Motorcycle.com
The Can-Am Spyder is a three-wheeled "roadster" that's been well-received since its unveiling in February of this year. Manufactured by the Quebec-based Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), makers of Ski-Doo snowmobiles (and lesser-known Lynx snowmobiles), Sea-Doo personal watercraft and sport boats, Can-Am ATVs and outboard boat motors Johnson and Evinrude, the Spyder seems a natural extension for the company.
In case you haven't heard of, or more importantly seen the Spyder, it's a three-wheeled machine (two in the front, one in the rear) that looks like a slick amalgamation of many of the products BRP makes. Powered by a Rotax 990 V-Twin engine (Rotax is yet another BRP property) similar to that in Aprilias sportbikes, the Spyder's heart beats a rhythm familiar to many powersports enthusiasts.
Unique indeed, as the Spyder's wheel configuration requires some adjustment time, especially for those who spend most of their time on two wheels, but it offers plenty of advanced electronics and suspension. In August of this year Motorcycle.com's Kevin Duke evaluated the tri-wheel unit noting that "the Spyder aint a car and it aint a bike, and if youre looking for the core qualities of either, you might be disappointed. But if youre in the market for a fun-yet-unintimidating ride, Can-Ams new roadster might be right up your alley."
After the Spyder was unveiled, BRP set out on an aggressive targeted marketing effort in North America and Europe, allowing potential customers an opportunity to sample the roadster. According to BRP "more than 20,000 consumers have tried the Can-Am Spyder roadster in 11 American states, four Canadian provinces and eight European countries."
Following the October deliveries to North America, International markets will get their units in the beginning of '08. Further on in 2008 BRP will pursue its "go-to-market strategy" and deploy the Can-Am Spyder roadster to approximately 20 additional American states, a few other Canadian provinces and 15 countries in Europe, South America, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The roadster's worldwide deployment should be completed within the next two to three years.
So who got the Spyder bearing production model number one? None other than Jay Leno, of course.
The Spyder has a U.S. MSRP of $14,999 and comes in Full Moon (silver) and Millennium Yellow.
Related Reading
2008 Can-Am Spyder Test
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