Sierras - June 2010  

Danner and I decided to take three days to ride the Sierras since our schedules look to put us out of sync on time available until September or October this year. So off we went up through Yosemite and down the back side if the Sierra's to enjoy the scenic vistas. We planned to head into Reno to test drive the Can Am Spyder RT but there was a "wooden boat show" in Carnelian Bay they moved the Spyders too, so we altered our route accordingly. Personally I was not all that impressed, and even less so with the "automatic clutch" version.  I am sure you would get used to it, but sitting on a "motorcycle" that has body roll like a car just bothered me.  The ergonomics put the bars way to close to me to feel comfortable.  The steering is twitchy fast ... something that after a while you may get used too.  The thing that bothered me the most is that the Spyder does not lean, but rolls like a car does as it corners.  Even leaning off to the inside was disconcerting. The sales man "claims" you cannot flip one.  Great, throw the gauntlet in front of me ... let me say this .. I could roll one in the blink of an eye if I wanted too.  I know I can get the front inside tire while turning off the ground with little effort. The claim "you can't flip it" is hogwash.   I think I will stick to a traditional motorcycle for the foreseeable future. The manual is a 6 speed and feels reasonable peppy for a 990cc engine with all that weight attached to it.  The 4 speed auto clutch unit was unimpressive.  If you want to travel with the small matching trailer option, you can carry more than a two seater sports car ... not sure it would be as much fun to drive this thing loaded that way ... no, I know it would not. I would stick a small trailer behind a 370Z before I would go the Spyder route.  Priced at $30k loaded with trailer, I am not sure I would opt for a 3 wheeled vehicle that is neither a motorcycle or a car.  It has the disadvantages of both, but not enough advantages of either to make up for it.  You could buy a pretty well decked out sports car that would out run it for the same price or less. If I got real hard up for space, a small trailer behind a Honda S2000 would be more fun in my opinion.

Anyway, on to some pictures.

Apparently Danner was unaware he had parked on top of a Crime Scene Investigation ... CSI: Lee Vining, the case of the dead teddy bear in front of the Latte Da.

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