Road Smith vs Canam RT Spyder

[bikerbillone]

Fronm time to time I post a brief thought about my GW/Road Smith vs the Canam Spyder RT.....I contine to compare the two machines to get other comparison information. I chase the RTE Spyder because of my demo rides with the wife, and comparing the suspension. My GW is a 2005, the RS conversion is an early 2012 and tit has served me well. But suspension, in my mind does not compare to the cloudd like ride on the Sypder RT, so 'we' are getting older and prefer the Spyder suspension. The GW has many upsides for me as in, if it ain't don't broke don't fix it. A trike change will cost a bundle, in up front cost and in addition, making it my it my own, and there are 'other' downsides to the Spyder RT as well, so I always bump up to these walls in my mind. I pretty much know what to expect from GW/RS because I have ridden it so long, the the Spyder RT, I don't know from experience. Tough decision, just wonder if anyone might have some thoughts and this might be the forum for more information.

 

[rhino 2]

Fronm time to time I post a brief thought about my GW/Road Smith vs the Canam Spyder RT.....I contine to compare the two machines to get other comparison information. I chase the RTE Spyder because of my demo rides with the wife, and comparing the suspension. My GW is a 2005, the RS conversion is an early 2012 and tit has served me well. But suspension, in my mind does not compare to the cloudd like ride on the Sypder RT, so 'we' are getting older and prefer the Spyder suspension. The GW has many upsides for me as in, if it ain't don't broke don't fix it. A trike change will cost a bundle, in up front cost and in addition, making it my it my own, and there are 'other' downsides to the Spyder RT as well, so I always bump up to these walls in my mind. I pretty much know what to expect from GW/RS because I have ridden it so long, the the Spyder RT, I don't know from experience. Tough decision, just wonder if anyone might have some thoughts and this might be the forum for more information.

Scott AKA consitter from Late Nighters Fame Has a Tri, And his Wife has a Spyder....He might be able to give you some insight.....I had one of the first Spyder's in NJ [08]...

And they have improved them ten fold now....

 

[brianl]

If you really want to buy one make absolutely sure there’s a really good canam mechanic close by. When I look at their forum it seems those bikes are incredibly complicated. You’d hate to have to drive or tow it 100 miles if something goes wrong. I have a hard enough time finding a good Goldwing mechanic and there’s a lot more of them around vs. the CanAm.

 

[bikerbillone]

Yes, I hear you loud and clear, that is what stops me in my tracks. I have a shop 10 mins from me but the shop has a horrible rep, so I will probably do without a Spyder.

 

[rhino 2]

Up until 2008, I only owned Honda's' Suzuki's 'Kawasaki And Yamahas....And i never had to worry or even think about how good the dealers and their mechanics were, Or how near they were to me........Never had a problem with any of them that i couldn't fix my self..

Then my thinking changed drastically after i bought a Spyder and a series of Harleys [4]....Even my Victory didn't give me any problems..... :Shrug:....

 

[bikerbillone]

Rhino, to clarify, you had service problems with your Spyder?

 

[rhino 2]

Rhino, to clarify, you had service problems with your Spyder?

Yes, But to be honest that was in 08.....And i understand that they have improved now...

:Shrug:.....Will i buy another one, No...

 

[bikerbillone]

That speaks volumes, and I save a lot of money. :clapping:

 

[Burnerboy]

All's I can say is that I did test ride one last year at Americade......It was actually quite fun! and a different experience....

We ride with six bikes quite often, 2 can Am's and two trikes, and a Sling shot, and a two wheeler....never heard any of the can Am's ever complain

Ronnie

 

[rhino 2]

All's I can say is that I did test ride one last year at Americade......It was actually quite fun! and a different experience....

We ride with six bikes quite often, 2 can Am's and two trikes, and a Sling shot, and a two wheeler....never heard any of the can Am's ever complain

Ronnie

I was asked to leave a Can-Am Forum.....For complaining; AKA Stating Facts......

