| Author | Message | ||
     Greg_e |
I'm not so sure I like this, but I have seen a commercial for the Spyders that says you can now take your motorcycle road test on a Spyder. How do our instructors feel about this? My concern is that people will get a Spyder for their test because how hard can it be, then go out and buy something way over their skill level and become a rolling road hazard with no experience to be on the road. | ||
| Froggy |
Given the cost of a Spyder, even used, I doubt thats going to happen much. They would be rolling hazards regardless of what they are riding on. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
There is no way you could pass the liscence test here in Oregon on one. It simply will not do the manouvers required. yes i know i cant spell good | ||
| Woody1911a1 |
there is a disclaimer at the end of the commercial that blinks by so fast you can barely read the first 2 words . i actually saw one on the road the other day . 'twas the one with the big rear seat . | ||
| Tiltcylinder |
They won't be riding 'motorcycles' in New York state. If you take the road test on a three wheeler, there's a restriction on your motorcycle endorsement(license) that only allows you to operate on three wheels not two! If you take it on a two wheeler, you're good to go on either. | ||
| Ourdee |
If you take the motorcycle test in Illinois on a 3 wheel vehicle, The license will restrict you to 3 wheels or more. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Tiltcylinder- FL laws are the same as New Yorks. We allow students to take the course on three wheels for a three wheel only endorsement. I've actually got a student in my two wheeled class right now that owns a Spyder, and loves it, but wants to learn to operate two wheels just in case he adds to his fleet. When I get people like that in my courses, I make a point to take them aside and explain the differences between the handling of two versus three wheels because three wheeled vehicles truly are different critters, and Spyders are a truly unique subset. People like them though. We have a hard time keeping them on hand at the dealership, they pretty much sell themselves. BeLinda. | ||
| Tiltcylinder |
Fltwistygirl, yeah, the CanAms are definitely different. The need to lean forward to help keep the wheels on the ground was definitely a skill that took me while to get when I road tested one a couple of years ago. I do believe that the two wheels in the front is better than two in the back. When (big WHEN) I can't hold up a two wheeler any more, I'd surely purchase one over a standard trike. When we 'qualify' folks for scooter duty with the PD, those who can't/ won't/ don't get it (on two wheels), end up in the three wheeled scooters | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
I want to ride one just to see what it is like to ride one. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Good to hear Illinois is on the same page also, Ourdee. I admire all the engineering that goes into the Spyder, love the the "let's protect us from ourselves" traits such as the cutting off the power when the wheel lifts. Couldn't agree more that the two wheels in front is a better, i.e., more stable design than a standard trike. Off topic and sorry bout the threadjack, but speaking of trikes, remember those 3 wheeled ATV's? Remember unsuspecting kids riding sideways on a hill, tipping and rolling downhill sideways (oops, violation of tipover line)? Remember unsuspecting kids riding straight up a hill and the front end coming up, and the ATV rolling back over on them (oops, again, tipover line violation)? Those now illegal ATVs share some handling tendencies with the behemouth trikes that are on the road now. In reality, some retiree on a tri-glide isn't going to be taking his trike on those surfaces, but he should be aware that just because he's more stable on three wheels, he's not immune from the consequence of violating a tipover line. And firebolt020283-Riding a spyder is a hoot. Try it if you ever get a chance! | ||
| Froggy |
Firebolt - Think street legal snowmobile. Then again you are from down south, you might not know what that is like either...  | ||
| Greg_e |
I'm not sure that New York even offers the three wheel classes. When I got my license if you took the test with a sidecar, you were given a sidecar license, but I don't think they offer that class anymore which forces you to take the test on two wheels. Maybe they still have this class and other three wheeled versions to the list. I think it is good to open the options for people, I'm just concerned that some states may issue a regular motorcycle license for these vehicles. | ||
| Greg_e |
