Since launching its three-wheeled Can-Am Spyder RS roadster a decade ago, Canada’s Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) has steadily improved and expanded the Spyder lineup. Unlike aftermarket trike conversions with two wheels out back, the Can-Am Spyder was designed from the ground-up based on what BRP calls “Y architecture,” with two front wheels with double A-arm front suspension and an anti-roll bar, a single, belt-driven rear wheel and a vehicle stability system that includes stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking and dynamic power steering. All three wheels have automotive-style tires with big contact patches that provide lots of grip, yet Spyders have motorcycle-style saddle seats, handlebars and controls.
Can-Am Celebrates the Spyder’s 10th Anniversary
The 2018 Can-Am Spyder lineup includes three model families:
- For sport cruising, there’s the Spyder F3 and Spyder F3-S, both of which have feet-forward seating positions that can be customized with Can-Am’s UFit system.
- For cruiser touring, there’s the Spyder F3-T and Spyder F3 Limited, which have feet-forward seating positions, the customizable UFit system and touring features such as hard saddlebags and windscreens.
- For luxury touring, the Spyder RT and Spyder RT Limited up the ante with more upright seating positions, integrated saddlebags, trunk and passenger backrest, and a longer list of touring amenities.
Read our 2016 Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited road test review
All 2018 Can-Am Spyders are powered by the Rotax 1330 ACE in-line three-cylinder engine with a 6-speed manual or semi-automatic transmission with reverse and the Vehicle Stability System.
Updates for 2018 include:
- A new full-color digital instrument panel on Spyder RT, Spyder RT Limited, Spyder F3-T and Spyder F3 Limited models. The new display includes a pair of 4.3-inch screens that show speed, fuel level and other vehicle information, as well as information about Bluetooth connectivity to compatible devices (which allows streaming of music and other content directly to the Spyder) as well as connectivity to third-party smartphone apps via BRP Connect. Compatible apps include Genius Maps, Music, AccuWeather and Rever, with more to come.
- Spyder RT models get a new 6-speaker BRP Audio Premium system, which delivers better sound quality with more power.
- Spyder F3 Limited and Spyder RT Limited models can now be customized with Dark or Chrome options for the windshield supports, front wheels, mirrors, trim, logos, frame supports and more.
- There are also limited-edition 10th Anniversary versions of the Spyder F3-S, Spyder F3 Limited and Spyder RT Limited with special Gold and Jet Black Metallic livery. The 10th Anniversary models must be ordered by October 24—only vehicles ordered by that time will be produced.
For more information, visit can-am.brp.com/spyder
Can’t they design a front that doesn’t look like a 1960s science fiction robot.
To me, from head-on it looks like the face of a 1930’s animated Loony Toons cow.
Looks strong with a get out of my way attitude.
It’s not the critic that deserves any credit, it’s the Spyder that stands in the arena of transportation that deserves the attention for contributing to the riding experience.
It’s a good solid performer, I put more miles on it in one year than any of my 3 Goldwings. All day touring you will bury the rest of the crowd with the ability to keep going in comfort. No more dancing on the seat. The semi auto trans is second to non, motor is okay, not a Goldwing motor. Should have a hand brake.
Storage is excellent, radio & controls could be more user friendly. The seat on the F-3 looks more user friendly as well. You may question the looks but every time I come out of the restaurant or gas station somebody is either looking at the machine
Or has questions to ask, and they walk right past my friends new Harley to do that.
The front looks like a modern version of a 60’s Indy car, especially on the F-3 models.
The best bike ever, I like the units before f3 but comfort of f3. Just bought my first spyder and is the Daytona 500
Can’t wait to ride it…
Hey the others don’thave 36k plus to spend. Jealousy perhaps.
New rider- just bought a brand new 2016 F3T-loving it!
It’s like having a new girlfriend-Cant stay off of it! LOL!
Do front wheels tilt when you turn? I don,t want to tilt my body into turns ( like a snow mobile) Waiting for tilting front wheels before considering buying one!,,
As an eight-year Spyder RT owner (now on my 2d), I feel BRP missed the mark with the ’18 lineup and the so-called, full-color digital display with Bluetooth and smartphone app connectivity.” Gone from the Spyder is a big beautiful GPS (Garmin 590), replaced by an integrated GPS app of a smaller display inside the display, AND which requires the BRP connect app to function. Most folks I know with earlier models are keeping their $800-$1,000.00 GPSs and purchasing an optional mount to return the legacy units to the center of the Spyder’s handle bars, where it can be seen. But then, unlike the older Spyders they came from, the GPS can’t integrate with the new Spyder’s audio system. Essentially, BRP took the same RT line that has been the same since 2014, and the F3 line that arrived in 2016, and turned them into three-wheel smart phones. This is not what the Spyder market wanted or asked for. The 2018 lineup leaves me no reason to leave my beautiful 2015 RT-S, including over $3K of aftermarket. I did hear a rumor that the 2019 lineup may re-skin the RTs (nice). I do wish they’d dump the gimmickry and return to the nice analog primacy of the instruments with the digital command console.
I NEED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO USE THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL, TO SET THE DIFFERENT SELECTIONS, FOR A 2018 CAN-AM SPYDER RT LIMITED EDITION. THE OWNERS MANUEL DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING. THE DEALER, NOR THE MANUFACTURER ARE ANY HELP.
TRIAL AND ERROR DOES NOT WORK