Cam-Am riders also drink the Kool-Aid ....:laugh:...

 

[bikerbillone]

All's I can say is that I did test ride one last year at Americade......It was actually quite fun! and a different experience....

We ride with six bikes quite often, 2 can Am's and two trikes, and a Sling shot, and a two wheeler....never heard any of the can Am's ever complain

Ronnie

I hear you Ronnie, I am so ready to make a change from the GW/RS, but I am so not ready to jump on the Canam RT knowing what I hear and read about BRP service. So, until I until I am ready to make that giant leap of faith at serious cost, I will continue to do what I do. By the way, I did not read about any Spyder at the MV TT Ride In this year. I do believe that Spyder has their own dedicated Maggie event.

 

[Iowavicrider]

If you would like to do further Spyder research, attend the 3-wheel rally in Deadwood, SD. It began as a Can-Am event and still has a lot of different Spyder models attending as well as traditional 3-wheelers. Plus, the rally is fun, TT has a planned ride every year and the scenery is beautiful!

I have also also heard some of the Can-Am service horror stories but can not directly verify.

 

[bikerbillone]

Oh yes, would love to, but from central FL to Deadwood, now there's a real journey.

 

[Burnerboy]

I hear you Ronnie, I am so ready to make a change from the GW/RS, but I am so not ready to jump on the Canam RT knowing what I hear and read about BRP service. So, until I until I am ready to make that giant leap of faith at serious cost, I will continue to do what I do. By the way, I did not read about any Spyder at the MV TT Ride In this year. I do believe that Spyder has their own dedicated Maggie event.

I rode with two Spyders, two trikes, and a two wheel wing today, all's I can say is again, (after 145 miles) I have heard NO CRY's babies/only smiles from the Can Am folks...

O' after reading your post again, just now, they both mentioned today that they did indeed go to the Maggie event themselves last season and had a blast... She drives (her husband is blind, and rides on the back...She's 70+ plus years old..... What a bubbling couple both of them make!!

Ronnie

 

[bikerbillone]

I agree with you on your comments, SpyderLovers mostly are dedicated Spyder riders. Seems no matter what, they hang in ride on, and fix whatever it is that breaks, or find an after market thing that works better than BRP builds. They love the ride, and compliment the ride. One thing, or really more than one, I do like on the Spyder is the suspension, and all those after market things that can personalize the machine, at no small cost, but sure makes it personal, and damn good looking, in my opinion. There's an interesting Vlog on You Tube, it's John and Mariam's Travel Vlog on a Spyder, I've seen all 100 plus, quite the Spyder RT Vlog. As mentioned, if I was convinced I could get decent service, I'd be out there looking and kicking tires.

Wm

 

[starrider60]

Satisfied Can Am owner

Still riding at 76. Mostly Yamahas. Got tired of trying to pick up an 800 pound scooter. Test rode a 2014 RTS. Spooky at first. Really did not get a good ride but was intrigued. Bought a 2017 RTS with the full complement of storage and have been very pleased with the comfort and reliability. Experienced a problem with the parking brake but the dealer fixed it under warranty. Bought a 6 year warranty policy with the bike. It is too complicated to wrench on. I put 18,000 miles on the first year with no other problems. And yes I would prefer to have a good dealer nearby. Have 24,000 miles on her now. orag:

 

[hogcowboy]

Competent dealer service is the only real downside I see to Spyders. My wife has has a 012 RT and a 016 RT. And recently added a 018 F3 Limited. She's becoming a competent service tech herself now as she insists on doing everything herself on the F3. She's had that thing completely naked just to install a CB and a Garman GPS. Installed some other goodies while she had it that far apart too. So once again, doing your own service changes everything about Spyders. But BRP should do a better job of maintaining competent service techs. But isn't that true with all brands? I do think they could up their game a lot though. BRP that is. They are losing customers because they don't as far as I'm concerned. JMHO

 

[bikerbillone]

Cowboy, how true, how true, a well known weak link in the BRP plan and they gotta know it, and yet they refuse to acknowledge or do anything about it. I suppose they sell enough of these machines that it's not a concern.

