| First Drive | Tallington, Lincolnshire | Can-Am Spyder Roadster |

Say the words 'trike' or 'three-wheeler' and most people will conjure up images of Del Boy, Rodders and the Reliant Robin. The Can-Am Spyder Roadster is about as far removed from that idea as it's possible to get: this is a serious, cost-effective alternative to the likes of the Caterham Seven and Lotus Elise, for those who love their thrills pared to the bone.

In the Metal

The Can-Am Spyder Roadster is a mix of motorcycle and track day sports car. The rear is undoubtedly from the two-wheeled world, but more importantly the pair of wheels up front give it the stability and handling of a four-wheeler. It also means there are no wobbles when you come to a stop. The minimal plastic bodywork provides enough protection from the wind, while a small front 'boot' provides enough storage for a helmet and jacket. Seating is taken care of by a motorbike-style driver-at-the-front-and-passenger-behind bench, while the steering is also more akin to a bike's by using handlebars.

What you get for your Money

The basic Spyder Roadster starts at £12,929 and for that you get the standard five-speed manual version of the machine. Also included are disc brakes all-round, a choice of three colours (or you can opt for metallic paint) and ESP traction control. The wheels are 14-inch alloys at the front, with a 15-inch alloy at the back, while the drivetrain uses a carbon-reinforced belt that needs next to no maintenance. There's also a reverse gear to help manoeuvre the Spyder, so it's not quite a motorcycle with a funny front end. There's also the option of an automatic gearbox, which may suit drivers more used to a car than a motorcycle-style foot-operated gear shift.

Driving it

You sit astride the Can-Am Spyder in the same way as a motorcycle and make it go by twisting the hand throttle, but that's where the motorcycle similarities end. It uses bars to steer the front wheels, but it's much like a car as the driver has to push the bars to turn rather than lean as you would on a two-wheeler. It's very easy to pick up the technique and the Spyder can be hustled long and hard on country roads.

The two wheels at the front give plenty of confidence in corners and when braking, bringing the 316kg Can-Am to a halt swiftly. Both the front and rear brakes are worked by the right-hand foot pedal, with only the clutch lever for the five-speed manual gearbox on the bars. It's easy to get to grips with this arrangement. The ESP works by dabbing the relevant front brake should the system sense the other front wheel begin to lift off the ground.

Worth Noting

Like so many track-day cars, the Can-Am Spyder Roadster relies on lightweight rather than outright power for its performance. With a modest 106bhp - produced at a giddy 8,500rpm - the 998cc V-twin engine easily takes the 316kg Spyder from 0-62mph in just four seconds and on to 130mph, which puts it very much on a par with the faster variants of Caterham Seven and Lotus Elise, plus the plethora of self-build two-seat track-day cars. However, unlike some of the screaming engines in other lightweight machines, the Spyder's punchy V-twin is just as happy strolling through town as it is bellowing towards its rev limiter. In standard form, the engine has just enough of sophisticated growl to please, but there's an optional sports exhaust that frees up a few more bhp and gives the exhaust a much more grin-plastering roar.

Summary

The Can-Am Spyder Roadster is never going to convince as an alternative to most cars. Viewed as a rival to the likes of the Caterham R300 and more extreme versions of the Elise that match the Can-Am for performance. it's a much more appealing prospect. No, there's no weather protection and not everyone will understand why you've spent £12,929 on a machine with one less wheel than theirs, but then you'll have spent substantially less than them and be having just as much fun. As Del Boy might have said: 'Bonnet de douche.'