Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
5/30/07 

Greetings Riders,
 
Well, last weekend wasn't bad, but it looks like the triple digits in temperature are going to settle in for a while. One of the weather sites I looked at is showing the low 100's for this weekend and a predicted high of 109 for next weekend. That is getting a little too hot to spend too much time in the sun on a motorcycle. You will definitely want to have some head covering and sunscreen handy if you are going to be out next weekend. But the good news is, it is still cooling down in the evenings to the mid 70's. So if you plan leaving the valley in the early and coming back at sunset, it shouldn't be too bad. Believe it or not, I was in Rocky Point last weekend and the highest temperature I saw was 80 degrees. I thought the temperature would be a lot closer to Phoenix. It was also the most people I had ever seen down there as well. That secret is apparently not a secret any more. Click Here.
 
A couple of weeks ago I got the opportunity to try out a new machine made by BRP called the Can-Am Spyder. BRP is actually a subsidiary of Bombardier Recreational Products who makes a series of products you might recognize including Sea-Doo jet skis, Ski-Doo snowmobiles, Johnson and Evinrude boat motors and a line of ATV's. In fact, they even build Learjet's. While the Spyder is no Learjet, it is fun to ride and does have some serious acceleration.
 
Bill Nash, COO of Ridenow Powersports had been trying to get me interested in this new 3 wheeled vehicle concept for a couple of months. I saw the pictures, read the press releases and kept telling him that I had no interest in even taking the time to go demo this crustacean looking space vehicle with two wheels in the front. To me it looked like a lobster on 14" rims. I had no interest in being a part of blurring the lines of this thing with a motorcycle. But, over dinner in Rocky Point about a month ago, we were again talking about the Spyder and he mentioned that it had a 106 HP motor and did incredible burnouts. Well why didn't you tell me that 2 months ago? Being a bit of a motorhead, now the hormones are awake and I suddenly had some interest in the Spyder. He told me that there were going to be a couple demos in town Mid May and wanted me to come ride one. As long as I could put it through the paces, it was all of a sudden something that was of interest.
 
So I grabbed my buddy Scott Pasmore, who is back racing Sprint cars again this season, and we met up at Westworld for our demo ride. I figured since he goes around that track in a Sprint car on 3 wheels most of the time, he would feel right at home. When I pulled up to the parking lot where the demos were and got my first look at a Spyder, I couldn't come up with a category for this mode of transportation. It is definitely not a motorcycle, it is not your typical trike, it's not a car, it's not a bird or a plane. . . it's, I don't know what the heck it is. But it has certainly gotten a lot of people talking. From the rear taillight through the handlebars it is just like a motorcycle. But that is where things change. It has 2 wheels up front with fenders. So you really can't call it a trike either. BRP officially has labeled it a roadster. They say that with its unique Y-Architecture, it is part motorcycle and part convertible sports car. That is probably the best explanation I have heard. They feel that the Can-Am Spyder Roadster is the next dimension in open-road riding.
 
After our brief orientation of how to operate the Spyder, a couple of laps around the cones and a run down of some of the technological advancements including the Vehicle Stability System, Anti-Lock brakes, Traction Control and Stability Control systems that were incorporated to make this the safest and most advanced machine on the road, we were ready to hit the highway to find out what they were missing. The promos say that you can't make them skid due to the anti-lock brakes, you can't get them sideways due to the traction control systems and you can't get them up on two wheels due to the stability control systems. We believed them, but took it more as a challenge to see if we could find some chinks in the otherwise bullet proof armor.
 
I started this demo process with a "I hear you talking, but the Spyder will have to prove it to me" kind of an attitude. I couldn't believe that something could actually back up all of the great things that were being said about this vehicle. Scott and I took them on a several mile ride around the East Valley and really, and I mean really put them through the paces. We tried to make them do all of the things BRP said they would not do, like come up on 2 wheels, skid when you slam on the brakes and get sideways. They were absolutely right. Everything that was said about this vehicle in the promotional material and videos were spot on. The power from this 106 hp V-Twin engine was incredible, churning out a believable 4.6 second 0-60 mph and the handling was second to none in every aspect. We couldn't even get it to so much as waiver on the road while trying to make it do so. After a couple of miles of getting used to the riding position and the cornering, I felt very safe and comfortable on the Spyder.
 
