Long-Term Update

LONG-TERM UPDATE

Can-Am Spyder RT-S

Ridina reinvented?

AT THE PRESS INTRODUCTION LAST year of the Can-Am Spyder RT-S, Bombardier Recreational Products said that when the Spyder was conceived, it was always meant to be a turn-key touring rig. When we sampled the pre-production models at the intro, we noted that BRP had done a good job of assembling the components of a three-wheeled Gold Wing, but that only extensive testing would reveal whether the components added up to a machine that made the company's slogan of "riding reinvented" more than marketing hype. This past May, we got the chance to find out when Can-Am pro vided us an RT-S for a long-term test.

Our RT-S came with 853 miles on the clock and all but the two accesso ries we requested-the Garmin zUmo 660 GPS system ($1199.99) and XM satellite radio kit ($449.99), which should be installed well before our next report. With a list price of $26,449, the top-of-the-line RT-S is already fully loaded, though, and our test SE5 ver

CAN-AM SPYDER RT-S sion has the semi-auto transmission, rider/co-rider-controlled AMIFM radio with provision for iPod or MP3 player control, enough computerization to please the most serious techno-geek, and sufficient cargo space in its front compartment, two saddlebag-like compartments and rear top trunk to swallow two weeks' worth of gear for a couple, as we found out in a thousand mile tour up to Mt. Shasta in Northern California.

$26,449

We've accumulated 2800-plus miles on the RT-S, most of them in sum mertime heat, which allowed us to conclude that this Spyder's bodywork is very well designed to eliminate most, if not all, engine heat reaching the rider and co-rider. How's it work in cold and rain? To be determined.

Honda VFR1200F DCT

Sport-touring automated

HONDA'S 201O VFR12OOF DCT is the latest addition to our long-term test fleet. This is the pushbutton, paddle-shiftequipped Dual Clutch Transmission version of the new shaft-drive, 1237cc V-Four sportbike that debuted earlier this year.

Our early production example ar rived at Cycle World's Newport Beach editorial offices this past August equipped with a variety of accessories that should lend themselves well during the coming months to both commuting and sport-touring. Chief among these welcome additions are 29-liter saddle bags ($1399.95), a 31-liter rear trunk ($599.95) and a rear carrier ($399.95). The latter provides the mounting points for the trunk and doubles as passenger grab handles. Co-riders will also ap preciate the support offered by the con toured trunk pad ($99.95).

HONDA VFR1200F DCT

$17,499

While only the trunk will handily swallow a modern full-face helmet, all three bags snap on and off easily and quickly using the ignition key. Another nice touch: The VFR's flawless Candy Red body paint is perfectly replicated on the clamshell-type lids. Additional accessories installed on our test unit in clude an adjustable windscreen deflec tor ($249.95), fairing wind deflector set ($174.95), heated grips ($349.95), rear tire hugger ($129.95) and centerstand ($249.95). Total cost for the aforemen tioned accessories is $3654.55, bring ing the as-tested retail price of our VFR DCT to $21,153.55.

Not cheap but, hopefully, worth the money.