What is an entry level Spyder?

[classicvw]

Maybe 'complex' is the wrong word. It's not really more complex technology, it's the increased number and size of the parts that adds cost as compared to say, a modern Honda 750. Obviously, there's three car sized tires and wheels, a car-like front suspension, larger frame, etc. All that adds cost to manufacture.

An 'entry level' Spyder will never compete with an entry or even mid level any other brand two wheeler.

[bboley]

Something like this with less chrome???
reverse-trike-trirod1s.jpg

[asp125]

Maybe a sub $10k entry level Spyder will be called an Elio? What ... too soon?

[PistonBlown]

The local dealer here uses secondhand RS's as entry level machines and offers a very good trade-in on them because of that. He said that no one wants to fork out the cost of an F3 as their first Spyder, its too much money on something they are not sure they'll like. However if he can get them hooked on Spyders by selling them a secondhand RS, then they'll come back after a year or two and upgrade to a new F3 or RT.

[jcthorne]

I keep hearing on this forum how "complex" a Spyder is and honestly I just don't get it. Is it any more complex than other bikes? The electronic control systems might be but what else is?

My neighbor who I ride with quite a bit has BMW K1600 GT. It has a 6 cyclinder 145hp engine that has some serious pull and he gets about 40-45mpg The weight of his bike is about the same as my RS He has GPS, heated grips, ABS, traction control with settings for different weather (and the ability to turn it off) power adjustable windshield, power adjustable seat, touring bags standard, radio, power port and usb plug-ins, shaft drive, 6 speed...I mean the thing is great. How is the Spyder any more complex than his bike?

Power steering, Vehicle stability control, 3 channel ABS with computer controlled front to rear modulation. Those 3 add quite a bit to the cost factor and complexity. Its also why you do not see any of them on the trike conversion market.

[Bob Denman]

The 998 is built by Rotax, a company owned by BRP; it seems as it is only discontinued in Spyders.
Rotax builds engines for many applications. They have been building engines for light-aircraft use for many years.
Unless I missed the memo, the engine can still obtained.
Jerry Baumchen
PS) Isn't the 998 used in the Aprilla?

The question of whether or not it's available is not the issue: it's about a company taking a step backwards.
They have other engines that are powerful enough for an entry-level bike. The engines are proven, and they are FAR less labor-intensive when it comes to maintenance.

[PrairieSpyder]

However it would be configured, I think an entry-level Spyder under $10k would be a good marketing move. Many, if not most of us came to Spyders after a certain age and having had some experience on 2 wheels. Many 2-wheel riders see Spyders as some freaky motorcycle they'd only ride if they had to. And many people would love to get into the wind, but fear the 2-wheel thing - either from stories of their danger or lack of confidence. (For me, it was a confidence matter and my short stature.)

Think of young people who would be introduced to Spyders with a less-expensive, very basic Spyder that is adequate for getting around town, to school, etc.. Capture some of the market at that point and they'll stay with Spyder as their lives progress and they're able to afford a $20k+ machine.

[asp125]

What if they took their Ski Doo line, and somehow morphed them into road machines.



Something stripped down like a sled with their light weight and their 850cc or 1200cc Rotax motors would be fun to ride.



Price wise their sleds seem to be hovering between $8k and $14k, so ......

[Rob Rodriguez]

What if they took their Ski Doo line, and somehow morphed them into road machines.



Something stripped down like a sled with their light weight and their 850cc or 1200cc Rotax motors would be fun to ride.



Price wise their sleds seem to be hovering between $8k and $14k, so ......

The 850 is a 2 stroke so that's out.

The GS/RS Spyders essentially a 2003 REV snowmobile. meaning the riding position, the seat position, the handlebar position the configuring of components was all adopted from the snowmobile. If you sit on an RS and then sit on a REV snowmobile from 2003 you will see its exactly the same. The first Spyder test mules were the REV snowmobiles with longer A-arms and wheels. So, in some respects they have taken their sled and converted it to a Spyder. All that said. Ski-Doo built A LOT of heavy, not well performing and not very reliable sled models (remember the Stratos) through the 80's and 90's. It wasn't until the REV version came out that they really designed a completely different snowmobile experience with huge performance, weight savings and handling gains. I hope it doesn't take 20 yrs to get the Spyder to that level

[UtahPete]

However it would be configured, I think an entry-level Spyder under $10k would be a good marketing move. Many, if not most of us came to Spyders after a certain age and having had some experience on 2 wheels. Many 2-wheel riders see Spyders as some freaky motorcycle they'd only ride if they had to. And many people would love to get into the wind, but fear the 2-wheel thing - either from stories of their danger or lack of confidence. (For me, it was a confidence matter and my short stature.) Think of young people who would be introduced to Spyders with a less-expensive, very basic Spyder that is adequate for getting around town, to school, etc.. Capture some of the market at that point and they'll stay with Spyder as their lives progress and they're able to afford a $20k+ machine.

