Did Can-Am Miss a Chance for some good ink?

[ARtraveler]

I just received my copy of January "Motorcycle Consumer News". There is an article on model comparisons of trikes. Reviewed were factory H-D, and custom Gold Wing Trikes. The magazine wanted to test a Can-Am RT in this mix but did not get a good response from Can-Am.
Quoting from the magazine: "At first, Can-Am flat out told us "no" because company officials felt that the RT "isn't really a trike and doesn't really compare with the other vehicles" we were going to test. Then they said they'd get back to us. Follow-up calls to Can-Am's media relations office were met with no response, so we moved on"
IN MY OPINION, Can-Am blew a great chance to get some good ink for their product. This magazine is known for its accurate and unbiased opinions of motorcycles. They do not accept advertising, so they are not beholden to the companies whose products they review. Price wise and feature wise, the RT definately would not have come in on the bottom.
I am very surprised at the no response from Can-Am concerning the test. Unfortunately, sometimes we tend to hear that same theme when it comes to customers dealing with the company concerning issues.
I know that there will be some that will suggest that they would be comparing apples and oranges due to wheel configuration--but I think that would have been a good thing--as all three vehicles are for a special market (upline prices, upline features, touring configuration on three wheels, allowing seniors to continue riding, etc.). The article was definately on the money in their comments and reviews of both the H-D and the Goldwing. It will be interesting to hear what some of you have to say about this. opcorn:

 

[stillriding]

I couldn't agree more. MCN would have been honest and fair in its evaluation.

 

[NancysToy]

I'm not surprised, although I agree that it would have been a good opportunity. BRP has fought hard to maintain a separate identy for the Spyder. There may be many reasons for this, including their marketing plans, legal ramifications, limited production capability, and just the corporate focus. I can understand their desire to remain distinct. On the other hand, nothing sells better than a head-to-head comparison with the closest competitors. Glowing reports sell vehicles, and I cannot imagine the Spyder not comparing favorably with the machines tested...provided the testers kept open minds. The Spyder is a very different machine, with different handling characteristics, and would be hard to compare head-to-head...without bias one way or the other.

 

[boborgera]

MCN Is 100 percent unbiased, BRP missed the boat on this one.
But maybe it's just the way they like to do business.:lecturef_smilie:

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: The RT woulda put the 'Wing back on the trailer in a head-to-head anyway!:thumbup:

 

[IWN2RYD]

While I agree... How hard would it have been to "Borrow" one from a dealer or owner. I mean really?

 

[boborgera]

While I agree... How hard would it have been to "Borrow" one from a dealer or owner. I mean really?

No dealer on his right mind would lend one out to a Magazine for testing With out BRP's Approval.

 

[rogerb]

The comparisons would have brought out the differences between the trikes and the reversed trike. The steering was what really made me buy one due to shoulder problems, the rest was a bonus. When we start looking at three wheels there is usually a reason not just what will this due to my image. I bought mine in June and there are no regrets on my part. :thumbup:

 

[IWN2RYD]

No dealer on his right mind would lend one out to a Magazine for testing With out BRP's Approval.

Ok.. What about a person? Even I have done that before for a 4x4 magazine...

All I am saying is if this was such a big deal why not borrow one? Or do they just want one for free to abuse as they see fit without repercussions from an owner :roflblack:? That would make more since. I guess what I am wondering is if the testing was important to them or the getting a unit to test from Can Am was what was important to them. They always seem to be good honest folks, but it made me go hmm...

 

[Lamonster]

I know Fred Rau worked hard with BRP to try and make this happen but for whatever reason they decided not to participate. :dontknow:

 

[Trickie Dick]

Early Spyder Reviews

I remember some early reviews of the GS(RS now) and how it didn't always make a great impression on the reviewers. One of the primary reasons was the handling characteristics of the spyder. A lot of Spyderlovers howled that the reviewers didn't know how to ride the spyder and how there is a learning curve. Certainly some of those "reviews" didn't do BRP any favors. Do you think these guys would take the time to really dig into how this machine rides as compared to the others that they are so used to. :dontknow:

 

[chillirider]

Maybe it's because they did a First Impression article of a RT-S and they didn't have a lot of good thing to say about it. It was a pre-prroduction model and I guess it had a lot of glitches so they said they couldn't really evaluate it. :dontknow:

 

[mooneych]

Spyder review

I'm inclined to support BRP. Why would you compare your NASCAR to a handful of Hot Rods? I would be interested in a comparison of similar vehicles to determine which I would like best. BRP has nothing to gain from a comparison to a handful of trikes, nothing!

Apples to apples, :spyder2: to ....

Cheers!

I know Fred Rau worked hard with BRP to try and make this happen but for whatever reason they decided not to participate. :dontknow:

 

[BikerDoc]

Agree??

In this case I tend to agree with BRP since the comparison could have come out iffy when done by traditionalists... However I think what frustrates us all is that BRP doesn't seem to take an agggressive approach to getting positive publicity for our ride.. Publicity that would increase their sales and of course our access to service.. I have spoken with their marketing professionals on several occasions.. they give lip service to my ideas to promote them but never follow up... can't figure this out -- unless they just aren't ready to sell more bikes at this time

 

[IWN2RYD]

I think sometimes there is an emotional barrier, like the Ford vs. Chevy, that has to be overcome. This creates doubt and hesitation enough I think.

However, I tend to agree with many of you. This really is in a class of it's own. I believe this type of reverse trike has an important role and position for the market. Similar to the truck and car in the early days of Automobiles.

Besides let's be honest. When any of us first started to ryde our two wheeled motorcycles we had a learning curve with it as well. Seems to me that many forget that or do not anticipate that when getting on the Spyders. I know I did not!...

 

[NorthStar]

Goldwing/Harley trikes vs RT

I would be very interested in hearing comments from people on our forum who came from one of these trikes directly to the RT. I have driven both, but not enough to give any kind of accurate analysis.

I believe we would only be able to get a fair evaluation of the good and the bad characteristics of each these machines from those who have logged serious hours in the seats of a Honda/Harley trike and a Can Am Spyder RT.

Anyone interested in sharing?opcorn:

 

[Dragonrider]

I posted an editorial response to MCN, offering my RT.

I know of three Spyder sales that were a direct result of one of my visits to my local Hardley dealer, to buy riding gear. There were five couples (long time friends), who had come down to try to get a "group deal" on Triglides (no way Jose). Two stayed with the Harley - sound, looks, personal bias, and the other three are all on Spyders - two on upgraded RSs, and one RS S... says something...

 

[SpyderFun]

WE all know that our Spyders are a different breed but those that do not own one have no idea just how different a Spyder really is!

While BRP may want to keep its reverse-trike from being in the same company as a regular trike, the real question for them is, "WHO else is making a reverse-trike to compare your Spyder to???" :dontknow:

The sound we are hearing is the boating leaving the dock on this golden opportunity and BRP again missed it....WHY???

 

[Bob Denman]

The sound we are hearing is the (boat) leaving the dock on this golden opportunity and BRP again missed it....

:agree: If you don't generate some...ANY... publicity about your product it's gonna die off pretty quick! :shocked:
...and I still say that it would have compared more than favorably against the 'Wing... :thumbup:

 

[Roger]

I am not surprised remember BRP markets these as a roadster and not a trike so to compare this to a harley or honda or anything else would not be fair to anyone if those bikes wheels were reversed it would be different story. just saying :chat: