Is the Can-Am Spyder SAFE? What do the stats say? 

Your assessment about safety is flawed. It really doesn't matter how much of the Spyder is behind you or in front of you when you impact something. Fact is you are not strapped to the vehicle, youre going to feel the impa t of the deceleration when you impact the handle bars, rear seat rest or luggage. Dont fool yourseft, there are are no crumple zones on a Spyder, otherwise BRP would be talking a out them. Wear your gear. Period.

I feel the Spyder is safer than a two wheel bike, but not much safer when dealing with the terrible drivers in our city.

This vehicle is a blast to ride. Three wheels are so much more stable (especially in rain) which translates into a safer ride and alot of fun! Two wheel motorcycles require more effort than this CanAm. I've owned both and for me the CanAm is by far more fun.❤

I will agree it is in degrees. I am a first responder and all I can say is the motorcycle accidents I’ve been dispatched to, the riders with gear fared better than those without. For the most part. Each situation is different. Each person is different and accepts their own risk. Thanks for the videos!

Every vehicle is inherently safe, until you push them beyond their design limits. If you get hurt doing that, then you only have yourself to blame.

The feeling you have when you refer to your protective gear not being worn, may not be so much guilt, but conditioning; especially based upon your earlier experiences on two wheels. If we stop to think about it, if you are on two wheels, three wheels, or even a quad bike, you're exposed more so than in a car. Anything that forcibly separates you from those types of open air vehicles will likely lead to some level of injury. The more protective the gear you have on, the more you will (hopefully) mitigate any injury being incurred. Now anyone is free to choose what protective gear to wear (if any), while abiding with any associated Provincial or State laws. Speaking for myself, because I am allergic to most forms of pain (applied or potential), I usually err on the side of caution. Yes, even in hot weather. It got up the mid 30’s (Celsius) this Summer up here in Ontario Canada and I still wore my Textile riding jacket, gloves and full face helmet on my 2 wheeled sport tourer. Once I acquire a Spyder, will I adjust my current compliance with Provincial driving/riding laws? I probably won’t. For me, asphalt and skin (even covered by protected gear) will always make strange bedfellows.

All gear, all the time. No other way. It's not the Spyder or the rider, its fact that if someone hits you, you are going off, no different than a two-wheeler. Only a fool doesn't wear proper riding gear.

I've been riding motorcycles for 30 years and always wore all the gear all the time. Due to knee problems I've been riding a Spyder for the past 2 years and I'm like you. I still wear all the gear through the day for long rides. But when I arrive at my destination and shower up, I'll switch to light casual gear to go get dinner, usually somewhere within a mile or two. At that time, I'm riding pretty slow, like bicycle speeds, so I feel like I can push the envelope a little more.

Have a F3S. Honestly I figure if something bad enough happens to launch me of the machine I'm going to be a mangled mess any way I look at it although I do wear a helmet at all times, don't like eating bugs. Several years ago I got hit head on in a M35A2 (6 1/2 surplus military truck) and I was the only survivor out of 3 people in the vehicle. Lesson there is it does not really matter what you are in or on, If your number comes up you are lumpy tomato paste.

I'm an auto medical insurance adjuster and I cant explain why but in my head a 2 wheeled motorcycle is a death machine but a 3 wheeled motorcycle with 2 wheels in the front is as safe as a minivan. lol

Yesterday, Tuesday, I had to ride to the dealer to get the update done. The temp was 103 when I left. By the time I made the 30 mile trip home, I was a drained wet noodle. Full face helmet and long sleeve shirt to block sun. I need to invest in a mesh jacket with air pockets.

I ride all geared up no matter what the temps are or how far I would like to ride on any given day. I also have the chance to take the car if it is to hot out, so I have other options for that day. To me whether you are 2 wheel or 3 once you hit the pavement you will come out with the same results if riding unprotected. I do only have a 2023 Sea 2 Sky also. Left 2 wheel about 7 years ago. Thanks for the video. Really enjoy them.

I think the Spyder is safer than two wheels, but I’m very aware of the traffic around me when I’m out riding! So many people cut you off all the time & don’t keep a constant speed on the highway. I’m an advocate of wearing protective gear on all occasions when I’m riding! I frown at seeing folks riding in t-shirts /shorts, & what could happen to them if they get into an accident! That’s another reason I changed out most of the reflectors to lights & installed more lights front & rear , to be very visible to others. Also wear a reflective tabard on top of my jacket. Plus most Spyder riders forget that there brakes can stop the Spyder 18% more efficiently than a car, so checking your rear is imperative if you’re going to get out of a situation ! Ride safe , regards Stephen Alberta Canada.

