Can-Am Spyder RT

A new touring riding experience – I have just 3 weeks ago taken delivery of a new 2017 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited. The Spyder comes with the 1330 CC engine with loads of grunt from very low revs. It comes with a Semi Auto 6 speed transmission, gears are changed via a thumb lever on the left handlebar, where you push for up shift and pull for a downshift. If you choose not to downshift the Spyder will downshift thru the gears as required. The Spyder has a Centrifugal clutch - no lever to pull. You get used to these.

Brakes are Discs all round, and all 3 wheel brakes are activated by a foot pedal. It takes some time to trust when you are used to using the Front Brake for control. The Spyder has ABS which is amazing under load - it will stop in a very short distance. Running boards (adjustable) are there for both rider and pillion.

It includes a collection of controls, (ABS is one) Stability Control System, Traction Control System and Power Steering that all work together. It sees things like overcooking the corner being dealt with by the system. I have found they "interrupt" your misdemeanour very quickly and calmly - some cars I have driven this can be as frightening as the loss of control, but not the Spyder.

The left Handlebar switch block is a little cluttered.

- Horn Sounds poor, indicators are self-cancelling,

-High Beam and Headlight Flash (no light switch as they are on permanently and I’ve left mine on in all vehicles I drive anyway). ON the subject of Headlights, Hi Beam is right up there, but when ridden at night the low beam doesn’t "bleed" light to reflective surfaces that you rely on to show the path ahead with oncoming traffic. Adjusting the low beam a little higher solved the problem.

- Motorised Windscreen height adjustment - I didn’t think I'd use it, but now would not like to be without it.

- Reverse select button (from neutral or first stationary, you hold the reverse button and pull the gear change button to engage reverse)

- Controls for your dash (Radio, NAV, Weather, display settings)

There is a PTT button for the US market to control CB radios - useless here, but would be nice if you could re-assign it to another task via the settings in the computer.

The right Handlebar block contains

- Hazard Lights, Kill switch, Cruise control which is a little clumsy to operate, I am fearful of bumping the Kill switch trying to operate the Cruise control, and I am not sure if there is anything BRP can do with it. Hazard Lights and Start button live here too.

Under the handlebar pivot are switches - park brake (love it), Hand grip warmers and Suspension control. The suspension control allows you some adjustment of firmness - and now do I find it handy to tweak the suspension on the fly when travelling - Freeways I harden it up, around town on the uneven roads, soften it up to soak up the bumps. I have always been finicky about suspension settings, but this is the best way to attend to. While on the subject of suspension, the rear suspension has a compressor that adjusts ride height when a pillion gets on - this is of huge benefit - no more winding springs or adjusting rear suspension pressures.

The dash has the speedo, tacho, fuel and temp gauges. The central LCD screen in the dash has many bells and whistles that I am yet to explore (usually wait ill something happens unexpected and causing me to look into the settings/option/talents)

The engine and exhaust make a nice sound, and the engine has loads of torque, allowing you to roll it on from any speed. The Belt drive creates a vibration at certain speeds under load – annoying given so many Spyder riders report it in past models. The fuel tank is small condieraning its a tourer - dont drive from Syd to broken Hill for your first trip - you'll be pushing to the nearest (100KM ) service station

I give it an A+ for storage. You could almost move house with this thing 

Tyres seem ok so far.

Riding – well there is some great advice on spyderlovers website. My own two bobs worth. When you drive/ride anything different you have to take time to understand how to operate it – Bikes – Cars – Quads – trikes – horses, yes horses – seriously ride one, listen to those who ride them and enjoy. Once you understand it you’ll wonder why you didn’t make the change sooner.