Menus
- The three-wheeler accessible in its 600 and 900 Rotax versions
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Contact
- In the city
- Highway
- Departmental
- All Terrain
- Comfort / duo
- Braking
- Consumption
- Convenient
- The BRP Can-Am Ryker test in video
- Conclusion
The three-wheeler accessible in its 600 and 900 Rotax versions
Should we still present the or rather the Can-Am, especially in France, which represents most of the 15,000 models already sold. It must be said that it has been more than 10 years (2007) that BRP unveiled the road version of its leisure philosophy until then devoted to snow with the Ski-Doo (but also the Lynx) and the sea with the Sea-Doo , not to mention the Evinrude outboard motors. In fact, it is Bombardier to whom we attribute the paternity of the snowmobile in 1936. Almost 100 years later, after the Bombardier split of its recreational leisure division with BRP (for Bombardier Recreational Products), we therefore find a new version of the three-wheeler with the Ryker. We tested the different evolutions of the three-wheeler since its launch, but we remained on a very exclusive product at all levels, including its price, which started at the lowest at 16,500 euros but went up to 29,000 euros with all the options. Expensive for what remains above all a leisure product with a very specific use. BRP is therefore correcting the situation with an accessible version of its three-wheeler with the Ryker available from 9,799 euros. Low-end version useless or a real attractive new product? We went to try it out in sunny Portugal, in the Algarve both on road and off-road.
BRP Can-Am Ryker Test
Discovery
It’s a Can-Am! It might sound like the obvious, but to the untrained driver it really looks like a traditional Spyder. We find the Y-shaped architecture, with the two front wheels and their 145 tires and the single rear wheel with its 205 tire, a saddle in the middle and a handlebar. So it’s a three-wheeler, but with a unique design unrelated to an MP3 or a Niken. On the other hand, as for the MP3, it is not necessary to have the motorcycle license but just a car license with 7 hours of compulsory training..
The Ryker retains the Y-shaped architecture of the Can-Ams
If the price has come down, it hasn’t come at the expense of quality, even though the Ryker is made in Mexico while the Spyder is still made in Canada, in Valcourt (Quebec). The major point is based first on the slimming treatment of the model which has lost no less than 130 kilos compared to the Spyder, even if it still weighs 270 kilos in its 600 cm3 version and 280 kilos in its 900 cm3 version. Suddenly, if it loses a little power, especially in its 600 version with 50 hp (initially announced at 47 hp) but still 82 hp in its 900 version, the power to weight ratio is almost better in 900 cm3..
The Ryker is 130 km shorter than the F3
We thus find the famous Rotax engine (acquisition of the brand in 1970) ACE, with a three-cylinder in its 900 version and a twin-cylinder in 600. And if the power must be sought in revolutions at 8,000 rpm (7,300 rpm) min in 600), the maximum torque is reached at 6,500 rpm (6,000 in 600) … which will be more than noticeable during the test.
Two Rotax 600 and 900 engines are offered on the Ryker
For the rest, we find electronic assistance, which made it successful, due to the security they provide. And as motorists love these assistance, it is often these assistance that bikers criticize. At this level, Can-Am has made these assists much more permissive in recent years, to the point of adding a Rally mode on the Ryker, allowing it to slide and drift up to square. We thus find the ABS, the SCS for stability, the TCS for anti-skating.
In the saddle
The Ryker can be stepped over easily, when you have not fitted a Top-case, which is possible. Then there is a very low saddle at 597 mm which gives the impression of being seated in the machine. The feet will then extend forward to rest on the footrests and find the front brake pedal. And unlike an MP3 where the pedal is more of the order of the regulatory obligation with the brakes on the handlebars, the brake pedal is the only way to brake here, apart from the parking brake which is manipulated by a small lever on the handlebars. the left side of the machine falling easily to hand (the lever, not the machine).
The seat is very easily accessible
Above the left foot, there is also a zipper that allows you to switch to reverse gear, to be manipulated by hand or with the foot for that matter.
The reverse gear is engaged by this lever
We are getting closer to a custom position. But the strong point here is at the ergonomic level. Because unlike a motorcycle where you cannot adjust the footrests or the brake pedal, here everything is adjustable in depth (for the weight rests) in height (for the brake pedal), also at the level of the handlebars in depth. And novelty, it is done without tools in a few seconds. The whole allows to adapt to all the morphologies of the driver of 1.40 to that of 2 meters. We always stay in a position close to the custom but at least we do not look far for the controls. It is also especially the brake pedal whose position is important in order to have enough force to brake hard..
