It’s a car…it’s a motorcycle…it’s a three wheeler?!?!

All this talk about the Cam-Am Sypder has had me rethinking the three-wheeled power-vehicles. Mostly because of the language used in so many of the articles written about this Spyder, “popular amongst women,” “perfect for female riders,” etc.. I will admit when I read this, I become offended, as if the author is writing with some masochistic undertone insinuating women need one more wheel than a male counterpart.

But before I got too heated about the subject, I wanted to open my mind to the machine and perhaps try to view it as more than a crutch for the “weaker” sex.

My experience actually riding a three-wheeled “motorcycle” is limited to a traditional trike, with two wheels in the back and one in the front. Personally I found the straight highway hauls quite enjoyable, kicking back with the radio and zero stability concerns. But any turn or curve became painful work, not the smooth glide that makes riding a motorcycle so enjoyable and exciting.  After my tri-wheeled ride I categorized the “trike rider” as a different breed from a “motorcycle rider.” Now this Cam-Am Spyder has me wondering, is this for the exclusive three wheeled fanatic? Perhaps a starter bike for someone looking to ease into riding or is it truly similar enough to a motorcycle to be enjoyed by any power sport enthusiast?

The Spyder is opposite of a Trike, one wheel in the back and three in the front.  The machine averages about 700 pounds, but don’t worry about balancing that, because you never need to set a foot down, since the three wheels keep the machine upright. With the Spyder you can take a passenger or pack a bag in the front-hood storage compartment.  With a 990cc engine, the Sypder is rumored to have enough get-up and go and with safety features like ABS and a stability system it can put to ease even the most jittery rider.

Without having ridden a Sypder, I’m not one to be passing judgments on all three wheeled machines. Have you taken the Sypder out for a jaunt? Better yet do you own one or own a trike? What’s your thoughts on the three-wheeled phenomenon?