Harley has a school that costs a few hundred dollars that sounds more involved and fun than the regular motorcycle safety courses out here in California, and, like this BRP course, ends in passing the motorcycle road test (hence, I have an M1 - but from the regular safety course).
I went to a Harley open house at a local dealer and they were all about the experience of owning a Harley and being part of the Harley brand. They let you sit on a mounted bike and shift through the gears, they had the local HOG do it's thing, they told you all about the different models, and in the end they made it all about signing up for the relatively inexpensive, fun filled, weekend (I doubt they make a penny on the class). You learn on the base Harley, and I have no doubt by the end you're not only itching to own a motorcycle, but to belong to the group of Harley riders. No matter who you are are, you can be cool if you own a Harley (they don't actually need to say that).
I would imagine that this would still work for Harley if the class was completely free to truly interested people who qualified for the purchase. They may even pay for it for some potential customers. I would.
This sounds like a test program for BRP, and putting it in a state that has an older demographic, often with strong income, and the potential to ride all year long makes a lot of sense to me. They also have plenty of land and, I would think, people to to hire at reasonable costs. It sounds like this would only benefit those interested in three wheels, which makes a Spyder by far the best option for just about everybody in the class. (I don't know exactly what a fast track license means in comparison to a regular track license.)
I can imagine some lone champion at BRP pushing this extended test ride for years, and finally getting this pilot program to test it out. It certainly sounds like a far better investment than unveiling a black color scheme at Sturgis. I hope if performs beyond expectations, as selling more Spyders only strengthens the brand, allows for more money into R&D, and gives them greater ability to make and support a better product.
