General Questions
Whether taking a test drive or pre-purchasing a Spyder roadster, you'll need to know your local licence and registration requirements. Click on Test Drive Info or Ownership Info for all the answers. For more general questions, check out the Spyder roadster FAQs.
Questions
Answers
- Who manufacturers the BRP Can-Am Spyder roadster?
- BRP (Bombardier Recreation Products), the same company that makes Can-Am ATV’s, Sea-Doo watercrafts, Ski-Doo snowmobiles and Evinrude outboard engines. BRP also owns Rotax® engines. To find out more about BRP, please visit our corporate website.
- Where is the Spyder roadster manufactured?
- Spyder roadsters are built in BRP's main production facilities in Valcourt, Québec, Canada.
- Where are they sold?
- The Spyder roadster is sold at BRP dealerships across the globe. Dealerships that carry the Can-Am ATV and Sea-Doo line-up often sell the Can-Am Spyder roadster. To find a USA dealership visit our US Dealer Locator. To find a dealership in Canada, visit our Canadian Dealer Locator or outside North America, visit our International Dealer Locator.
- How long has the Spyder roadster been in existence?
- The Spyder roadster was introduced in February 2007 and the assembly line began production later that year on September 14.
- How would someone compare the Spyder roadster to riding a motorcycle?
- The Spyder roadster gives riders the open-air feeling of riding a motorcycle but everything else is much different. The Spyder roadster offers the peace-of-mind of riding in a sports car because of safety features it has and that gives the rider a stress-free feeling, unlike on a motorcycle. There is no counter steering or leaning like with a motorcycle. The Spyder roadster is “rider active,” as the rider turns the handle bars and shifts body weight– similar to riding a Can-Am ATV, Ski-Doo snowmobile or Sea-Doo personal watercraft.
- Is there anything that compares to the Spyder roadster?
- You cannot compare the Spyder roadster to anything on the road – it provides an open-road riding experience like nobody has seen or experienced before.
- Who has been purchasing the Spyder roadster?
- The Spyder roadster is a product that allows nearly anybody to experience the open road, so there have been all types of consumers purchasing them.
- Why does the Spyder roadster appeal to existing motorcyclists?
- Most motorcyclists are open to products that will discover the open road and products that are extremely visual, and Spyder, even though it doesn’t have two wheels, appeals to most motorcyclists.
- Why does the Spyder roadster have three-wheels and not two?
- While initially concepting the roadster, BRP briefly looked at going the traditional route in line with other powersport companies. Ultimately, though, BRP wanted to stay strong to its core value, opting for designing a paradigm-shifting vehicle that makes a true statement.
- How does BRP see the Spyder roadster evolving in the future?
- As with any product, Spyder will evolve, but the core of the product is something that will remain the same. BRP is committed to developing a full lineup of Spyder roadsters.
- Why did BRP choose Can-Am?
- The Spyder roadster is under the Can-Am brand because that is BRP’s “wheeled” division, which also has the Can-Am ATV lineup. In 1972, BRP introduced a division called Can-Am motorcycles. The product line included motorcross, road and all-terrain high-performance models. After a brief hiatus, BRP started to produce ATVs again. Because many enthusiasts were familiar with these vehicles, BRP decided to bring back the Can-Am brand; giving instant credibility to BRP’s “wheeled” division.
- Why did BRP choose the name "Spyder"?
- BRP chose the Spyder name because the term Spider is known in the automotive industry to stand for popular past roadsters: i.e. Ferrari Spider, Maserati Spider and Alfa Romeo Spider. Because the Spyder is classified as a roadster, BRP gave it the code name “Spyder” for internal use. When it was time to find a true name for the vehicle, everyone working on the project felt Spyder, with a Y, was the best fit.
- Why did BRP spell Spyder with a Y?
- Spyder is spelled with a Y because of its “Y-architecture” of two wheels in the front and one in the back.
- Will BRP bring back the Can-Am dirt bikes?
