BRP Can-Am Spyder Roadster
Encyclopedia
The Can-Am Spyder is a Three wheeled motorcycle with a single rear drive wheel and two wheels in front for steering, similar in layout to a modern snowmobile
. The Spyder uses an ATV
-like chassis. The manufacturer refers to it as a "roadster," but in technical terms it is more of what has been traditionally called a trike.
, Inc. (BRP), a privately held powersports manufacturer headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec
Canada. BRP's portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo
and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and sport boats, Evinrude outboard motors
, Can-Am
all-terrain vehicles and roadsters, and Rotax
engines and karts.
2007
The Spyder has traction
and stability control, and antilock brakes. In most US states the Spyder is licensed as a motorcycle. In California and Delaware only a regular driver's license is required—however, helmet laws apply in California as they do for all motorcyclists.
There is a luggage space under a "hood" at the front of the vehicle. Saddle bags, top boxes and other accessories for the Spyder are also in existence.
The Spyder also has front and rear brakes which are both actuated by the same foot pedal, a true reverse gear, power steering and an optional electric shift transmission.
The SM5 is a manual 5-speed transmission with the standard motorcycle left-foot-actuated shifter and left-hand-actuated clutch. It is a one-down-four-up system with real reverse.
Spyder SE5
The SE5 is a semi-automatic transmission, which shifts sequentially 1-2-3-4-5 and 5-4-3-2-1. There is no foot shifter. Instead, a paddle-shifter located below the left hand-grip is used to up-shift and down-shift. Simply use your thumb to push the paddle forward to up-shift, and use your index finger to pull the paddle backward to down-shift. Note the Spyder's computer will automatically down-shift for you when the engine speed drops below 2,500 RPM. To engage Reverse, pull the paddle backward and press the R (Reverse) button.
Specifications and Options
Snowmobile
A snowmobile, also known in some places as a snowmachine, or sled,is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow. Designed to be operated on snow and ice, they require no road or trail. Design variations enable some machines to operate in deep snow or forests; most are used on open terrain, including...
. The Spyder uses an ATV
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
-like chassis. The manufacturer refers to it as a "roadster," but in technical terms it is more of what has been traditionally called a trike.
Corporate Ownership
BRP Can-Am Spyder is manufactured by Bombardier Recreational ProductsBombardier Recreational Products
Bombardier Recreational Products or BRP is a Canadian company that traces its roots back to the year 1942 when Joseph-Armand Bombardier founded L'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée in Valcourt in the Eastern Townships, Quebec.In 2003, Bombardier Inc...
, Inc. (BRP), a privately held powersports manufacturer headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec
Valcourt, Quebec
Valcourt is a small town in southern Quebec, Canada. It is located about 130 km from Montreal and is where Bombardier, the first snowmobile manufacturer, was founded in 1942. Today, Bombardier Recreational Products manufacturers Sea-Doo personal watercraft, Can-Am all-terrain vehicles as well...
Canada. BRP's portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo
Ski-Doo
Ski-Doo is a brand name of snowmobile fabricated by Bombardier Recreational Products. The first Ski-Doo was launched in 1959. It was a new invention Joseph-Armand Bombardier...
and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and sport boats, Evinrude outboard motors
Evinrude Outboard Motors
Evinrude Outboard Motors is a company that builds a major brand of outboard motors for boats. Founded by Ole Evinrude in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1907, it was formerly owned by the publicly traded Outboard Marine Corporation , and is now owned by privately held Bombardier Recreational Products.-...
, Can-Am
Can-Am motorcycles
Can-Am is a motorcycle producing subsidiary of the Bombardier Recreational Products, a Canadian corporation.In 1973, under the direction and leadership of an American Engineer named Gary Robinson and former motocross World Champion, Jeff Smith working with a team of California desert racers,...
all-terrain vehicles and roadsters, and Rotax
Rotax
BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG , commonly known simply as Rotax, is an Austrian engine manufacturer. It develops and produces four-stroke and advanced two-stroke engines for Bombardier Recreational Products products as well as for motorcycles, karts,...
engines and karts.
Vehicle History
2006- In December 2006, the first spy photo of the Can-Am Spyder was published online. The vehicle was spotted near Deal's Gap, NC on the "Tail of the Dragon" route.
2007
- On February 9, 2007, the Sypder was officially launched by BRP dealers, customers and media.
- In September, the first full-production Spyder from the assembly line in Valcourt, Québec was made.
- In October, Spyder serial number 001 was delivered to Jay Leno at Leno’s garage in Burbank, Calif.
Features
Traction control system
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
and stability control, and antilock brakes. In most US states the Spyder is licensed as a motorcycle. In California and Delaware only a regular driver's license is required—however, helmet laws apply in California as they do for all motorcyclists.
There is a luggage space under a "hood" at the front of the vehicle. Saddle bags, top boxes and other accessories for the Spyder are also in existence.
The Spyder also has front and rear brakes which are both actuated by the same foot pedal, a true reverse gear, power steering and an optional electric shift transmission.
Models
Spyder SM5The SM5 is a manual 5-speed transmission with the standard motorcycle left-foot-actuated shifter and left-hand-actuated clutch. It is a one-down-four-up system with real reverse.
Spyder SE5
The SE5 is a semi-automatic transmission, which shifts sequentially 1-2-3-4-5 and 5-4-3-2-1. There is no foot shifter. Instead, a paddle-shifter located below the left hand-grip is used to up-shift and down-shift. Simply use your thumb to push the paddle forward to up-shift, and use your index finger to pull the paddle backward to down-shift. Note the Spyder's computer will automatically down-shift for you when the engine speed drops below 2,500 RPM. To engage Reverse, pull the paddle backward and press the R (Reverse) button.
Specifications and Options
| Package | SM5 Transmission | SE5 Transmission |
|---|---|---|
| Frame/Platform | Surrounding Spar Technology (SST) | Surrounding Spar Technology (SST) |
| Suspension Front | 144 mm | 144 mm |
| Double A-Arm with Anti-Roll bar | Double A-Arm with Anti-Roll bar | |
| Power Steering | Dynamic Power Steering (DPS) | Dynamic Power Steering (DPS) |
| VSS | ABS, TCS and SCS engineered with Bosch | ABS, TCS and SCS engineered with Bosch |
| Transmission | 5 Speed Manual with Reverse | 5 Speed Sequential Electronic with Reverse |
| Drive Train | Kevlar reinforced drive belt 28/79 final drive ratio | Kevlar reinforced drive belt 28/79 final drive ratio |
| Instrumentation | Dual Analog and LCD | Dual Analog and LCD |
| Engine | BRP-Rotax 990 V-Twin EFI | BRP-Rotax 990 V-Twin EFI |
| 106 HP @ 8500 RPM 77 lb-ft @ 6250 RPM |
106 HP @ 8500 RPM 77 lb-ft @ 6250 RPM |
|
| 2-into-1 exhaust system | 2-into-1 exhaust system |