FRED RAU SPYDER CONTRADICTION?

[fordguyupnorth]

well i guess since i started it, its only fitting i roll it over to 100 huh! i have now finished reading fred's book and it was good overall. still STRONGLY feel it odd that the spyder is not in there but i understand why. to bad its not though. when fred releases his spyder touring book it will be EXTRA cool now though to go back and compare his thoughts in this book before the advent of the spyder to after he had opportunity to ride one! i feel it will enforce even more how the :spyder2: completely changed the industry!:thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

well i guess since i started it, its only fitting i roll it over to 100 huh! i have now finished reading fred's book and it was good overall. still STRONGLY feel it odd that the spyder is not in there but i understand why. to bad its not though. when fred releases his spyder touring book it will be EXTRA cool now though to go back and compare his thoughts in this book before the advent of the spyder to after he had opportunity to ride one! i feel it will enforce even more how the :spyder2: completely changed the industry!:thumbup:

I am not sure the Spyder has changed the industry. In sales terms it is still little more than a novelty. Now I understand that this may be considered a sacrilegious statement here, but never-the-less, it is true.

There is no doubt the Spyder has gotten a lot of attention. But those of us here on SpyderLovers can get the impression that the Spyder is having a bigger impact than is apparent in the market place.

Granted, the Spyder has made a huge impact on each of us, and on most people who will give it a try.

There are several factors limiting our beloved Spyder. And they have been discussed at length. But real admiration always exhibits itself in emulation. And we have yet to see this.

 

[fordguyupnorth]

i agree ron, however. its gonna happen, i can just feel it. different parts of the country have seen different results with spyder sales. i think being up here in northern michigan we are behind everyone else. the spyder phenomanon is just starting to ignite here. brp has really hit the media's with more ads than i have ever seen in this marketplace before. as brp gets a few more of the spyders "quirks" worked out and continues this advertising blitz along with the dealer network getting more educated and dedicated to being a world class spyder dealer instead of being a snowmobile store that happens to have spyders available we are going to see a real boost in these things on the road. with gas prices elevating the timing couldn't be better. additionally, it historically takes the majority of the population some time to accept something this untraditional. i think we are in the year that its going to happen.
we will see!

 

[boborgera]

i agree ron, however. its gonna happen, i can just feel it. different parts of the country have seen different results with spyder sales. i think being up here in northern michigan we are behind everyone else. the spyder phenomanon is just starting to ignite here. brp has really hit the media's with more ads than i have ever seen in this marketplace before. as brp gets a few more of the spyders "quirks" worked out and continues this advertising blitz along with the dealer network getting more educated and dedicated to being a world class spyder dealer instead of being a snowmobile store that happens to have spyders available we are going to see a real boost in these things on the road. with gas prices elevating the timing couldn't be better. additionally, it historically takes the majority of the population some time to accept something this untraditional. i think we are in the year that its going to happen.
we will see!

I have my Spyder almost 3 years now, And i still have people come up to me
and say they see me all the time riding around town , and would like to get one.
Then comes the 3 GAME OVER question's,;
1; Cost :shocked:
2; mpg :shocked::shocked:
3; And the real killer.[NJ] You need a MC licence.

 

[bikeguy]

I don't really think any 3-wheeler will ever have a very significant effect on the motorcycle market. I expect that a very large percentage of the people who ride 3-wheelers do not feel comfortable, for one reason or another, on a 2-wheeler. If they did, they'd be riding a 2-wheeler instead. But I do believe that the Spyder is having a significant effect on the 3-wheeler market. I know people who would not consider a conventional trike but are considering a Spyder. I have a friend with a beautiful BMW K1200/Hannigan conversion that wants a Spyder. So, I think the overall effect will not be to cut into 2-wheeler sales but to add 3-wheeler sales on top of 2-wheeler sales.

And there will be those of us who still find appropriate reasons to ride both.

Cotton

 

[wyliec]

I have my Spyder almost 3 years now, And i still have people come up to me
and say they see me all the time riding around town , and would like to get one.
Then comes the 3 GAME OVER question's,;
1; Cost :shocked:
2; mpg :shocked::shocked:
3; And the real killer.[NJ] You need a MC licence.

I wouldn't have thought number 1 was a 'game over.' I think the spyder is well priced; at least the RS is.

