Normal motorcycle controls are located on the left handlebar including indicators, headlights, horns. The indicators are self cancelling, but like a car it sometimes needs some assistance ie a quick press of the button to cancel.

Remember not to try and change gears with a clutch or gear leaver, because neither exist on the SE5, “+” goes up a gear and “-” goes down. If you need reverse hold the “-” and the “R”, be very gentle on the throttle as it is a very low ratio gear, it is also tricky reversing with a helmet and two wheels out the front to watch out for. To get out of reverse two presses of the “+” will do it.

The gearbox is 6 speeds with reverse where 1st would be in a traditional box. The SE5 will change down to ensure that you don’t stall but won’t change unless commanded. It also won’t change up unless the revs and speed are sufficient for that gear.

I recommend that you always ride it like a manual just without a clutch so you know precisely what gear you are in and don’t get suprised by a down change mid corner.

Also on the left is the park brake, the Spyder will select neutral whenever switched off so this is a must (even though the display may still hold the last gear either 1st or reverse), the park brake is manually operated by your foot and the slower and gentler the better. To engage press gently down until you hear several clicks and shake the bike to make sure it is engaged. To disengage press down gently and the spring will lift the lever back up. The display will scroll park brake and a red ! when engaged.

Right hand side of the CanAm Spyder

A normal twist grip throttle applies. You will quickly note the lack of a front brake lever with the foot brake controlling all three discs (thanks for the EBD and ABS). Make sure you take the first few stops easy!

The kill switch and starter button are also located on the right handlebar.

Multifunction key

- To lock the Spyder turn the handlebars full lock either left or right and then a straight turn of the key to the padlock, don’t press in. Remove the key.

- To unlock do the reverse, the handlebars may need a small jiggle to release the lock but remember not to press the key in.

- To access the front compartment press the key in and turn to the luggage/suitcase symbol, reach forward to the compartment and lift, just drop cover to lock.

- To access the full tank, under press the key in and turn to the fuel bowser symbol, lift the seat. The seat locks only on the right hand side so to lock just drop it down and make sure it clicks on the right.

Starting the CanAm Spyder

Switch the key to the on position, place your foot on the brake pedal, press the mode button, either above the mutli display (hardest, especially with a glove on) or on the reverse of the left handlebar, press with your index finger (easiest). Don’t press and hold, just a quick click is all that is needed. Last but not least hit the starter button.

Our Spyder RS’ have had the recall performed courtesy of Ongmac Lismore, who did both Spyder’s in under a week of booking in, thanks guys!

For experienced Spyder Ryder’s be aware that the new DPS is a lot more sensitive and lightens the steering significantly.

If you want one you better have a big bank balance at $600k price tag and with production set at only 20 units you better be quick.

For more info check out http://www.hulmesupercars.com/ and if you buy one let them know I sent you so maybe I will get a commission or at least a drive in one

I can’t wait to see the awesome footage of the two of us chewing up the corners on the mountain roads. The episode will be aired tomorrow October 2nd on NBN or WIN TV,  the segment will be able to be watched on the Postcards website in case you miss it.

We finished the day’s filming at Kirra Point and were lucky enough to see about 10 humpback whales playing not to far offshore. The Southern Gold Coast is a special place to live and holiday.

A couple of the more notable electric motorbikes are

ZERO motorcycles- who have been around for as long as I have known about electric motorbikes. They build dirt, street and dual sport. ZERO started with the dirt and have added more styles as they progressed. Not only do they look awesome but they perform really well with stats like a top speed of 105km/h, a range of up to 80km, charging time of 4 hours and the best thing less than $0.01/km. Prices are around US$10k

The other electric motorbike and probably the best looking and in my opinion the best buy is the Brammo Empulse- for a naked bike it is beautiful. It’s specs are even more impressive than the ZERO with 40kw of power,  80Nm of torque (remember that it is instant!), recharge time of around 8hrs, (who could sleep for that long with one in the garage though) top speed 160km/h, and a range of up to 160km and a price starting again at US$10k depending on the battery option you go for.

As far as I know there are none in the land Downunder. I would to take one for a ride. Would you buy one?

Springbrook Rd

So what do I like about it?

The road surface is now excellent on almost all corners, no longer is the rough, pot-holled, truck lipped, burmed corner going to catch you out. A lot of roads have all of those things and that is just on one corner. The Gold Coast City Council recently applied hotmix to all but a few corners. Making the surface no longer an issue.

The majority of corners have a bit of run-off with only a few having guard rails. Some people will disagree with me and say that guard rails or “safety wire” are great things. It happens to the best of us that we get into a trance or make a small mistake, or hit a slippery patch, having a bit of run-off where you can pull the bike up slowly and safely or worst case scenario ditch it without crushing your leg against a guard rail or getting caught round the neck by a wire. Just watch out there are some massive gum trees, so always ride within your ability and to suit the road surface and conditions.

The view, when you get to the top of Springbrook you have a great selection of amazing lookouts, two of my favourites are Purlingbrook Falls and Best Of All. Purlingbrook offers a great view down to Surfers Paradise and the high rises. Best Of All is the most appropriately named on a clear day you can see south down the coast from Tweed Heads to Byron Bay and you have a great view of Mount Warning and the volcanic caldera. Make sure you pack a jumper if you intend to go to Best Of All, even in the middle of summer it is cold, probably the reason that there are ancient Antartic Beach trees on the walking track out to the lookout.

The range of corners- the majority of which are hairpin of close to, but there are also some great sweeping ones. I personally really like a tighter corner more than I do a long sweeper.

I also really like the smell on the way up, so long as no-one has hit a wallaby or possum, climbing up through the rainforest is such a refreshing experience and the air is so clear. It is also good depending on the season as the different flowers are out, there is a yellow wattle like bush that smells so sweet and honey like, it seems to flower June-August.

Once to the top you can turn around and so it all again or you can head over the back of the mountain down south to Murwillumbah or north to Nerang.

We ride Springbrook Rd on the Springbrook tour and the Surfers Paradise tour or the Google map is below for when you hire a Spyder.

View Larger Map
Note: the Tallebudgera Creek Rd that is shown joining Springbrook road doesn’t actually join so don’t plan on going up one and down the other.