It's not a quad, it's not a bike and it definitely isn't a car but it's certainly unusual, attracting curious if bewildered bystanders. For the maker, Can-Am, all this is normal. Based in Quebec, the Canadian company, part of the larger Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) known for its snowmobiles, watercraft, sport boats, outboard engines. Along with its UAE partner Al Boom Marine, Can-Am is planning to launch the three-wheeled roadster-trike, the Spyder, in March.
For more than a decade, Can-Am had been toying with the idea of designing a lifestyle vehicle that could combine the open-air fun of a two-wheel motorcycle with the stability of a four-wheeler. It took about four years to perfect the design and engineering and the first production Spyders rolled out in 2007.
Being Canadian, the Spyder's exterior resembles a snowmobile on fat, low-profile wheels. Under the sleek aerodynamic two-tone bodywork is a Y-shaped steel chassis, which cradles the engine, suspension and other mechanics.
While the front suspension is partly exposed and designed like a sports car, with two A-arms on either side, the rear suspension is sports bike monoshock lever-type, with pre-load adjusters.
The manually adjustable suspension has 144mm of travel in the front and 145mm in the rear. Since it's a three wheeler and won't topple over, there's a mechanically-operated park brake.
On-board, the two seater hosts the familiar bike controls, with handlebar-mounted auto indicator cancel, horn, lights, electric-start and ignition. But there's a few exceptions: There's no front brake lever, as all three disk brakes are controlled together. And the lever left of the handle bar grip, marked with a bright R, is the reverse gear.
The instrument panel layout is simple yet comprehensive, with digital readouts for different data modes, such as time and trip. The centre piece is flanked on either side by a large analogue tachometer and speedometer.
Another big motorbike departure is the availability of lockable storage space. Much like the old Volkswagen Beetle, there's room for 44 litres of cargo.
The engine
Can-Am uses a Rotax 990cc, liquid-cooled V-Twin, rated at 106hp at 8,500rpm, with peak torque of 104Nm coming at 6,250rpm. The engine is essentially the same as that in some Aprilias, but has been modified to suit the torque requirement.
A five-speed gearbox comes with manual reverse, as opposed to electronic drive systems, as in Honda's Goldwing. Final drive is a carbon-reinforced belt. The 27-litre fuel-tank, including reserve, should have a range of about 350km.
Unlike bikes or quads, the electronic set-up in the Spyder is probably the most comprehensive (and most complicated) I've come across. And there's a good reason for this.
The third wheel necessitated a combined stability and traction control and anti-lock brakes.
These work together, as in a car, improving the handling and safety. Unlike a bike, there's power steering designed for easier movement, according to your speed, load and torque.
Before being given the keys, I was given a lengthy safety tutorial. “Forget what you know about riding a motorcycle'' was the advice of Al Boom Marine's Jose. It was only after passing a demonstration, including three-point and U-turns, and reversing manoeuvres that Jose gave me the green light.
Re-writing the rules
But it wasn't going to be that easy — there's a ritual with the Spyder. The engine will only fire when the switch ignition is activated and the M switch depressed. The standard bike toe gear shift is there, though — one down and four up.
The V-twin sounds throaty, enthusiastic and quickly settles into idle. After a few kilometres, sitting bolt upright, it's clear why a biker's instincts don't always work in your favour.
The Spyder is almost as wide as a compact hatchback and its ride height is higher than a medium-size SUV. Despite its low ground clearance and wide front track, it sometimes feels like it would track off course or tramline, but this is just a matter of letting the front suspension do its work.
Although the Spyder feels heavier than a bike, thanks to the power steering, it still feels lighter than a quad. The turn-in is fast, while the suspension absorbs most bumps, for a car-like feel, although some front-wheel vibrations get to the rider.
Gear shifting up is notchy but downshifting and finding neutral is smooth and easy.
The Spyder is water-cooled and hence the bodywork has big air inlets to cool the radiators. However, the hot draft can be felt, especially on the right. The wide motorbike steering and short turn circle means sore shoulders, and reversing requires practice.
You are constantly reminded that the flat car-like tyres aren't designed to tilt like a conventional bike, on which you tend to use your body weight to cut into fast corners. But the Spyder actually swings away, as the front suspension works into the corner. You don't have to try too hard to lift the front wheels, one of the key reasons why counter-steering is not advised, but you can feel the stability control kicking in, which counters the lateral movement based on the feedback from the sensors, to automatically apply a response by individual wheel braking and/or reducing torque.
When this happens, the engine seems to sputter but is actually the engine management programme. Although stability control cannot be disconnected, it's possible to burn rubber in a straight line with available torque.
Cool, light and easyThe 316kg (dry weight) V-twin fuel-injected Spyder is fast and not shy of showing it, doing the 0-100kph sprint in 4.5secs — just 0.05sec slower than the KTM X-Bow.
As a highway cruiser, it reaches the speed limit effortlessly and, in the opposite direction, braking isn't noticeably affected with a pillion on board.
What I particularly liked was the abundant mid-range torque, which makes light work of negotiating stop-start traffic. The braking response from all the three disc brakes working together is surefooted. Unlike a bike, the front doesn't dip with hard braking. I suddenly realised I was at risk of becoming a triker, rather than a biker, because, once you've mastered its quirks, you realise how easy it is to hang out with — caught in it's web, if you will.
The Spyder GS Roadster sells from Dh80,300.