My MSF course stated that the bike was much safer both size and bigger foot print with more tires. The Spyder is more visible to other drivers.

I live in California, By law you have to wear a helmet, even in a Slingshot. I just got my Can am spider, use to be a 2 wheel bike rider. I am at the age if I fall on a bike things are going to brake not on the bike on Me. I still want to ride so I got my Can Am. After a month of riding and over 1,000 miles, I am starting to love it.

I've never been a 2-wheel rider. The Spyder is my first open-air vehicle. You can't lay down a Spyder, but you can get knocked off. I normally ride with all my gear. I have gone up the road to gas up without a helmet. I have seen a lot of 2-wheel r8ders that don't wear any safety gear. Sometimes, i see a person with a helmet and no jacket and short sleeved shirts.

I rode motorcycles starting with a minibike and lawnmower engine... blah, blah, blah. I have an awesomely fun touring F3L which I take camping and long tours. I was hit twice by younger folk in a rush not looking, You can die on this thing quite easily, it's just that most folks riding are older and more mature. The self induced foolishness is minimized.

I have minimal 2 wheel experience from 50 years ago. Felt very exposed, 2 accidents that weren't my fault but could have been avoided by better riding habits. Purchased my Spyder this last December. Obviously I still feel exposed compared to being in my car but much better safety wise than a 2 wheeler. Therefore I pay much greater attention to all of my environment than when I am in the car. I also feel that in a potential accident, I have much greater maneuverability on my Spyder as opposed to my car. And the stopping ability of the Spyder is unbelievable. I am in a state that does not require a helmet, but I wear one anyway to keep my wife happy and it reduces wind noise for me.

The Can-Am three wheel vehicles all use motorcycle rated tires. In some cases you can find automobile tires that will fit and wear longer but Can-Am does not recommend using them. If you do go to automotive tires pick a tread that is extremely good at getting water out from under the tread.

On two wheels for 55 years. Now due to physical limitations I am on a Can-Am. All things equal, I feel safer on the Can-Am. I think I am safer due to the three wheels not being subjected many of the road hazards. Traffic jams and uneven roads not an issue. That said, then the careless drivers present the same. Much less stressful on the Can-Am.

Oh I can assure you they can flip. I had just gotten my Spyder, and purely due to my own inexperience, I was on a group ride with my local Spyder Ryder chapter, riding 2up with my wife. I took a left turn, and as best as I can tell, wasn't leaning into the turn enough. The left wheel came completely off the ground, which caused the bike to veer to the right, straight for a telephone pole. I'm assuming that the nanny kicked in and cut power, I leaned hard to the left, the wheel came back down, and I was able to stop mere inches from impacting the telephone pole. Completely scared the crap out of me, and I'm still very gun shy on turns, because I know that it can and will tip.

You're forgetting that there's a frame under all that plastic. Not perfect, but there's a significant amount of metal there.

I also had a gold wing trike and was broadsided ripped tire off bike. Wife and I slammed in to each other .but stayed on bike totalled my bike and did alot of damage to the van that hit us. If we were on 2 wheel I think it would have been much worse 10:35

We saw you have a drink holder. Can you let us know what drink holder you have? Thanks!

M2C always ride with protection of at least a helmet and gloves and if your going to go over 30 mph everything. But I don’t have stats. I NEVER ride without a helmet or with shorts. I ride with a 3/4 Shoei Jet helmet most of the time or a new hitech full face helmet throughout Kickstarter called ICR intelligent cranium helmet. Chris - do what you are comfortable with doing. End of my2cents.

Chris, I subscribed to your channel several weeks ago and I totally enjoy most of your videos. My plan is to purchase a Spyder next spring once I pay my house off and I've learned a lot from you, Coach Bob & Spyder Wayne. My honest thought is that you are a pretty unsafe rider. You are constantly going over the speed limit, sometimes way over, you almost never come to a complete stop at stop signs and you are always taking your eyes off the road! In my opinion, you're increasing your odds of being in an accident and we don't want that to happen. Please watch some of your own videos and pay close attention to your driver habits. Please be safe out there!!

