This is not a trike, at least according to its creators.
It's a three-wheeled road machine (thrike?) designed to bridge the gap between the speed and excitement of a road bike and the perceived safety, stability and wifeability of a, well, whatever.
The $14,999 Spyder is built by BRP, the French-speaking Canadians behind Sea-Doos, Ski-Doos and Can-Am ATVs (BRP also owns Rotax, which supplies engines to Aprilia and BMW). It is designed to "democratize" the experience of riding, opening it up to people without the skill, determination and-let's face it-courage to ride a streetbike. So we-motorcycle riders-are not the target market.
Underneath the Spyder's snowmobile-meets-triggerfish skin throbs the same 998cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected V-twin that powers the Aprilia Mille, but in high-torque trim. The transmission is a foot-shifted six-speed, one of which is reverse.
The frame is a big, Y-shaped steel structure, with a conventional swingarm bolted to the rear and conventional, for a car, double-wishbone suspenders out front. Tires are flat-profile car types. Controls are motor-cycle moderne, with one major exception-there's no front brake lever, no matter how many times you reach for it. As in a car, you mash down with your right foot.
The riding position is naked-bike upright, but with oddly limited legroom. At low speeds, the wide tires and stretched-out front track make steering the Spyder feel a lot like work: Even with its variable-assist electric power steering, one has to crank into each turn with determination. And at higher speeds, the three tires tend to go their own ways, jiggling you back and forth as they encounter their own private bumps.
They say: "Part motorcycle, part sports car."We say: "Is a Sea-Doo for the street a Three-Doo?"Having three wheels means it won't fall over, but good luck dodging road hazards.
The Spyder carries its center of mass quite high and the central rear wheel makes a natural pivot for the front wheels to rock around. Which means it wants to lift its inner front wheel under hard cornering. That would be bad. For reduced badness, BRP has added all kinds of Bosch electrickery including ABS, traction control, stability control and put-that-back-down control.
Do anything remotely exciting and the Spyder's electronic nun wags her virtual finger, reducing power and applying brakes. I managed to lift an inside front wheel about 4 inches in a tight turn before Sister Bosch caught on and slapped my throttle hand with her ruler.
We think the proposed touring version of the Spyder makes more sense; the design's inherent security seems much better suited to the mature long-haul crowd.
Tech Spec
Price: $14,999
Engine type: l-c 60-degree V-twin Valve
train: DOHC, 4v
Displacement: 998cc
Transmission: 5-speed plus reverse
Horsepower: 106 bhp at 8500 rpm
Torque: 77 lb.-ft. at 6250 rpm
Frame: Steel, rectangular sectionFront suspension: Double wishbone with anti-roll bar
Rear suspension: Single shock adjustable for spring preload
Front brakes: Dual four-piston calipers, 260mm discs
Rear brake: Single-piston caliper, 260mm disc
Front tires: (2) 165-65R14Kenda Radial
Rear tire: 225/50R15 Kenda Radial
Seat height: 29.0 in.
Wheelbase: 68.0 in.
Fuel capacity: 7.1 gal.
Dry weight: 697 lbs.
Contact: spyder.brp.com
Verdict
The Spyder is to a conventional motorcycle what Cirque du Soleil is to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus-different, original and ever-so-slightly off-kilter.