The evolution of the Spyder

Every year the anticipation is high for new product coming out of BRP for Spyder. We've seen so much change since the first mention of the Spyder back in 2007. That's when the Spyder caught my eye. I was making my living in the Cruiser world and didn't stray far from that until I saw the Spyder. I just sold a heavily customized 2006 VTX and was ready for something new, something that would speak to me. That's when I saw my first youtube video of a Can-Am Spyder GS. After watching that video about 50 times and googling everything I could on the Spyder I decided to take the money I had from the sale of the VTX and plop it down sight unseen on the Spyder. There was no dealer network to speak of at the time and I had to fly down to FL from TN to purchase my GS. That was in December 2007 and I've been riding Spyders ever since. There's now a great dealer network that is growing and BRP just produced it's 100,000 Spyder earlier this year. I would say they caught on pretty good.

Like most bikers I didn't take to the handling of the Spyder right away but I learned as I put the miles on to trust it and not try to ride it like a motorcycle. In fact the Spyder was never to be compared to a motorcycle but a ride that would appeal to motorcycle enthusiasts. I think some folks think that adding a third wheel takes away from the motorcycle experience but what it really does is add a totally new and exciting experience that would be comparable to going from a dirtbike to a 4wheeler. One doesn't replace the other and you don't have to wait until you can't hold up a dirtbike to enjoy riding a 4wheeler. When bikers tell me "when I can't hold up my bike anymore I'm going to take a hard look at the Spyder", my reply is always "why wait?" I'm sure glad I didn't wait, the Spyder has been more fun than I had ever expected and I'm still a motorcycle rider, it took nothing away from that.

The evolution started when the Spyder GS became the Spyder RS and soon after folks like myself started to modify the Spyder to be more comfortable for long rides. BRP took notice to this and I think it was surprising to them how far folks were riding the Spyder. In 2010 the evolution continued from the factory with the release of the Spyder RT. This was a huge leap of faith for a ride that had only been out for two years and a welcome one. By this time I had almost 50,000 miles on my GS and had made it as comfortable as I could but it was still no RT. The ergonomics were more upright and the weather protection was amazing. We now had an adjustable windshield, factory CB and radio along with factory cruise control. These were all things folks were doing to their RS but it just wasn't the same. Oh and we had a factory approved hitch and trailer. This was a first for any motorcycle manufacture to have an approved towing package that wouldn't void your warranty.

The RT pretty much took over the RS in popularity to the more seasoned rider and this was evident at the rallies. Still there was a core group that loved the sportiness of the RS but wouldn't mind some of the comforts of the RT. In 2013 along came the next step in the evolution of the Spyder, the Spyder ST. It had the back end of an RS but a minimalist front end that had some of the perks of the RT like a sound system, adjustable windshield, cruise control and heated grips. It was lighter so it felt quicker off the line and not quite as heavy, more like the RS.

Next step in the evolution happened in 2014 and this was a big step. The Rotax 998 was well suited for the RS and ST but RT owners really wanted something that had more range, less heat and more pep in it's step. Once again BRP listened to it's owners and developed an inline 3 cylinder Rotax for the RT. It has a 6 speed transmission with 115 hp and 98 foot pounds of torque. The radiators were moved forward and this helped keep the engine compartment cooler eliminating any heat issues. The motor is so efficient that the maintenance schedule has more than doubled the miles inbetween for required oil changes. The best thing that came from using this motor in the RT was you have an honest 200 plus mile range and that was never achieved with the v-twin 998 Rotax. This made the Spyder RT a true touring bike. The 1330 Rotax was the best thing to happen to the RT.

So 2015 comes along and nobody really expected BRP to do anything too radical seeing they just came out with a new motor for the RT. At most some thought maybe the ST or even the RS might have a 1330 option but BRP pulled another rabbit out of the hat and introduced the one missing link in the evolution of the Spyder, a cruiser/hotrod Spyder with a lower center of gravity, you sit in the bike and not on it. Your feet are forward with adjustable controls thanks to the UFit system and the motor is exposed with less plastic to really give you a more motorcycle feel and look. The comment I get most often is "That's Badass." This is the Spyder I was waiting for and I was not disappointed. I found that the fun factor was through the roof and I'm pretty sure that's going to get me a ticket or two in the very near future. Being a motorcycle guy and a cruiser guy at heart I felt right at home on the F3.

But like every bike I've ever owned and every Spyder I've ever owned I started to modify it to my needs. Besides the billet parts that I make to dress it up I also added a nice sound system to the F3. I got a lot of questions about that as it seems this was something that was on the list of mods for a lot of folks. I also added some custom hard bags that really fit the look of the bike as I didn't really want or need the removable bags that were already offered. The wind protection was fine for me with the 129 shield but there was a lot of talk on my Spyder forum about wanting more protection. I'm pretty happy with my setup now and have driven my F3 all over the US and Canada in all sorts of weather and I've got to say the only thing I'm missing is my trailer. I really wish there was a trailer option for the F3. The one thing that really surprised me was how many folks went from a RT to a F3. They gave up some of the creature comforts like storage and wind protection and an integrated sound system and the ability to tow a factory trailer for the ergonomics of the F3. Being able to adjust the foot pegs and bars forward and backward is a huge thing for many riders. I see husbands and wives riding together on the F3 and one will be 5' 2" and the other will be 6' 2" and both are relaxed and comfortable with the factory adjustments. No more need for aftermarket solutions.

BRP has had a year now to hear the feedback from owners and once again they listened and took action. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the 2016 line up and I can tell you once again they knocked it out of the park. The RT/ST and RS are pretty much the same with color changes and some upgrades to the sound system on the RT by way of going to a USB interface instead of the Apple only option. This was a smart move for sure and a needed one.

The big change was in the F3 platform. We now have a F3-T option that's a little bit of everything. It's built on the same F3 platform but has some of the things that both the ST and RT owners have been asking for as an option like an integrated sound system, trailer towing package for the current Freedom trailer or the RT-622 trailer and a manually adjustable rear air suspension. It has stylish fixed hardbags and a convenience console that includes a tinted windshield, integrated rear view mirror and a glove box that includes the USB interface for your cell phone. The sound system has two 4.5" speakers and two 2.5" mid-range woofers. There is no rear trunk like on the RT but there is a really nice backrest option. This is the "Bagger" of the Spyder line. The F3-T looks like it's in motion just sitting there. All the lines flow nicely and nothing looks out of place. I think the Bagger crowd is going to love this thing. I know had they came out with this last year it would be the Spyder I would own.

I have mixed emotions about this Spyder. I love pretty much everything about it but I'm disappointed that my wife wants me to put her new 2015 F3 up for sale and order the new F3-T limited in black, just need to figure out what black option to go with, the Steel Black Metallic or the Monolith Black Satin. Either way she get's what she really likes and that will make her happy and that means I'll be happy. The sad thing is she loves her current F3. Guess that's what happens when you get it right and there's no settling for anything less. This very well may be the Spyder that pushes everyone off the fence. It has the look and attitude of a serious cruiser/bagger and the safety and comfort that's second to none. I've been telling BRP that if they build it, they will come. Let's see if I was right.

Click Here for 2016 Spyder Lineup

Click Here for 2016 Spyder F3 Spec Sheet

Click Here for 2016 Spyder F3-T Spec Sheet

Click Here for What's New for 2016 all models

Click Here for 2016 F3 pricing and options

Click Here for 2016 Parts and Accessories

Click Here for 2016 Catalog and Videos

Lamont Bryden aka Lamonster

Owner of Lamonster Garage

Owner of SpyderLovers.com forum