JUST READ THIS

[oldguyinTX]

Second item in the column. Don't know where this information came from, so I can't vouch for its authenticity. Just wanted to put it out there.

http://ride-ct.com/if-you-had-asked-me-6/

[jaherbst]

You did not think this bubble would last forever did you.
Already looking at places I could place the anchor line when I start using it for a boat anchor!

​Jack

[UtahPete]

"...at least one dealer is dismayed by what he says are the plummeting sales of the Can-Am Spyder.... sales of the three-wheeler have totally tanked and he suggests the high price tag is part of the reason. For instance, the starting price of a Spyder F3-T is more than $24,000. Could it be that the Spyder is just a niche product and that builder BRP over-estimated market demand?"

I'm a little concerned about this. So is my local dealer. I think it's incumbent upon enthusiasts to actively promote Spyders in our communities. More rides, more parade participation, etc.. Other venerable marques as well as innovative rides have failed in the marketplace and I'd hate to see our bikes do the same.

I don't think the constant criticism of Can-Am and dealerships I read here on the forum is helping the situation.

Ideas?

[Bob Denman]

While nothing lasts forever: I'm not ready to believe that the crows are already circling the carcass.

[SpyderAnn01]

He says "at least one dealer", I'm not going to give this article a lot of credibility based on second hand information from one dealer.

[cognaccruiser]

Based solely on personal observation, my wife and I are seeing a lot more Spyders on the road this year than ever. Obviously we don't know why or if they are just traveling through our area but our impression is that they are increasing in number. I know this isn't very scientific.
I also wouldn't take the "quote" with any degree of authenticity based upon the source. As with all things there will be a limit to their growth in sales at some point.

Gary

[stevencovert]

He says "at least one dealer", I'm not going to give this article a lot of credibility based on second hand information from one dealer.

People are still taking pictures when we go out cruising here in Virginia Beach! Always asking me about the bike (always love to talk about it!). I do think the price tag is steep when compared to the Slingshot (yes - it is NOT a motorcycle!!) but looks rly cool. I think a lot of people would love to have one, especially since you can start from zero experience. All the people wince when I mention what they cost ! Combine this with Harley sales going down, it's a trend not on Can Am itself. All bike sales are plummeting, as the Millenials seem not interested. We see Harley introducing the 500cc (?) stripped down version trying to gain market. It's something that will get sluggish for a while and hopefully rebound.

[crazycanuck]

While nothing lasts forever: I'm not ready to believe that the crows are already circling the carcass.

its OK if Crows are circling, worry if the Vultures come in for a snack

[Easy Rider]

"

I don't think the constant criticism of Can-Am and dealerships I read here on the forum is helping the situation.

Ideas?

Sometimes the truth hurts.
I think that owners are obliged to tell the truth about their experiences.

The high price has got to hurt.
I got mine DESPITE the negative comments.

[Road-Kill]

"...at least one dealer is dismayed by what he says are the plummeting sales of the Can-Am Spyder.... sales of the three-wheeler have totally tanked and he suggests the high price tag is part of the reason. For instance, the starting price of a Spyder F3-T is more than $24,000. Could it be that the Spyder is just a niche product and that builder BRP over-estimated market demand?"

I'm a little concerned about this. So is my local dealer. I think it's incumbent upon enthusiasts to actively promote Spyders in our communities. More rides, more parade participation, etc.. Other venerable marques as well as innovative rides have failed in the marketplace and I'd hate to see our bikes do the same.

I don't think the constant criticism of Can-Am and dealerships I read here on the forum is helping the situation.

Ideas?

Great machines sell themselves.

One of the biggest problems Can-Am has is both the lack of dealerships and skilled technicians. Too many times I've read in this forum the stupidity a dealer has put a Spyder owner through for a common problem. I've even read the word "stealer" instead of dealer. My dealer has ONE tech who is very good but if he leaves I'm screwed. Then there is the quality side to the Spyder, anything I buy I give it 3 strikes and your out. If I experience a tow and two issues that require trailering my bike to a dealer they will never see my face again. The days of poor quality/reliability/customer service are over, at least for me.

Lets face it, the demographic spike for Spyders (from BRP) are clearly those who are in their 60s, disabled and women. This demographic statistically speaking are not at their peak, financially speaking, to throw away $30,000 on toys. People in their 60s are slowing up in life, disabled people have physical issues that require less income and more personal expenses. Women make less from career choices, child rearing and are physically weaker....on average. Two wheel rides are cheaper to buy, cheaper to fix and dealerships, depending on brand, are everywhere. My thoughts.

