Canadian manufacturer BRP [aka Bombardier Recreational Products] was founded by Joseph-Armand Bombardier in 1942 at Valcourt, Quebec. In the late 1950s, Bombardier invented the snowmobile, and since then the company has grown to embrace the recreational vehicle market, producing Sea-doos, Ski-doos, Johnson and Evinrude boat motors, a line of ATVs and the Rotax engines that power them.

In February of 2007, BRP unveiled it’s first on-road vehicle, the 2008 Can-Am Spyder roadster. design inspired by Bombardier’s snowmobile, the Spyder brings the powersports experience to the road in a whole new way. At its heart is a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, computer-controlled 998cc Rotax V-Twin, offering 106 hp. Its undefeatable Vehicle Stability System, co-engineered with Bosch, includes anti-lock breaks, and traction and stability control systems for an incredibly road-hugging ride.

Some say it drives like the fastest ATV ever, with standard controls resembling a motorcycle. There’s a few differences, though. The Spyder has electronically boosted power steering, and its ABS hydraulic brakes are operated by foot pedal. A sequential five-speed gearbox is on the left, unless you choose the slightly more expensive five-speed sequential gearbox. Weighing in at around 700 pounds dry, the Spyder tops out at 110 mph, gets 30 mpg, and costs somewhere around $15,000.

Jay first heard about the Spyder project about a year and a half and go, and jumped at the chance to get involved with its global launch. BRP President, José Boisjoli traveled to Big Dog Garage to present Jay with the very first Spyder, serial number 001, which rolled off the production line this September. Since then, the company has been touring the U.S., offering test drives to introduce the Spyder to consumers - you might want to check one out!