Ryker 900 Rally test: Can-Am bends over backwards
Less intimidating, less heavy and less expensive: the new Ryker from Can-Am (BRP group) tightens its belt to rejuvenate and widen the audience of these atypical three-wheelers accessible with the car license. MNC went to Portugal to check the relevance of this approach … Test.
Can-Am Ryker test page 1: The entry level BRP
Can-Am has ambitious objectives: "to double within two years" the sales of its odd tripods launched in 2008 and which would sell to "500 to 700" units per year in France, the leading European market ahead Germany and Benelux. How? ‘Or’ What ? Mainly thanks to the Ryker, newcomer to the family alongside the Sypder F3 and RT.
- MNC duel :
- MNC test :
Presumptuous, the Canadian manufacturer? Possible. But the fact is that this 2019 novelty has solid arguments, starting with its price: the Ryker starts at 9,799 euros in its twin-cylinder version of 599 cc (50 hp). Not cheap, but still half the price of the Sypder F3 and three times less than the RT, a real 3-wheel limousine !
Add an additional cylinder to this vertical twin supplied by Rotax to obtain the second engine available on the Ryker: a 900 cc "three-legged" (82 hp and 79.1 Nm of torque). The note then climbs to 11,499 euros to gently flirt with the 13,000 euros (12,799 euros) in the "Rally" variation tested here by MNC (all details in).
Another innovative feature on this Ryker: its setting in dry bread! The tripod proudly claims "138 kg" less than the lightest Spyder, the F3. However, there are still 270 to 285 kg (dry!) Depending on the version. The Ryker is significantly shorter – around 30cm -, lower and more compact. In short: less impressive … but still just as spectacular !
"Y" architecture, wide front wheels – 1509 mm: goof in town! – and which turn flat, sinister front face but almost: the Ryker does not go unnoticed by onlookers! Everyone admires this extraordinary machine before being surprised when they learn that its driving only requires a car license and a 7-hour training course..
Modular custom position
The Ryker is delivered as standard with a single-seater saddle, both to reduce its cost and its line. The rear seems almost slender in comparison with the front, especially as the single-sided arm frees the view of the beautiful 205 mm rim (!) And the offset license plate holder. The seat placed at only 615 mm offers remarkable accessibility, within reach of the little ones’ boots.
This saddle hollowed out – moderately comfortable on long journeys – returns to the custom kind, feeling reinforced by the position "feet forward" imposed by the footrests. The hands are placed naturally – arms stretched horizontally – on the straight handlebars and well defined.
Only the large width of the handlebars recalls the exotic nature of the machine: the whole evokes an unexpected mix between a Harley-Davidson Fat Bob on the lower body and a quad on the upper part! Curious, but not unpleasant or uncomfortable despite the sensitive leg width caused by the structural width of the Ryker and its 20-liter tank.
As on the Sypder F3, the ergonomics are fully adjustable: the footrest and handlebars can slide forwards or backwards over ten centimeters, without tools, in a few minutes. Magical ! Motorcycle manufacturers should be inspired by this super practical feature called "Ufit" (to discover in our video of the test).
No need to look for levers on the Ryker: there aren’t any! Coupled braking is only controlled from the right pedal, which is also adjustable. With its two large 270 mm discs (220 mm at the rear), the Can-Am brakes hard and over a very short distance: thank you for the grip and stability induced by its additional front wheel !
However, the return of information is not exceptional because of the lack of progressiveness of the foot control: the arrival of power is difficult to gauge during very heavy braking, which tends to "panic" the control of electronic stability – cannot be deactivated – common to all Can-Am 3-wheels.
No clutch lever on the left hand either on the Ryker, since it receives a continuously variable transmission CVT as on a scooter. The vehicle automatically stalls at the right speed and resumes instantly, without having to disengage, change gears or find neutral. Simple, but less playful than Spyder sequential gearboxes.
The goal is again to simplify its handling for a new audience, which Can-Am hopes to be younger and why not more feminine … Madame is fed up with being a passenger and wants to take the handlebars, without having to pass the motorcycle license? The Ryker is a solution: of course it has three-wheelers, but its driving allows you to have your hair in the wind !
A smooth and energetic three-cylinder
The 899 cc three-cylinder supplied by Rotax is a great surprise, both acoustically – its sound is pleasantly cavernous and not whistling – and pure performance. MNC expected a tad laborious recovery due to the mass to be moved with "only" 82 hp and 79.1 Nm: error, the Ryker has something to say about it !
The Canadian tripod is exquisitely flexible in low revs, then pushes gently but surely between 50 and 80 km / h (between 4000 and 5000 rpm). At 6000 rev / min (90 km / h), change of tone: the "3-legged" rolls up its sleeves on its bulging biceps and it is not inflating !
The Ryker is propelled forward with surprising vigor, offering a "kick to the ground" that gives it an unexpected sporty character. The block, typed long stroke (84 x 80 mm), is not particularly quick to take turns but has a fairly enjoyable going, coupled with a sensitive engine brake.
This thrust full of plume calms down at 7,500 rpm (about 150 km / h): sufficient to overtake without being unemployed on the motorway. Can-Am announces a maximum speed of "157 km / h chrono" which seems likely to MNC: the LCD counter – complete but without remote controls – has climbed to 165 km / h in slight false flat.