 

[BajaRon]

i agree ron, however. its gonna happen, i can just feel it. different parts of the country have seen different results with spyder sales. i think being up here in northern michigan we are behind everyone else. the spyder phenomanon is just starting to ignite here. brp has really hit the media's with more ads than i have ever seen in this marketplace before. as brp gets a few more of the spyders "quirks" worked out and continues this advertising blitz along with the dealer network getting more educated and dedicated to being a world class spyder dealer instead of being a snowmobile store that happens to have spyders available we are going to see a real boost in these things on the road. with gas prices elevating the timing couldn't be better. additionally, it historically takes the majority of the population some time to accept something this untraditional. i think we are in the year that its going to happen.
we will see!

I think you are right. The Spyder is the real deal. It isn't just a fad or just 'Neat'. It is a well thought out, well designed machine that delivers as much or more than it promises. No pun intended, 'It's got Legs!'.

I don't think we'll see anything in a year, but I think you're right. Someone else is going to get on this wagon.

I have my Spyder almost 3 years now, And i still have people come up to me
and say they see me all the time riding around town , and would like to get one.
Then comes the 3 GAME OVER question's,;
1; Cost :shocked:
2; mpg :shocked::shocked:
3; And the real killer.[NJ] You need a MC licence.

I don't see any of these 3 as being all that big a deal. I suppose they are welcome to look for a comperable vehicle for a better price.... GOOD LUCK!

There are down sides to everything, and the Spyder is no exception. If someone gives the Spyder a try, they will most likey find a way to get over the negatives.

I wouldn't have thought number 1 was a 'game over.' I think the spyder is well priced; at least the RS is.

I think the RS is reasonably priced. But the RT is a STEAL compared to the other 3 wheeled machines out there.

 

[JJW SpyderRider]

I don't really think any 3-wheeler will ever have a very significant effect on the motorcycle market. I expect that a very large percentage of the people who ride 3-wheelers do not feel comfortable, for one reason or another, on a 2-wheeler. If they did, they'd be riding a 2-wheeler instead. But I do believe that the Spyder is having a significant effect on the 3-wheeler market. I know people who would not consider a conventional trike but are considering a Spyder. I have a friend with a beautiful BMW K1200/Hannigan conversion that wants a Spyder. So, I think the overall effect will not be to cut into 2-wheeler sales but to add 3-wheeler sales on top of 2-wheeler sales.

And there will be those of us who still find appropriate reasons to ride both.

Cotton

:agree:

 

[docdoru]

I don't really think any 3-wheeler will ever have a very significant effect on the motorcycle market. I expect that a very large percentage of the people who ride 3-wheelers do not feel comfortable, for one reason or another, on a 2-wheeler. If they did, they'd be riding a 2-wheeler instead. But I do believe that the Spyder is having a significant effect on the 3-wheeler market. I know people who would not consider a conventional trike but are considering a Spyder. I have a friend with a beautiful BMW K1200/Hannigan conversion that wants a Spyder. So, I think the overall effect will not be to cut into 2-wheeler sales but to add 3-wheeler sales on top of 2-wheeler sales.

And there will be those of us who still find appropriate reasons to ride both.

Cotton

:agree: with you, but what if the reverse situation scenario: Honda, Harley or BMW coming on the market with a 2F1R reverse tricke/roadster...opcorn:

 

[XLT]

This market will expand and at some point come close to the two wheel market...why- because of an ageing population - baby boomers + some younger people like different kind of stuff like the PIAGGIO 400 or 500. They want a little more stability but love the open air.I agree some other players will need to get involved. Yes will need a leaning model as well. People are not getting old like they used to. Every grey hair I know has a convertable.

 

[arntufun]

This market will expand and at some point come close to the two wheel market...why- because of an ageing population - baby boomers + some younger people like different kind of stuff like the PIAGGIO 400 or 500. They want a little more stability but love the open air.I agree some other players will need to get involved. Yes will need a leaning model as well. People are not getting old like they used to. Every grey hair I know has a convertable.

