The Spyder is sure to turn heads whether at the office or on the street. (Photo: SPEED)

The braking system does take some getting used to. Unlike a bike, the Spyder bypasses the front brake lever and links the brake pedal (standard location on the right side of the machine) with 4-piston calipers clamping down on 260mm rotors on each front wheel with the single piston caliper on the 260mm rotor in the back. This does take some getting used to, a considerable amount of getting used to, for the first couple days of riding. I find myself reaching for a non-existent front brake. Luckily the Spyder has ABS and an Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) system to compensate for my momentary panic. Despite getting used to the pedal, I would prefer a brake lever (linked to all three calipers, as well). Some aggressive maneuvers don't make it easy to depress the pedal as firmly as I would like – squatting on the left footpeg during a sharp left turn-in, for example.

The Spyder makes a surprisingly practical grocery-getter. It has big cargo space under the hood to accommodate a decent haul of groceries. The practicality of a reverse gear for parking lot navigation can't be overlooked either. Reverse is engaged by a safety lever on the left handlebar, requiring a downshift from first gear and the rider's right hand to engage, while the left hand pulls the clutch – it's a fool proof system that won't cause any accidents. In addition, Can-Am included Dynamic Power Steering (DPS) to assist in wedging around and through the sport ute jungles growing thick around the big box stores.