Other Bikes » Can Am Spyder ! Is it ok for beginner?

Hello all, I've been married for 22 years, and my wife has never had an incline to learn riding motorcycles. Although recently, she's now enjoyed watching videos I've taken on long trips to Canada and out west and now wants part of it. She is not the type to ride in the back, she says she wants control,.. whatever that means.

Over a year ago we looked into getting her started and she got her motorcycle permit. She has not gotten her endorsement yet, but we keep on practicing. We debated at length what she should start riding with, but she was adamant about "No clutch" and No shifter. So, we purchased a Suzuki Burgman 400. She did well for a while in parking lot, school yard and such but she feels really unsettled on the roads. She's now dropped it 3 times and is afraid of climbing on it again. The Burgman 400 is a respectable 474 lbs bike and not to be taken lightly, I managed 92 mph on it.

Talking to friends and coworkers, she now decided she wants a Can Am Spyder. I never ridden a Spyder, but a 1000cc sport beast,.. I’m not sold on that idea. I've read many blogs that says that it is the most popular choice for women ridding for the first time, so it has to speak volume.

Any on here with first hand driving experience on a Can Am Spyder and willing to provide insight on whether it's appropriate for a first time rider?
I understand that most of you reside on the other side of the pond, and the Can Am is not massively wide spread outside of CAN/USA, but any info is appreaciated.

Thanks
Stephane

Sounds like getting a motorcycle licence is a lot easier over there than over here!

I wouldn’t have thought that riding a three wheeler would resemble anything like riding a real bike. I did read something a few years ago that it was a popular way of getting a motorcycle licence in the US, but that also went part way to explaining motorcycle accidents when cornering on two wheels. Personally, the thought of someone learning on what is effectively a 1000cc sports bike (even if it does have three wheels) frightening.

I have seen quite a few Can Am Spyders on the road during the summer riding season. The last BMW rally that I attended there were about 7 at the event. They seem to be quite popular in the U.S.

Zitat von BoxerFan im Beitrag #1

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I’m not sold on that idea. I've read many blogs that says that it is the most popular choice for women ridding for the first time, so it has to speak volume.
...whether it's appropriate for a first time rider?

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Zitat von BoxerFan im Beitrag #1

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She is not the type to ride in the back, she says she wants control,.. whatever that means.

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Zitat von BoxerFan im Beitrag #1

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She's now dropped it 3 times and is afraid of climbing on it again. The Burgman 400 is a respectable 474 lbs bike and not to be taken lightly...

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I think Ausimport has a can am so he'll give you all the info you need.
We had a guy from Bristol turn up to the South West run one year,it was great watching him drift it round corners,wasn't so much fun getting hit with gravel from that big back wheel.
If your wife hasn't much experience riding pillion I'd be trying to persuade her to persevere instead of forking out a large sum of monies on a tricycle.


Please note I've not said anything about your wife being in control

Hi Stephane

What about the yamaha niken great reviews and it handles like a motorbike but the 2 wheels at the front may give your wife with no name the confidence needed

Graham

I had a Sypder RT, the large tourer, pretty much a three wheeled Goldwing, with an ex girlfriend. She was in her mid 40's and had never ridden before. A few days after getting her motorcycle endorsement she flew to meet me in Atlanta, where I'd purchased it, and after an hour or two of parking lot practice we were on the road, ending up home in NY a week later. Extraordinarily beginner friendly and I'd say you get about 80% of the feeling or being on a motorcycle. You get all the exposure/wind in your face while missing out on the feeling of leaning in turns. I'm not trading my RS for a Spyder at any time in the near future but my guess is it would be a great machine for your wife.

Zitat von midlife crisis im Beitrag #9

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Hi Stephane

What about the yamaha niken great reviews and it handles like a motorbike but the 2 wheels at the front may give your wife with no name the confidence needed

Graham

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Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #7

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Do you get the 3 wheel scooters we have in Europe? Some have a 500cc twin motor. Gilera & Piaggio are the main brands

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Zitat von BoxerFan im Beitrag #1

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Hello all, I've been married for 22 years, and my wife has never had an incline to learn riding motorcycles. Although recently, she's now enjoyed watching videos I've taken on long trips to Canada and out west and now wants part of it. She is not the type to ride in the back, she says she wants control,.. whatever that means.

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Zitat von midlife crisis im Beitrag #9

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Hi Stephane

What about the yamaha niken great reviews and it handles like a motorbike but the 2 wheels at the front may give your wife with no name the confidence needed

Graham

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Zitat von Lee im Beitrag #12

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Zitat von wessie im Beitrag #7

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Do you get the 3 wheel scooters we have in Europe? Some have a 500cc twin motor. Gilera & Piaggio are the main brands

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Piaggio is available in the US but dealers are few and far between.

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Zitat von ranette im Beitrag #11

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Zitat von midlife crisis im Beitrag #9

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Hi Stephane

What about the yamaha niken great reviews and it handles like a motorbike but the 2 wheels at the front may give your wife with no name the confidence needed

Graham

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I'm not 100% certain, but I don't think the Niken will stand at stops without needing a leg down, and it's a big machine. For that reason I wouldn't imagine it's more beginner friendly than a Bergman.

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