The Piaggio leans this I know for sure !!! I bought my wife a Piaggio MP3 250cc to learn how to ride on. It would go almost 80 mph. Twist and go technology. No shifting. It was almost $7,000.00 new. The very first time she rode it, 50 yards down our street coming to a stop sign my wife did not put her feet down and dumped it. She had some scraps and bumps and needless to say, she never would get back on it. People dont understand once you twist the throttle the front end unlocks and you have to lean the bike in the corners and put your feet down when you stop. It was the most expensive 50 yards ever ridin. I took a beating on it when we traded it in for MY spyder. (It was well worth it, shhh don't tell her !!!)

 

[bikeguy]

:agree: with you, but what if the reverse situation scenario: Honda, Harley or BMW coming on the market with a 2F1R reverse tricke/roadster...opcorn:

That's a really interesting question and I've wondered about it myself. I don't have an answer but here are a few thoughts.

First, if one of those major manufacturers comes into the market, it will be because BRP has laid the groundwork and the Spyder has had a significant effect. In fact, I'd bet that the Spyder is at least partially responsible for Harley's Tri-Glide. Personally, I think that we'll see at least one of the majors enter the 2 in front market within the next three years or so. Secondly, we all know the quality of BMW, Harley, and the Japanese factories, so it's hard to believe that any one of them couldn't command a serious share of the 2 in front market. The question is: Can BRP/Can-Am survive a serious threat from one of the majors?

I don't know the answer and it depends on a lot of things. Are riders more interested in fit and finish than technology? If so, Honda wins (or Harley, Yamaha, etc.) Are big engines with loads of bottom end more desirable than high revving, high tech screamers? If so, Harley wins (or Honda, Kawasaki, etc.) Is proven long distance and long lived performance and reliability more important than good looks and crowd apeal? If so, BMW wins (or Honda, Harley, etc.) Is proven technology and a proven platform more desirable than a new approach with potentially better technology? If so, BRP/Can-Am wins. Is high speed handling important? If so, it's my guess that BMW or BRP will win. (I know I have nothing to base that on, it's just a guess.) Is it important to have a dealer on every corner? If so, anyone but BRP and BMW wins. Etc. Etc. Etc. And, of course, these are just my opinions and mean absolutely nothing to anyone.

In the final analysis, BRP has proven itself competitive in the other markets which it pioneered, those being Personal Watercrafts and Snowmobiles. It will have to do so again if it hopes to compete with any of the majors which might choose to compete in the 2 in front market and it will have to be prepared for a long term battle. I believe BRP can compete for a sizable share of the market if they choose to do so. In my opinion, one of the biggest things BRP has going for it is the fact that they are willing to listen to their customers' wants, desires, complaints, etc. and respond to them. And they do that better than any manufacturer I have ever dealt with.

Cotton

 

[Firefly]

i agree ron, however. its gonna happen, i can just feel it. different parts of the country have seen different results with spyder sales. i think being up here in northern michigan we are behind everyone else. the spyder phenomanon is just starting to ignite here. brp has really hit the media's with more ads than i have ever seen in this marketplace before. as brp gets a few more of the spyders "quirks" worked out and continues this advertising blitz along with the dealer network getting more educated and dedicated to being a world class spyder dealer instead of being a snowmobile store that happens to have spyders available we are going to see a real boost in these things on the road. with gas prices elevating the timing couldn't be better. additionally, it historically takes the majority of the population some time to accept something this untraditional. i think we are in the year that its going to happen.
we will see!

I have to disagree pertaining to Michigan. I think we already 'peaked' on Spyder sales and market impact about 2 years ago. Michigan was one of the 'first release' states along with a handful of others. BRP had special rollout events and dealer events back then. They have since concentrated more on national media exposure.

During the first year, Michigan sold almost as many Spyders as some of the warmer southern states - which was pretty impressive - but much of that had to do with people coming from neighboring states to buy Spyders because their state didn't have them. With the economy taking such a dump - especially in Michigan - I wouldn't be surprised if Spyder sales have decreased in Michigan compared to the first year or two.

The Spyder has gone over better than BRP expected - hence why they had to increase the original release amounts, etc. -- but I have to agree with Ron --- compared to the overall MC market - their impact is pretty small. BRP knew this going in - which is why they have gone after a different market than previous MC owners.

 

[XLT]

I know Harley and BMW put some research in two wheel front end technology already. When people do not get (in a positive way) what my ride is I say ( taking a fair amount of liberty) think of a quad that is far better handling and street legal.... after that statement the dime that wouldn't drop always does.