- The Can-Am brand will continue to evolve, what the future holds will be exciting, but is yet to be decided.
- Do people need to wear a helmet to ride a Spyder roadster?
- Helmet requirements are the same as standard motorcycles and vary by location. While helmet laws aren’t universal, BRP recommends everybody wear a helmet while riding a Spyder roadster.
- Does the Spyder meet EPA / CARB / EU / etc. regulations?
- Yes. The Spyder meets or exceeds all environmental regulations, including the stricter CARB standards.
- What advantages does the Spyder roadster have over a motorcycle?
- There are a couple of advantages. First, the Spyder roadster is bigger than a motorcycle and therefore more visible on the road. Second, the Spyder roadster has three wheels – making it stable at rest and in motion; you can’t “drop” it. Third, the Spyder roadster offers a front trunk (44 litres of space) which most, if not all motorcycle do not have. Also, the Spyder roadster comes standard with a Vehicle Stability System (VSS™) that includes ABS, Traction Control and Stability Control. No two-wheeled motorcycles on the road today have a system comparable to the VSS™.
- Does the Spyder roadster offer a stable ride?
- The Can-Am Spyder roadster is stable. The Spyder roadster has a unique Y-architecture with three-wheels (2+1) that provides stability at rest and in motion. The Spyder roadster also comes standard with a Vehicle Stability System (VSS™) that includes ABS, Traction Control, and Stability Control.
- How much can be stored in the front compartment?
- The front storage compartment offers 11.6 gallons (44 litres) of storage.
- Does BRP offer a warranty for the Spyder roadster?
- The Spyder roadster comes standard with a two year warranty with unlimited mileage.
- What is the gas mileage for the Spyder roadster?
- The Spyder roadster gets approximate 30 – 35 mpg under normal driving conditions.
- What is the fuel capacity of the Spyder roadster?
- The Spyder roadster’s fuel tank is 7.13 US gallons (27 litres).
- What size engine does the Spyder roadster have?
- The Spyder roadster has a 998cc V-Twin engine made by Rotax® that produces 106 hp.
- How many cylinders does the Rotax® V990 have?
- The Rotax® V990 has two cylinders.
- Is the Spyder roadster liquid or air cooled?
- The Spyder roadster is liquid cooled.
- How does the Spyder roadster turn?
- The Spyder roadster turns much like a Can-Am ATV, Sea-Doo personal watercraft or Ski-Doo snowmobile. You have to steer the Spyder roadster through the turn. There is no counter steering or leaning through the turn – like you would with a motorcycle. The Spyder roadster features DPS (Dynamic Power Steering) to provide steering assistance according to speed and user input.
- How fast does the Spyder roadster go?
- The Spyder roadster goes 0 – 60 in 4.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 110 mph.
- What are the transmission options for the Spyder roadster?
- The Spyder roadster has two different transmission options. There is the Sequential Manual 5-Speed (SM5), which has a traditional 5-speed manual transmission plus reverse. The other option is the Sequential Electronic 5-Speed (SE5), which has a semi-automatic 5-speed transmission with reverse.
- What are some of the after market accessories?
- The Spyder roadster has a number of accessory options, including a 6-spoke custom wheel kit, rear sport rack, adjustable backrest, sport/touring windshield, custom seat skin, rigid saddle bags, comfort seat and much more. The best way to see what BRP has to offer is to visit your local authorised Can-Am Spyder roadster dealer or go to our Parts & Accessories section.
- What colours can consumers choose for the Spyder roadster?
- The Spyder roadster is available in three colours: Roadster Red, Full Moon Silver, and Millennium Yellow. There is also a matte black option, the “Phantom Black Kit,” which is an aftermarket BRP accessory option to give the Spyder roadster a blacked-out look.
- How heavy is the Spyder roadster?
- The Spyder roadster has a “dry weight” of 699 pounds.
- Does the Spyder roadster also go off road?
