3 Wheels and a late-life crisis?

[Boone]

Recognizing that my 'approaching 200,000 miles' pickup is not going to be around forever, and not wanting to spend 30 grand on a new vehicle, decided to do something fairly radical for me.

I'm going to buy a Can-Am trike.

I haven't ridden a motorcycle since I was in my teens, and I think the wife would buck me like hell if I wanted to buy the traditional 2 wheeler. I was able to sell her on the 3 wheeler though, which although subject to all of the devastating possibilities inherent in riding a traditional motorcycle, is at least a larger, more visible, more stable alternative. It also drives more like a car than a motorcycle which for someone with zero recent bike experience is probably a plus. There will be plenty of winter mornings where I will want to be in a heated cab but I think on most days of the year, this will be my go to transpo.

You can spend a LOT on a Can-Am. They have entry level 600cc versions that are well under 10 grand, all the way up to luxury touring versions up around 30 grand. I'm leaning towards a couple tiers up from their entry level, the Can-Am Ryker Sports trike with the same 900cc engine that pricier models come with. It lacks some of the bells and whistles of the more expensive versions, but base price is just over $10,000. I figure that will give me some room to add a few accessories.

Given my total inexperience, I've signed up for a 2 day driving course nearby. My plan is to go ahead and buy the trike and get minimally familiar with it prior to my course. And yes - I am well aware people die on motorcycles of all kinds every day. But I'm 62, and I'm going to have some fun before I do.

I have got Can-Am fever right now. Not going to lie.

Anyone have any experience with Can-Ams? Sorry Miles Monroe - guessing a lot of life long riding purists probably roll your eyes at the Can-Ams, but I think they are cool as hell.

 

[Chris]

Sounds like fun. My time in the saddle has withered since my what very well could have been fatal car crash 2 years ago. But I’ve got some of the fever back and plan to get back to it this fall. Nothing like the feel of freedom with the wind in your face.

 

[SkinsOrlando]

It's an interesting ride for sure, I have a client who sells and rents them and took one for a spin a few years back. Getting used to slower turns because you're not leaning into them like a traditional motorcycle is an adjustment. Enjoyable ride, pretty smooth even at some faster speeds. Still requires a motorcycle endorsement which I find rather comical but they have 3 day courses here where you get the "3 wheel endorsement version" at least in FL. If you have a place where you can rent one I'd go that route first, I enjoyed my hour or so with it but like other "toys" I've bought over the years (jet ski's etc.) I knew it'd become a garage ornament. As far as maintenance on it goes, I can only attest I have a former co-worker whose had his for 5 years and never heard any bitching or moaning about it.

 

[Boone]

Yeah, once I do my 2day course, I’ll just have to take the written test. Will probably do the learners asap so I ride prior to my course. I am purchasing to be my primary transpo when weather permits. But obviously there is a lot of fun to be had.

 

[Miles Monroe]

Recognizing that my 'approaching 200,000 miles' pickup is not going to be around forever, and not wanting to spend 30 grand on a new vehicle, decided to do something fairly radical for me.

I'm going to buy a Can-Am trike.

I haven't ridden a motorcycle since I was in my teens, and I think the wife would buck me like hell if I wanted to buy the traditional 2 wheeler. I was able to sell her on the 3 wheeler though, which although subject to all of the devastating possibilities inherent in riding a traditional motorcycle, is at least a larger, more visible, more stable alternative. It also drives more like a car than a motorcycle which for someone with zero recent bike experience is probably a plus. There will be plenty of winter mornings where I will want to be in a heated cab but I think on most days of the year, this will be my go to transpo.

You can spend a LOT on a Can-Am. They have entry level 600cc versions that are well under 10 grand, all the way up to luxury touring versions up around 30 grand. I'm leaning towards a couple tiers up from their entry level, the Can-Am Ryker Sports trike with the same 900cc engine that pricier models come with. It lacks some of the bells and whistles of the more expensive versions, but base price is just over $10,000. I figure that will give me some room to add a few accessories.

Given my total inexperience, I've signed up for a 2 day driving course nearby. My plan is to go ahead and buy the trike and get minimally familiar with it prior to my course. And yes - I am well aware people die on motorcycles of all kinds every day. But I'm 62, and I'm going to have some fun before I do.