The first thing I did when I brought my first car was to install driver & passenger seat belts, that was back in 1970. Today I ride my Spyder RT in cargo pants, tee shirt, gloves and ALWAYS A HELMET. 3 wheels seem safer than 2 wheels, A car safer yes. I seen a Spyder accident and will say driver issue with speed. That is the reason for most motorcycle, Spyder, car accidents. However the other road users can be at fault, I live near a main road where users always drive at 15+km/h over the speed limit and pass where its unsafe. This is a very thought/controversial provoking video. Keep them coming.😎😎

Most of the gear we wear are necessary for a low side crash. The Spyder, imho, will never have that. What we can have is a high side. The armor in most of our gear really don't do much in those situations. I wear gear for the conditions (temp, weather, etc). I always wear a helmet though. Mandatory in my state, but I still would if it wasn't.

I was riding a spider on i15 freeway 80 miles hr. Suddenly there was a wight state police car in my lane stopped with out his light on. I jest missed him. I ride a triglid now .I owned many bikes and cars and pick up. I don't think any of then would have been able to make that move .

Hey Chris, nice video! i tend to enjoy wearing all my kit, helmet, good bike jacket, boots etc, for me it's fun, as it's a new experience and I do feel more protected with that. That being said, we went down to cornwall a few weeks ago, and we rode a small distance and I placed my jacket in the frunk, and was just wearing jeans , I always still wear a helmet though to protect from freak impacts like sky hens! aka seagulls! haha. We also did a ride to paignton bike nights last night and I wore all my stuff, as it was a little chilly and risk or rain. As being a spyder ryder I just need more protection from the elements. Although if I were to get hit with a car it would not be good as it's much less protection than say my car. But slightly more protection than being on a 2 wheeled bike. :)

The main reason I don’t wear shorts is because I’ve burned my leg on the hot exhaust pipe of a traditional bike. That doesn’t happen on a can am so for a quick trip in the city I’m more likely to not go inside to get long pants. Not for a 10 minute ride to pick something up. I have full gear but it’s not “necessary” every single ride.

I would say the Spyder is more safe than the two wheeler as it seems more easy to come off a bike by hitting oil, gravel, ice, a brick or lump of wood in the road opposed to the three wheeler which is likely to ride over it. I would say the biggest threat would be other vehicles Cars, Trucks, Buses that could hit you side, rear or front end on. The other possibility would be like in one of your previous videos where you could fall down a slope or embankment. I would say it's best to ride in full gear when you can but I appreciate it can be uncomfortable in very hot weather. In Blighty it's always usually raining, so wet gear is a priority here but if you have the full riding gear and inflatable under vest then it all helps it mitigate the severity of an impact. What I would like to understand is, do all bikers say if it going to happen then not much I can do about it? I am trying to understand the mind set people have before they go for a ride out?

He's just guessing. I would love to see real data on it though. In a head-on, like all bikes, you blow out your pelvis and hip joints as you ride up over the tank area.

Siempre que monto mi Spyder llevo mi equipo de moto y además un chaleco airbag. Un golpe con un coche sería suficiente para arrastrar por el asfalto. Regards from Barcelona , Spain Europe

I am a former 30 plus yr 2 wheel rider and i dress for a crash , i do not worry about heat after living in Florida , take a shower after your ride is complete , the spyder is much safer than any 2 wheel bike , i saw a video of a spyder group ride and a small car pulled out in front of the spyder , the rider did not survive i am sorry to say, had he been in a car like the Kona , his air bag would of caused an injury such as a broken nose or possible concussion , everything is a risk, and we all know that, i have always felt at least with a helmet bee stings do not happen , a decent mess jacket keeps most rocks from hurting you except there are times when they do hurt,, i asked Coach Bob once what was his biggest worry on riding the spyder , he said getting rear ended at a traffic light in the city out in the country animals are the biggest worry , ride safe Chris

Good topic of discussion. However, combining a two wheel motorcycle and a three bike/trike is not a fair safety comparison. You should at the very least always wear a helmet. You wear a helmet for head impact safety. That's it. Doctors can possibly repair your knees, do skin graphs for your hand, arms, etc. But your brain ..well ...not so much. So I don't care about talking about dropping your bike. I'm concerned with a person running off the road into a pole or tree. Another vehicle running a red light or stop sign and banging into you from the side or worst - the front. You are going to go flying and your head will most likely hit some hard at a fast pace. Go stand by your bed and just fall backward onto it. Now imagine falling from the same height to the concrete or tar mat outside and your head hits those solid road surfaces vs the soft mattress. If I'm just riding around town on on a very hot day then I would wear just gloves and definitely a helmet ...probably an open face or modular one. If I'm going to hit the highway then all proper gear. Accidents don't just happen during cool or cold weather. Hence the definition of the word 'accident'.