[crazycanuck]

Great machines sell themselves.

One of the biggest problems Can-Am has is both the lack of dealerships and skilled technicians. Too many times I've read in this forum the stupidity a dealer has put a Spyder owner through for a common problem. I've even read the word "stealer" instead of dealer. My dealer has ONE tech who is very good but if he leaves I'm screwed. Then there is the quality side to the Spyder, anything I buy I give it 3 strikes and your out. If I experience a tow and two issues that require trailering my bike to a dealer they will never see my face again. The days of poor quality/reliability/customer service are over, at least for me.

Lets face it, the demographic spike for Spyders (from BRP) are clearly those who are in their 60s, disabled and women. This demographic statistically speaking are not at their peak, financially speaking, to throw away $30,000 on toys. People in their 60s are slowing up in life, disabled people have physical issues that require less income and more personal expenses. Women make less from career choices, child rearing and are physically weaker....on average. Two wheel rides are cheaper to buy, cheaper to fix and dealerships, depending on brand, are everywhere. My thoughts.

I don't think so but that's just me.

[Bob Denman]

Lets face it, the demographic spike for Spyders (from BRP) are clearly those who are in their 60s, disabled and women. This demographic statistically speaking are not at their peak, financially speaking, to throw away $30,000 on toys. People in their 60s are slowing up in life, disabled people have physical issues that require less income and more personal expenses. Women make less from career choices, child rearing and are physically weaker....on average.

Let's recap your statement here: We're all old, sick, and economically disadvantaged...

Did I miss anything?

[jwulf74]

There were a ton of Spyders (relatively speaking) at the Sturgis Rally this year... we saw way more this year vs last year.

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

Let's recap your statement here: We're all old, sick, and economically disadvantaged...

Did I miss anything?

Yes, Bob, you did .... we are also weaklings ("most women" are) .... nope, I don't think so. I know I am physically stronger than many men and also mentally tougher than most anybody. Of course ... that is just my opinion.

All the best ... Ann

[LateLifeCrisis]

Let's recap your statement here: We're all old, sick, and economically disadvantaged...

Did I miss anything?

Geez, Bob, guess it's time we did the world a favor, head out to the back 40, and just lay down and die.......

NAH!!!

[HankD]

Lets face it, the demographic spike for Spyders (from BRP) are clearly those who are in their 60s, disabled and women. This demographic statistically speaking are not at their peak, financially speaking, to throw away $30,000 on toys. People in their 60s are slowing up in life, disabled people have physical issues that require less income and more personal expenses. Women make less from career choices, child rearing and are physically weaker....on average. Two wheel rides are cheaper to buy, cheaper to fix and dealerships, depending on brand, are everywhere. My thoughts.

I'm going to drink a quart of Geritol, hobble out of my shack, help my poor weak wife onto the back of the Spyder, and go for a nice long adventure!

Just kidding, I'm not married

[Road-Kill]

I don't think so but that's just me.

Let's recap your statement here: We're all old, sick, and economically disadvantaged...

Did I miss anything?

I'm going to drink a quart of Geritol, hobble out of my shack, help my poor weak wife onto the back of the Spyder, and go for a nice long adventure!

Just kidding, I'm not married

Wow...this is feedback. Ok, I'll admit I made it all up.

BRP was wrong in their demographics from actual sales, what misogynists and anti-elderly they are!

The older crowd are running marathons and its the younger crowd experiencing degenerative diseases.

Women earn less then men cause of um huh hmmm duh hum aaaaa..........patriarchy?

The real money is with the older crowd and is why the government refuses to increase social security benefits.....smart government!

[wyliec]

People in their 60s are slowing up in life, disabled people have physical issues that require less income and more personal expenses.

I'm kind of confused. Are you contradicting yourself. If someone has more personal expenses, I would think they would require more income.

But, I can agree with you about the demographic, but I'm not saying all spyder riders. Based on what you read on here, there are a lot with physical ailments. It's like one person expresses with physical problems, and then others pile on with theirs. Oh, Road-Kill, let's not forget overweight. You seem to have caught everything else. By the way, where do you fit in?

[Road-Kill]

I'm kind of confused. Are you contradicting yourself. If someone has more personal expenses, I would think they would require more income.