I have got Can-Am fever right now. Not going to lie.

Anyone have any experience with Can-Ams? Sorry Miles Monroe - guessing a lot of life long riding purists probably roll your eyes at the Can-Ams, but I think they are cool as hell.

They are a fairly well built machine. BRP is a huge company, so the support will be there. Maintenance can be a bit pricy, so if you really love it, you can add an extended warranty/ maintenance program up to 1 year. I'll confirm that shortly. If you're looking for accessories, I might be able to help. Shipping to Boone isn't to bad. I've spent time on them over the past few years. There is a cult following for spiders, and a lots of clubs / communities to get involved with. I don't roll my eyes, they get people out into the world. Remember my old blog.... it's about be part of nature... smelling the cow shit, the fresh cut grass, and the smell of apple blossoms.... You have some of the best riding in the country in your neck of the woods. Including 2 of the top 10 roads to ride in the country. The best advice I can give is this. Ride with the assumption you are invisible to all other traffic. The most common thing we hear after accidents is "I didn't se him". I've added additional lighting front and rear to all the bikes over the past 20 years. Modulating tail light is a must.

If you wind up riding with a group, make sure you know the rout. More people crash out riding beyond their limits trying to keep up with a group. That's why I ride alone, or with one or two people I know and trust. You will have fun before you die, and I will help you either have fun or die LOL. Have to get back to work, I'll catch up later with more.... and yes, I will come up and we will ride !

 

[Miles Monroe]

So, a month or so back I came across a photo, and for whatever reason I instantly said Boone as a kid LOL. I colorized it, but didn't post it here, but it seems the trike thing was predetermined.

 

[Boone]

Today was the day. Went out to my local Honda dealership that also sells new Can-Ams. They had a pair of 2023 Can-Am Ryker Sports 900cc's still available for almost $4000 less than the 2024. Bought one of them. I still ended up spending close to $15,000 when accessories (windshield, upgraded comfort seat, luggage bracket and rear seat container, and matte black panels), 5 year warranty/service option, and license plate, registration, insurance, taxes were all added in.

Set to be delivered next week. This is 2nd of the two available bikes but mine is identical except sub the silver panels for carbon black ones.

 

[Boone]

They are a fairly well built machine. BRP is a huge company, so the support will be there. Maintenance can be a bit pricy, so if you really love it, you can add an extended warranty/ maintenance program up to 1 year. I'll confirm that shortly. If you're looking for accessories, I might be able to help. Shipping to Boone isn't to bad. I've spent time on them over the past few years. There is a cult following for spiders, and a lots of clubs / communities to get involved with. I don't roll my eyes, they get people out into the world. Remember my old blog.... it's about be part of nature... smelling the cow shit, the fresh cut grass, and the smell of apple blossoms.... You have some of the best riding in the country in your neck of the woods. Including 2 of the top 10 roads to ride in the country. The best advice I can give is this. Ride with the assumption you are invisible to all other traffic. The most common thing we hear after accidents is "I didn't se him". I've added additional lighting front and rear to all the bikes over the past 20 years. Modulating tail light is a must.

If you wind up riding with a group, make sure you know the rout. More people crash out riding beyond their limits trying to keep up with a group. That's why I ride alone, or with one or two people I know and trust. You will have fun before you die, and I will help you either have fun or die LOL. Have to get back to work, I'll catch up later with more.... and yes, I will come up and we will ride !

Thanks Pete - I knew you would have invaluable input to give. Yeah - I did the extended warranty, 5 years worth. I spent some extra cash on my helmet and protective clothing as that seemed like the place not to try and penny pinch. Great buying experience. I know that the Skyline Drive is probably one of the roads you are referring to, but what is the 2nd one? I may hit you up on adding lighting for your feedback, and may have questions about other accessories. My brother started this whole idea but he (of course) isn't joining me yet - he is having a multi-million dollar house built up in the the mountains and lives in a condo now, so feels it's not a good time for it. I am going to work on him though. There will never be a time (imho) where this kind of vehicle purchase is made for 'practical' reasons. I hope he pulls the trigger before long.

