LUXEMBURG
— A stream of people came though Simonar Sports this week to get a look
at — or a test ride on — a new three-wheeled motorcycle unveiled
earlier this year by Can-Am.
The
Spyder, a vehicle the Canada-based company touts as part motorcycle and
part roadster, features two wheels at the front of the vehicle and one
at the rear. One of the thrusts behind the concept is capturing people
who may not otherwise take to the road on two wheels.
"We're
creating a new class of riding, a roadster," said Todd Matthews, West
Coast manager for Spyder, who is in Luxemburg as part of the vehicle's
tour around the region. "We've taken one of the hardest elements out of
riding a motorcycle. You don't have to hold this up and balance it."
Matthews
said 47 states — including Wisconsin — recognize the Spyder as a
motorcycle while three states haven't decided what category it falls
into and don't require a motorcycle license.
For its part, Can-Am calls it a "roadster" and Matthews says, "It's more car-like."
Simonar
Sports in Luxemburg, which hosted the free factory demonstrations this
week, has presold 37 Spyders and delivery is expected to begin this
fall and carry through into early 2008.
"Most
of that was sight-unseen purchasing," said Dean Simonar, vice president
of Simonar Sports. "I'm selling them to women. I'm selling them to
people that don't even have bike licenses. They're purchasing because
of concept and ease of riding."
The
Spyders being test ridden this week are fifth-generation prototype
vehicles and production models are expected to incorporate a few
changes, Matthews said. The vehicle spent 10 years in development.
The
vehicle is powered by a 106 horsepower Rotax engine between the front
wheels and features anti-lock brakes, traction control, power steering
and storage space in the front. The base price is $14,999.
"I
see this bike taking off for the simple reason you don't have to
balance the unit," Dean Simonar said. "I see a lot of people that would
not ride a conventional motorcycle for the simple reason they're afraid
of them."
Wisconsin is one of the first 10 states where the product is being introduced.
Just
how much impact this design will have on the industry isn't yet known,
though it's expected to reach a niche market, said Don Brown, a
California-based analyst specializing in the motorcycle industry.
"It's
something that hasn't been out there before, and I think it will have a
good — if not great — market on the basis that there is a section of
the industry that has gotten older," he said."
Brown said it's too early to say if this design will mark a radical change in the industry.
"The industry may be ready for something new," he said.
A
few test-riders at the demonstration in Luxemburg said they see this
product adding a new dimension to motorcycling and will likely bring in
riders who want more than two wheels.
Conrad
and Karen Sutek of Bellevue were also among those taking test rides,
though they're not ready to replace the Honda Gold Wing, yet.
"I
don't think it's going to overwhelm the industry, but I think it's
going to put more people into cycling who are afraid of the balance
aspect of a regular motorcycle," Conrad Sutek said. "This takes all
that off the board."
