2008 Can-Am SPYDER

NEWS & REVIEWS Background: The BRP designation and the off-shoot Can-Am brand might not mean anything to you now, but the company is betting they are going to revolutionize the motorcycle market. The three letters BRP don’t mean much until you realize what they stand for: Bombardier Recreational Products. Oh! We have all heard that Bombardier name before. They were the people behind the first snowmobile in 1958, the re-creation of the personal watercraft with the Sea-Doo brand and other ventures including their famous ATVs. BRP is moving into unchartered territory with their first on-road vehicle; an ATV/motorcycle crossbreed that utilizes a Y-type architecture. Performance: The 990cc V-twin can spin the rear tire in traction protest, grip and then scoot its way to right to sixty mph just as the stopwatch clicks over 4.5 seconds! That’s decently quick in anyone’s book. Due to the twin front tire set-up, the Can-Am does not lean over but rather retains its upright posture in turns. This could be a letdown to many motorcycle fans that enjoy touching their knee to the tarmac or seeing how far on the sidewall they can wear their tires. What the Spyder loses in agility it makes up for in traction with three large wheels putting a huge footprint to the road. Stopping the vehicle is a no-hassle ordeal because of the large 10 inch rotors all around being clamped by 4-piston calibers that come with pulsating ABS and can be automatically induced by traction control. . Exterior: The big part of the Can-Am is the exterior design which closely resembles an ATV and motorcycle mix. The front comes complete with two large wheels adjoining a ATV style front end and a motorcycle style rear. The whole look is different and works well; the bike is sure to garnish may stares on the streets. Market Impact: Combining the look of a motorcycle with the stability of two wheels in a very marketable, stylish roadster is sure to have a large affect on Can-Am and the sports bike market. Unlike other three tire motorcycles that seem made for a couple in their fifties, the Can-Am Spyder is sure to make a splash with enthusiasts seeking a weekend cruiser. At $15,000 it is more expensive and offers less performance than the 600cc bikes out there but makes up for it with good looks, class and a new interpretation of the same old idea. by: Benjamin Greene PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge