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BIKES:  2010 Can-Am Spyder RT First Ride
Written by: Adam Waheed
Motorcycle-USA.com   http://www.motorcycle-usa.com
11/30/2009
Eugene, OR
 
Getting the Can-Am Spyder and the Spyder RT side by side you can see the adjustments in riding position and other features to make long distance riding on the Spyder more comfortable. (Photo: MotorcycleUSA.com) ยป More Photos

Although it hasn’t been invented, if there were a company to mass produce such a contraption, it would be Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP). Take a look at its CV, proof that this innovative Canadian company knows a thing or two about building “The Next Best Thing” when it comes to motorized consumer products. First, it started with its Ski-Doo snowmobiles, later expanding to the water with its Sea-Doo watercraft. They made the jump to the off-road world with its Can-Am ATVs, and, in 2008 moved to pavement with its tricycle, the Can-Am Spyder. Next year it expands its road line-up by offering a touring capable vehicle in the form of its 2010 Can-Am Spyder RT.

Is it a Car or Motorcycle?
A little bit of both, actually. Based off the aforementioned Spyder platform, the RT (Roadster Touring) incorporates both automotive and motorcycle-derived engineering practices making it a unique touring option unlike anything else currently on the road. The first thing you’ll notice, next to its three wheels, is the way they’re arranged—two in the front, one in the back—an interesting contrast to conventional trikes (if you can call them that) based off Harley-Davidson Electra Glides and Honda Goldwings. Its streamlined shape resembles that of a modern European
car, complete with twin projectile headlights, turn signals integrated in the rearview mirrors, and bright, highly visible LED taillights. More automotive similarities come in the form of its front double-A arm suspension, Bosch Vehicle Stability System (VSS), optional semi-automatic transmission, linked hydraulic brake system, and sophisticated instrumentation.

Like the Spyder, which it is based off, the RT uses a liquid-cooled 998cc V-Twin engine that you perhaps may have experienced aboard the Aprilia RSV1000R or Aprilia Tuono 1000R motorcycle. It was selected for a number of reasons, one of which is that it’s built by BRP’s sister company, Rotax. The engine features a compact 60-degree cylinder cant, 97 x 68mm bore/stroke dimensions, a 12.2: 1 compression ratio, and 4-valve DOHC equipped cylinder heads. Both its fuel and ignition maps were specifically calibrated for the rigors of the RT and a ride-by-wire throttle control system (in which the engine and the throttle are linked electronically as opposed to a conventional mechanical set-up), completes the package.

Visit MotorcycleUSA.com for the rest of this article.
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