elixermixer
New member
A positive article in ..., gasp... a motorcycle based mag 
http://www.cycleworld.com/taking-can-am-spyder-on-725-mile-hot-lap

http://www.cycleworld.com/taking-can-am-spyder-on-725-mile-hot-lap
It was better than what we're used to seeing! :thumbup:
A positive article in ..., gasp... a motorcycle based mag
http://www.cycleworld.com/taking-can-am-spyder-on-725-mile-hot-lap
A good article. I used to get Cycle World but am now down to just Rider magazine. Early articles 2008/2009 etc. were pretty harsh on the Spyder. They were also clearly written by people that did not have a clue. I am sure many were scared off by some of the early articles. Rider magazine has also written some good articles of late. I have mentioned them when they were current. Thanks for the link.
One of the comments:
"Rented one for a day. Where do I begin. Torque steer makes the bike pull to one side on even gentle throttle. Hit an expansion joint or bump in the tarmac and the machine will jump off line. Constant small steering corrections required even during steady state cruising in a strait line. Weak engine performance. Lack of brake feel and stopping power. I also road with a group during a test ride at the Long Beach. I asked every one of the eight in the ride group -- only one said he would still consider owning a trike after the short demo ride. Over and over I hear the words "Twitchy... scary ... unnerving". Also "way more effort than I expected ... No thank you". I wanted to like this machine, I really did. Came away deciding the CanAm Spyder is a seriously flawed platform that needs a whole new engineering approach..."
Too scary! Torque steer, really?
You want torque steer--get aboard a Triumph 2300 Rocket III. I was going to buy one of those--until I started it up, cranked the throttle, and had to hold on because the bike leaned in the direction of the torque. :yikes::yikes: I liked the fire engine red--but thought it was a bit much for ME. I bought a Vulcan 2000 cc instead--a bit more tame. :yes::yes:
Rented one for a day. Where do I begin. Torque steer makes the bike pull to one side on even gentle throttle. Hit an expansion joint or bump in the tarmac and the machine will jump off line. Constant small steering corrections required even during steady state cruising in a strait line. Weak engine performance. Lack of brake feel and stopping power. I also road with a group during a test ride at the Long Beach. I asked every one of the eight in the ride group -- only one said he would still consider owning a trike after the short demo ride. Over and over I hear the words "Twitchy... scary ... unnerving". Also "way more effort than I expected ... No thank you". I wanted to like this machine, I really did. Came away deciding the CanAm Spyder is a seriously flawed platform that needs a whole new engineering approach.
That wasn't much of a story. "Six speed engine"? Not much of a writer either.
Also said the foot brake pedal applied the front brakes. No mention of the rear. That's one of the reasons I stopped getting that rag; really bad writing.