[paulcbrowne]

I've long thought of a three wheel solution for my creaky old knees. After lots of research, I nixed the sidecar. Steering is really heavy and turns are wired and asymmetrical. Someone even described a sidecar as constantly wanting to throw you off! (If you have an like your sidecar, that's fine; it's just not for me.)

Trikes were another option. Big trike all carry a big price tag. I investigated Yelvington, but was concerned that it's a very custom kit from a very small manufacturer. Maybe an option, but not convinced yet.

So, last week I drove a CanAm Spyder and got a quote on a basic RT model. I noticed right away that you still swing your leg over like a motorcycle. I really like the Burgman's step through. It's an automatic clutch but you still shift with a paddle. Steering was pretty heavy and tight turns weren't its strong suit. I like driving twisty roads and thought the Spyder would be a handful. What I disliked most was its lack of convenience features. The iPhone hookup is in the top case which would require a stop and dismount to change anything. Not sure if it would give me the many option I now have with my Interphone F5. No Bluetooth. There was only one tiny cubby big enough for maybe a wallet. Lack of storage cubbies like the Burgman left me frustrated. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I think a good used Miata would be a better option.

I think that the Burgman 650 is a pretty well thought out item. Every time I look at something else, I find the lack of much that the Burgman offers to be a deal killer -- IMHO.

 

[cliffyk]

The Spyder is a snowmobile with wheels instead of skis on the front and a wheel instead of a track on the rear--it is also (IMHO) butt ugly.

A neighbor has one that I have driven a few times--I will not say "ridden"--a few times. I always lie and tell him how much I like it--however the truth is they would have to pay me a significant annual stipend before I would own one. It is rather quick in the straights but is a stubborn mule/horse in the turns, and takes up as much space in the world as a small car.

I would rather have a Miata and have a roof to put up when it rains and air conditioning to boot...

 

[misty'smom]

I owned a Spyder for a short time. At the end of a 30 mile ride I was worn out from handling the steering. Also it got squirrelly in the back end if you had to come to a quick stop for traffic lights. The reverse feature was nice. The nose of the bike had storage for a small cooler for your drinks and rain gear. But I am glad that it is gone now and I am back on 2 wheels.

 

[v8eyedoc]

I've long thought of a three wheel solution for my creaky old knees. After lots of research, I nixed the sidecar. Steering is really heavy and turns are wired and asymmetrical. Someone even described a sidecar as constantly wanting to throw you off! (If you have an like your sidecar, that's fine; it's just not for me.)

Trikes were another option. Big trike all carry a big price tag. I investigated Yelvington, but was concerned that it's a very custom kit from a very small manufacturer. Maybe an option, but not convinced yet.

So, last week I drove a CanAm Spyder and got a quote on a basic RT model. I noticed right away that you still swing your leg over like a motorcycle. I really like the Burgman's step through. It's an automatic clutch but you still shift with a paddle. Steering was pretty heavy and tight turns weren't its strong suit. I like driving twisty roads and thought the Spyder would be a handful. What I disliked most was its lack of convenience features. The iPhone hookup is in the top case which would require a stop and dismount to change anything. Not sure if it would give me the many option I now have with my Interphone F5. No Bluetooth. There was only one tiny cubby big enough for maybe a wallet. Lack of storage cubbies like the Burgman left me frustrated. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I think a good used Miata would be a better option.

I think that the Burgman 650 is a pretty well thought out item. Every time I look at something else, I find the lack of much that the Burgman offers to be a deal killer -- IMHO.

PAULBROWNE.........Why dont you just trike out the 650 you have...???

 

[whiteknuckler]

I test rode a 2013 Can Am Spyder Touring model.

I thought I was going to die

Very squirrely and unstable.

Not for me

 

[mraley]

I also owned a 2009 Can Am Spyder. Had it for a little over a year. The steering can be an issue, but my biggest grip was the heat that attacked your feet and legs. There has been many heat related issues with for several years. There are several aftermarket options to displace the heat to other areas, but it is still a miserable ride in the summer.

 

[rut3556]

>>I would rather have a Miata and have a roof to put up when it rains and air conditioning to boot...<<

And you can get a nice "pre-owned" model for a whole lot less!

 

[DandyDoug]

I am in group that would buy a Miata in a heart beat and may if my Burgman ever sells.

If you want to shop for a trike, I recommend you check the area in and around "The Villages" in Florida . It's a real geezer oriented community and there are usually several trikes for sale by widows in the place.

 

[Desert Rat]

As I get older I sure find that it's easier to step up into my 4x4 F-350 than to go down into my VW Jetta. Miata sits on the ground & you have to climb up & out of them. My sports car days are long gone.

 

[Scootereno]

+1 I find it easier to step through my 400 than get out of my Stealth!

 

[WingMan]

You might want to check out the MP3, they make a 500 cc model.

 

[rut3556]

>>Miata sits on the ground & you have to climb up & out of them<<

Well, there is that! :-(

 

[cliffyk]

As I get older I sure find that it's easier to step up into my 4x4 F-350 than to go down into my VW Jetta. Miata sits on the ground & you have to climb up & out of them. My sports car days are long gone.

I drove Miatas for 10 years, a '90 and two '92s, and sort of looked at them when recently bitten by the "rag-top bug". Just too small after having the Mustang, ended up with a sport touring roadster that will pass most anything but a gas station:

And it cost some $11,000 less than a CanAm RT-S--that will buy 55k miles worth of gasoline even at $4/gallon...

 

[twowheels2005]

I've long thought of a three wheel solution for my creaky old knees.

Did you take a look at the Piaggio MP-3 lineup? A 400 or 500cc would probably do the job. I know a few people who have them (one guy has 3!) and I have ridden them. Handling is very good, and when you come up to a stop, the thing locks vertical! No feet required.

 

[pdxstriper]

I test drove a CanAm Spyder and thought it was terrible. The thing wants to throw you off on a turn. It behaves just like a SeaDoo - there is no leaning like a motorcycle - it just wants you off its back. And you upshift it ... but it downshifts itself? That plus the brake is a single footpetal on the right side that positioned my foot in a very ackward angle. Yuck.

 

[Mike337]

Glad to hear the negative Spyder reviews because I was thinking about one.

 

[JackChris]

Ever think about a toe pac kit on your 650? I put one on a 400 for my wife and it really rides nice. Good in the turns and steering is not hard. They even have a reverse set up that you can get. Not the same as a true trike but quite a bit less money.

 

[Muse]

Once my Burgman 400 days are finished i feel the only option for me will be a 4 wheel electric scoot with a big hi vis flag on the back up a pole so the cars etc see me crossing the pedestrian crossings LOL.

 

[12string]

I have a Miata and a Burgman the best of both worlds

 

[soc714]

I know what you mean. The Burgman fits us people with bad knees in so many ways. My wife and I had a discussion on getting a trike. We decided for the money its cheaper to buy a used convertible car. That way when it rains we can just put the top up.