cptdenny
Earlier today I went down to Palm Beach Florida for a test ride on the new Spyder Trike. Karl of Palm Beach Motorsports was my guide, taking me on a 30 minute test ride through Palm Beach streets, suburbs and later busy I-95 at speeds of 80 mph.
Within two minutes, I knew I brought the wrong helmet (half helmet) with me on this ride. I should have brought my full face helmet not thinking I'd really be put to the test as well as the Spyder beneath me.
The Spyder took curves as if it was on rails, similar to a triked out wing, however with more of a sport bike taste to it. The independent suspension on the Spyder along with stability control makes it in my opinion a safer alternative to the Hannigan, CSC, or Champion triked wings I test rode last January. The Spyder looks like a cross between a snowmobile and a jet ski with wheels.
Where ever we rode in the city we got thumbs-up from beautiful young women to cops rolling down their windows giving us the thumb. You won't go unnoticed on the Spyder. :shock:
The Spyder I was on I'm told was a prototype. I didn't like the feel of the steering bearings, (if there were any) it felt crude compared to our Wing.
The acceleration was brisk and it was easy to break the rear "car" tire loose if one had the desire to do so as my escort did on about a dozen occassions. The Spyder is a darksiders dream, car tires all around. The ride its self had me leaning a bit forward but not by much. The ride was comfortable but not wing-comfortable, hey am spoiled.
The gears on the Spyder is like that of a conventional motorcycle, to include reverse. An automatic CVT transmission is in the works. There is no front brake handle on the Spyder as I have noticed after so many times reaching for one. The foot brake control all three brakes with authority, wow.
Almost forgot, the price is $16,800 OTD. :wink:
Further information can be found at:
http://spyder.brp.com/en-US/