The Can-Am Ryker Rally is a riddle disguised as a three-wheeler motorcycle. It looks cool — we were going to call it a tadpole in the metamorphosis of a frog, but it turns out they get their hind legs first — is generally comfortable on-road and a lot more capable off-road than we expected. It doesn’t do a single thing better than a more traditional two- or four-wheeler, but it comes close enough in several categories that it’s a worthy addition to enough garages to be a worthwhile purchase decision.
But let’s be very clear: the Can-Am Ryker Rally is not a product designed to appeal to everyone. Or even most people. It’s more of a well-aimed arrow aimed at a small segment of the population.
Power comes from a 900cc inline-three engine. It sends 82 horsepower and 58 pound-feet of torque through a continuously variable automatic transmission to a single rear tire, enough thrust to smoke both the 205/55R15 rear tire and just about anything else in traffic from a standing start. The brakes are very powerful and the anti-lock braking system, which is activated both front and rear with a single lever on the foot, feels reliable and safe.
The Ryker Rally is a quick little car around town, pulling away from stoplights at 35 mph in true hooligan style. Things slow down dramatically from there, because the Rally’s CVT is in the desired rev range, so passing times at highway speed aren’t nearly as impressive as launching from scratch. It’s no slouch, but it could certainly use a bit more high-rpm power. The Akrapovič exhaust system lets out enough of the Rotax engine’s guttural burble to be audible even at highway speeds.
Owners may not want to spend too much time at highway speed, however. While the ergonomics are good — adjustable handlebar and footpeg positions certainly come in handy here — and the seat is comfortable enough, the Ryker’s tripod design doesn’t lend itself well to long, straight stretches of road. It tends to develop a bit of a wobble as the two front tires drop in and out of grooves in the tarmac, the sail-like riding position means that wind gusts can be disconcerting and require frequent steering corrections, and no matter where a bump in the road lies, it’s often impossible to avoid thanks to the three contact patches. Steering the Ryker is also a chore that requires firm pressure on the handlebars, and because it doesn’t lean, wide turns require that firm heft for the duration. The faster you go, the more fatiguing these issues become. Fortunately, cruise control helps remove one variable from the rider’s mind.
Stick to city speeds and most of these complaints cease to be an issue. The suspension—double wishbones up front and a massive single swingarm housing the shaft drive in the rear—features four-way adjustable KYB shocks. Slacken the preload and reduce the compression for a softer ride, and bumps in the road are less likely to jar the Ryker Rally off the track. The plentiful low-end torque is perfect for turning the pavement into a playground.
Perhaps most surprisingly, there’s plenty of fun to be had off the pavement, too. By keeping the compression damping low, the soft suspension works well on bumpy dirt roads. Rally mode, which can be selected via the digital display directly in front of the rider, allows for a much greater degree of rear end slip than the street-focused Standard or Sport modes. Traction control isn’t completely disabled, and ABS programming remains active on the brakes. We found the Rally to be very entertaining and controllable on loose surfaces, and it can cover ground much more quickly than we might have imagined. With just under 5 inches of ground clearance, the Ryker Rally isn’t meant for climbing rocks or traversing muddy trails, but dirt roads or gravel roads are certainly options.
A skid plate under the trike is a welcome piece of standard equipment. We also appreciate the nice rally-inspired wheels, intake pre-filter, front push bar and handguards. Not only do they complete the aggressive look, they are all functional.
There’s a small trunk in the front of the Ryker, and our test model was also equipped with one piece of luggage. Neither was big enough to hold a full-face helmet, but we were able to fit a large camera in the front and a crumpled jacket and gloves in a side pocket. We wouldn’t recommend the Ryker Rally as a vehicle to fully replace a small car, but even a modest amount of storage space is useful. There are quite a few additional storage options available from Can-Am that would make the Ryker more useful as a commuter, but we weren’t able to test them.
For riders accustomed to life on two wheels, the Ryker Rally will feel strange at first and likely limiting in the end. Its acceleration and handling, while entertaining, aren’t up to the standards that experienced riders will demand. It’s not great for watching the miles tick away in the rear-view mirror, and it’s not exactly practical as a daily commuter.
So who’s it for? There’s a significant portion of the fun-loving population that detests life on two wheels, whether it’s due to the need to balance a large bike or the pain of shifting. Some are limited by physical limitations, others by fear and insecurity. All are valid. The Ryker series offers such riders a taste of the motorcycling lifestyle in a much more bike-like package than something like a Polaris Slingshot. In fact, in our experience, riders of other bikes will wave at someone on a Ryker, but not at a Slingshot rider.
The Ryker Rally also has potential appeal to the small group of buyers who want to do a little off-roading but need something relatively comfortable and reliable to get from their driveway to their dirt destinations. It’s no replacement for a true dual-sport bike, but it could do double duty for some riders who might otherwise look at a side-by-side UTV but are put off by the lack of street-legal options.
Another part of the Can-Am Ryker Rally’s appeal is its reasonable price. The model line starts at $9,599 with a 600cc, twin-cylinder Rotax engine; the larger 900cc engine is optional on this base model. For $12,499, Can-Am offers the Ryker Sport, which comes standard with the larger engine and adjustable suspension. The Ryker Rally model we tested still costs an acceptable $14,599.
We didn’t expect the Can-Am Ryker Rally to be quite so entertaining. It may be limited in scope and wouldn’t replace a two-wheeled motorcycle in our own fantasy garage, but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun to ride. Considering the reasonable cost of entry, we think the smiles per dollar add up nicely for potential buyers looking for a toy that can handle both town and trail riding.