When I took my class to get my 3 wheel license, we rode Ryker 600cc. The instructor told us about an instructor who was thrown from an RT because of the ABS braking system. He was trying to get the bike to sideways. I think that a Can Am Spyder is safer than a 2 wheel bike. Thanks again for another great video.

It gets very hot where I live but I always wear full gear when riding and will continue to do so when I upgrade to the spyder. I’m sure the spyder is less risky for many things than a 2 wheeler however there is still a lot more risk than driving. There is risk from other drivers, or coming off somehow but also things like being hit by debris from a trailer in front. I accept the risk of riding but we are more exposed to danger - I don’t need hospital bills or a bunch of time unable to work just because I didn’t gear up and mitigate some of the risk

Being a two wheel rider then a can am rider do you ever get pulled out in front of more or less or the same as a 2 wheel rider? Being your is a lot bigger then mine. what i mean is being wider like a car in the front better or the same as 2 wheels.

did you check the actuary tables for your info?

Got my 2021 RT Ltd about a year ago and am contemplating my first long distance trip from Las Vegas to San Diego and back this weekend. The trip down would be as it'll be daytime, the trip back would be mostly at night. May take my suburban instead. I'm sure I'd be ok, but more worried about other drivers

Felt safer on 2 wheels

35 yrs of riding off road, dual sport, and on road. I gear up to the max off road. I rarely gear up dual sport... except when i am city riding. Road bikes i never really gear up...unless i am in the city. My Spyder, same way. When i am out country riding i pick roads less traveled and if i have to rely on me. I am gear off, but if you add traffic there is always a chance of a t bone or cut offs. In the city ill stick to my expedition, it takes Tbones much better. I will have to say i think being cut off happens less on the Spyder...must be the foot print and extra lights???

I was rear ended when I owned a 2019 F3T. It was a slow speed collision at a stop light. Lady behind me decided to go, while the light was still red. Fun times. Her car's hood was pretty dented. It did around $1000 of damage to my Spyder. The top case didn't get damaged at all, it had a little scuff. However everything below that was cracked and damaged. On the F3's they have foot pegs and not floor boards. Let me tell you what... my ankles were messed up for a few weeks. All of the force transferred to my feet. I also had back pain for a couple of weeks. I did go to an urgent care to get looked over, and had X-rays. I was given meds to help with pain which started a couple of hours after the accident. I am sure if this happened on 2 wheels, the bike would have been dropped... or maybe pushed into the middle to the intersection before being dropped.

I would love to know Stats as well... That said, to each their own, I do a lot of group rides and I have people that wear shorts and T-Shirts and as soon as we hit NH the helmets come off. I also have the other end that is the ATGATT no matter what. I always wear all the gear, I did take off my mesh jacket once when it was way to hot. The Spyder as you discussed has such good wind protection that it is hard to stay cool in the heat and humidity. Again my opinion you should always dress for the crash, doesn't matter how it happens, your fault, a mechanical failure or someone else's fault. I do believe that the Spyder is safer than 2 wheels for sure, not as easy to fall off / hit the ground.

I refuse to tiptoe through life, only to arrive safely at death. 3-wheeled “motorcycles“ (tricycles - what you ride when you’re 3, 4, 5 years old before you learn to balance on 2 wheels) are safer, for u, if you don’t have confidence in: - your ability to balance yourself on 2 wheels.

I still wouldn't get caught dead on a Snowmobile with wheels!.

The demographics for Spyders is pretty clear. Above 50 years old, first time riders. Often, you will find couples riding together in Spyder group rides. In my region, the required rider training for a 3 wheeler is a one day course compared to months of combined theory and practical training for motorcycles. The insurance costs are significantly lower than their two wheel cousins based on industry statistics that show they are indeed safer than motorcycles. However, please don't say they are more fun! Personally, I don't know anybody who has gone from riding a motorcycle to a 3 wheeler. Just saying!