual model for most of the ride then swapped with a guy who wanted to try the manual so I got to try the semi auto which is a little like Tiptronic I imagine but again no problem although I preferred the manual.  Once on the road though an interesting experience and I must say I enjoyed my ride.  There was at least one rider and passenger who was having trouble keeping it on the road and needed some help but the rest of us coped well and had an enjoyable experience.  Would I have one? not to replace the bike but if I had the spare money who knows.  Some pics for those who are interested:First to guess who the hoon below is, just after scattering cones and squealing tyres I'll buy you a beer next time we meet up.

[Anonymous]

#14980

The no brake on the right handle bar is a real counter intuitive failing IMO. The polaris Quad bike is the same --- When you need the front brake and you need it in a hurry - you go to where it is on all bikes and most quads. Except on these two  #!!# !! eek !! splat. Would rather have an Piaggio MP3 scooter at least they lean

[Richard Kuysten]

#14981

The no brake on the right handle bar is a real counter intuitive failing IMO.

The point they labour at the training session Billy is that the Spyder is not a motorbike.  Presumably you drive a car? hands on wheel, right foot on throttle then move to brake when you want to stop? Similar thing on the Spyder except your right foot has nothing to do other than stop you. It's just as easy and after a few minutes in the saddle to learn the technique you can concentrat on positioning yourself on the road and getting your cornering right.  It's much more fun than your average car.  I have to say that for the first few ks I did find myself grabbing for a brake that wasn't there, but soon clicked.

[Dave Ross]

#14982

You'll love this one Malcolm, three wheels and a convertible, ticks all the boxes.I'll have the sportier version  ;D

[Richard Kuysten]

#14983

I do Alex, such neat little vehicles.  The roads are filled now with vehicles that mostly copy each other for fear of loosing sales.Your top picture has a little red car in the background that reminded me of the BMW Isetta that was quite common on the roads in Britain in the late 50s and 60s.  It's opposition was the Messerschmitt which I liked as a young man because of the likeness to the real thing.  Have to say two wheels at the front was always my preference though.

[Anonymous]

#14984

All very Wallace and Grommit looking, including the Spyder, IMHO.

[Richard Kuysten]

#14985

Wallace and who? ???

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