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2017 Can-Am Spyder F3-S Receives a Sport Mode

Can-Am is trying to make its new F3-S trike more appealing to those who feel like they could use a little more adrenaline and adds a new engine mode to the three-wheeler game by endowing the 2017 model year Can-Am Spyder F3-S with a Sport Mode.
2017 Can-Am Spyder F3-S 6 photos
Photo: Can-Am
2017 Can-Am Spyder F3-S2017 Can-Am Spyder F3-S2017 Can-Am Spyder F3-S2017 Can-Am Spyder F3-S2017 Can-Am Spyder F3-S
The Sport Mode is said to allow more aggressive riders to experience a bit of rear wheel spin that could send the Can-Am into drifting. Apparently, the Sport Mode will disengage the traction control, yet retain a rather permissive stability control setting.

Without a leaning front end, electronic helpers in the form of traction and stability control are the only things that can keep the Spyder on the road in turns. In a way, riding these machines is not unlike riding a sidecar motorcycle, so ultra-aggressive turns are out of the question.

We tend to smile a bit when thinking about the "snowmobile on wheels" description we heard, but there is a lot of truth in it. Also, it was a bit disappointing to see Can-Am not upgrading the power output of the engine and keeping it to 115 bhp. We already know that the Canadians have that turbocharged special edition Spyder they showed at Daytona, and it rolls with a more thrilling 150 hp mill.

Whether Can-Am has any real plans to bring the turbo Spyder to the market or not it yet to be found out, but there's no indication in this direction to date. Likewise, more and more voices are urging Can-Am to come up with a leaning version of the Spyder, making it feel more like a motorcycle and allowing a higher corner speed.

While such a radically different approach to Spyders is as uncertain as it gets, we can't help thinking about Can-Am's arch-rival, the Polaris Slingshot. At $26,500 base price, the Slingshot is only marginally more expensive than the Can-Am Spyder F3-S, which retails at $21,250.

However, the Polaris beast delivers 173 hp and 166 lb-ft (225.2 Nm) from its 2.4-liter engine, as opposed to the 115 hp and 96 lb-ft (130.2 Nm) of the F3-S, making the Slingshot a very appealing alternative.
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