Spyder pillionation

[Hitcher]

On Saturday we did something a little different. We took a trike for a ride – a Can-Am Spyder RT to be precise. The inimitable Mrs H was the designated rider and I was her pillion.

The event, featuring a team of Australian Can-Am Spyder specialists, was one of several Wellington regional sessions coordinated by local Spyder dealership TSS Red Baron. Jane and I had been plied about a week earlier by Stu's offer.

Having completed the requisite paperwork, Mrs H was whisked away for a training session on a top-of-the-range RT model Spyder, resplendent in gloss black metallic with more headlights than Battlestar Gallactica.

“It's not a motorcycle. Pull the handlebar to turn, don't push it.” Other instruction was given about the ABS brakes, operated exclusively by a pedal, the semi-automatic transmission, electronic park brake and so on.

Shortly Mrs H was out negotiating a slow-speed course set up in the Gateway Motor Inn's back car park, gaining confidence with the controls, “pull to turn” steering and the ruthlessly efficient brakes.

That completed, it was my turn to mount what has to be the best pillion space found anywhere, and be transported around an interesting route involving the twists and turns of Newlands, the back road from Johnsonville to Tawa and then a burst back down the motorway to the Gateway at Newlands.

Mrs H nailed the riding. The semi auto is activated by a rocker switch on the RH hand grip. The Rotax 998 v-twin is more famously known as the mill in Aprilia Tuono 1000Rs, but has been detuned somewhat for its role in the Spyder. Churning out a whisker over 100 horses but not feeling underpowered despite the 420kg weight, plus riders. Steering seems to be predictable and responsive. The suspension is magnificent and able to cope very well with ambiguous suburban roads and Newlands' corners and intersections.

The Spyder RT isn't cheap, but neither is a brandnew Goldwing or a Roadking trike. And I know which one has been purpose built as a trike and had considerable Canadian expertise invested on its engineering, construction and onboard equipment. The others are just motorbikes that somebody has added a rear differential to.

Don't knock Spyders. Take one for a test ride.

[sunhuntin]

good to read you were back on a bike, even if as a pillion.

[Ocean1]

Did it have a sound system? There's one up our way that you can hear coming fookin mikes away.

[Hitcher]

Did it have a sound system? There's one up our way that you can hear coming fookin mikes away.

It did. Mrs H didn't have a play. There's also an adaptor for her iPod and an on-dash control for this for the rider and on-grip control for the pillion.

Heated grips for rider and pillion too. Analogue AND digital speedo and tach. Go figure.

[Ocean1]

It did. Mrs H didn't have a play. There's also an adaptor for her iPod and an on-dash control for this for the rider and on-grip control for the pillion.

Heated grips for rider and pillion too. Analogue AND digital speedo and tach. Go figure.

As a device for exploring swoopy back country roads they're not as purely invigorating as, (for example) a shiver but as a device on which to lavish bling they rival the more seriously covetable blondes.

[gijoe1313]

Good to hear you are getting out and about in the glorious riding conditions and trying on something new for size!

Were you a good pillion for Mrs H?

[steve_xland]

My older brother works for BRP Australia and we get to see and try out many of the new products. The spyder was one exception though, haven't tried it but I have been up close to it a couple of years back at a Dealer conference in Surfers. It is a very smart looking piece of equipment.

I guess the true biker would miss the whole 'leaning into the corners' etc but it offers an alternative to the trike.
Apparently these are huge in France...

Actually, at the rally a couple of years back at Mystery creek there was a 4-wheel quad bike which was built around a shortened WRX STi engine & drive train. Now that would be freaking amazing!!!

[Hitcher]

Were you a good pillion for Mrs H?

She claims that she didn't know I was there. Make of that what you will.

[Bytor]

had considerable Canadian expertise invested on its engineering, construction and onboard equipment.

Just go and look at the owner websites and see what they think of the level of Canadian investment in reliability and customer care. It makes TriumphNZ look like winners of some global customer care award.

[RiderInBlack]

Glad ta hear ya getting out and about. Awesome.

So are the Spyders registered as a Car or a bike?

[Ocean1]

So are the Spyders registered as a Car or a bike?

A car.

And tenstuff.

[Zamiam]

Rode one Wanganui to Palmerston North. Takes a little to get used to when jumping off a bike and onto one. Found it quite low geared as it was reving fairly high at 100k but then I do ride a slothy HD. By the time I got to Palmy quite liked it but wouldn't replace my two wheels with one. If money was no object would put one in the shed for playing on. They certainly look good and sound bloody hot. And they attract attention like you wouldn't believe