Tag Archives: Ryker

International Female Ride Day in May 

Female riders around the world are being invited to take part in the 16th annual International Female Ride Day (IFRD) on Saturday May 7. 

The ride’s call to action “Just Ride!” asks women to be on their motorcycles or powered two and three-wheelers on the first Saturday of May each year. 

IFRD was created in 2007 by Vicki Gray, a lifetime motorcycling advocate, road, and race instructor.

Her purpose is to profile and highlight the many diverse female riders, build awareness and strive for parity for women in motorcycling.

Many motorcycle manufacturers are promoting the day, including Harley which has long marketed to women as a growth area given they are half the population but represent less than 20% of riders. In Australia it’s as low as 12%.

Another company promoting heavily to women and encouraging them to ride on IFRD is Can-Am, the makers of the three-wheeled Spyder and Ryker roadsters.

Women with the Can-Am Ryker

They have organised rides and ambassadors in Australia, the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

CanAm Global Consumer Public Relations Brian Manning says that because of their focus on growing female ridership, Can-Am is heavily involved.

“We have rides lined up all over the world plus a call-to-action out to our owners to hit the streets that day,” he says from Quebec. 

“We anticipate a lot of love from women coming together to celebrate their  mutual passion for riding.”

One of the biggest hurdles to riding often quoted by women is the fear of dropping a bike and not being able to pick it up.

It’s not an issue with a three-wheeler … and of course it’s not an issue if you learn properly and don’t drop the bike.

Nor is it really an issue if you know how to pick up a big bike as shown in this video.

However, it remains a hurdle that doesn’t exist for the Can-Am Spyder family.

Consequently, Can-Am claims a much higher proportion of female owners than any other brand.

More than 38% of their entry level three-wheeled Can-Am Ryker owners are female.

It’s about double the number of women who ride in the USA and about three times the female involvement in motorcycling in places such as Australia and Europe.

Can-Am’s success is the envy of other motorcycle companies which are gradually realising they should be targeting the forgotten half of the population.

That’s why they are organising rides for IFRD on May 7:

In Sydney, Can-Am Ambassador Helen Chik, editor of the popular lifestyle magazine, Grazia, will be riding her Ryker alongside others to celebrate the day.

  • Helen with her Ryker

    Canada

In Ontario, Olympic Games gold medalist and member of the Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team, Natalie Spooner, will join TV host, Sherry Holmes, for a group ride that’s open to Can-Am owners.

In Los Angeles, Can-Am ambassador, actress and model, Karrueche Tran, will host a ride with Can-Am Spyder and Ryker owners.

In 28 other cities around the U.S., the US Spyder Ryders owners’ group is holding rides to mark the occasion.

In the UK, Can-Am ambassador, Sophie Morgan, will be riding her Can-Am Ryker with others to take part in the day’s efforts.

In Lausanne, Switzerland, the Can-Am team based out of the BRP office there will be taking to the streets to celebrate.

In Germany, the Ladies Riding Class community, which counts about thirty members, will also hit the road for the occasion. 

  • Latin America

In Puerto Rico, singer-songwriter, Calma Carmona, will also participate in a “GRRRL Ride” event behind the handlebars of her Can-Am Ryker.

Can-Am is inviting all women riders to “Just Ride” on May 7 to celebrate IFRD along with these riders. If you do, use #IFRD2022 to be part of the movement! 

Click here for more about the Can-Am Women of On-Road program and the brand’s participation in IFRD.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Mentorship program for Spyder women

Forget about Spiderman, watch out for Spyder women as the roadster company introduces a mentorship program to get more women riding.

Although there are slightly more women in the world than men, they represent only 10-20% of riders, depending on country.

For the motorcycle industry to thrive, they need to reach out to this under-represented group.

Mentorship program

That is exactly what the Can-Am Women’s Mentorship Program is doing.

Company spokeswoman Amelie Forcier tells us the inclusivity and education program is designed and led by women to inspire more women to overcome the barriers that prevent them from riding.

“Our mentors are an incredible group of inspiring women with diverse backgrounds and levels of riding experience,” she says.

“The Women’s Mentorship Program is for female riders around the world. We have had members from Australia and New Zealand join our Facebook group.”

In the US, women can also go through their Can-Am Rider Education Program for as little as $US50 (more details on the promo here).

