Riding Impression: Can-Am Spyder

I had the opportunity to ride a Can-Am Spyder RS last week during Arizona Bike Week.  I'll have to say, I cam away pretty impressed!  I've been pretty curious to ride one since they were introduced a couple of years ago by Bombardier, makers of Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo, Lear Jet and Can-Am ATV's among other things.
I'll have to admit that I didn't have my hopes up too high after having ridden the BMW powered GG Quad a few years ago.  Though the GG's specs and workmanship looked impressive, it had an unnerving quality of tracking every imperfection in the road.  Along with working very hard to keep it straight, it required muscle to turn.  


The Spyder on the other hand was very easy to turn.  Almost too easy!  At first, I got the impression that it tracked like the GG, but eventually I got it to go straight without much effort.  It was just very sensitive to any input at the bars.  After about 10 minutes, I got used to it and didn't have to work at keeping straight.  First impression from just sitting on it was that I was on a Sea-Doo watercraft with wheels.  The one I road was the sportier RS model with a full manual transmission just like a motorcycle's (there's a clutchless, electric button shift, semi-automatic available too).  I was impressed with the Rotax (another Bombardier company) sourced V-twin 1000cc engine that is very similar to the one used by Aprilia in their RSV1000R/Mille and Tuono models.  My tester was also equipped with a factory performance slip-on muffler that gave it a good rumble.  The Spyder was very responsive and fun in the twisties.  Suspension was taught and controlled but supple enough for around town use.
The Spyder would make an excellent every day commuter for those of us that like the open air feeling of a motorcycle but that don't like to deal with the inconvenience of dealing with two wheels in stop and go traffic.  Long distance touring is right up the Spyder's alley, especially the touring version that comes with a trunk and optional trailer.  Sport riding is where the Spyder differs greatly from a motorcycle.  Three wheels is just not the same as two!  But I see a nice niche that the Can-Am can fill and by the amount that I see rolling around here in Arizona, quite a few people fall into that niche.