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I'm posting this here because ultimately it is about deciding the right ride for this route/destination...
Can Am Spyder vs Harley Streetglide:
You know, you can rent either of these puppies. But can you choose? Can you choose which one to take for your first annual two day tour through the coastal fishing towns of midcoast Maine while your GS dreamcicle is still in pieces in the garage?
I test drove the Can Am Spyder today - one with a 5 speed not the automatic. I was a very different experience - combination wave runner/snowmobile/sport bike. As the reviews said this "reverse trike" 3 wheeler doesn't really lean, although shifting your body weight slightly does feel a bit necessary in tight cornering.
I put this thing through its paces for about 15 - 20 min and in that short time developed a wrist cramp (unexercised clutch hand possibly) and my hips were a little sore from sitting in the sport bike position on this machine, which is undoubtedly wider in the seat than most crotch rockets. Maybe it's because of that extra width - maybe I'm just old now.
It does feel like a standard street race bike, though, in the way that it pulls away from the stop light. I didn't have enough open road or enough gall to get it to higher gears. Its traction control and antiroll systems prevented any real donuts and fishtails (slight bummer) and added to the overall feeling of stability. As expressed by the salesdude, the bike will throw you before tipping over - kinda like that mechanical bull at your local western bar.
"The vehicle also features ABS, traction control, stability control with roll-over mitigation, and a dynamic power steering system." And its even got reverse!
Even before getting into second gear I had the claustrophobic need to stretch my legs out (have I told you that I'm old?), but no can do - there is no place to put your feet forward and recline abit. Don't get me wrong, though, I enjoyed it very much - thus my decision dilemma.
It's obvious to me why they call it the Spyder - There's the wide reaching control one feels about the front wheels being splayed out like spider appendages and gripping the pavement. Laying forward a bit and much lower to the ground then on the standard sport/cruiser bikes the rider feels able to move around and switch direction at a moments notice. In retrospect, now, I think I felt that I could almost climb the walls with the thing. While gliding on a big cruiser bike might feel like flying, this feels like buggyrolling with propultion or Parkour on wheels. And it certainly gets attention - there was one overwhelmingly interested, rubbernecking, onlooker. Big deal though; he was even older than I am.
Speaking of hip replacement surgery - the 09 Harley Davidson Streeglide is my other choice for this years weekend solo getaway - I've never been on one except to size it up in the show room. I'm sure that it's comfortable and has plenty of power and a great sound system. But, not having much experience with an 800 lb bike I'm a little apprehensive when thinking about those small tight spaces in tourist town. Bumpy and hilly parking lots, sand covered intersections, Sunday drivers and whatnot. If I drop it I have to buy it right? Hmmm...
I'll be touring as many hours as I can in the hope to squeeze the max fun out of which ever vehicle I choose to "date". Some of those miles may be highway (4 lane) but most will be the two lane stretch of road which connects all of these character laden New England villages; Rt 1 with all of it's shopping traffic, Rt 129 and rt 130 which are winding 45 to 55 mph yellow lined courses, and of course the narrow suburb-like lanes which make up the matrix of my childhood summertime stomping grounds.
In that this is actually a reflection tour I'm concerned that motorcycling could interfere with my sightseeing and soulsearching (and vise-versa) and lets face it daydreaming is just more saferer in a car like thing than on a bike - oh admit it you don't pay half as much attention when you're in your econo box as you do when you carving curves on your two wheeler.
Thoughts?
Thanks, JC
Can Am Spyder vs Harley Streetglide:
You know, you can rent either of these puppies. But can you choose? Can you choose which one to take for your first annual two day tour through the coastal fishing towns of midcoast Maine while your GS dreamcicle is still in pieces in the garage?
I test drove the Can Am Spyder today - one with a 5 speed not the automatic. I was a very different experience - combination wave runner/snowmobile/sport bike. As the reviews said this "reverse trike" 3 wheeler doesn't really lean, although shifting your body weight slightly does feel a bit necessary in tight cornering.
I put this thing through its paces for about 15 - 20 min and in that short time developed a wrist cramp (unexercised clutch hand possibly) and my hips were a little sore from sitting in the sport bike position on this machine, which is undoubtedly wider in the seat than most crotch rockets. Maybe it's because of that extra width - maybe I'm just old now.
It does feel like a standard street race bike, though, in the way that it pulls away from the stop light. I didn't have enough open road or enough gall to get it to higher gears. Its traction control and antiroll systems prevented any real donuts and fishtails (slight bummer) and added to the overall feeling of stability. As expressed by the salesdude, the bike will throw you before tipping over - kinda like that mechanical bull at your local western bar.
"The vehicle also features ABS, traction control, stability control with roll-over mitigation, and a dynamic power steering system." And its even got reverse!
Even before getting into second gear I had the claustrophobic need to stretch my legs out (have I told you that I'm old?), but no can do - there is no place to put your feet forward and recline abit. Don't get me wrong, though, I enjoyed it very much - thus my decision dilemma.
It's obvious to me why they call it the Spyder - There's the wide reaching control one feels about the front wheels being splayed out like spider appendages and gripping the pavement. Laying forward a bit and much lower to the ground then on the standard sport/cruiser bikes the rider feels able to move around and switch direction at a moments notice. In retrospect, now, I think I felt that I could almost climb the walls with the thing. While gliding on a big cruiser bike might feel like flying, this feels like buggyrolling with propultion or Parkour on wheels. And it certainly gets attention - there was one overwhelmingly interested, rubbernecking, onlooker. Big deal though; he was even older than I am.
Speaking of hip replacement surgery - the 09 Harley Davidson Streeglide is my other choice for this years weekend solo getaway - I've never been on one except to size it up in the show room. I'm sure that it's comfortable and has plenty of power and a great sound system. But, not having much experience with an 800 lb bike I'm a little apprehensive when thinking about those small tight spaces in tourist town. Bumpy and hilly parking lots, sand covered intersections, Sunday drivers and whatnot. If I drop it I have to buy it right? Hmmm...
I'll be touring as many hours as I can in the hope to squeeze the max fun out of which ever vehicle I choose to "date". Some of those miles may be highway (4 lane) but most will be the two lane stretch of road which connects all of these character laden New England villages; Rt 1 with all of it's shopping traffic, Rt 129 and rt 130 which are winding 45 to 55 mph yellow lined courses, and of course the narrow suburb-like lanes which make up the matrix of my childhood summertime stomping grounds.
In that this is actually a reflection tour I'm concerned that motorcycling could interfere with my sightseeing and soulsearching (and vise-versa) and lets face it daydreaming is just more saferer in a car like thing than on a bike - oh admit it you don't pay half as much attention when you're in your econo box as you do when you carving curves on your two wheeler.
Thoughts?
Thanks, JC
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