The Bombardier Spyder Experience demo rides are returning to New Zealand.

The Spyder Experience travelling road show offers motoring enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy a lengthy test ride on the unique, three-wheeled Can-Am Spyder, and it returns to New Zealand in March and April.

The Spyder roadster looks like a three-wheeled, Y-configuration motorcycle with two wheels in the front and one in the rear.

“A Spyder is a fantastic machine for those who have always liked the idea of open road touring on a motorbike but, for whatever reason, don’t like the way bikes need to be leaned into corners,” says Richard Shaw, New Zealand manager for Can-Am Spyder manufacturers Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP).  

“The Spyder delivers a totally different riding sensation. It has a more stable ride with its ATV-like chassis with the single rear driving wheel and two wheels in front for steering. With its 990cc V-Twin Rotax engine, ABS and power-steering, the Spyder is powerful and sophisticated to ride.”

Shaw notes: “The Spyder Experience is a great way for people to try out a Spyder in a friendly, helpful environment. Even if you have no motorbike riding experience, don’t worry. With a short period of tuition anyone can safely ride a Spyder – they are different, but not difficult to master – and we’ll cover some of the technical details that make the Spyder so special. After our group ride around a mix of urban and open roads, we’ll return to base to enjoy a coffee and share your thoughts about your Spyder ride.”

Shaw says the Australian-based Spyder Experience hospitality truck and personnel are back in New Zealand with the two models of Spyder for a four-date demo tour taking in two slots in Auckland and one each in Taupo and Palmerston North.

(Another date planned for Christchurch has understandably been cancelled in the wake of February’s devastating earthquake.)

“The Spyder Experience team was first in New Zealand last November and the feedback we had from those who participated was very positive,” says Shaw.

The Spyder Experience rides are intended for participants over 20 years of age with a valid New Zealand car licence. A motorcycle licence is not needed, but participants do need to bring and wear a suitable, correctly-sized motorcycle helmet, as well as a jacket, jeans or trousers that cover legs fully and sturdy, closed-in shoes.

Shaw adds that the Spyder is perfect for two-up riding and pillion guests are welcome to sign up and join in the Spyder Experience demo rides. These take place in Auckland from 4 to 6 March, Palmerston from 18 to 20 March, Taupo from 1 to 3 April and Auckland from 8 to 10 April.

More than 18,000 Spyders have been sold worldwide since BRP launched  the first Roadster RS model in 2009. Last year, a new model – the RT Tourer – went on sale and this features more space for luggage, an ultra-comfort touring saddle and a passenger seat backrest, an electric height-adjustable windscreen and cruise control. Both the RS and RT models are sold in New Zealand through a growing number of Can-Am dealers.

Highly experienced motorcyclist John Rains, from Te Waipounamu Motorcycle Tours in Christchurch, had the opportunity to ride the Spyder RT on a two-week trip in California last year with wife Alison as the pillion passenger. He describes the Spyder as being almost the perfect machine for touring.

“The Spyder RT certainly is a quality piece of kit, beautifully finished and abounding in clever really well made details. These guys [BRP] really know what they are doing. It’s quite different from riding a bike, but for touring they are almost the perfect machine. Comfort, tons of storage capacity, tons of information on the panel at your fingertips, economical to run, and the list goes on.”

Shaw reminds potential Spyder Experience participants that the demo tour is free. “But spaces are limited – we have 10 Spyders for each one-and-a-half hour demo ride. Visit www.spyderexperience.com today and register for your chosen time slot. All registered participants will be advised of the meeting point in their city before the demonstration rides take place.”

Adding to the profile of the Can-Am Spyder in New Zealand, Shaw and the BRP team will soon host the inaugural Spyder owners’ event.

“We now have a small, but growing number of enthusiastic Kiwi Spyder owners,” says Shaw. “While the BRP Can-Am team is in Taupo in April with the Spyder Experience, we will also host the first Kiwi Spyder Homecoming event for Spyder owners. This involves BRP staff and dealers joining Spyder owners for a fun, informal dinner and a group ride the following day to circumnavigate Lake Taupo. It should be great fun and we’re really looking forward to hearing our customers’ experiences with their Spyders.”

For more information about the Spyder Homecoming, Spyder owners are asked to contact their Can-Am dealer.

Alongside the Can-Am Spyder, BRP is well-known for its competitive and functional ranges of Can-Am all terrain vehicles (ATVs). BRP, a privately-held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorised recreational vehicles. Its product portfolio also includes Sea-Doo personal watercraft and sport boats, Evinrude outboard engines, Ski-Doo snowmobiles direct injection technologies such as E-TEC and Rotax engines and karts.

For more information, please contact:

Richard Shaw, New Zealand Manager, BRP Pty Ltd

Tel: 09 274-5718

Email: richard.shaw@brp.com