The handlebar position is adjustable in seconds
In front of you, there is a fully digital dashboard that seems small at first glance and yet provides all the necessary information in a legible way: speed, engine speed, partial trip, range, fuel gauge, clock, driving mode indication (eco or sport and possibly rally). Note that the driving mode is changed via a push button to the left of the panel, including when driving, while keeping in mind that it always and automatically returns to Eco mode after a stop.
Can-Am Ryker LCD instrumentation
Contact
Transponder clipped to the left (no more key), you have to press the brake pedal, turn the throttle grip forward and press the starter. It sounds a little complicated said in this form, but in fact, the 3 actions are done in a natural way and without thinking about it very quickly.
Footrest and brake pedal are also adjustable
The three-cylinder distils a rewarding muffled sound, stalled at idle speed at 800 rpm. We turn the handle and let’s go. More speed on the handlebars like on the F3 but an automatic CVT gearbox, like a scooter. The reaction to the request of the throttle is instantaneous, making it possible to make pretty stopped starts with the screeching of the tires on the asphalt, or even to make a small comma in rally mode if the ground is slippery..
In the city
The weather is nice, it’s hot, we are by the sea and we breathe the salty air. We have the external sensations provided by a motorcycle without having the agility. With its front axle of more than 1.5m, we are closer to the space taken by a car on the road than an MP3. Suffice to say that we cannot make an interface. The engine also hums in town at 4,000 rpm at 50 km / h. With the CVT box, there is never the feeling of any hollow despite the overall weight.
The Ryker’s CVT gearbox does its job well in town
On the other hand, with the handlebars similar to a motorcycle, one would have the impression of being able to squeeze in easily, which is not the case. You must therefore be careful, including small maneuvers to park or exit, so as not to touch street furniture, especially since the turning radius is not excellent, even if it is better than a small one. car. On the other hand, like a car, the Ryker accepts to drive with a wheel on the sidewalk in height, while the traction is well assured in this posture where it is planing. In short, the city, we pass there eventually, but we especially think of leaving.
We must not lose sight of the fact that we do not have the size of a motorcycle for the maneuvers
Highway
The Ryker hits the highway with force and the 900 does more than pull well. Announced capable of doing 0 to 100 km / h in 7 seconds, the sensations are there. Surprisingly, the protection is good by the front face which seems to deflect the pressure above the helmet. We are therefore better installed at legal speeds than with a traditional roadster. It climbs very easily to legal speeds where it is still only 7,000 rpm and keeps under the foot with always possible recoveries for a last shot of pep up to 150 km / h real (on the motorway German), with a beautiful 160 km / h counter to tickle the 8,500 rpm. Only the 600 stagnated at 130 km / h real, or about 140 counter at 7,300 rpm. While in town the steering seems almost light, especially compared to the F3, the Ryker is very stable even at top speed. Lane changes at maximum speed are thus done in a serene way and without feeling bad reaction to the handlebars..
Surprisingly, the Ryker offers quite good protection at high speed
Departmental
The Ryker finds its favorite terrain on the departmental roads, giving sensations very quickly, in fact 60km / h, in particular due to the work to be done on the handlebars. It turns, but not by itself and not as easily as a motorcycle or a car. You have to put yourself in it, pushing firmly and even more when the pace picks up. Tight turns require anticipation even though driving is MUCH easier than with the F3. With the F3 the difficulty increases exponentially with speed, while with the Ryker the difficulty increases in a much more linear fashion, confirming easier accessibility for everyone..
You have to give of yourself to take the three-wheeler in a curve
It then offers two faces, with a pleasant, dynamic first life with nice sensations up to 5,000 rpm. And then passing the 6,000 rpm bar, it’s a new face, more angry, which pulls on the arms, making them hang on to the handlebars rather than guiding with them. A bit like the Lama, apparently docile and sympathetic beast, who reveals his gregarious character if we tickle him a little bit. It is perhaps also the counterpart of the CVT box compared to the triggers, the Ryker being more tempted to stay under 6,000 rpm than to stay above. And it therefore requires real work to keep it in its highest range to extract the best, or in other words at a very sustained driving pace..