But, I can agree with you about the demographic, but I'm not saying all spyder riders. Based on what you read on here, there are a lot with physical ailments. It's like one person expresses with physical problems, and then others pile on with theirs. Oh, Road-Kill, let's not forget overweight. You seem to have caught everything else. By the way, where do you fit in?

I'm not a demographic that fits into anything I mentioned. I'm early 50s, excellent physical condition, financially sound and can ride anything out there. I bought the Spyder cause it looked and rode different. My other bike being considered was a sport tourer. To answer your other question, I find that those with a disability need more cash because they need more help. Compounding their diability they can not work to get that cash thus tapping into savings......if they saved anything. My buddy is mid 60s, failing health and broke because he is both a financial fool and cant work a full time job. (I hope he never reads this). We are all getting older. We all age differently. We all experience accidents and recover differently. Its called life and remaining real about everything helps better then pretending you are more then what you are. My thoughts.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Lets face it, the demographic spike for Spyders (from BRP) are clearly those who are in their 60s, disabled and women. This demographic statistically speaking are not at their peak, financially speaking, to throw away $30,000 on toys. People in their 60s are slowing up in life, disabled people have physical issues that require less income and more personal expenses. Women make less from career choices, child rearing and are physically weaker....on average. Two wheel rides are cheaper to buy, cheaper to fix and dealerships, depending on brand, are everywhere. My thoughts.

Being in their 60's is not a market depressant, IMO. It's been my observation over the past 20 years that the newly retired are the strongest contributors to an organization, such as churches, Lions Clubs, etc. They are the demographic with the most time, discretionary income, and physical well being to support organizations. That support and involvement extends to riding motorcycles and side-by-sides.

[Pincushion]

Another thing to think about is the dealer involvement. We find that the more a dealer focuses on selling Spyders the more they sell. If a dealer is expecting to give Spyders floor space and they will sell themselves, then he will have all the sales he deserves. However, if a dealer works hard to sell Spyders (and MANY do) they WILL sell Spyders. Unfortunately many dealers see Spyders as a necessary evil, they have to have them on the floor to sell them but they really don't want to put in the extra work to sell them.

We all know that the Spyder buying public is not 100% your typical motorcycle buyer, dealers must answer more questions and in some cases provide more of a "Car Buying" experience when selling a Spyder. Face it, at nearly $30K most people do not impulse buy a Spyder.... If a Dealer goes the extra mile, a serious buyer will, in most cases, return to that dealer to purchase...it's not always about price.

I can point to a few dealers that "get it" and they sell Spyders because of it... (Pitbull Powersports is a perfect example of this, their combination of product knowledge, and a willingness to provide a little more attention has made them THE source for Spyders in an ever-growing area)

It really comes down to those that work hard to sell products, can make it difficult for those not willing to put in the work, to sell the same products...

Just my .02

[wyliec]

Being in their 60's is not a market depressant, IMO. It's been my observation over the past 20 years that the newly retired are the strongest contributors to an organization, such as churches, Lions Clubs, etc. They are the demographic with the most time, discretionary income, and physical well being to support organizations. That support and involvement extends to riding motorcycles and side-by-sides.

Are you talking about the physical well being that Road-Kill said the Spyder demographic does not have? Or, is it fiscal well being? I'm referring to post #8, where he talks about the Spyder owners being on their last leg.

[UtahPete]

Great machines sell themselves. Lets face it, the demographic spike for Spyders (from BRP) are clearly those who are in their 60s, disabled and women. This demographic statistically speaking are not at their peak, financially speaking, to throw away $30,000 on toys. People in their 60s are slowing up in life, disabled people have physical issues that require less income and more personal expenses. Women make less from career choices, child rearing and are physically weaker....on average.

There are so many discredited and simply untrue stereotypes in here, I can't believe you really mean what you are saying. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt here when I say you're just 'trolling'. Don't disappoint me, now!

For the record, I'm 70 years old, in good health, financially secure and just getting started living life after military service, a career, raising a family and other obligations previously limited my ability to do so. My wife makes more money than I did before retiring and she's a lot tougher, emotionally, mentally and physically, than me.

[LateLifeCrisis]

Great machines sell themselves.