Oh, and in some communities in New York snow mobiles are legal on the street. They all are required to carry insurance just like a motorcycle, even if only used off roads. Not sure about inspection but they are all required to have a tail/stop and headlight and use hand signals and of course obey all posted laws and traffic signals. Oh and that commercial just ran by again, they specifically say get your motorcycle license, don't care what disclaimer they have at the end that can never bee read because the font is sized below a scan line they are still liable if a person can not get a real 2 wheel license by what they say. Called deceptive marketing and it should not be allowed. if they said you could take a road test for your license and not specify motorcycle that would be acceptable. Someone in the legal department let things slide. | ||
| Ohsoslow |
they are fun to ride in their own respect, i surely would not own one. | ||
| 86129squids |
Greg e- good call. There's NO WAY a rider on a Can-Am 3 wheeler should be allowed to attend/complete the MSF course intended for 2 wheelers. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
"There's NO WAY a rider on a Can-Am 3 wheeler should be allowed to attend/complete the MSF course intended for 2 wheelers". Any school that uses the MSF's BRC would not be able to use a Spyder. The bike used in this curriculum cannot exceed 500 cc's. Thus the Blast's size at 492cc for Rider's Edge and other HD non-Rider's Edge curriculums. Keep in mind there are "non-MSF" based basic rider type curriculums in a some states. Not sure of the rules and regs of those, but can't imagine them allowing a 900 cc+ powerplant in a bike used for new rider training. The epidemic of widespread misinformation about the topic of rider training is stunning. One of my current scooter riding students purchased a 150cc scooter and was told by the salesperson at a dealership just down the street that no endorsement was required in FL for 90 days. Just buy the scooter and you had a free pass to ride for 90 days, then he could go in for the BRC. I had a LEO in my class who overheard this discussion and gave the scooter student kudos for being at this class because without it, if he was caught riding, he would get a ticket. Buyer Beware. BeLinda. | ||
| Jaimec |
I don't believe I've heard of any restrictions regarding the Spyder and the BRC2 (formerly the ERC) but I'll ask. The handling dynamics, however, are COMPLETELY different than those taught for the BRC2 (push-steering for one thing). | ||
| Grancuda |
The guys could always move from the Spyder to this. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-CBR-CBR1000-2 007-Honda-CBR1000-limited-edition-Repsol-_W0QQcmdZ ViewItemQQhashZitem3a63f33ed2QQitemZ250784988882QQ ptZUSQ5fmotorcycles | ||
| Jaimec |
I just checked with some friends of mine who teach for PennDOT. They've HAD Spyders taking the BRC2(ERC) in the past. If you're a RiderCoach and you know you have someone attending one of your courses on those things, make sure you have a "Range Rat" because those things are going to SLAUGHTER your range cones! Basically, the only thing you look for are proper braking technique, proper head turns, and (on the manual transmission models) smooth shifting/clutching and stopping in the proper gear. OH! And proper braking and throttle roll-on for turns. (Message edited by jaimec on March 16, 2011) | ||
| Drkside79 |
You should try it in IL where we don't do a road test just a skills test on a small postage stamp course which isn't really suited for anything bigger than a 250cc bike. GL with the 16 foot U turn on a Spyder. | ||
| Swordsman |
I think it's weird that everyone wants to compare Spyders to a.)motorcycles or b.) snowmobiles. In terms of handling, seems to me like it would handle more like an ATV (or "quad", depending on your location) than anything else. It may be built like a snowmobile, but I seriously doubt those front tires are going to perform like skis. ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on March 16, 2011) | ||
| Biffdotorg |
I think it's weird that everyone wants to compare Spyders to a.)motorcycles or b.) snowmobiles. In terms of handling, seems to me like it would handle more like an ATV (or "quad", depending on your location) than anything else. It may be built like a snowmobile, but I seriously doubt those front tires are going to perform like skis. ~SM That's actually the first thing I felt when I had the chance to take out a BRP Spyder when their prototype fleet came to our city. Anyone that has ridden a well planted trail sled will feel the same on a spyder. Trail sleds have plenty of ski-pressure and will go wherever you point the skis if you have the muscle to turn them. The Spyder holds to the road very well with it's advanced traction control and ABS. On the prototype ride day, we had some wet pavement and the traction control was not quite perfected on these units. So that meant we could roll through corners and get the rear end squirely real easy! It's got a nice fat rear tire, so on dry pavement, I'm sure it hooks up. But on our day it was a blast to ride. All I wanted to do was stand up and point it at the ditch! It was that similar to my sled! |