Above 6,000 rpm, the Ryker is more angry
All Terrain
Any biker will naturally prefer the Rally mode, available on the third version of the Ryker, also the most expensive, but without reaching by far the price of an F3. Why, because Rally mode is more permissive, allowing skidding, sliding and whatnot without cutting everything like standard mode tends to do as soon as it detects unusual behavior. We won’t go around drifting with it, but the freedom is much greater. Now, we are not on the quad either, especially with a limited ground clearance of 102 mm (104 mm for the 600). There are in fact multiple parts from the radiator grille to the mudguards which lower a ground clearance which could be higher if we relied solely on the frame..
The Rally mode allows some pleasant glides on the paths
Comfort / duo
The comfort provided by the rear mono shock is nothing short of excellent, with a multi-link swingarm doing a great job, even on small bumpy roads. The result is rather exceptional in the city. On the other hand, when you start off-roading with it, you start to jump a little on the saddle whereas it was better erased in town, including with large deformations and holes in the road. Note that at the end of a full day of testing, I had no underlying pain to deplore. On the other hand the arms the next day feel that they have worked.
The Ryker is very comfortable, even if the arms pull a bit after a full day on board.
As for the duo, it is an option, since unlike the original two-seater F3, the Ryker requires the installation of a saddle or a top-case.
Braking
The quality of the braking will depend on the adjustment of the right footrest and the brake pedal. As on an MP3, the sensitivity of a foot is less than that of the hands to manage to stop with precision, the feeling at the foot being a little limited. On the other hand, each wheel is equipped with a disc, 270mm at the front and 220mm at the rear, assisted by an electronic brake distribution. We can brake hard and dry, even if we would have liked one or two handles on the handlebars to provide more feeling..
At the front we find 270 mm discs
Consumption
The F3 was very greedy with a regular consumption above 8 liters. So is the Ryker, with average fuel consumption in our test run at 8 liters per hundred. A smoother and more eco-friendly driving normally allows to go down to 6 liters. This means that with a 20-liter tank, we have a range varying between 220 and 300 kilometers..
The Ryker will have an average consumption of 8 l / 100 km on this test
Convenient
The trunk of the F3 has disappeared to make room for a 7-liter glove box. Since you were told it was a recreational vehicle and not a utility vehicle. On the other hand, there are two USB sockets in it, to recharge the smartphone and power a GPS for walks. For those needing to go for a weekend with it, you will have to buy the optional top-case or take a passenger. The choices in life are sometimes difficult.
At the front there is a 7 liter glove box
If the practical aspects are initially reduced, there are on the other hand more than 75,000 possibilities of personalization according to a model of calculation of the combinations taught in terminal. In reality, more reduced, we can choose from 18 colors, combinable, on different parts of the three-wheeler such as the ribs, the hood, bequeaths, the console hubcap and the rear air deflector. The most classic will choose black, red or yellow, the epics will choose white, another black or steel. And then there is also an exclusive series of 6 limited edition colorways that change every six months. Please note, the series is then really limited and will not allow you to find the same color in the event of a subsequent color change, especially in the event of a damaged part..
The Ryker offers many possibilities for customization
The BRP Can-Am Ryker test in video
Conclusion
The Can-Am has no equivalent on the market and responds well to a need for a leisure vehicle that allows you to fill up on sensations, easily and even at legal speeds. There is really no need to go fast and in any case much slower than a motorcycle while feeling certain pleasures similar to the motorcycle such as direct sensations with the outside. And from 9,799 euros, this pleasure is more easily accessible because it is practically twice less expensive than with an F3. If Can-Am claims to want to reach young people of 30 with this model, it remains a leisure vehicle, to be placed in its provincial garage in addition to one or more motorcycles and the car. Now, to really have fun, we preferred the 900 engine to the 600 but which increases the bill from 1,700 euros to 11,499 euros. The Rallye model is only justified if you want and can go off-road, to once again increase the bill from 1,200 euros to 12,799 euros. BRP is relaunching one of its tours throughout France, allowing it to be tried out; so, even if you don’t feel like or can afford to buy one, go try one to see for yourself or rent one for a fun ride.
The Ryker asserts itself as the most accessible of the Can-Ams
Strong points
- Engine in 900
- Fun
- Comfort
- Toy for big child
Weak points
- Practical aspects
- Foot brake only
The Can-Am Ryker technical sheet
Test conditions
- Itinerary: small varied roads + interurban highways with a bit of town
- Motorcycle mileage: 200 km
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