Disapointment With BRP Owners Event

[Ga Blue Knight]

Ok let's all take a step back! First off I used to be a member of BMW of America Owners Club. They held rallies which had technical seminars, games, and lots of grass-roots self help. It's not really expected that a company take on the expense of putting on training events. It's great if they would but it should be done as a grass roots effort. Small Spyder Oriented riding clubs would be better suited for this. There is nothing stopping anyone from conducting a seminar on any topic at the Owners Event and I am sure BRP wouldn't mind providing the space for it. Seminar topics could be on Riding techniques, tire selection, packing for a trip, camping techniques and yes oil changes. I don't see any legal liability here. As a group of Spyderlovers we should take responsibility for each other's knowledge and safety and not rely on others. So gather your local Spyder Riders and form a club or groups or whatever. BTW as for BRP dealers sharing their expertise, I'm still waiting to see some for the most part, just saying LOL

[Some Guy]

My only disappointment is I didn't get to meet all of the other SpyderLovers I wanted to meet. I did get to meet many others I didn't know.

I think BRP did an awesome job with this event...an event they don't really have to do. Think about it, their marketing effort (as with most companies) is to attract new customers. All of us are already customers (for our own reasons), so there is little reason to have an expensive event for us other than to thank us...for which we need no thanks...we love our rides!

Thank you BRP for this event!

[otter28169]

My disappointment with the OE is that I was not there. I registered for the event, but due to circumstances beyond my control I was not able to make it. Maybe next year.

[DR Buck]

Geez, Excuse me for expressing MY opinion.

After reading through the comments I had to go back and look at what I wrote in the original post. I think I clearly stated in the first sentence that we had a GREAT time. I don't think I said anything sucked, or BRP did anything wrong or attendees got screwed, or more stuff should have been given away. All I said was " I found the event lacking.......What was lacking were any technical forums."

You guys that throw out the lawyer card in every other post need to chill out and get into the real world. How is what I suggested any different from getting advice from others on the forum? Suppose a member or group of members posted a suggested way of doing something on their Spyder? Will you jump in and post don't tell or show anyone how to do anything because they might sue you or Spyder lovers if they get hurt or forget to do something and the wheel falls off? What about vendors posting "how to's" in response to members questions? Maybe the forum should be shut down before someone gets sued?

If so many misinterpreted what I had in the original post, maybe you can understand why some people can't completely understand user and technical manuals and a how a "how to" seminar might benifit them.

Lighten up people.

[TuckMiddle]

Google a company called Wood-Mizer. They are the largest portable sawmill manufacturer in the world. HQ is Indiana. Can you say sawmill and not think DANGEROUS ? They hold owners seminars 100's of times a year. Every one includes maintenance and technical talks, mostly done by their dealers. Many companies do this. It improves sales and the companies reputation

Harley idealers conduct local "familiarization classes in the shops and the technicians show exactly is going on. They ever have seperate classes for females. I wouldn't dare comment on such a move, but they are very popular. Aircraft manufacturers, those not broke due to the economy, have seminars and week or weeks long classes for pilots and mechanics. I like the sawmill seminars referenced above.

Tuck

[Buttsy]

What we have hear is a failure to communicate..............I miss Paul Newman!

[Arr MiHardies]

I'm disappointed I'm too much of an introvert to actually talk to all you strangers in person.


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[Cruzr Joe]

I'm disappointed I'm too much of an introvert to actually talk to all you strangers in person.


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Hey, you talked to me while we sat stranded on the hwy waiting for them to clear the wreck away, i enjoyed our brief encounter.

Cruzr Joe


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[Buttsy]

Hey, you talked to me while we sat stranded on the hwy waiting for them to clear the wreck away, i enjoyed our brief encounter.

Cruzr Joe


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Was he reading from a script his wife had previously prepared for him because that doesn't count?

[Cruzr Joe]

Dr. Buck

You could have brought up ***** care and not struck as many nerves, LOL

Cruzr Joe


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[Cruzr Joe]

Was he reading from a script his wife had previously prepared for him because that doesn't count?

No, he and i chatted for a short while and he was very pleasent

Cruzr Joe


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[Arr MiHardies]

Hey, you talked to me while we sat stranded on the hwy waiting for them to clear the wreck away, i enjoyed our brief encounter.

Cruzr Joe


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Yes. But you initiated the conversation. Introverts do not initiate unless they already know the person.


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[Yfactor]

You're not saying your owner's manual shows how to align the belt, are you? I have a 2008 owner's manual and it only shows how to check belt alignment.

I agree that there shouldn't be any legal issues, if it is something already covered in the owner's manual.

I also agree with those that say there could be legal issues. I once worked for a large corporation that years ago produced gas water heaters. They were sued because someone's child was cleaning his bike chain with gas in front of the water heater. The corporation lost and after that they had a sticker affixed to the heater regarding the use of flammable material in front of the heater.

If you will note I said most of these things mentioned.

[PrairieSpyder]

I think ya'll should lighten up on DR Buck. This isn't a pro-BRP vs anti-BRP issue. All he said was he'd like to have some guidance on maintenance, and an event full of Spyder experts and 1200 or so owners might have been an opportune time to do it. He did say he enjoyed what they did put on.

[Cruzr Joe]

Yes. But you initiated the conversation. Introverts do not initiate unless they already know the person.


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Maybe so, but you were nice to talk to after the initial contact, hope you had a good time

Joe


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[kevorama]

I'm still waiting for BRP to contact me about doing the fireworks display
They've redone their owner's event based on SpyderFest.