Ryker attracts

Meanwhile, the entry level three-wheeled Can-Am Ryker is proving a “hit” with women, says Can-Am On-Road Australian PR Brian Manning.

While women riders are about 10-12% of the Australian riding population, 25% of Ryker owners are women.

The Ryker comes in three versions: a LAMS 600cc version for $A14,899 (standard colour); a 900cc version at $A17,299 (standard colour); and a 900cc off-road Rally Edition at $A18,999 (ride away prices).Can-Am Ryker

Brian says Australia’s Learner-Approved Motorcycle Scheme has provided the company with an opportunity for new riders, especially women, to own a Ryker.

“That is why 60% of sales are the 600cc model,” he says.

Females love the ease of use and the customisation.”

Training focus

Brian says they have had a focus on rider training in North America and have plans to extend to other countries.

So far more than 20,000 people have gone through Can-Am Rider Education at 193 riding schools in North America.

Brian says about half are female.

“We are implementing a training program in NZ similar to what has been done in North America,” he says.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Ryker roadster is a ‘hit’ among women

The entry level three-wheeled Can-Am Ryker is proving a “hit” with women, says Can-Am On-Road PR Brian Manning.

While women riders are about 10-12% of the riding population, 30$% of Ryker owners are women.

In Australia it is slightly down at 25%, but that is still more than double the percentage of female motorcycle ownership.

The Ryker comes in three versions: a LAMS 600cc version for $A14,899 (standard colour); a 900cc version at $A17,299 (standard colour); and a 900cc off-road Rally Edition at $A18,999 (ride away prices).Can-Am Ryker

That compares with the current 1330cc Can-Am Spyders which start at $19,990 for the RS and range up to $39,590 for the RT-S.

Brian says about 42% of Ryker owners are new to riding, but in Australia it’s a whopping 54%.

Perhaps the three-wheeled roadster is the saviour of motorcycling! After all, in Australia, the Can-Am Spyder and Ryker are classed as motorcycles and riders require a motorcycle licence.

“It’s accomplishing a phenomenon badly needed in the industry — significant growth fuelled by new, younger, and more diverse riders,” he says.

No, this isn’t two wheels, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun to ride. Just a different type of fun. And everybody should have access to the incredible thrill of riding.”

He says Australia’s Learner-Approved Motorcycle Scheme has provided the company with an opportunity for new riders to own a Ryker.

“That is why 60% of sales are the 600cc model,” he says.

Females love the ease of use and the customisation.”

Training focus

Brian says they have had a focus on rider training in North America and have plans to extend to other countries.

So far more than 20,000 people have gone through Can-Am Rider Education at 193 riding schools in North America.

Brian says about half are female.

“We are implementing a training program in NZ similar to what it has been done in North America,” he says.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Can-Am unveils electric prototypes

Among the 2020 line-up of Can-Am Spyder and Ryker roadsters unveiled last week is a range of electric two- and three-wheeler prototypes.

The Canadian company is short on details, but the Ryker EV (above) appears to be the same structure as the current Ryker, only powered by an electric motor. They also unveiled the TWeLVE electric leaning three-wheeler.

Can-Am Twelve prototypes
Can-Am TWeLVE

Electric three-wheelers makes a lot of sense because battery weight and size is not as big an issues with motorcycles.

Yet Can-Am also showed the CT1 electric scooter and CT2 electric motorcycle.

Can-Am electric bikes prototypes
Can-Am electric scooter and motorbike

While technical details of these prototypes are not available, we expect they feature Alta Motors powertrains.

Can-Am last year bought the assets of electric start-up Alta Motors which went bust after Harley-Davidson had a brief collaboration with the Californian company.

There is no word on when these will come to market.

The company may be waiting to see how the Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle is received in the marketplace.

2020 Can-Am line-up

Meanwhile, Can-Am has revamped their 2020 Spyder RT lineup for better touring capability.

They now include new LED headlights, a redesigned cockpit, extended floorboards, lower seats that are also heated, increased lumbar support, a new adjustable electric windshield with memory function, and upgraded suspension.

Luggage space is now increased to 177 litres and the top box features a quick-release system.

Australian prices and availability for the 2020 line-up have not yet been released.

20202 Can-Am Spyder and Ryker models prototypes
2020 Can-Am Spyder and Ryker models

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com