The electronic accelerator also offers precise and dosable control, aided by the smooth and instant response of the vario transmission. A very good point in town, where the heat releases appear much better channeled than on the first generations of 3-cylinder Spyder.
And yet, under the mild Portuguese sun (20 ° C), the block quickly stings a sweat because of its confinement under the fairings: evidenced by the almost continuous entry into action of the fan in an urban environment, to the point of becoming invasive..
Another palpable inconvenience in traffic: the resounding "klang" delivered at start-up by the final transmission by shaft and cardan shafts housed in the impressive single-sided arm. This unpleasant noise of engagement of the dogs is reminiscent of agricultural equipment from the former USSR and is accompanied as a bonus by a slight shaking … Not terrible on a machine of this caliber.
The installation of the standard reverse gear control on the left side of the engine, far ahead, is also open to criticism (circled in red above). To actuate this lever requires to have the "long arm" and then to support the horn of horn which cuts off fortunately after a few seconds! Without it, the feeling of driving a construction machine would become unbearable….
However, reversing is essential on such a large vehicle: parking it sometimes requires a niche, as with a small car! And good luck to those who try to move it with the engine off: between its mass, its size and the friction of three large wheels on the ground, it’s really complicated !
Easy to pick up, hard to let go
The Ryker, like all Can-Am three-wheelers, presents two diametrically opposed faces: on first contact reveals a vehicle that is generally easy to handle, which steers easily from its wide handlebars. However, beware of its large turning radius which does not facilitate the first maneuvers !
Its two 145 mm front wheels unsurprisingly tend to "stick" to the asphalt at low speed, but this phenomenon is attenuated by gaining speed. The learning phase also requires calibrating its visual cues to adapt to its width and avoid, for example, hitting a sidewalk by turning a little short. But nothing very rocket science.
Then the asymmetry of the vehicle begins to be felt: the extremely strong reactions of its direction solicit the shoulders, just like its propensity to follow the contours of the road. Since the front end of the Can-Am does not tilt, the Ryker is systematically pulled to the side on curved roads. Normal, because its wheels remain straight: it is the shock absorbers which compensate for whatever the difference in altitude !
The slightest bump also causes the triangular arms to oscillate, which seem to be in constant motion on bumpy roads. The trick is to stay flexible on the handlebars – but without any slackening – and to avoid applying excessive pressure: a slightly dry order at high speed results in a very sharp lateral movement, like karting. !
The Kayaba rear mono-shock absorber specific to this Rally version (Sachs on the standard) offers for its part limited shock absorption, due to lack of progressiveness. Despite its additional travel (175 mm Vs 150 on the standard version), the Ryker Rally suffers from a fairly dry damping on the rear: a problem identical to the Spyder.
Therefore, the off-road excursions planned by BRP with this Rally seem very ambitious … and painful for the back! And then how do you envisage getting out of the asphalt with only 112 mm of ground clearance ?! The smallest stone that is too flush constitutes an obstacle, despite the various protections installed on this Rally version..
Its "off-road" capabilities actually stop at the end of this motorable path which leads to a superb viewpoint only accessible in dry weather … Or, as you wish, on the gravel driveway of the country house! Kind of like an SUV in a car, in a way.
Finally, a final factor puts an end to the desire to escape: the intrusive and not very permissive nature of the aids, even by engaging the "Rally" driving mode specific to this model tested. Traction control, stability control and stability control are muted but not deactivated: the electronic safety net remains tight.
On track as on road, the Ryker accepts some skidding of the rear wheel and drifts of a few meters, quickly regulated by the electronics. Naturally understeer, on the other hand, the machine does not grant any freedom to the front axle: the power is reduced then cut off at the slightest skidding, before the brakes are fully activated if the pilot persists in forcing forward. !
Verdict: an interesting gateway
Can-Am defends itself against excessive protectionism with its non-detachable electronic aids by recalling the essentially "motorist" target of Spyder and this new Ryker. The Canadian brand even believes that our frustration is due to our habits and our know-how as bikers….
On this point, the Canadian brand is not entirely wrong: wanting to titillate the limits is indeed a characteristic feature of license A holders, especially when it comes to motorcycle testers accustomed to deactivating all forms of aids in order to feel better. every raw reaction.
This shortcut "motorists = hyper-assisted cushy drivers" is not however completely convincing, because in this case nobody would buy cars of character or sports! But thrill seekers risk being surprised – disappointed? – by the constant clamping of the Ryker, moderately in phase with its look evocative of dynamism.
Remains a playful and pleasant machine in "fast coiled" driving, because much more maneuverable and accessible than the Spyder. The Ryker brings a breath of fresh air to this astonishing range of tripods, potentially able to attract more interested parties thanks to the efforts made to make it affordable..
Another advantage in favor of this novelty: its practically unlimited potential for customization, rich in some "75,000" possible combinations which mix rims, hoods, colors, accessories, double saddle and luggage racks, including fairing panels, several screen and various protections !
- Continuation of our test Ryker 900 Rally with our photos captioned in .
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