Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: Bike Choice, two, three

Question
I would consider myself a novice rider, therefore I will be taking a safe riders course this March. After successful completion of the course I am going to purchase a motorcycle. I am considering purchasing a Ducati Monster 696. I am also considering purchasing a Can-Am Spyder (3 wheel cycle). The reason I am considering the Spyder, is it appear to be much safer to ride. Can you render an opinion on this subject? Thank you

Answer
For a novice, three wheels will always be safer than two because it removes some of the balance/stability factors from the equation, which can confound a new rider when disaster strikes.

However, you're just as vulnerable in a crash on the Spyder as the Duc.

An expert rider is probably safer on two wheels than three overall, but when I say expert I'm talking 20+ years, 100s of thousands of miles, and frequent training and work with skill development.

Pat