- No – the Spyder roadster is only designed for on-road riding.
- Why is it called a Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster?
- It's called a Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster. It is built by BRP under the Can-Am™ brand. The Can-Am™ brand is BRP's wheeled vehicle brand which includes all-terrain vehicles and Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadsters. The Can-Am™ brand stands for a connection between performance and agility and a balance of style and strength. The Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster aligns perfectly with these brand attributes.
- When will the first vehicles be available?
- All presented models are already available in official BRP dealerships. In 2007, BRP deployed the first phase of its go-to-market strategy. In Europe, the Can-Am™ Spyder™ roadster has been introduced in France, Spain, United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and Germany. As of 2007, a selection of authorised dealers in these markets pre-sold the first roadsters for a delivery at the consumers in early 2008. In North America, the first Can-Am™ Spyder™ roadsters were delivered to selected authorised dealers in the fall of 2007 in twelve selected American states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Wisconsin) and four Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec). In its second phase, BRP expanded its Can-Am™ Spyder™ roadster offer to more North American states, Canadian provinces, European and other countries, and expects to be present worldwide within three to four years.
- Where can I try and/or see one?
- Since 2007, Can-Am™ Spyder™ roadsters have been available for trial at a number of events and dealer-hosted demo days. For a complete list, we invite you to click on the following links or consult the "Try Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster" section in early June.
- Who will sell them?
- In the first year, select authorised dealers in France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, Germany and the UK will sell Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadsters. Within two to four years, Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster will be available markets worldwide, starting with Western Europe. As for any new product, we are in the process of signing-up Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster dealers. Trial and demo tour information will soon be available on the web. In the meantime, if you leave us your contact information, we will keep you informed on everything that is happening with our Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster. Note: Any offer to purchase, order, offer for sale, sale or transaction will be subject to the compliance of the Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster with all governmental regulations and to the receipt of all required licences and authorisations.
- Where is my nearest dealer?
- Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster is a new product we just introduced to the public. We are in the process of signing-up dealers and will do so in the coming months. Trial or demo tour information will be available on our website within the coming weeks. In the meantime, if you leave us your contact information, we will make sure to keep you informed on everything that is happening with our Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster.
- How much will it cost?
- All prices are communicated by official dealers and distributors. Get more info at your nearest dealership.
- What type of driver's licence is required?
- Most jurisdictions in Europe at the exception of Greece require a valid car licence to operate the Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster. In other countries and especially in North America, some juridictions require a valid motorcycle or three-wheel licence. We invite you to contact your local authorities to obtain the licence and vehicle registration information that applies to you.
- Is it considered a motorcycle?
- BRP refers to it as a roadster since it offers all of the open-air benefits of a motorcycle together with some of the peace-of-mind offered by a car.
- Why three wheels?
- The Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster brings BRP's powersports experience to the road, and will open up the road to many users who want that type of experience. We considered other configurations, but found that the Y stance of the Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster offered a unique architecture which provided a balance of performance and peace-of-mind riding with features like the Vehicle Stability System (VSS). What sets Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster apart from anything on the market is what is integrated in the VSS: the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), the Traction Control System (TSC) and the Stability Control System (SCS).
- How would you compare it to driving a 2-wheel motorcycle? How does it ride?
- It's a different experience, it doesn't compare. This is a new kind of roadster, with a three-wheeled geometry, two wheels in front and one in the rear, Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster offers a balance between performance and peace-of-mind.
- Do people need to wear a helmet?
- As with a motorcycle, you are exposed to more road risks on Spyder than a car. While helmet laws aren’t universal, BRP recommends everybody wear a helmet while riding the Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster. Please refer to your local jurisdiction for specific requirements.
- What kind of warranty do you offer?
- We offer a two-year limited warranty. Exceptions apply. See the full warranty text for details.
- Is it a 2-up?
- Yes. Can-Am™ Spyder™ Roadster is categorised as a sport touring roadster and it has the ability to carry a passenger.