Trimming down the 2016 stable for 2017, Can-Am offers the F3-S and F3-S Daytona 500 in the sport cruising line and the F3-T as their cruiser-touring model. All of the F3 models come with a Dynamic Power Steering (DPS) function that delivers variable steering assistance based on wheel angle and forward vehicle speed. In reverse, it decreases sensitivity as speed increases for controllable backing operations.

Sport->ke631 cruising->ke392, or touring->ke2669, whatever you're looking for, you can find in the Spyder F3 -- except for a ride with two wheels, of course.

Continue reading for my review of the Can-Am F3 stable.

Design

With the lower saddle creating more of a motorcycle->ke2239 seating position, you feel less like you're perched on top of the bike as was the case in some of the Spyders->ke3456 from previous model years. Moving the gas tank out from under the seat and putting it forward of the rider was the change that made that happen. As a result, you have much less in the way of lateral forces working on you when taking corners so you feel much more a part of the bike instead of trying to hang on and stay with it.

For folks moving over to the Spyder from traditional motorcycles, you'll notice some differences. With three wheels, you'll have infinitely more low-speed stability than with two, but still not as much as four wheels. Steering is a bit different as well since the bike doesn't lean into corners. Steer into the turn instead of countersteering and if there is any leaning to be done, you want to lean forward and toward the inside of the turn to counter the lateral forces at work.

2016 Lineup

Spyder F3

As the base model in the sport-cruising lineup, the F3 sets the stage for everything else. With an upright cruising riding position, a daisy chain of electronic tech acronyms and the muscular "Batman" looks, the F3 is meant to be fun. Since all riders are not created equally, enjoy the benefits of the U-Fit system that matches the handlebar style and foot peg position to your height and preferred riding style.

Available in Steel Metallic Black with six-spoke metallic front silver wheels, the F3 corners like it is on rails and seems to have less lateral feel in the corners than the RT and ST model families.

Storage is abundant with a lockable and watertight 6.5-gallon front compartment that holds up to 15 pounds of gear and to help you keep fuel consumption under control, the F3 features the Eco-Mode Smart Assist that lets you know when the best time to shift gears for optimal fuel economy.

Spyder F3-S

The Spyder F3-S comes with all the features of the base model and includes "S" signature trim and a black suede saddle with embossed quilting and red accent stitching to give it that fancy-tailored look.

Premium front fenders come with high-visibility LED lights and the front wheels feature six-spoke machined deep black high gloss wheels designed specifically for the Spyder F3. Available in your choice of Pure Magnesium Metallic, Pearl White or Can-Am Red Solid Gloss, the F3-S comes with cruise control.

Spyder F3-S Special Series

As part of the limited-production Special Series package, the F3- S Special includes everything from the F3-S plus the exclusive Triple Black colorway and graphics as well as the Special Series signature seat and trims. Available in Monolith Black Satin -- part of the Triple Black package -- the F3-S Special comes with six-spoke black chrome front wheels.

Spyder F3-T

The Spyder F3-T takes us into bagger territory. The F3-T comes with all the features of the F3-S plus a total of 21 gallons of storage space and a tinted windscreen for some serious highway travel. Integrated hard bags, perforated two-up seating and a convenience console with integrated mirrors and a glove box make this a quasi-dresser with full touring comfort.

The F3-T is trailer ready and has an optional radio kit with four speakers and USB port. Available in Pure Magnesium Metallic, Pearl White, Intense Red Pearl or Steel Metallic Black, the F3-T gives you the most color choices of the models in the F3 stable. As with the F3-S, the F3-T comes with six-spoke, machined deep black high gloss front wheels.

Spyder F3 Limited

Where the F3-T had an option for four-speaker audio system, the F3 Limited has it as standard equipment. Along with all the features available on the F3-T, the Limited also gives you heated grips and rider footboards to enhance even more that full-dresser touring persona. A little extra fancy with the "Limited" seat, trim and chrome accents, this limited production ride features shamrock chrome front wheels and comes in your choice of Pearl White, Intense Red Pearl or Steel Metallic Black.

