The Spyder will be pretty familiar to anyone who has ever ridden a motorcycle. There is a twist-grip throttle on the right hand handlebar, a brake lever at the right foot, a clutch lever (for the standard transmission model) on the left handle bar, and a gear selector lever at the left foot.
To start the Spyder the operator inserts and turns a key not unlike a standard car motorcycle key, in a lock located top-center on the handle bar. There is a switch on the right handle bar next to the grip that must be toggled to on before the Spyder’s starter can be engaged. This also operated as a “kill” switch in the event the engine needs to be turned off quickly. Below the kill switch is the starter switch, which, once depressed, activates the starter.
A first time operator will also want to acquaint themselves with the other switches before operation, located on the left handlebar next to the left hand grip. Here the operator will find the high-low beam selection rocker switch, the turn signal selector switch, and the horn. The Spyder starts in neutral, which can be ascertained by the gear indicator on the LCD instrument panel. This panel also indicates essentials like fuel, coolant temperature, miles per hour, and includes a tripmeter. The panel is flanked by a dial type speedometer on the left side, and a dial type tachometer on the right.
Once the vehicle is started, the operator should depress the brake lever (located forward of the right foot peg) and while applying the brake, step on the parking brake lever located behind the left foot peg to release the parking brake. Then the operator pulls in the clutch lever, and pushes the gear selector lever (forward of the left foot peg) down. This will move the transmission into first.
The transmission on the Spyder is a sequential 5 speed selected in the traditional motorcycle pattern. From neutral, first gear is one click down, and second through fifth gear is sequentially selected by putting the toe of the left foot under the gear selector lever and raising (clicking) it up once for each next gear. Each time a new gear is to be selected, the clutch lever must be engaged.
Once the Spyder is in first gear, it is time to get rolling. The operator releases the brake and slowly lets out the clutch lever while simultaneously rolling the throttle grip back toward the operator to give the engine fuel. Once the Spyder is moving, the operator can completely release the clutch lever and adjust the speed of the Spyder with the throttle. When moving, The operator can move to a higher or lower gear by again engaging the clutch lever, clicking into the desired gear, and releasing the clutch lever.
When braking on the Spyder, the operator should be conscious of the gear they are in. When slowing signifigantly, a gear change is most likely in order. An operator unfamiliar with the Spyder would be best advised to engage the clutch for the duration of the braking, and to be cautious when letting out the clutch lever after making a gear change under braking, as too low of a gear selection could cause the Spyder to lurch under the power, and too high a gear selection could cause the Spyder to stall. When braking to a complete or near stop, it is best to keep the clutch engaged and ensure the bike is returned to first gear before continuing. It should be note here that the clutch does not need to be released between gear selections, and an operator can move through any number of gear changes while the clutch lever is engaged.
Turning the Spyder is as simple as turning the handle bars in the direction of desired travel. This is much like a conventional car, and the opposite of a motorcycle, which operates by counter-steering. Aggressive steering inputs combined with higher speeds will produce a yaw like tendency, the Spyder will feel like it is going to roll to the outside, but the Spyder is equipped with controls to prevent this from occurring. For more information see How the Can Am Spyder Stability Control System Works.
The last bit of knowledge concerning the operation of the Spyder is knowing how to put the Spyder in reverse. This can be done from a dead stop by placing the Spyder in first gear, and with the clutch lever engaged, pulling back on a release lever on the left handlebar and simultaneously pressing down on the gear selector lever. This will place the Spyder in reverse. To exit reverse, a click up on the gear selector lever (again, with the clutch lever engaged), will return the Spyder to first gear.
When preparing to turn off or dismount the Spyder, it is good practice to return the Spyder to neutral. This can been done by engaging the clutch lever, putting the Spyder in first gear, and gently clicking up on the gear selector lever. This will move the transmission into a state of neutral located between first and second gear. A “N” in the gear indicator on the instrument panel will indicate successful neutral selection.
The engine can be turned off by either turning off the key or turning the kill switch to the off position. Remember to engage the parking brake by pressing down on the parking brake lever located behind the left foot peg. Then simply dismount.
That’s all there is to it. I hope you get a chance to try one soon.