[Bob Denman]

Soooo... spyderFest is still the better party; right?

[spyderbirds]

For the whopping ZERO dollar registration cost I think BRP went whole hog. I would rather the event stay the way it is. Don't try to do any more other than just give us a chance to meet them and say thanks in an area with great ryding. I think the spyderquest and other event organizers can pick up and run with Dr. Buck's ideas.

[Cal777]

[QUOTE=DR Buck;640532]We had a great time meeting everyone, looking at all the farkled Spyders, eating and riding. But, I found the event lacking. This was our first and as I participate in similar events for my other hobbies and interests I expected a little more. What was lacking were any technical forums. It would have been great if BRP put on live demos as how to do things like oil changes, belt alignments, pre-ride checks, or even tupperware removal for the new owners. I think there would be a lot fewer service complaints if the less mechanically inclined owners could perform routine maintenance.

BRP wouldn't even have to do the seminars. They could solicit for dealers or even guys like Scotty to do them. Anybody else think this would improve the event, or am I off-base here?[/QUOT

How anyone could complain about an event where the company that we brought a product from to show thier appreciation threw us a party of this quality is beyond me. The party as well as the Spyder is way above the norm. But I guess that it proves that no matter what you do, someone will always whine.
Rudy

[Justryde]

We had a great time meeting everyone, looking at all the farkled Spyders, eating and riding. But, I found the event lacking. This was our first and as I participate in similar events for my other hobbies and interests I expected a little more. What was lacking were any technical forums. It would have been great if BRP put on live demos as how to do things like oil changes, belt alignments, pre-ride checks, or even tupperware removal for the new owners. I think there would be a lot fewer service complaints if the less mechanically inclined owners could perform routine maintenance.

BRP wouldn't even have to do the seminars. They could solicit for dealers or even guys like Scotty to do them. Anybody else think this would improve the event, or am I off-base here?

Don't blame BRP the event was awesome. The dealer at the owners event could of done so much more than just tend to there cash registers. With 800 plus Spyder owners there the sky was the limit. To many times BRP is the target to blame when some dealers could do more for their customers than pass the buck.

[Flanker]

Didn't attend, but that's a great idea!

[lookerjdc]

I went to the Owners Event for the same reason i went to Spyderfest and Lamonts BBQ ............ To meet old spyder friends and make new ones ......... For me the Event was a knockout, i loved it.

Cruzr Joe

you go any where there's an excuse for a party.....

great to see you and the Mrs again

hope you took care of everyone after I left Lamonts....

[wyliec]

Don't know why so many feel the need to come down on Dr Buck. He (sorry, assuming 'he') said he enjoyed the OE; but, he felt something was missing in his opinion. Now someone says he's whining, blah, blah, blah, blah.

[1551retired]

This is "apples and oranges", with all due respect.

You are talking about "commercial-equipment" owned by a company in the operation of their business that faces labor-laws, safety issues, and productivity requirements. This equipment is not a "retail" product, like a Spyder.

Part of the "maintenance-training" the manufacturer provides is also to keep from getting sued.

Also, you are trying to compare "commercial" equipment that generates revenue for its owner under specific laws, requirements, and liability standards not existing in "retail" products. An entirely different scenario -- thus apples and oranges. No comparison, in my opinion, or by an attorney's point of view.

I can imagine there are numerous issues that arise on this equipment needing maintenance often, if not daily; requiring skilled-operators or maintenance personnel looking daily to help assure the machinery is operable and safe. The company owning the equipment also shares in the liability risk in keeping their employees safe on the job. There is such a thing as OSHA and state regulations regarding commercial equipment -- especially dangerous equipment on the job-site. Again... different laws, use-purposes, and personnel operating-skills cover "retail" products.

Companies like Caterpillar, John Deere, and many others similar are no different than this company in providing "maintenance-training" also -- but mostly for the reasons I just mentioned (i.e., safety, productivity, and likely contract clauses requiring training for on-site skills in maintenance.)

No one should ever expect a retail company to provide detailed maintenance-training to their end-users. Far too many liabilities in doing so. You were better off to have gone to the rally to enjoy the riding in that area and the hospitality provided.

I would have to disagree. I am a long time RVer and have owned several motor homes. We often go to yearly company sponsored rallies (FleetwoodRV) where they have catered meals and other events. They also have multiple seminars/classes setup that revolve around there coaches and the RV life style. There is always a basic maintenance for chassis (conducted by Freightliner) and engines (conducted by Cummins or Cat). They also have seminars that appeal to the female side as well such as cooking in an RV, etc. In addition they have vendor booths for accessories that do not directly compete with the coach manufacture.

I think BRP could offer something similar on a much smaller scale. I've been to several owner events and it seems like quite a bit of time is spent just standing around. After all how many times can you look at the same BRP model display or go though the clothing store? If you are not ryding you're standing around waiting for the next meal.

[NancysToy]

There is an old saying..."Never look a gift horse in the mouth." While the OP's intention was innocent, a title expressing disappointment and a content making suggestions in the same breath as praising the event, tends to come across as ingracious. A title of Suggestions For Future Events or something similar might have drawn less flak. The bottom line here is that BRP provides this to us entirely at their expense. It is their privilege to do so wherever and however they see fit. We should be nothing but grateful. It is always our choice not to attend if it doesn't meet our desires. The last I heard, attendance was not mandatory. It is also acceptable for us to tell them what we would like to see, but if done in a more encouraging way it might get a better response. JMHO