The Can-Am Spyder is similar to a motorcycle, in that it uses one rear belt-driven wheel, but two front wheels differentiate it. The Spyder is relatively easy to drive and gets about 35 miles per gallon, making it a potentially inexpensive commute vehicle.
Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
BRP, a company known for recreational vehicles, released the Can-Am Spyder last year. This vehicle combines elements of motorcycle and car, with one rear belt-driven wheel and two front steering wheels.
The two front wheels ensure stability. Unlike a motorcycle, you don't have to hold it up when stopped, and parking is simple. Of course, you also won't be able to cut through traffic by splitting lanes.
Two people fit easily on the Spyder. The shocks can be adjusted with a click dial, to accomodate the weight of the driver and whether it will be used to carry passengers.
The front wheels turn like car wheels, from a fixed pivot point. This makes the driving experience different from a motorcycle, as you don't lean into turns.
The Spyder has other advanced safety systems, such as traction and stability control. With stability control, a sensor can tell when one of the front wheels leaves the ground, and will slow the other wheels to bring the Spyder back under control.
A large belt drives the rear wheel. It gets power from a 990cc Rotax engine, delivering 106 horsepower and getting the Spyder to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Fuel economy is about 35 mpg.
The hood of the Spyder opens up, revealing a small storage compartment. It doesn't offer a lot of room, but a commuter could store the necessities for a work day.
The handlebars are similar to a motorcycle's, with clutch lever on the left and throttle on the right. But there is no brake lever on the right, as that function is operated by a foot pedal. This Spyder has a Garmin navigation unit mounted to the handlebar, although that is not a factory option.
The Spyder has a speedometer and tachometer, and a large LCD in the center. This display shows a variety of information, such as speed, temperature, fuel level, and the trip computer.
