A friend of mine, Tyler Risk, began riding a Can-Am Spyder about a year ago, after a devastating motorcycle accident, one she was fortunate enough to survive. She surprised everyone as she healed by getting on another steed of her choice: a Can-Am Spyder. She chose this vehicle, one that was more stable than a two-wheeled motorcycle, because it still provided the ergos and controls of riding a motorcycle. Tyler herself exclaimed, “After several skin grafting surgeries on my legs, I chose the Can-Am because it still allows me the adventure of what riding is about, seeing the world in a different way than others, the wind in my face, the throttle in my hand, and 1000cc between my legs.” It was in this spirit that she made her choice to return to riding on a vehicle providing her with a ton of fun and surrounding her in controversy.
A few weeks ago, she posted a ride report on her home forum which had photos and text of her first spring ride. Combined in the mix of kudos and photo oohs and aahs was one post, tucked indiscreetly among the others, saying that she should not have posted this under “motorcycle” ride reports but instead should have posted under “off topic”. Ok… so, this brings up the debate of whether or not the Can-Am Spyder is classified as a motorcycle and do we really care whether it is or not??
I am often one to quibble over proper usage of English language and grammar, however, I see the distinction between the definition of the Can Am Spyder and a motorcycle as superfluous and loosely translated. Wikipedia weighs in: “The legal definition of a motorcycle for the purposes of registration, taxation and rider licensing in most countries is a powered two-wheel motor vehicle. Many jurisdictions include some forms of three-wheelers as motorcycles, such as motorcycles with side car rigs”. Wiki defines the Can-Am Spyder as a “three-wheeled motor vehicle (two wheels in the front, one in the rear) similar in layout to a modern snowmobile. The Spyder uses an ATV-like chassis with a single rear drive wheel, and two wheels in front for steering. It is often referred to as a “roadster” but in technical terms is more of what has been traditionally called a three wheeled trike”. So, can the three wheeled trike be placed in the motorcycle definition as a form of three-wheelers? I believe it can, and I also could truly care less!!
Suddenly we have yet another example of label bashing that different groups exercise in the motorcycle community. There are the sportbikers, the cruisers, the scooter riders, the trike riders, the squids, the racers, the rockers, the stunters, the dirty riders, the distance riders, RTW riders and they all have one thing in common, they are riding a machine that they straddle and they are out challenging themselves and the environment. So, we all ride, what difference does it make what we ride?
I love seeing the diversity of machines on the road and the rider’s attitude of Woman vs machine. I love the camaraderie at gas stations, campgrounds, roadside attractions, eateries and wherever else riders paths cross. I believe that when we are all out traveling the roadways and countryside, the playing field is leveled and that the passion of “the ride” is alive in each of us regardless of what we are riding. I believe that it simply doesn’t matter what you ride. What matters is THAT you ride!
More Can-Am info!
Demenshea sez... Ya, we don't like to see ads, either, but it helps pay the rent... so please visit our (randomly supplied) sponsors to keep the content coming! ;-) Via Can-Am Spyder: Three wheeled Motorcycle, open air race car, or what? | Demenshea's Ride like a Girl