Although we did shed a little Spyder rubber around the East Valley, when we returned to the Westworld parking lot we really tested it out for what had brought me there in the first place, the burnout. I am happy to say that the Spyder did not disappoint me there either. This thing will smoke the tires in first and second gear with no problem. All while staying on a straight line. You are now probably asking yourself, what this has got to do with anything when it comes to why you would want one of these vehicles. The answer is "absolutely nothing. But when you are a Guy, part motorhead and part kid, and it is not your tires burning off, it sure is fun to experience that kind of acceleration. Click Here for the Video.
 
My final review of the Spyder is that it is everything that BRP says it is and more! It is easy to ride and handles impeccably, the ABS braking is incredible and the power from the 998 cc Rotax motor is more than enough. They basically thought of everything in this attempt at a new way of getting riders in the wind. I was told that accessories are currently being made including additional luggage, windshields, etc. The Spyder would also be perfect for a Woman who didn't want to ride a motorcycle. If BRP is listening there is one thing that I would change. I don't know how many times I went for the handlebar brake lever that was not there. Adding one would be nice for motorcycle riders.
 
Now the big question. . . Am I ready to trade my Road Glide in for a Spyder?? Absolutely not! It is not the same riding experience. But if I were in need of a 3 wheeled vehicle that was as close to a motorcycle experience as I could get, or if I just wanted a novelty to ride around, it would definitely be the Spyder for all of the reasons that I state above.
 
The manufacturer suggest retail on the Spyder is $15,000 and will be available in October. Demand for the Spyder is already well past BRP's projections. Pre orders are being taken now and will only be sold in Arizona at the Ridenow Powersports locations. For more information call Tim Logsdon at 602-206-3520 or TLogsdon@ridenow.com . You can view the Spyder in person or take a demo ride on one June 2nd to June 8th at Metro Motorsports located at 6161 W. Bell Rd. in Glendale, AZ. 602-843-5000.
 
Click Here for some Photos of the Day.
 
Click Below for some 1 minute videos:
Video of Barry doing a couple of straight burnouts.
Video of Scott on Track.
Video of Scott's Burnout in Corvette.
 
Below are some useful links:
http://spyder.brp.com/ This is an excellent site. Click on all of the links and be sure and watch the video.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=119581 This is a good review by Edmunds.
If you are really into the technology of the Spyder like I was. Watch this 8 minute video. It is really interesting and very well done. It shows how all of the technology works. Click Here to View.
 

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Highlights This Week

Saturday, June 2nd
Chester's Harley-Davidson INDOOR TENT SALE.
HUGE never before seen discounts on select Parts!

BIG SAVINGS in MotorClothes Merchandise like 30-50% OFF
Select Apparel, Leather & Collectibles

 

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Upcoming Events 

June 15th - 17th
Rumble on 66 in Williams. Ready for some cool weather riding? The roaring sounds of Harley Davidson motorcycles will be heard in Williams, AZ  June 15th – 17th when members of the Harley Owners Group return for Rumble on 66.  A large number of riders are expected to attend the Rumble, which is being sponsored by the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce and Grand Canyon Harley Davidson/Buell. Special events include a poker walk, bike show and Williams to Winslow ride. Live entertainment will be featured at the World Famous Sultana, Cruiser’s Route 66 Café, Pancho McGillicuddy’s and Wild West Junction during the two day event.
 
A welcome/information booth will open at 8 a.m. - 5p.m. June 15th and 16th.  The poker walk begins at 8 a.m. June 15th and concludes with a counting of the hands at 4pm June 16th. The bike run is being coordinated for June 16th. Three runs will actually be offered – Williams to Winslow, Williams to Seligman or both. The event ends with a “Cruise the Loop Route 66” parade beginning at 6 p.m. Line up will begin in Glassburn Park parking lot on Railroad Ave. 
For more information please contact the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce at 1-800- 863-0546. 

Extras 

Here is a funny reminder to older people to not to try and do anything stupid when the camera is rolling. Click Here to View.
 
Yikes!! Watch this one. Here is a rough ride back down the hill. I thought he had it. Click Here to View.
 
Here is another one of those funny and creative beer commercials. Click Here to View.
 
Ok, This is not a political statement by me, so save the emails. It is just a funny spoof about Hillary and the new drug called Oxy Clinton that was on Fox News. Click Here to View.