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Is there any real data regarding the safety of the Spyder vs traditional motorcycles

Honda was forced to discontinue their off road 3-Wheeler due to the huge number of incidents. There is an inherent instability which cannot be overcome in a 1 wheel forward, 2 rear wheel vehicle. The Spyder is a much more stable platform than any conventional trike version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQh56geU0X8&ab_channel=TopGear

That is one of the Funniest videos I've seen in a long time.... Thanks you for the laugh....
 
You want to dress for the crash, not the ride. Some very good summer mesh gear is available. Actually you are cooler fully covered when you ride than with a short sleeve T shirt or less. On hot summer days here in Alamogordo, NM, essentially desert. Not uncommon to ride in 100 to 107 air temps. I always wear in warmer weather a long sleeve Duluth Trading Tee under my mesh Klim bright Day Glo jacket with a full coverage flip up helmet. Been riding since the early 50's and with a Helmet since the late 60's a full coverage helmet. Those Beanie half helmets that HD riders seem to like are a total joke from any safety considerations.

I have been very involved in the Motorcycle industry since the mid 60's and am now retired. Not talking just to make noise.

That is certainly the prevailing philosophy for 2-wheelers and gratefully became the de facto standard of advice for probably 50 years; it has probably saved countless lives, along with advanced training (which many unfortunately too many bikers think is unnecessary still)

The Spyder demands we rethink that advice for Spyders, because the risk factors have completely changed. THAT is what this thread is about. We're not trying to convert anyone, so no need to be defensive. If you have some DATA to add to the conversation, we would love to hear it.
 
I'm sure the reason Can-Am doesn't promote the safety aspect is because they want to avoid the inevitable ensuing lawsuits.

Perhaps you're right. I don't don't know what lawsuits they'd be looking at by quoting stats though. VW, Honda, Subaru, + more mention their safety ratings.
 
Honda was forced to discontinue their off road 3-Wheeler due to the huge number of incidents. There is an inherent instability which cannot be overcome in a 1 wheel forward, 2 rear wheel vehicle. The Spyder is a much more stable platform than any conventional trike version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQh56geU0X8&ab_channel=TopGear

There are some videos of clowns riding their Spyders in reverse and flipping them. That's why, I'm sure, BRP doesn't promote the safety aspect.
 
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You want to dress for the crash, not the ride. Some very good summer mesh gear is available. Actually you are cooler fully covered when you ride than with a short sleeve T shirt or less. On hot summer days here in Alamogordo, NM, essentially desert. Not uncommon to ride in 100 to 107 air temps. I always wear in warmer weather a long sleeve Duluth Trading Tee under my mesh Klim bright Day Glo jacket with a full coverage flip up helmet. Been riding since the early 50's and with a Helmet since the late 60's a full coverage helmet. Those Beanie half helmets that HD riders seem to like are a total joke from any safety considerations.

I have been very involved in the Motorcycle industry since the mid 60's and am now retired. Not talking just to make noise.

You are exactly right about the mesh gear and being completely covered in hot weather to be cooler. A full face helmet is also cooler than an open or skid lid helmet. But it's nearly impossible to convince people of this because while donning the gear and at slow speeds, you do get hotter. But typically, you're only suffering for a short period of time. As soon as you get some speed up, things really cool off. Wearing a long sleeve cotton shirt underneath wicks your sweat and with the air going through the mesh it works like an air conditioner. With bare skin, you're simply running in a blast furnace. A few hours of this will not only dehydrate you. But sap all of your energy.

I've ridden with guys that did the open helmet/short sleeved T-Shirt thing through the desert. They think I'm crazy as I put my gear on and ask me how I endure the heat. But later on they want to know why I'm not dying in the heat like they are. I tell them. But they never believe me. They just think I have some special immunity to the heat.

That is one of the Funniest videos I've seen in a long time.... Thanks you for the laugh....

Glad you liked it. I laugh every time I watch it. An extreme case, to be sure. But a good example of what is wrong with 1 wheel in front and 2 in the rear.
 
There are some videos of clowns riding their Spyders in reverse and flipping them. That's why, I'm sure, BRP doesn't promote the safety aspect.

I mean, people are allowed to do ill advised things. If the videos aren't graphic, please share. I don't mind laughing at epic fails.
 
I did a little online searching and found some interesting things. I couldn't find anything where Spyders or three-wheelers were listed as a distinct category.

https://www.motorcyclelegalfoundation.com/motorcycle-accident-statistics/

What Type of Motorcycle Has the Most Accidents?

Design, engine size, and equipment vary from one type of motorcycle to another, as does the rate of accidents. Some of the most popular types of motorcycles include:

Cruisers:
Standards:
Sportbikes:
Super sports:

Of all types of motorcycles registered in the U.S., one study found the fatal crash rate for super sports to be four times greater than any of the other types.
 
Of all types of motorcycles registered in the U.S., one study found the fatal crash rate for super sports to be four times greater than any of the other types.

That's likely because of the operator, not the machine.
 
Of all types of motorcycles registered in the U.S., one study found the fatal crash rate for super sports to be four times greater than any of the other types.

That's likely because of the operator, not the machine.

:agree: absolutely
 

LOL Yeah I saw this 1 a while back. Can't blame Can Am for that. I mean, he can, but I don't think they'd settle :roflblack: I'd hope that no jury would find them liable for this person's attempt at being "cool" or going viral.

I still haven't found any stats regarding the Spyders/Rykers safety numbers. I've found a few about 2 wheelers.
Welp, hopefully the info will be provided by someone soon. In the meantime, ryde safely folks!
 
Another tidbit from Quebec where statistics are kept.

Plate renewal for super sports motorcycles (and they have an official list of them), around $1500CAD per annum
For a Spyder $180CAD per annum.
 
Most of the motorcycles I rode had decent to great brakes. The Spyder puts them all to shame.
Larger contact area; good sized rotors; Brembo hardware.
Judging by braking alone, and braking while in a curve without the penalty two wheels sometimes exacts, I'd say the Spyder is safer than motorcycles.
Of course, as has been mentioned or alluded to above, the rider is probably the largest variable in the mix.
 
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