 

[Burnerboy]

Ok today at 10:00 (10/19/19) were meeting again for another RTE....

I can ask them if either Can am has encountered any problems...

I'd love to ride one again in the very near future...

Actually here's a question: DO YOU RIDE A Can Am OR DO YOU DRIVE A Cam Am??.....................:xzqxz::xzqxz:

Ronnie

 

[bikerbillone]

Cool beans Ronnie, maybe you'll some 'strait answers', they seem to be straight on spyderlovers.

 

[trikermutha]

Recently I blew my front tire on the Spyder. The pot holes in my area are bad. I will say even after hitting the pothole at around 50 +MPH the bike handle well and steered until I was able to pull off to the side off the HWY.

Now service is like any service cars, bikes etc. There only as good as the guy who services the vehicle. Not all are the same and times are changing, guys like myself are getting older and planning on retirement in the future. I am seeing the younger generation come in and miss a lot of the things I would notice and fix.

Everything now is stick your face in a computer or cell phone and ignore everything else.

Well anyway love my Spyder and will hang onto it a bit longer. May try a Slingshot or similar someday and see how I like driving it.

 

[bikerbillone]

Mutham, you are the SpyderLover, be interesting to see you go another vehicle. Totally understand the situation.

 

[trikermutha]

NO Hurry just yet Bill.. :laugh: Body still moving, but getting harder with my ailments

 

[bikerbillone]

I understand, could be that 'age thing' creeping up.

 

[Burnerboy]

I asked "both" of the Can Am rider's , and neither have anything negative to say......They both put quite a bit of (s)miles on the vehicles a year, Again he's blind and she drives it everywhere they go.....

The other couple, just follows and every Sunday, the rest of us meet and all go on an approx 150 miles[ish] (R/T) ride for a lunch....

Every Sunday is a different location, it always a surprise, none of us has any idea where we are going.. {the blind couple always leads} And always a wonderful location, with good food..

Ronnie

 

[bikerbillone]

(Yes), good post.

 

[Chaplain Hardcase]

Fronm time to time I post a brief thought about my GW/Road Smith vs the Canam Spyder RT.....I contine to compare the two machines to get other comparison information. I chase the RTE Spyder because of my demo rides with the wife, and comparing the suspension. My GW is a 2005, the RS conversion is an early 2012 and tit has served me well. But suspension, in my mind does not compare to the cloudd like ride on the Sypder RT, so 'we' are getting older and prefer the Spyder suspension. The GW has many upsides for me as in, if it ain't don't broke don't fix it. A trike change will cost a bundle, in up front cost and in addition, making it my it my own, and there are 'other' downsides to the Spyder RT as well, so I always bump up to these walls in my mind. I pretty much know what to expect from GW/RS because I have ridden it so long, the the Spyder RT, I don't know from experience. Tough decision, just wonder if anyone might have some thoughts and this might be the forum for more information.

I have an 05 GW with a 16 RS HTS Kit., I have started to look at the Spyder LTD for the "FrunK" space to carry my medic bag on xcountry trips and all the other essentials 2 up as well.

The only things I see as needing to get used to is no shifting with a clutch and no hand brake. As for the lean into a turn that's the same excuse everyone who won't ride a trike has made for years (until they unfortunately crash). I find the power steering easy and responsive albeit it took some getting used too on the test drive.

Negatives: 1) No CB (I have figured the work around) 2) No direct interface with radio via bluetooth, BRP claims are bogus (My local dealer pointed this out) 3) Limited service centers 4) On older RT models having to lift seat to get to fuel filler (or find a dealer that would modify)

Positives: 1) Ride, is very very smooth, 2) Steering Far easier than any HD Triglide or even my GW with 6 degree rake. 3) Storage, there is a ton of it and the new 2020's have even more. 4) Fuel economy Even towing this get better fuel economy than any other trike out there.

Hope this helps.