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New Models
BIKES: 2013 Can-Am Spyder ST Roadster First Ride
Motorcycle USA takes Can-Am's new Roadster for a ride, the 2013 Spyder ST the beneficiary of sweeping changes to the Spyder's chassis and suspension.
The changes to the chassis and suspension of the 2013 Spyder Roadsters means much less wrestling with the bars and more spirited riding. (Photo: MotorcycleUSA.com)
“I really feel we are building an industry which will become bigger and bigger and bigger,” said BRP CEO Jose Boisjoli while addressing journalists gathered for the press launch of the 2013 Can-Am Spyder.
Boisjoli’s statement is supported by the release of a new model this year, a sport-touring version called the 2013 Can-Am Spyder ST. The new addition expands the Spyder range to three base models with “R” and “Limited” variations of those base models offered as well, demonstrating the importance of the Spyder to Can-Am’s road vehicle aspirations, the unique three-wheeled Roadster hitting the scene in 2008. And after seeing over 30% growth in sales in its first four years in existence, there is no resting on laurels in this industry, a factor which helped drive changes to the chassis and suspension on this year’s Spyder as the vehicle continues to evolve.
Motorcycle USA traveled to National Harbor last weekend for the annual dealers meeting of Can-Am’s parent company, BRP, where the unveiling of the 2013 Can-Am Spyder Roadster models took place. On a sunny day in the Capitol, we rolled out of Gaylord National Resort on the 2013 Spyder ST Limited, the Limited being the top-of-the-line ST package, a combination of hard lockable saddlebags and a five-way adjustable windscreen. Its ergos are more relaxed compared to the RS, a must for long rides, achieved by moving the footboards out five inches, bringing the handlebars back four inches and raising them up another 3.3. We thumb through the “Mode” controls on the the AM/FM audio system and pump up the jams while touring the Maryland countryside, a standard feature on the 2013 Can-Am Spyder ST and all of the RT models. Can-Am has made the package even more attractive by adding heated hand grips and a Garmin Zumo 660 GPS.
Sitting down in the saddle for the first time, we’re digging the upright seating position with just a hint of forward lean. The Spyder ST definitely has more room to stretch the legs and the bars are easy to reach. The starting procedure is a bit tedious. First, turn on the key. Then wait while the bike runs through its systems check. Then press the mode button to acknowledge you’ve looked at the safety card, which nobody does. Finally riders can disengage the brake, turn it on, click into gear and throttle to go.
Before we discuss our riding impressions of the 2013 Can-Am Spyder ST Limited, it’s important to note the most notable change to the Spyders this year.
“We’ve tried to improve the dynamic behavior closer to a BRP product, closer to what’s our DNA, what you’ll observe on a snowmobile or feel on an ATV,” said Daniel Duceppe, Product Development Director for Can-Am Roadsters.
We discussed the changes to the chassis on the 2013 Spyders with Duceppe and learned the chassis was stiffened by increasing rigidity around the front suspension’s mounting points which reduced the load on suspension components. Can-Am also revised the front-end geometry, the “anti-dive” geometry aiming to keep the vehicle from plunging as much during braking. Duceppe said the suspension calibration front and rear has more vertical body movement instead of pitching over bumps, so it’s much more controllable. It also has a revised swingarm pivot to give more rigidity to the rear suspension. They’ve also gone an inch bigger on the front wheels, the new 15-inch wheels shod in Kenda Radial low-profile 165/55 tires with a new tread design. The front fenders on the Spyder ST hug the fender closer and feature a new aerodynamic design with LED lighting incorporated into it.
All these changes sound good in theory, but how would they perform in the real-world?
It only takes a few gears to realize that the 2013 Spyder ST is a smooth shifter. It comes in two variations, the SE5 a five-speed semi-automatic transmission while the sportier RS-S comes with the traditional SM5 manual transmission. The Spyder’s semi-automatic tranny outfitted on the Spyder ST Limited we’re riding is quite an accomplishment. You paddle up without having to squeeze a clutch and it engages quickly and quietly. It automatically shifts down when engine rpm reaches 2500 but you can paddle down if you want to. Seeing how there’s almost no engine braking, we generally let the transmission do its job. It’s a very slick gearbox, the only noticeable engagement coming when the vehicle is shifted into reverse.
