Feature

Text: Jared Solomon
Three Legged Spyder
	During the 1970s, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) built the Can-Am brand of off-road competition motorcycles designed specifically for motocross fitted with Rotax engines with displacement figures between 125 and 800cc. The bikes competed successfully in professional racing with Gary Jones winning the 1974 U.S. 250cc AMA National Motocross Championship. However, by 1983 BRP licensed the brand and outsourced development of Can-Am motorcycles to Armstrong/Clews Competition Motorcycles of Lancashire, England and 1987 ended up being the last model year for Can-Am. In 2006 Bombardier renamed their all-terrain vehicle (ATV) line of products to Can-Am. And in 2007, the Can-Am brand was also used to introduce a never before seen three wheeled roadster – the Can-Am Spyder. This was the first vehicle by BRP to go on the road, the only frontier which the Canadian manufacturer had yet to conquer. And even though it is called a roadster, it actually isn’t. What it really is can be called a ‘trike’ – a three-wheeled motorcycle with the two wheels in the front and only one in the rear. The first generation Spyder had a 990cc Rotax V-Twin engine capable of producing 106bhp. It also featured a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic gearbox and both of these transmission options also featured a reverse gear. The Spyder also featured added technology such as traction control (TCS), stability control (SCS) and antilock brakes (ABS). In 2008-09 the Can-Am Spyder suffered a major setback as more than 9000 models were recalled following steering malfunctions.
	The newer generation Spyder features a Rotax 991 cc, DOHC, 8-valve V-Twin, liquid-cooled motor, with electronic fuel injection. The Rotax motor now generates 100bhp (6 less than the earlier models) but develops more torque at 108Nm. It is estimated that the Spyder can race from 0-100kmph in just over 5 seconds, and depending on the load being carried it can reach a little over 150kmph. These figures are very respectable when you consider that the trike-bike-roadster – whatever you want to call it, weighs over 420kg at dry weight. The transmission options are the same as the first generation Spyder and the foot controls (brake and shifter) are mid-mounted on the manual gearbox while changing gears on the automatic transmission is done by a toggle lever on the left-hand grip – forward to shift up while the sequential downshifts take place automatically when the Spyder loses speed. Instead of the traditional hand brake, there’s a foot-actuated, fully integrated hydraulic 3-wheel braking system with dual discs in the front and a single disc in the rear. The newer models are also loaded with additional features. The standard model is equipped with a color screen and analog gauges, electric windscreen, cruise control, a Roadster electronic control center and luxury seating. The Audio and Convenience Package includes AM/FM radio, a jack for iPod and iPhone integration, dual analog gauges, and electric front hood release. The high-end model include so much more such as adjustable rear suspension, auto-leveling, 7 pre-load settings, a shifting indicator on color display, premium audio system, 2 additional speakers with passenger controls, 3.5mm audio and auxiliary jack, an upgraded special edition trim, chrome accents, smoked chrome wheels, trunk liner and half cover, heated rider and passenger grips, and fog and LED accent lights. The starting price for one of these revolutionary and confused automobiles is $20,000 (approx. ` 8.9 lakhs). The Spyder is a brilliant and innovative machine and features on-road cruising luxury and is also capable of giving you off-road motocross excitement. It looks like the perfect machine for a road trip to Leh. What say?