Super excited to get out there on this thing. And thanks again for the feedback.

 

[Boone]

So, a month or so back I came across a photo, and for whatever reason I instantly said Boone as a kid LOL. I colorized it, but didn't post it here, but it seems the trike thing was predetermined.
View attachment 7637

That actually looks a fair amount like my pics as a kid, only Big Wheels sadly came after my time. We had scooters and bad skateboards, and Spyder bikes, not high tech cool shit like the big wheel.

 

[Miles Monroe]

Ya, they were before our time. I had a fruit crate a 2x4 and roller skates for wheels on it. Actually no, I was referring to the Tail of the Dragon, and Wolf Pen gap about 200 miles west. Man, I'd kill to live up that way. Did tail of the dragon a million years ago before it became super popular. I won't go again. I like wolf pen gap, a bit more relaxed. I deleted a post covering the gear and such.

 

[SkinsOrlando]

Pete is there a way to put a BGO logo on the panel under the handlebars that faces the rider that wouldn't look tacky? The original BGO logo. Sorry, I'm living through John at the moment.

 

[Boone]

I may have to find a spot for one of our BGO stickers

 

[Miles Monroe]

So, tell me about your gear... what ya get ?

 

[Boone]

Pete - I got a Sedici Strada 3 Parlare helmet but am having trouble figuring out the blue tooth function. Got some Rev'it boots and gloves. Also bought some pants and a jacket with a back pad. I tried to go with high safety rated stuff. May post some pics when I get time.

 

[Chris]

I have two jackets (summer and winter)(well Florida winter but hey) that are built to accept armor panels for the back, shoulders, and elbows. All of which are very light and don’t negatively effect comfort or mobility.

This is the company that I used often for accessories and I found them top notch.

Motorcycle Gear, Free Shipping & HD Video Reviews Online - RevZilla

Motorcycle jackets, helmets & gear with fast free shipping, HD video reviews, cash back and no-hassle returns. RevZilla offers the best service in the industry on motorcycle gear.

www.revzilla.com

 

[Boone]

I bought my stuff from Revzilla too…

 

[Miles Monroe]

Ya, the blue tooth can be a pain sometimes. Make sure the firmware is up to date on the helmet and your phone. The phone should find it once the helmet is in the pairing mode. Sena is the benchmark for blue tooth. It's a nice set up, and even has the "mesh." Been using their stuff for 20 years. Don't know that brand of helmet, but it seems to be well built. Glad to see the visor has "pin-lock" mounts. The helmet didn't come with the insert, get one. Well worth it, and they work really well. Nothing worse then a fogged visor. Like driving in a light bulb. Part number DKS180. Read the care instructions for the visor. Some common cleaners can damage them. I'm not a huge fan of buying helmets on line only because if it doesn't fit, you loose time on the return and reship of a different one. That's why people buy from Revzilla, you can return helmets. Don't waste a ton of money on rain gear. Frog Tog is cost effective, and cooler. You will get caught in the rain eventually. Once you get the machine, go through some self discovery. Do some panic stops so you know how the machine will react. They're very stable machines, but any machine can bite you in the ass. One of my worst crashes was on a 50cc dirt bike, and I wasn't even messing around.
I'm so excited for you. I know you had the bug a few years back when I built the military bike.

 

[Boone]

On the helmet Bluetooth, I will have to do some internet sleuthing. There were no instructions at all on Bluetooth pairing. I was confident buying it online only because I was right between a medium and large based on head measurements and I know the medium would be too tight. The large is snug but once broken in will be just right.

 

[Miles Monroe]

I should be able to come up with some pairing instructions. Also, there were a couple of recalls on the 2023 Ryker. One was for a sub harness where the wheel would run through wires for the turn sigs on the fenders. The other was for the drive pully. I would think these issues have been addressed already, but if you want me to check, message me the vin and I can run it through can-am's dealer system. You can also check on this site.... https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?gad_s...Fvk1E37DfdY32RInL1YaAnA_EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Miles Monroe]

Here ya go... https://oem.sena.com/cyclegear/documents/UsersGuide_DWO_7_PRO_MESH_1.0.0_en_230908.pdf