That strategy worked well for Honda in the 1960's ("you meet the nicest people on a Honda") to overcome many of the fears and stereotypes of motorcyclists at that time.

[Bob Denman]

The snowmobile DNA is unmistakable!

Prototy[e Spyder.jpgprototype1.jpgprototype2.jpgprototype3.jpgprototype5.jpg

[Pirate looks at --]

IMG_0135.jpgthe very first non-production Spyder ( mule ) was made almost exclusively with parts borrowed from the Skidoo! Note the foot "pegs"!

[asp125]

See? There you go. Get back to basics and adapt the latest sled design with what they've learned from the Spyder and offer a smaller, lightweight model. Paint it in garish loud graphics and voila, new entry level Spyder.

[Pirate looks at --]

See? There you go. Get back to basics and adapt the latest sled design with what they've learned from the Spyder and offer a smaller, lightweight model. Paint it in garish loud graphics and voila, new entry level Spyder.

You just might have something there!

[classicvw]

Any company's production vehicle is a far ways different from their 'test mule'.

[bboley]

The question of whether or not it's available is not the issue: it's about a company taking a step backwards.
They have other engines that are powerful enough for an entry-level bike. The engines are proven, and they are FAR less labor-intensive when it comes to maintenance.

Anything that doesn’t have the maintenance cost of the 998! That’s why my wife traded her 2012 RT for a 2015 RT and I swapped my 2013 STL for an 2015 F3S.
Cost of ownership needs to be taken into account on an entry level machine as well as the purchase price. Just saying.

[Bob Denman]

See? There you go. Get back to basics and adapt the latest sled design with what they've learned from the Spyder and offer a smaller, lightweight model. Paint it in garish loud graphics and voila, new entry level Spyder.

Do you mean something like this?

647e3eab075308f7dd07aad8efd495eb.jpg

[ARtraveler]

Originally Posted by asp125 See? There you go. Get back to basics and adapt the latest sled design with what they've learned from the Spyder and offer a smaller, lightweight model. Paint it in garish loud graphics and voila, new entry level Spyder.

Then Bob said:
Do you mean something like this?



Guess what? They already did it. Remember the RSS's in the "clown" colors? It think that was 2013 or so.

[kngfsh27]

However it would be configured, I think an entry-level Spyder under $10k would be a good marketing move. Many, if not most of us came to Spyders after a certain age and having had some experience on 2 wheels. Many 2-wheel riders see Spyders as some freaky motorcycle they'd only ride if they had to. And many people would love to get into the wind, but fear the 2-wheel thing - either from stories of their danger or lack of confidence. (For me, it was a confidence matter and my short stature.)

Think of young people who would be introduced to Spyders with a less-expensive, very basic Spyder that is adequate for getting around town, to school, etc.. Capture some of the market at that point and they'll stay with Spyder as their lives progress and they're able to afford a $20k+ machine.

I agree. If CanAm can build an entry level trike that is under $10k and is low maintenance, there is a market for it. You would be surprised at the number of young people that would be riding if there was an affordable three wheeler. I run into and talk to quite a number of young people who want to ride but are not comfortable on two wheels. Keep in mind that we have a generation that unlike us have not ridden bicycles.

[classicvw]

Different experience here. In my short Spyder ownership period, I have had young people smirk and ask me why I got an 'old guy ride'?

If young people were going to flock to a Spyder, don't you think a few would have already?

[ARtraveler]

The age polls that have been posted from time to time show a majority of over age 50 people are owners. I believe the last poll showed less than 10 people as age 30 or less.

Also have to admit that I was over 60 before I thought the was a cool ride. I did have one of the first ones (2008) offered to the public. It became a "necessity" for me from 2010 to 2017 when I began to have hip issues. Now that those are solved, I once again have a two wheeler back in the garage.

[Highwayman2013]

They just teased us with Project S. Entry level Spyder under $10K. Due out Sept. 2018.

[UtahPete]

They just teased us with Project S. Entry level Spyder under $10K. Due out Sept. 2018.

Yep. I'd put money on it.

[Pirate looks at --]

Hmmmmmmm! I told you so

[ARtraveler]

The project S sounds interesting for adding a lesser sticker shock to the mix. Having ridden the "best," I know I would not be in the market. Sept. 2018 means it will be a 2019 I am sure. Hope they come through with it. I can already hear the Elio jokes if they don't.