Spyder F3 Limited Special Series

Including all the features from the F3 Limited, the F3 Limited Special also has the Triple Black package shared with the F3-S Special. Limited production means limited availability and this awesome, attention-getting ride includes the Triple Black colorway -- meaning it comes in Monolith Black Satin --and graphics, "Special" series signature seat and trim and the six-spoke black chrome front wheels shared with the F3-S Special.

2017 Lineup

F3-S

Carried forward from last year in Oxford Blue Metallic or Pure Magnesium, the F3-S -- part of the Signature Series -- gets some aggressive new styling for 2017. Still benefiting from the UFit system, the F3-S features a new Sport Mode for enhanced sporty-fun riding and premium two-tone front wheels for added good looks.

F3-S Daytona 500

Inspired by...you guessed it...one of the most famous race tracks in history, the F3-S Daytona 500 brings all the goodies from the F3-S and adds race-tastic graphics, gauge spoiler, sport grill, drag bar and a mono-seat cowl so everyone knows you came alone and you plan to leave alone. The deep black high-gloss front wheels compliment the Circuit Yellow Metallic body color, what I would have called gold, to make for an elegant looking ride out of what could have been a kinda cheesy concept.

F3-T

The other carry-over from last year's cruiser-touring stable, the F3-T features all the goodies available on the F3-S and adds chrome satin and carbon black trim accents, beefier suspension, 21 gallons of total storage, premium color instrumentation, and a four-speaker audio system with a USB port that was optional last year, but is standard for 2017.

Chassis

So, is it a bike or is it a car? The short answer is: yes. It's no surprise that such an unusual vehicle borrows from both industries for its rolling chassis. A traditional, motorcycle-like swingarm with a basic, Sachs monoshock mounts the 15-inch rear wheel on the F3, F3-S, Special Series and Daytona,, but the F3-T, F3 Limited and F3 Limited Special Series runs a Sachs monoshock with adjustable air preload.

Both types of rear shocks provide 5.2 inches of travel. A car-like, double-A arm suspension system mounts the 15-inch front tires, and while the F3/F3-S/Special/Daytona 500 come with Fox Podium gas shocks, the F3-T/F3 Limited/Limited Special runs on Sachs Big-Bore shocks. As with the rear, both types of front shocks provide 5.1 inches of wheel travel.

Can-Am's Vehicle Stability System (VSS), developed in cooperation with Bosch, helps you keep the ride dirty-side down through a variety of features. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) work with the Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Stability Control System (SCS) to send just the right amount of brake power to each wheel based on the available traction.

A foot-operated brake pedal actuates the four-piston Brembo calipers up front and a single-pot caliper in back, and a parking brake keeps you secure when parked on an incline. The SCS and Traction Control System (TCS) take it a step further by moderating the engine power at the rear wheel to preserve contact-patch integrity, so the factory gives you the tools you need to keep this unusual beast under control.

Drivetrain

I'm familiar with Rotax engines, though I confess that I am more accustomed to seeing them on PWC or small aircraft. Nevertheless, Rotax makes an excellent product and I am positive that any mill good enough for sea and air is also good enough for the road.

Can-Am runs the Rotax 1330 ACE engine in all F3 models. The water-cooled, three-cylinder, inline engine comes a bit over square with an 84 mm bore and 80 mm stroke, for a total displacement of 1,330 cc, hence the ingeniously clever model name. As with most triples, the power pulses have a smooth delivery, and vibration is minimal, especially compared to, oh I don't know, any Harley->ke300 under the sun. The mill delivers 115 horsepower at 7,250 rpm, and 96 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 even, almost enough to qualify for the unofficial power-tourer category.

Take your pick for power delivery. On the F3/F3-S/F3-T for 2016 and all models for 2017, buyers can opt for the traditional, six-speed, manual transmission with hydraulic hand clutch, or the push-button-actuated, semi-automatic transmission for easy operation, or to overcome a physical problem that may otherwise prevent you from riding, and both trannys come with reverse. The F3-S Special/F3 Limited/F3-Limited Special offered for 2016 dropped the option and offered only the semi-auto transmixxer. No need to pass on getting some bugs in your teeth on account of some infirmity or another, just get out there and get your fists in the wind.

