Can-Am Spyder (merged) threadfest...

[FT BSTRD]

Any idea as to what the price will be?

[Uncle Pollo]

I like it.

All weather bike.

[GB]

It's about time we get a decent handling 3 wheeler with 2 wheels up front. I hope this one will be availabe in north america for a change.

[wpbarlow]

According to yesterday's NY Times- it goes on sale (between $15-16.5k) in a number of US states (those with good mc populations it seems) in a couple of months.

[Scoop]

Will it come with the weights too?

[FT BSTRD]

If it does have an MSRP around $16,000, it's a pretty good deal.

My dad wants a trike. This would be a great alternative for him.

I'd bet that hard bags would be available as well.

I'll watch these intently!

[Flagman]

The Spyder was launched today and the website has pictures and info: www.opentheroad.com

[KiltBoy]

It doesn't look like it leans - Is it like a reversed trike?

[ulendo]

Originally Posted by KiltBoy

It doesn't look like it leans - Is it like a reversed trike?

if by 'reversed' you mean 2 wheels up front, yes. canadian site ( http://www.opentheroad.com/fullscreen.asp?lg=En ) is 50% live ( fully live in 4 days - IE: projected release date is FRIDAY)

mechanically, its the rotax990 - a la KTM ? - 5 speed box, belt drive, mechanical reverse, optional thumb shift ( paddle controls - electronic shift) ABS, traction control, stability control. 2 color options to start: silver, and yellow.

California, Delaware, South Carolina would only require auto license, others would require a motorcycle license

plans are to start production by fall 2007, ramping up production to meet demand over the successive 3 years

official MSRP $14999 US, $18499 canadian.

[Richy]

At that price point, I know a guy who'd buy it now.

[ulendo]

Originally Posted by Richy

At that price point, I know a guy who'd buy it now.

no kidding - thats dead center of the sport tourer market here in Canada. One thing I rarely see mentioned is kids on bikes - if I were to get a highway bike, I'd have my kids on the back regularly: bad roads & freaky Canadian weather combined with hauling kids definitely give these some appeal.

a few things I didnt spot on the website are performance figures, fuel tank size & range, and what its registered & insured as. that last could be the deal maker/breaker for a lot of folks.

[Hammerspur]

Here's a link about this: http://thekneeslider.com/

[spagthorpe]

I really like it. I mean, it doesn't lean which sucks, but I think it could be the ticket for a lot of people. When I first saw the pics, I was thinking $30K. I mean, that BMW quad thing is like $50K!?!?! $15K is a killer price for that.

At $16K for a model with the sequential shifter, you just gave a lot of people with lower extremity problems a chance to be in the breeze again.

[Transalp Jas]

I like it- i'd love to try it on the open road.


By the way, is it just me, or does anyone else see a snowmobile with wheels?

[ulendo]

Originally Posted by Transalp Jas

I like it- i'd love to try it on the open road.

By the way, is it just me, or does anyone else see a snowmobile with wheels?

given how fast and powerful some of the new snow machines are, why would that be a bad thing? that exhaust is godawful though

realistically - probably nothing in common, aside from a very generic shape that has more to do with aerodynamics than origins. They're putting the shape to use though: did anyone else catch the 44L trunk space these have up front? better cargo capacity than a lot of the new 'city cars'!