can am motorcycle

[lin7310948]

currebtly riding a bmw 1200 rt and enjoying immensely. it is a bit tall for me and top heavy when filled with gas so i have been considering another wheel on the ground such as a can am. i like to ride in all types of weather with the exception of ice or snow and ride 8000 to 10000 miles per year. i will be 72 in a couple of months and like the idea of three wheels and brakes and that i could ride my girlfriend with me. i would never do that on the bmw. anyone with experience with the can am or words of advice regarding them! the Can am seems rather expensive and maybe more expensive to maintain properly than the bmw! and you have to remove most of the body work just for an oil change!

[flatbutt]

I don't get the Can-Am. But I understand your situation. My S bike is feeling rather heavy to me as well. What about a hack? Nothing says cool like a hack.

[algs911]

IMHO, the Can Am three wheeler has all the drawbacks of motorcycling and none of the benefits. They certainly look cool, but I would not pluck down the cash to own one.

That BMW you have is REALLY powerful. Do you ACTUALLY use all that power? Perhaps downsizing in CCs is in order?

Al

[LakeCleElum]

72 and you have a girlfriend? U don't need advice from us!

I'll be in your situation some day and always figured I'd rather downsize to a smaller/lighter bike B4 going to 3 wheels. I don't like crusier style, but they sit low and would be better than 3 wheels....

[Mr_Wizard]

So info on the Can Am RT:

Woefully underpowered. Uses the Rotax 999. The rt is just to heavy for that engine. This results in poor gas mileage. You're looking at high 20's at best. Complicated computer system with multiple recalls. Multiple reports of instability in corners. Check out some of the RT forums. Lots of good knowledge there. They do look cool as hell though.

[lin7310948]

primarily interested in riding two up fairly comfortably. it does seem that the can am is underpowered and overly complicated by electronics and poor gas mileage. as a matter of fact they seem to be built to discourage the do it yourselfer. oil changes are difficult and valve adjustments really technical. im not so interested in the cool factor but they are eye-catching. i have had cruisers and i really like the bmw 1200 rt... just not for two!

[herr_oberst]

Showing my age here, (not quite 72, but not 20 either) I honestly thought this was a thread on these rotax powered dirt bikes from back in the day.

[Zeke]

I would like to see Gurney's version of a 3 wheeler:



However, on that it looks like the girlfriend would have to sit on your lap.

[MarkRobinson]

How about a t-rex? I personally love the looks of the Can AM & the T-rex.

[teenerted1]

if your going get a three wheeler get a morgan

[MarkRobinson]

we have termites in Texas

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I don't get the Can-Am. (snip) What about a hack? Nothing says cool like a hack.

Originally Posted by MarkRobinson

How about a t-rex?

Originally Posted by teenerted1

if your going get a three wheeler get a morgan

+1,000,000,000

The Can-Am is ghey.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by teenerted1

if your going get a three wheeler get a morgan

Production of these things has been much delayed because of problems with Mazda transmissions from what I hear. They haven't shown up at my dealer yet - even though they were supposed to as long ago as last September.

Otherwise good advice. The Morgan should be a blast.

[lin7310948]

well i visited the local dealership yesterday and left quite deflated! not a do it yourselfer bike. not much of a warranty for 25 grand! course you can buy a maintenance contract...ouch! first service is at 600 miles and cost in excess of 300 bucks....3000 mile service is close to 600 dollars..a valve adjustment requires removing the cams and shimming!!! someone already mentioned the power to weight is poor. and, it is! almost 1000 pounds and only 100 horsepower and gas mileage is in the low 30s. and to me it seems that Can Am intends for the dealership to do all the maintenance. seems that you have to remove most of the fairings just to do an oil change! so i ride 3000 miles and i already have spent almost a 1000 dollars on service and 400 dollars on gas....so for 50 cents a mile not counting depreciation and wear and tear i guess this is now just a thought! solo on the bmw 1200 RT for me. heck, i could buy another porsche for the price of a T-rex or Morgan! anyways, thanks for the comments !

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by Zeke

However, on that it looks like the girlfriend would have to sit on your lap.

And this a problem how?

[Chocaholic]

Can't believe I'm saying this but...HD released a 3-wheeler not too long ago. Not much to look at and I don't think you are required to hang fringe from it...but I could be wrong on that last point. Very DIY friendly and reliable as a brick. I'm 20 years behind you but could see some logic as a future mount for me and the little woman at some point.

Just a thought.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Get a convertible or a side car for taking the girlfriend out. I don't get the Can Am. Ran into a guy on a GS last year riding across the state. He and his buddies were getting ready to do a long dirt road through central WA. He had a side car.

[Noah930]

Like BlueSky, I'm not a Can-Am fan, either. Barring some medical problem (like losing a leg from some surfing-related shark attack) which would prohibit riding on two wheels, at least. I think it looks like a "motorcycle" for people who aren't really motorcyclists. (Lots of those around here.) Can't balance on two wheels, we've got a ride for you!

Your findings about the dealer-oriented maintenance kind of reinforces my admittedly prejudiced view.

Were I need a three-wheeler, I'd go for a sidecar.

[Moses]

New Triumph with a sidecar. Cool!

[doug_porsche]

Was in Arvada CO today and there must have been a meet or a factory training or something.
Must have been 6 to 10ish of these leaving a gas station (I was driving by and didnt have time to count).