Can-Am Spyder review: Newbies may dig it, serious bikers, not so much - Los Angeles Times
The Can-Am Spyder is one of the most eye-catching vehicles on the road, a Batmobike that elicits squeals of delight from people who don't ride motorcycles and sneers of disdain from people who do. Non-bikers like its futuristic, forward-leaning... Powered by a 1300cc, three-cylinder Rotax engine, and belt-driven through a fat, 15-inch rear tire, it offers 115 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque. Sold stock without windshield or side bags — though those are available — this is an around-town cruiser designed more for stylish point-to-point acceleration than for long-distance touring. In an apparent attempt to appeal to non-motorcycle consumers, Can-Am has made the Spyder extremely easy to ride. Gone are the traditional left hand clutch, right hand front brake and left foot shift levers. Instead, the transmission is automatic and braking to all three wheels is done through a single, right foot brake pedal, just like in a car. Though operator and passenger must wear helmets — as they do with the three-wheeled Harley-Davidson Trike and TriGlide, Polaris Slingshot and Campagna T-Rex — no motorcycle endorsement is required to buy, register or ride any three-wheeled... Update: California law allows a helmet law exemption of certain vehicles. A helmet is not required by persons operating or riding on a motorcycle that is larger than seven feet long, four feet wide, and 900 pounds in weight, per California Vehicle Code 27803. A Campagna T-Rex, therefore, might be exempt. Source: www.latimes.com