One of the biggest problems Can-Am has is both the lack of dealerships and skilled technicians. Too many times I've read in this forum the stupidity a dealer has put a Spyder owner through for a common problem. I've even read the word "stealer" instead of dealer. My dealer has ONE tech who is very good but if he leaves I'm screwed. Then there is the quality side to the Spyder, anything I buy I give it 3 strikes and your out. If I experience a tow and two issues that require trailering my bike to a dealer they will never see my face again. The days of poor quality/reliability/customer service are over, at least for me.

Lets face it, the demographic spike for Spyders (from BRP) are clearly those who are in their 60s, disabled and women. This demographic statistically speaking are not at their peak, financially speaking, to throw away $30,000 on toys. People in their 60s are slowing up in life, disabled people have physical issues that require less income and more personal expenses. Women make less from career choices, child rearing and are physically weaker....on average. Two wheel rides are cheaper to buy, cheaper to fix and dealerships, depending on brand, are everywhere. My thoughts.

Yep, guess I kinda, sorta fit the demographic:

"60's," Check, I'm 66
"Disabled," We'll argue the term later, but Check - LEO injured in the line of duty.
"Woman," Check - at least the last time I checked.

Are you saying you got these statistics from BRP? "Let's face it, the demographic spike for Spyders (from BRP) are clearly those who are in their 60s, disabled and women." As for the, "This demographic statistically speaking are not at their peak, financially speaking, to throw away $30,000 on toys." Maybe you need to get out a little more because I see a lot of 60 or older people traveling in quarter of a million dollar RVs and buying second homes in order to run away from winter. And according to GM, the average age of an individual purchasing a new Corvette is 50 and that Vette probably starts on the low end of $60,000 - definately a little more than a $30,000 Spyder.

"People in their 60s are slowing up in life." I only wish there were more hours in the day - now that I'm retired I'm busier than ever. Frankly, I would need clarification to comment on the "disabled people have physical issues that require less income and more personal expenses. I can only tell you that I'm in better shape than a lot of the 40 year olds I see limping around because I'm determined not to let this injury get the best of me. Just let me state that if you think 60ish is old, I've got a group of friends who would beg to differ. You sling around the word "disabled and frankly, that's a very offensive, hurtful term to render to anyone. Most of the physically challenged people I know would hardly want their life defined by such a derogatory term. I'm a person with a physical disability or physical limitation, but I am not disabled.

And don't get me started with your last comment: "Women make less from career choices, child rearing and are physically weaker....on average." Darn it.....I said I didn't want to get started with this comment....but I will.... "And yes, I will pull your sorry self out of your vehicle window for signing your citation "Mickey Mouse" and no, I don't think you're cute and you and your three yahoo friends can each take one of these garage bags, hopefully stay out of the traffic, fill it with litter, and then you can get back in your nice fancy air conditioned vehicle. And I see by your license you're 51 years old - guess your kids must be very proud of their Dad, huh?"

I don't ride a Spyder because I'm a woman and can't ride a two wheeler. I'm a capable, strong, physically challenged, 66 year old woman who just happens to LOVE riding a Spyder. I'll get off the soap box now and leave this little ditty.....Kathy Bates - gotta love her!


https://youtu.be/lx0z9FjxP-Y

[41canine]

Great machines sell themselves.

One of the biggest problems Can-Am has is both the lack of dealerships and skilled technicians. Too many times I've read in this forum the stupidity a dealer has put a Spyder owner through for a common problem. I've even read the word "stealer" instead of dealer. My dealer has ONE tech who is very good but if he leaves I'm screwed. Then there is the quality side to the Spyder, anything I buy I give it 3 strikes and your out. If I experience a tow and two issues that require trailering my bike to a dealer they will never see my face again. The days of poor quality/reliability/customer service are over, at least for me.

Lets face it, the demographic spike for Spyders (from BRP) are clearly those who are in their 60s, disabled and women. This demographic statistically speaking are not at their peak, financially speaking, to throw away $30,000 on toys. People in their 60s are slowing up in life, disabled people have physical issues that require less income and more personal expenses. Women make less from career choices, child rearing and are physically weaker....on average. Two wheel rides are cheaper to buy, cheaper to fix and dealerships, depending on brand, are everywhere. My thoughts.

I agree with you one hundred percent. My dealer sells them like crazy, to us old codgers, but the service is absolutely M.I.A. They have, allegedly, two techs although I've only ever seen one. And he refused to install the Bajaron sway bar because "It affects the ABS and will kill you!" I'm old, not stupid.

From a fellow Blue Knighter.....CA IV Ride with Pride.