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Meaning of Spyder

R

Ride Master

New member
Since I can remember, the term "Spyder" has been used to describe a roadster (See below) Even the RT is called a Spyder Roadster.

I am on my second RT. How did the reference to a much disliked insect (Spider) become associated with the RT?

I see the obvious spelling similarity but why is it customary to put images of spiders and spider webs on these great Trykes?

Don't get mad at me because I am just curious.




 
That's actually a good question...

Since Spyder isn't unique to the Can-Am Roadster, and you rarely see webs, or bugs on the 4-wheeled versions (unless in a field), I'm not sure how Spyder got hooked to Spider...

I do however think it's neat that this is the Spyderweb, and Lamont is the WebMaster... Nice play on words!!!:2thumbs:
 
Ride Master said:
Since I can remember, the term "Spyder" has been used to describe a roadster (See below) Even the RT is called a Spyder Roadster.

I am on my second RT. How did the reference to a much disliked insect (Spider) become associated with the RT?

I see the obvious spelling similarity but why is it customary to put images of spiders and spider webs on these great Trykes?

Don't get mad at me because I am just curious.




Click to expand...


i have 3 spyders
2008 gs
2009 phantom
2003 toyota mr2 spyder roadster

i'd really like to have a SUPERSNAKE
 
I guess for the same reason they give their Spyders Cutesy names whats up with that, I mean the Spyder is a Roadster not a Boat or a WW2 Bomber. :roflblack:
 
Mine being Red, my fishing buddies call it the Lobster..... it does kind of look like one.....
 
Ride Master said:
Since I can remember, the term "Spyder" has been used to describe a roadster (See below) Even the RT is called a Spyder Roadster.

I am on my second RT. How did the reference to a much disliked insect (Spider) become associated with the RT?

I see the obvious spelling similarity but why is it customary to put images of spiders and spider webs on these great Trykes?

Don't get mad at me because I am just curious.




Click to expand...

I think many made the connection simply because of the sound.. "Spyder" vs. "Spider". I even see people misspell it out here from time to time. I personally can't stand the "Spider" connection and related farkles... but to each his/her own.......

You are correct in that BRP was thinking along the lines of a Spyder Roadster (the official name) when they came up with it.
 
I would say that the spelling SpYder has to do with the "Y" factor that BRP refers to in their information about the Spyder Roadster's. I do not think they intended it to be related to the arachnid (spider).
 
Spyders... Roadsters... :thumbup:
I don't get the whole arachnid thing; but then I'm not hard-wired with any affinity at all for those dirty eight-legged :cus: :opps:
 

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Exactly what is a Spyder?
​
As with other automotive terms, the term​
derives from horse-drawn carriages. A “spider”was a lighter version of a phaeton, having narrower,spindly wheels and two-seat accommodation.The name implied an extremely rudimentarytop mechanism originating from a small two-seathorse-cart with a folding sunshade made of fourbows; with its black cloth top and exposed sidesfor air circulation it resembledan eight-legged spider.This termwas subsequently applied toautomobiles. Alternatively, anative Italian who has had noEnglish influence in the pronunciationwould pronounce “spyder”or “spider” as speeder.Thusa car labeled by an Italian carmanufacturer as “Spyder” or“Spider” is intended to be simplya “speeder” or a sports car. [1]​
If a Spyder was intendedto be a smaller, sportier versionof a car, then as appliedto three-wheeled vehicles itmust certainly indicate asmaller and sportier versionof a trike—but that’s notexactly the whole story. BRPclaims the Spyder is a blend ofsports car and motorcycleand a vehicle that makes one an “instantexpert.” While that may be overstating the​
case, our test ride proved their point.

http://archives.wingworldmag.com/august2007/WingWorld-Aug2007-Web.pdf
 
Well. that's quite an interesting entymological insight into the SpYder's etymology. :shocked:


... and I'd rather it be called a Spyder than a trike (smacks of kiddie tricycles). Could be worse, could have been called a road-doo (from Can Am's Ski-doo and Sea-doo history)
 
Last edited:
Jerbear said:
Exactly what is a Spyder?
​
As with other automotive terms, the term​
derives from horse-drawn carriages. A “spider”was a lighter version of a phaeton, having narrower,spindly wheels and two-seat accommodation.The name implied an extremely rudimentarytop mechanism originating from a small two-seathorse-cart with a folding sunshade made of fourbows; with its black cloth top and exposed sidesfor air circulation it resembledan eight-legged spider.This termwas subsequently applied toautomobiles. Alternatively, anative Italian who has had noEnglish influence in the pronunciationwould pronounce “spyder”or “spider” as speeder.Thusa car labeled by an Italian carmanufacturer as “Spyder” or“Spider” is intended to be simplya “speeder” or a sports car. [1]​
If a Spyder was intendedto be a smaller, sportier versionof a car, then as appliedto three-wheeled vehicles itmust certainly indicate asmaller and sportier versionof a trike—but that’s notexactly the whole story. BRPclaims the Spyder is a blend ofsports car and motorcycleand a vehicle that makes one an “instantexpert.” While that may be overstating the​
case, our test ride proved their point.

http://archives.wingworldmag.com/august2007/WingWorld-Aug2007-Web.pdf
Click to expand...

Well done Jer, Thanks for the history!
 
Spyders?

Does that mean we have to join the "Black Widders" ???

(Reference to "Every Which Way But Loose" movie)
 
Firefly said:
I think many made the connection simply because of the sound.. "Spyder" vs. "Spider". I even see people misspell it out here from time to time. I personally can't stand the "Spider" connection and related farkles... but to each his/her own.......

You are correct in that BRP was thinking along the lines of a Spyder Roadster (the official name) when they came up with it.
Click to expand...

:agree:
 
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