For the rest of this article visit MotorcycleUSA.com
Boisjoli’s statement is supported by the release of a new model this year, a sport-touring version called the 2013 Can-Am Spyder ST. The new addition expands the Spyder range to three base models with “R” and “Limited” variations of those base models offered as well, demonstrating the importance of the Spyder to Can-Am’s road vehicle aspirations, the unique three-wheeled Roadster hitting the scene in 2008. And after seeing over 30% growth in sales in its first four years in existence, there is no resting on laurels in this industry, a factor which helped drive changes to the chassis and suspension on this year’s Spyder as the vehicle continues to evolve.
Motorcycle USA traveled to National Harbor last weekend for the annual dealers meeting of Can-Am’s parent company, BRP, where the unveiling of the 2013 Can-Am Spyder Roadster models took place. On a sunny day in the Capitol, we rolled out of Gaylord National Resort on the 2013 Spyder ST Limited, the Limited being the top-of-the-line ST package, a combination of hard lockable saddlebags and a five-way adjustable windscreen. Its ergos are more relaxed compared to the RS, a must for long rides, achieved by moving the footboards out five inches, bringing the handlebars back four inches and raising them up another 3.3. We thumb through the “Mode” controls on the the AM/FM audio system and pump up the jams while touring the Maryland countryside, a standard feature on the 2013 Can-Am Spyder ST and all of the RT models. Can-Am has made the package even more attractive by adding heated hand grips and a Garmin Zumo 660 GPS.
Sitting down in the saddle for the first time, we’re digging the upright seating position with just a hint of forward lean. The Spyder ST definitely has more room to stretch the legs and the bars are easy to reach. The starting procedure is a bit tedious. First, turn on the key. Then wait while the bike runs through its systems check. Then press the mode button to acknowledge you’ve looked at the safety card, which nobody does. Finally riders can disengage the brake, turn it on, click into gear and throttle to go.
Before we discuss our riding impressions of the 2013 Can-Am Spyder ST Limited, it’s important to note the most notable change to the Spyders this year.
“We’ve tried to improve the dynamic behavior closer to a BRP product, closer to what’s our DNA, what you’ll observe on a snowmobile or feel on an ATV,” said Daniel Duceppe, Product Development Director for Can-Am Roadsters.
We discussed the changes to the chassis on the 2013 Spyders with Duceppe and learned the chassis was stiffened by increasing rigidity around the front suspension’s mounting points which reduced the load on suspension components. Can-Am also revised the front-end geometry, the “anti-dive” geometry aiming to keep the vehicle from plunging as much during braking. Duceppe said the suspension calibration front and rear has more vertical body movement instead of pitching over bumps, so it’s much more controllable. It also has a revised swingarm pivot to give more rigidity to the rear suspension. They’ve also gone an inch bigger on the front wheels, the new 15-inch wheels shod in Kenda Radial low-profile 165/55 tires with a new tread design. The front fenders on the Spyder ST hug the fender closer and feature a new aerodynamic design with LED lighting incorporated into it.
All these changes sound good in theory, but how would they perform in the real-world?
It only takes a few gears to realize that the 2013 Spyder ST is a smooth shifter. It comes in two variations, the SE5 a five-speed semi-automatic transmission while the sportier RS-S comes with the traditional SM5 manual transmission. The Spyder’s semi-automatic tranny outfitted on the Spyder ST Limited we’re riding is quite an accomplishment. You paddle up without having to squeeze a clutch and it engages quickly and quietly. It automatically shifts down when engine rpm reaches 2500 but you can paddle down if you want to. Seeing how there’s almost no engine braking, we generally let the transmission do its job. It’s a very slick gearbox, the only noticeable engagement coming when the vehicle is shifted into reverse.
For the rest of this article visit MotorcycleUSA.com
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