Pricing

MSRP on the 2016 F3 is $19,649. Add $1,500 for the F3-S. The F3-S Special runs a little more at $23,549. The F3-T will set you back $22,999, and the Limited and Limited Special each come in at $27,249.

For 2017, MSRP runs $21,249 for the F3-S, $1,000 more for the Daytona 500 and $24,099 for the F3-T.

Your Spyder comes with a two-year limited warranty with the option of extending that another 12 to 36 months. As the proud owner of a new F3, you also get two years of roadside assistance. Here's hoping you never need it.

Competitors

Three-wheeled conveyances are becoming more popular as people who shunned two wheels aren't as repelled by three wheels or folks who formally rode two-wheelers now face mobility concerns and three wheels is the next best thing. Some states classify these "unconventional" vehicles as autocycles -- some requiring a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license and some don't. There doesn't seem to be any question that the Can-Am Spyder is a motorcycle, but some of the other backwards trike vehicles aren't as clearly defined.

Slingshot

The Slingshot from Polaris->ke4818 is one of those vehicles that motor vehicle registry offices are now wrestling with how to classify it. Polaris clearly states that it is a motorcycle, but not all states agree. With a 2,400 cc engine, double-wishbone front suspension, power steering with a tilt steering wheel, and seatbelts, it seems more car than motorcycle to me. If you sit in it instead of on it and it has a steering wheel, that's too car-ish for me.

Elio

Elio Motors is promising us a three-wheeler later in 2016. The Louisiana-based company is proposing a vehicle that folks are calling a motorcycle because it has three wheels, but I'll be darned if that just looks like a car with its tail balanced on one wheel.

With a targeted base price of $6,800 and up to 84 mpg, it certainly looks like a super-affordable and super-economical commuter, however, with a 900 cc engine putting out 55 horsepower and 55 pound-feet of torque -- which I wouldn't poo-poo away on a proper motorcycle -- I have my doubts.

The Elio will come with heat and air conditioning. I can see that 0-to-60 time of 9.6 seconds becoming 0-to-60 in 9.6 minutes going downhill with a good tailwind once you flip on the A/C. With airbags, a steering wheel, power windows and power locks, this is a cager on three wheels.

That's a lot of big numbers for a very low price and I can't help but think that low price means low mass and probably colliding with even something as small as a scooter could total an Elio. I'd definitely feel a lot safer and a lot less claustrophobic on a Spyder F3.

T-Rex

Powered by a 1,600 cc six-cylinder BMW engine, the T-Rex from Campagna->ke20 is probably the closest to the Spyder as far as styling, but it's still a car; I don’t care if it only has three wheels. You sit in it, it has a steering wheel and a roll in. Get it? It's a cager. An autocycle is not a motorcycle in my book, and I honestly don't even want to look at the price tag on one of these.

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My husband and fellow writer, TJ Hinton, says, “I see these things around town, and I'm always eager to speak to the owner. Invariably, the riders give them glowing reviews, and more than one has mentioned that in spite of the unconventional design, and the fact that the wheels don't lean into the turns, the F3 corners like it is on rails. I admit that is one of my biggest concerns with going to three wheels, the loss of aggressive cornering and the feeling of flight, but owners have voiced no such issues, quite the opposite, in fact.”

He Said

"Yes, I know called some of these 'full dressers' even though they don’t have -- nor do they have the option for -- a top case, but let's face it. That front trunk replaces a top case, don't you think? In a dresser, it's all about comfort and storage capacity. I think the earliest backwards trike -- though actually an autocycle by today's standards -- I remember was the Tri-Hawk from Harley-Davidson back in the '80s. Launched during the AMF days, the Tri-Hawk didn't last long and it was shelved after Harley regained control of the company. While the concept was accepted well enough, the price was prohibitive and I think Harley was more than happy to shed the taint of the AMF years."

She Said

2017 Specifications