Personal dislikes can sometimes change very quickly and being someone who is pretty open to change I must confess that my initial disdain for Trikes is slowly changing in to appreciation for them as more and more cool designs are emerging with each passing day. The BRP Spyder helps one shift further towards the right side of the Trike world as one has to admire the design and the craft put behind this awesome demon that is sure set to steal the show wherever it lays rubber.
The Spyder, which went on sale last fall, was first conceived in 1996 when Bombardier wanted to expand its portfolio of recreational products. One early concept called for a single large wheel, with the driver suspended inside. The motorized wheel would be self balancing—at least hypothetically. A later concept included a third wheel that offered stability when the vehicle stopped but would retract when the vehicle gained speed. Designed by Denys LaPointe, executive vice-president of design and innovation at BRP, the Spyder is a Bronze medal winner in this year’s IDEA.
The Spyder’s basic architecture- with propulsion from the rear and two wheels in front, as well as its long nose- is a close cousin to BRP’s snowmobiles. The driver’s upright position and the Spyder’s sculpted body panels share design DNA with BRP’s snow, water, and off-road kin. Before the first models of the $14,999 Spyders were even delivered last spring, the factory’s entire first production run of 2,500 sold out. That is no surprise at all and here is another cool Spyder that I would love to ride on.
Via: Businessweek
