The Can-Am Spyder, a three-wheeled motorcycle popular among older riders and known for its unique design and dedicated fan base, has been caught in the escalating trade tensions between the United States and Canada. On September 29, the U.S. government imposed a ban on Canadian-made motorcycles, including the Spyder, as part of a broader trade dispute involving tariffs on various goods such as alcohol and dairy products.
The Spyder, produced by Bombardier Recreational Products in Valcourt, Quebec, has cultivated a passionate following, with approximately 25,000 members in its national Spyder Riders club and thousands more participating in events like Spyderquest in Saratoga Springs, New York, and the Iron Butt Rally, a rigorous endurance ride. The 2026 models retail starting at around $28,000, and it is estimated that about 100,000 Spyders are currently in use in the U.S.
Harold Mette, 79, who founded the Spyder Riders in 2011, expressed frustration and confusion over the ban. He described the vehicle’s distinctive two front wheels as enabling safer cornering and said he could not understand the rationale behind including the Spyder in the tariffs. “Quantitatively, in terms of total dollar value of imports and exports, it’s nothing,” he said, underscoring the disproportionate impact perceived by enthusiasts.
The new restrictions are part of a tit-for-tat series of tariffs and trade barriers initiated by the Trump administration, which began by imposing 25 percent tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel in 2025. Canada responded with tariffs of its own on U.S. goods, including Harley-Davidson motorcycles and bourbon. In response to what it deemed discriminatory practices, the U.S. subsequently levied 50 percent tariffs on selected Canadian products, including large motorcycles like the Can-Am Spyder. Canada retaliated by imposing higher tariffs on over 700 American products, further intensifying the dispute.
Officials invoked a rarely used provision of the Tariff Act of 1930, Section 338, to implement the motorcycle ban, a move described by trade experts as a negotiation tactic aimed at pressuring Canada to reconsider its trade stance. Analysts note that the economic imbalance between the two neighbors—approximately 72 percent of Canada’s exports go to the U.S.—provides the American administration with considerable leverage in these negotiations.
Despite the ban, Bombardier Recreational Products indicated that its immediate impact would likely be limited, as most production and shipping for the current season had been completed. Dealers like Aaron Stroud of Freedom Cycle in Concord, New Hampshire, acknowledge potential implications if the dispute persists but remain hopeful for resolution by spring, when demand traditionally surges. Stroud reported that his dealership continued to accept orders for Spyders despite the ban.
The trade conflict has also sparked speculation regarding potential benefits to American three-wheeled motorcycle manufacturers, such as Minnesota-based Polaris, which produces the Slingshot. Polaris has advocated in Washington for tariff relief on imported parts but denied seeking a ban on Canadian motorcycles specifically, stating their focus remains on broader policy issues. Enthusiasts like Mr. Mette, however, have expressed little interest in alternatives like the Slingshot, citing differences in feel and design, and suggested that riders might turn to the Ryker, a smaller Spyder model manufactured in Mexico, if restrictions persist.
As the dispute unfolds, the future availability and popularity of Canadian-made motorcycles in the U.S. market remain uncertain, with stakeholders on both sides anticipating further developments in the ongoing trade negotiations.