Y-shaped motorcycle is a different kind of hybrid

Gizmag is gushing over the 2008 Can-Am Spyder roadster that was recently unveiled by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), the Canadian motorcycle, ATV and snowmobile manufacturer.

(Credit: BRP)

Unlike other hybrid vehicles that tout stealth, satellite navigation or energy efficiency, this vehicle claims to be the offspring of a motorcycle and a sports car.

The three-wheel motorcycle has rear wheel drive, with two wheels at the front and one at the back. The trike is powered by a Rotax 990 V-twin liquid-cooled engine with a five-speed manual transmission.

It has antilock breaks, traction control and dynamic power steering as on a car. The Y-shaped chassis has a center steel beam, which BRP says is welded for better structural stability.

The motorcycle sports car hybrid, which will come in "Full Moon" (silver) and "Millennium Yellow," will be available in twelve U.S. states (Ariz., Calif., Colo., Fla., Mass., Md., Mich., Minn., N.J., N.Y., Va., and Wis.) and four Canadian provinces (Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British-Columbia) by the fall of 2007. Specific dealerships will be announced in April. BRP plans to add the rest of the U.S. and Europe over the next four years, according to the company's announcement.

[EmmaFrost]

Which do you prefer, this of the T-Rex/Campagna

The T- rex has been around longer, but does not have the manufacturing backing that the CanAm product has. OTOH, I prefer the more closed cabin of the T-Rex. Most importantly, as I think the folks at Gizmodo would be the first to admit, this isn't the first vehicle of this type (nor was the T-Rex, I'm sure).

[toyotek]

I dont belive its similar to the T-Rex

I checked out the T-rex website. That is more car than bike. Since the T-rex has an enclosure and the front looks like a car and seats two in the front. The Spyder rides like a bike. The 2nd passenger is right behind the driver instead of being next. The T-rex has a steering wheel and functions and resembles a car. While the spyder has the handle bars, gauges and braking and accelartion like a bike and not a car like the T-rex. Both are kinda the same idea in the skeletal i would think. Also the price. The T-rex starts at 45k while the Spyder starts at 14-15k MSRP. (http://www.bigkidtoys.com/trex.html) I can kinda see the Spyder catching on. I showed family and friends the tryke and i might thinking of getting one.

[Sunset Chaser]

But, is it leanable?

Darryl Cannon followed this machine through part of Deal's Gap (318 curves in 11 miles)and didn't see any indication that it was able to lean into a curve, like the Carver or the new Piaggio scooter. As far as I'm concerned, if you can't lean it through a hard curve, then 75% of it's motorcycle-ness is wasted. Who would want a machine that you couldn't carve corners with? You might as well own a car.

[toyotek]

I dont think you have to lean

I dont think you have to lean much, since it has traction and stability control sensors. That is what I got from the spyders website. I was reading if you turn sharply into a corner it suggest to lean a little bit. But if one of the tires is barely touching the pavement the the sensors kick in and compensate to keep you on the ground.

[shinybluenothing]

It is hard to comment on the vehicles until you have sat in, on or rode them. I have not yet been on a Spyder, but I have rode a T Rex. Though it does have a type of steering wheel, the controls for the signals lights, hi/low headlights, and horn are on cheap looking motorcycle switch housings. They look very similar to the ones you would find on a Buell Ulyssees. For a $60,000 vehicle I expected something a little more high end in parts like the switch housings, reverse lever, mirrors etc. I also expected parts that were designed for the vehicle not for another motorcycle and just borrowed and placed in the vehicle. The only justification that I could find for the price is that Campagna may be charged full price for all the parts (including the engine) that they do not build themselves and therefore need to charge such a high price to still make a profit.

On the other hand, It rides like nothing I have ever been on/in before. It is one fast little machine and it corners better than any two wheeled motorcycle ever could. This is because of the two wheel stability in the front end and the extremely low center of gravity. People have been riding three wheel bikes for years. The design that is used by Harley (again in 2009) and by others with one wheel in the front creates a vehicle that is rough to handle around corners and over bumps. The two wheel in front design on the other hand does the exact opposite. Campagna claims that the T Rex can handle turning g-forces of 1.3 G's. I believe this is true.

[merrittgene]

I saw Brian Cooley riding one of these in the 2008 Blooper Reel, but where is the rest of the video?