Motorcycling has some interesting variations from time to time, and has over the years had some different sort of vehicles under the classification. From a visit to Honda House in Chesterfield, Va; here are some examples. First is the Honda DN-01. First out in 2009, the bike looks pretty conventional with a liquid cooled 680cc V-twin water cooled shaft drive. What sets it apart is that is has a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) or as would be more commonly known; an automatic. The bike has a top speed of some 113 mph from its 43.3 hp engine. Two big drawbacks are its price for its size, and its limited carry capacity as it is rated for only 324 pounds total. It is not the only automatic motorcycle on the market, and I have a feeling that many more will be showing up in the years to come. Styling is sort of a cross between sport bike and cruiser. I have not heard how this model has been selling for the last couple of years.
First out in 2007 is the Can-Am Spyder family of bikes. First out was the Roadster which is powered by a Rotax 990 v-twin engine of around 109 hp. Rotax has been in business for some 50 years and has built some 6 million engines based on some 350 designs. They have built engines for snowmobiles, aircraft, boats, and other vehicles. Rotax engines have been in BMW, Aprilia and Buell motorcycles to name a few. Rotax and the Can Am brand are owned by Bombardier Recreational Products (PRP) which also makes Evinrude boat engines, snowmobiles, and Ski-doo watercraft. BRP is based in Canada. The first of the Spyders (Serial number 001) was presented to Jay Leno. Compared to a street snowmobile, the bike has a number of interesting features including Traction stability control, and anti-lock brakes to make it hold the road better.
New is the RT Line of Spyder Can-Am. Designed to be a touring version is featured a slightly de-tuned Rotax with less hp and increased torque, is 3 inches wider in stance, and comes with a long list of "bells and whistles". It is at 929 pounds some 230 pounds heavier than the RS model (one of which is the photo above). It comes in three different models which have price ranges from $20,999, $22,999, and $24,999 though added features can push up those numbers. On of those features is a "designed for the vehicle trailer which gives the trike a very large cargo capacity. I have not seen the tourer version ridden, but I have seen a number of RS models on the roads, and they are certainly very interesting vehicles. Certainly they are different takes on what is a "motorcycle", and perhaps a hint and some more designs to come.
Motorcycling has some interesting variations from time to time, and has over the years had some different sort of vehicles under the classification. From a visit to Honda House in Chesterfield, Va; here are some examples. First is the Honda DN-01. First out in 2009, the bike looks pretty conventional with a liquid cooled 680cc V-twin water cooled shaft drive. What sets it apart is that is has a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) or as would be more commonly known; an automatic. The bike has a top speed of some 113 mph from its 43.3 hp engine. Two big drawbacks are its price for its size, and its limited carry capacity as it is rated for only 324 pounds total. It is not the only automatic motorcycle on the market, and I have a feeling that many more will be showing up in the years to come. Styling is sort of a cross between sport bike and cruiser. I have not heard how this model has been selling for the last couple of years. 
First out in 2007 is the Can-Am Spyder family of bikes. First out was the Roadster which is powered by a Rotax 990 v-twin engine of around 109 hp. Rotax has been in business for some 50 years and has built some 6 million engines based on some 350 designs. They have built engines for snowmobiles, aircraft, boats, and other vehicles. Rotax engines have been in BMW, Aprilia and Buell motorcycles to name a few. Rotax and the Can Am brand are owned by Bombardier Recreational Products (PRP) which also makes Evinrude boat engines, snowmobiles, and Ski-doo watercraft. BRP is based in Canada. The first of the Spyders (Serial number 001) was presented to Jay Leno. Compared to a street snowmobile, the bike has a number of interesting features including Traction stability control, and anti-lock brakes to make it hold the road better. 
New is the RT Line of Spyder Can-Am. Designed to be a touring version is featured a slightly de-tuned Rotax with less hp and increased torque, is 3 inches wider in stance, and comes with a long list of "bells and whistles". It is at 929 pounds some 230 pounds heavier than the RS model (one of which is the photo above). It comes in three different models which have price ranges from $20,999, $22,999, and $24,999 though added features can push up those numbers. On of those features is a "designed for the vehicle trailer which gives the trike a very large cargo capacity. I have not seen the tourer version ridden, but I have seen a number of RS models on the roads, and they are certainly very interesting vehicles. Certainly they are different takes on what is a "motorcycle", and perhaps a hint and some more designs to come.
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