Scorpion graphic helmet, Battalion textiles, Klaw gloves... This month's collection is inspired by the Spyder F3-S and for the road crawler that lives within all of us.
This machine is a Frankenstein. I see the styling of a naked sportbike, the body triangle of a cruiser, the tires of a car and the frame of a snowmobile. But perhaps there’s more to this monster... It all begins in Valcourt – a rural Quebec town. This is where the Spyder hatched, way back in 2007.
It’s a restless place. I get the sense that Bombardier never sleeps. Behind the historic workshops, behind the racks of old snowmobiles, behind the original Spyder... a new monster comes to life.
It’s the F3-S: BRP’s latest and most powerful roadster. I feel its heart of fury – a ROTAX 1330cc inline triple. The horsepower is mild, but the torque breaks my neck.
This is a refined monster. It attacks the road with cutting-edge materials, Fox Podiums, Brembo brakes and a handful of electronic gizmos. It’s scary good. But the price tag scares me even more.
Late in the afternoon, I find some corners. With two front wheels, the Spyder has a talon’s grip on the road. But with no lean angle, it also tries to chuck me off. Yikes.
I’m going to miss this beast. It was exciting, comfortable and intuitive to ride. In many ways it’s what the previous Spyders should have been. Good thing the F3 will be BRP’s primary platform moving forward.
On the long walk home, I survey my gear. Scorpion graphic helmet, Battalion textiles, Klaw gloves… it reminds me of the Road Crawler I left behind. And the Road Crawler within me.
