CBC News - Winnipeg man parks 3 wheeled motor bike...

[xinu]

Was watching the local news tonight when a story was aired about a guy in Winnipeg who was complaining about safety and quality issues with his Spyder. I know that BRP has had several Spyder recalls over the years of production and to my knowledge all have been addressed. They also showed video of a Spyder on fire at the end of the segment just for icing on the cake drama.

I just purchased a new 2012 RSS last week after lots of research including the SL forum and a test ride. My conclusion was all major issues have been addressed and there was just as much risk purchasing a new Spyder as any other modern open air/wheel motor vehicle (motorcycle). I was disappointed that CBC decided to run this seemly biased story without more research and perspective from other ryders. The Boss was also watching the story and said 'you knew about this before you bought right?'. The whole thing just pissed me off.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manito...ues-iteam.html

[Oldmanzues]

It has been said many times in many ways so here is one: Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.
Or kind change the way it is presented.
A USSR newsperson comenting on a race. The American car finished next to last, while the USSR car finished second. He did not mention the fact there were only two cars in the race.
Oldmanzues

[SNOOPY]

You'd be surprised how many recalls every manufacturer in the world has each year.

Some, like Toyota, are very very good at hiding most of them.

[Yazz]

That pisses me off too!

Think the guy in Winnipeg had an axe to grind with his dealership,

And CBC did what news stations do best, turn it into a Henny Penny "The sky is falling!" story.

Sheesh!

[bruiser]

Wow. Quite an indictment for BRP and the Spyder. Researched Safecars.gov. Interesting reading. Not good PR that's for sure, especially in their home country.

[xinu]

I remember reading somewhere that Mike Holmes, who is well known in Canada for his home improvement TV shows where he fixes shoddy workmanship and structure design issues for unfortunate home owners that hooked up with crooked contractors, rydes a spectacular Spyder LT with trailer. I would think he would be the last person to purchase POS technology. I hope BRP is pushing their PR people to strengthen their image as a safe, trouble free and fun ryde.

[SpyderAnn01]

Welcome, I think you will really enjoy your 2012 RS despite what your local news may think.

[NancysToy]

The only real word I can think of to describe it is "irresponsible!" Summing up unrelated recalls, of which only a portion actually apply to the owner's Spyder, smelling fuel fumes with your nose a few inches from the atmospheric vent, brake failures that were unexplained and could readily have been for low fluid and the owner's failure to check it properly. Buyer's remorse at its worst...and journalism that manufatures its own news. It is a sad, sad world we live in!

[spyryder]

The only real word I can think of to describe it is "irresponsible!" Summing up unrelated recalls, of which only a portion actually apply to the owner's Spyder, smelling fuel fumes with your nose a few inches from the atmospheric vent, brake failures that were unexplained and could readily have been for low fluid and the owner's failure to check it properly. Buyer's remorse at its worst...and journalism that manufatures its own news. It is a sad, sad world we live in!

Sensationalism at it's worst. Shame on you CBC!!!

[ARtraveler]

I am also surprised that the station published such a story. There have been problems, but not all those problems on all 's.

[Buttsy]

One thing to remember the CBC is our government funded and operated national network. Since it is not hockey season, no real panic the 7 people that were watching most likely were not going to be Spyder owners in the future. I agree the article or segment was composed in a manner which reported one side of the saga. But one thing I would suggest is that I believe if BRP were to look back at their Spyder track record of performance and product launch and product redesign or even vendor quality control issues I think they would agree they have made more than 1 or 2 mistakes. When you make these mistakes you do open yourself up and your critics will attack. BRP needs to self reflect as every company should, appreciate where improvement is needed and then address the weak area's. Once fixed several years of being the "best of the best" will make the detractors disappear.

[grumpybob]

It has been said many times in many ways so here is one: Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.
Or kind change the way it is presented.
A USSR newsperson comenting on a race. The American car finished next to last, while the USSR car finished second. He did not mention the fact there were only two cars in the race.
Oldmanzues

My dog took 2 first place ribbons this weekend, only him & another dog in each class. Both ribbons sure look great on the wall to anybody else that looks at them - to me not so much.

[Buttsy]

My dog took 2 first place ribbons this weekend, only him & another dog in each class. Both ribbons sure look great on the wall to anybody else that looks at them - to me not so much.

Congrats......................

[Flanker]

Good choice in rides! Though I'm biased..........................

[condorflysu]

Sensationalism at it's worst. Shame on you CBC!!!

That fellow in the interview was just seeking a refund, did not stress fixing any problems, he spoke about refunds more.

[Bob Denman]

From now on; I'm not going ANYWHERE without a couple of bags of marshmallows!!
That crybaby is just looking for his 15 minutes...

[jerpinoy]

In a way CBC is doing us owners in the long run. Getting media attention might be one way to move things a bit faster. JMHO.

[rcturner]

I don't agree with the way this story was presented but most, if not all of the issues listed have been real for some Spyder owners. Over what seems like a very long time, BRP has addressed the issues. Some with success, some not so much. That said, none of these issues should ever have reached the consumer if BRP had done proper development, testing and qualification. Also, there is a great deal of talk on this forum about BRP and their indifferent attitude towards their customers. My personal experience with dealing directly with BRP would mirror the opinion that they are very arrogant and indifferent.

I have been quite happy with my 2012 RT with two exceptions. One issue was with the clutch not engaging on a very warm day and in a lot of stop and go traffic. The other was with their advertising and their refusal to take responsibly for what they has said.

Nothing will always be trouble free but most of the Spyder issues seem to be much more related to design deficiencies than assembly or dealer issues.

[ARtraveler]

That fellow in the interview was just seeking a refund, did not stress fixing any problems, he spoke about refunds more.

If memory serves (), he made two different statements about refunds.

: BRP should take all these defective machines back

: BRP should give everyone a refund of their money.

He was definately seeking a refund from BRP as opposed to getting any issues fixed. Just suprises me that the TV station went along with the piece.

[Bob Denman]

Did you guys notice who was in that video???
(hint: he's pretty well-known in here...)

[ARtraveler]

Did you guys notice who was in that video???
(hint: he's pretty well-known in here...)

I watched the video again--who are we talking about? The person taking the picture at the BRP Event fire?

[Bob Denman]

That's not the one that I'm thinking about...

[ARtraveler]

That's not the one that I'm thinking about...

(seems appropriate here? )

[otter28169]

Good choice in rides! Though I'm biased..........................

Same Here, good idea on the ryde. Sounds to me like there is going to be another manufacturer rntering the game and maybe they need for BRP to have some bad press???? I know it sounds steep, but I bet I could get a news crew on it if I had a video of a businessman with his hair on fire, punching himself in the head in a vain attempt to put out the flames.

Just sayin'............

[daveinva]

You know what? Count me in the happy camp.

Every. Single. Day. on this forum we're reading owner complaints about the Spyder. While we can take some of them with a grain of salt-- and be happy for those, like me, who have never had a complaint to speak of-- there are obviously issues with the Spyder. Minor ones, mostly, but some that may, MAY, be major. Like, fire-producing major.

So, what do you think is going to get BRP to take action? Gripes on an online forum? Or old-fashioned muckraking press?

Sensationalist it may be-- what "journalism" isn't these days?-- I guarantee that stuff like this gets more attention from BRP than most anything we have ever written here. *No* company can afford bad media like this, nor will they if they can take steps to avoid it in the future.

I love my Spyder. But I want *everyone* to love their Spyder like I do. Seems to me that can only be accomplished when BRP takes the most serious complaints seriously.