BajaRon
Well-known member
I haven't said much about the Canyon so far. Basically 2 reasons for this. First, I felt the Canyon might be filling a niche that didn't really exist. 2nd, I had not ridden one, which I knew might nullify my first reason.
I’ve never been against the Canyon. I just wasn’t sure there was a reason for it.
Well, I won't make you read the rest for my initial conclusion. After a very productive 30 minutes of on and off pavement riding, I must say, I really enjoyed the experience. I admit this was unexpected and I was very pleasantly surprised!
If I may make some less than accurate comparisons. I liken the F3 to the Ferrari, the RT to a Cadilac, the Ryker to a VW Golf GTi, and I am now of the opinion that the Canyon fills the SUV slot.
OK, so my post title is not exactly accurate. It wasn’t a canyon ride. Nor is this the primary target or reason BRP produced the Canyon version of their Reverse Trike lineup. Still, this kind of riding is a big portion of what people get any motorcycle for. So, why not?
Rural roads here in East Tennessee have all the attributes of a canyon, save the steep walls, sharp drop-offs and numerous guardrails. They really don’t care if you leave the roadway in this neck of the woods. I think they consider it a ‘Personal Problem’.
“We provided the pavement, use it, or don’t. Your call!"
Our randomly winding roads are very narrow, zero shoulder, and either a ditch or stand of robust trees 6” off the pavement. The scenery is beautiful; the path can be challenging (if you want to go fast) and life can become extremely serious if you leave the asphalt.
I got more of a 4x4 feeling than a reverse trike during the ride. I think you need to adjust your cornering style to accommodate this difference.
I was able to take corners aggressively (though I didn’t go all out as this isn’t my Canyon). The Canyon remained stable and I was quite impressed with the effortless power steering. My GS is a bear to steer compared to this Canyon. The Ryker (with no steering assistance at all) can also wear you out in this regard.
I had the chance to do some mild to medium ‘Off Pavement’ riding. Traction was better than expected. Certainly, much superior to what my Spyders would provide. I made a concerted effort to spin the rear wheel a few times and, for the most part, if it did spin some, it hooked up fairly quickly. This isn’t the way you would want to manage the throttle on this kind of road anyway. I was easily able to clear some larger rocks that would certainly have bashed up any of my other reverse trikes.
At first, I thought that maybe a lower gear might come in handy on more challenging stretches (which I did not attempt. Again, it wasn’t my Canyon). But then it occurred to me that momentum may be more important than slowing down. Depending on how rough it might get. The engine had plenty of torque at lower RPM and never struggled with the sharp, uphill turns I was encountering. I was impressed with the way it put good, steady, predictible power to the ground.
If I were to do much off pavement, I would reduce the pressure in the rear suspension (and possibly rear tire as well) to give the rear wheel some additional compliance over the rough stuff.
As has been talked about before, you sit ON and not IN the Canyon. That is obvious before you even start it up. But it isn’t the top-heavy experience I expected. Like a 4X4, it does change the physics from riding positions on the Ryker, F3, and even the RT, but not nearly as much as I’d expected. I was quite happy putting it through its paces in turns.
In 15 MPH turns at 30 MPH when applying full throttle coming out, the front end could have used a bit more traction. There were times when I experienced a bit of wiggle at the back, which I’m sure was the Nanny letting me know she was not entirely happy with my methods. Granted, I was trying to create issues to get a feel for the machine’s parameters and abilities. A more sane approach would probably not produce any of these Gremlins.
I would need to have my own Canyon and put many more miles on one to solidify this initial impression. However, I don’t think my opinion would change all that much.
This was a Standard, Base model Canyon. Though I suspect that my overall experience would translate to the other models, there would surely be at least some subtle differences.
I don't know that I've drunk the Cool-Aid... But I must say, I am sipping at it.
All said and done, don't write the Canyon off your list until you try it. You might find it surprisingly right up your alley!
I’ve never been against the Canyon. I just wasn’t sure there was a reason for it.
Well, I won't make you read the rest for my initial conclusion. After a very productive 30 minutes of on and off pavement riding, I must say, I really enjoyed the experience. I admit this was unexpected and I was very pleasantly surprised!
If I may make some less than accurate comparisons. I liken the F3 to the Ferrari, the RT to a Cadilac, the Ryker to a VW Golf GTi, and I am now of the opinion that the Canyon fills the SUV slot.
OK, so my post title is not exactly accurate. It wasn’t a canyon ride. Nor is this the primary target or reason BRP produced the Canyon version of their Reverse Trike lineup. Still, this kind of riding is a big portion of what people get any motorcycle for. So, why not?
Rural roads here in East Tennessee have all the attributes of a canyon, save the steep walls, sharp drop-offs and numerous guardrails. They really don’t care if you leave the roadway in this neck of the woods. I think they consider it a ‘Personal Problem’.
“We provided the pavement, use it, or don’t. Your call!"
Our randomly winding roads are very narrow, zero shoulder, and either a ditch or stand of robust trees 6” off the pavement. The scenery is beautiful; the path can be challenging (if you want to go fast) and life can become extremely serious if you leave the asphalt.
I got more of a 4x4 feeling than a reverse trike during the ride. I think you need to adjust your cornering style to accommodate this difference.
I was able to take corners aggressively (though I didn’t go all out as this isn’t my Canyon). The Canyon remained stable and I was quite impressed with the effortless power steering. My GS is a bear to steer compared to this Canyon. The Ryker (with no steering assistance at all) can also wear you out in this regard.
I had the chance to do some mild to medium ‘Off Pavement’ riding. Traction was better than expected. Certainly, much superior to what my Spyders would provide. I made a concerted effort to spin the rear wheel a few times and, for the most part, if it did spin some, it hooked up fairly quickly. This isn’t the way you would want to manage the throttle on this kind of road anyway. I was easily able to clear some larger rocks that would certainly have bashed up any of my other reverse trikes.
At first, I thought that maybe a lower gear might come in handy on more challenging stretches (which I did not attempt. Again, it wasn’t my Canyon). But then it occurred to me that momentum may be more important than slowing down. Depending on how rough it might get. The engine had plenty of torque at lower RPM and never struggled with the sharp, uphill turns I was encountering. I was impressed with the way it put good, steady, predictible power to the ground.
If I were to do much off pavement, I would reduce the pressure in the rear suspension (and possibly rear tire as well) to give the rear wheel some additional compliance over the rough stuff.
As has been talked about before, you sit ON and not IN the Canyon. That is obvious before you even start it up. But it isn’t the top-heavy experience I expected. Like a 4X4, it does change the physics from riding positions on the Ryker, F3, and even the RT, but not nearly as much as I’d expected. I was quite happy putting it through its paces in turns.
In 15 MPH turns at 30 MPH when applying full throttle coming out, the front end could have used a bit more traction. There were times when I experienced a bit of wiggle at the back, which I’m sure was the Nanny letting me know she was not entirely happy with my methods. Granted, I was trying to create issues to get a feel for the machine’s parameters and abilities. A more sane approach would probably not produce any of these Gremlins.
I would need to have my own Canyon and put many more miles on one to solidify this initial impression. However, I don’t think my opinion would change all that much.
This was a Standard, Base model Canyon. Though I suspect that my overall experience would translate to the other models, there would surely be at least some subtle differences.
I don't know that I've drunk the Cool-Aid... But I must say, I am sipping at it.
All said and done, don't write the Canyon off your list until you try it. You might find it surprisingly right up your alley!
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