Had a bad morning at my local Can Am dealer in NE Florida, just a FYI.

[PMK]

Apologies if this is not the right place or even not allowed but I felt the need to share this as it is most disturbing.
This morning I visited my local dealer which is Ridenow Powersports, Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, Fl with my 2014 Spyder RT.
I wanted them to change the rear tire and take a look at the slight play at the handlebar.
No problem the young lady said, we work on Spyders up to 10 years old so its all good.
The service advisors were in the process of booking it in and I was most impressed as they said if I got the tire from them, fitting was free so only about $175 out the door, most excellent.
Then.....
A service supervisor came along and said they would not work on my bike as it is over 5 years old.
This was a complete shock to EVERYONE else in the service department apparently who all said, "since when"
Since forever she replied, which caused them all to look at each other and shake their heads and then apologise to myself for this as they really did not know what to say.

So just a FYI, Rideout of Jacksonville, Fl WILL NOT work on Spyders over 5 years old even though they are actually selling three examples 2015 and older!!

My next port of call was Jacksonville Powersports on Atlantic Blvd, who were more than happy to assist with a 10 year old policy and was also shocked to hear about Ridenow as to his knowledge they had always been the same 10 year old policy too, and they had exactly the same free fitting on rear tire if purchased from them as well.

Very disturbing imho.

Regretfully, we purchased our Spyder from RideNow Ocala in early 2014. Truthfully it was one of the worst buying experiences ever.
While traveling, there may have been two times we went in to RideNow Ocala to see if they had any clearance gloves or similar stuff. Each time, even while checking out new machines, the sales team had no interest in dealing with any customers. Very odd place.

These days, when someone mentions RideNow, regardless of location, I expect they are a dissatisfied owner / customer.

 

[TheHammer2021]

If you were shopping for a new ride and a BRP dealer told you that after 10 years your Spyder would not be accepted into their service department for service or repairs, would you think twice about purchasing a Spyder? Would an extra 2year aftermarket warranty be valid?

If you were looking to purchase an over 5 year old Spyder from these people at Ridenow would you expect them to tell you that btw after you have bought it we will not work on it at all ever?
Im sure this is NOT part of their sales pitch........

 

[PMK]

Just a side note about ridenow powersports. They came into florida a couple of years ago and gobbled up about 50 dealerships. They are up to over 80 now and continue to gobble up more and continue on in other states too. They are going after Indian next. My closest dealer is in daytona beach which they own. The only other dealer not owned by them would be in jacksonville 70 miles away which you went to. It is these giant companies that have a monopoly on BRP products that give us the consumers frustrating times. I wish I was 20 years younger to find a legal team that would go after BRP and these big corporations. BRP should not allow these dealerships to operate this way!

Bicycle industry does this too. Ironically, what usually happens, these companies buy up many shops, the market goes away, and they wind up closing up shop. The manufacturers often plead with the smaller shops that were not bought up, in hopes to sell product.
A good friend was a longtime Cannondale dealer. Cannondale tried to force him to buy inventory and accessories. Cannondale also placed a new dealer from a large chain within 1 mile of him. He tried to work it out with Cannondale, even explaining how they violated his territory agreement. Ultimately he told Cannondale no and surrendered the brand.

One year later, the other shop, actually the entire chain that bought these shops out (my friend would not sell envisioning this), closed all the stores. This left Cannondale essentially with no dealers within a larger metropolitan area. They approached my friend about becoming a dealer again, he told them no as he picked up another major brand. Now years later, Cannondale still does not have the presence here they once did.

As for this other brand he picked up, they too have done a similar thing. Prior to Covid, my friends shop was booming. Buyers would visit this new shop with a large expensive inventory. That shop is difficult to deal with. Buyers do a quick search for another dealer and find my friends shop 3/4 mile away. They come to him, know what they want, he is a real long time bicycle shop with knowledge and experience, so they buy from him. He orders a bike and gets it a few days later.

Now with Covid messing with supply chains, new stuff is more difficult to get. So my friend is enjoying a huge upswing in repair revenue. That other shop sits on its high end inventory, but the customers get all service work done at my buddies shop. He is simply riding it out, knowing that these shops with $500,000 in new bike inventory, and manufacturers expecting them to order more, will sink the boat.

 

[PMK]

If you were looking to purchase an over 5 year old Spyder from these people at Ridenow would you expect them to tell you that btw after you have bought it we will not work on it at all ever?
Im sure this is NOT part of their sales pitch........

There is certainly enough RideNow topics and posts, from owners all around the USA to demonstrate folks should hopefully read up on them.

FWIW, when we dealt with them, they requested that we complete a customer survey. We completed the survey and got a phone call assuring us that others would call for additional details and management would also call.
Not one person called back. To me, that shared the attitude these folks have towards customers.

 

[TheHammer2021]

Unfortunately Ridenow were my nearest listed Spyder dealer and I made the mistake of going there, not to be repeated ever I assure you.
I do remember when this dealership used to be a Triumph dealer.
The next dealer in distance was Jacksonville Powersports whose attitude was different again, yes they had the 10 year old rule which still sucks for those with 2011 or older bikes but their attitude was extremely pleasant and their pricing no better or worse than anywhere else.

 

[ARtraveler]

If you were shopping for a new ride and a BRP dealer told you that after 10 years your Spyder would not be accepted into their service department for service or repairs, would you think twice about purchasing a Spyder? Would an extra 2year aftermarket warranty be valid?

good food for thought. :bowdown:

 

[2dogs]

Dam, my local dealership was just bought out by I don't know who. Guess I'd better go check them out. Their head mechanic was a BRP certified spyder mechanic. Boy, I hope they didn't run him off.

 

[jcthorne]

In my opinion, since BRP refuses to offer outside of dealers, access to BUDS and BUDS2, BRP is jeopardizing the safety of each person riding on a Can Am vehicle when a BRP dealer refuses to accomplish maintenance work on a vehicle.

If BRP stands by the dealers, and allows them to turn away vehicles, then they may be legally liable for not allowing non dealers access to the items BRP deems as proprietary.

The time has come and gone for BRP to sort out the dealers in regards to keeping Spyder owners safe in regards to what dealers are not doing or doing poorly / incorrectly.

In simple terms, without having BUDS or BUDS2, and it does not matter that sources supply non BRP approved copies, BRP and the dealers are liable for maintaining your vehicle in a safe manner, unless you as the owner refuse that. A good law team would likely straighten out a dealer first just to get BRPs attention.

There is no problem with an independent shop purchasing a license for BUDS and BUDS2. We have them. They are just not cheap.

 

[PMK]

There is no problem with an independent shop purchasing a license for BUDS and BUDS2. We have them. They are just not cheap.

Agree, I have both BUDS and BUDS2 myself.
However, I was under the impression that a manufacturer can not hold back proprietary diagnostics and then deem they no longer service the vehicles at dealers.
Granted, we both have what we need, how these vendors obtain and sell what we got remains a good question.

 

[UtahPete]

I'm happy with my 2 Spyders, but not with Can-Am. My local dealer dropped Spyders because as a low volume rural dealer he was losing money on sales and service of them. I've read enough over the years on this forum to realize that Can-Am does not value existing customers unless those customers show an interest in constantly trading up.

Theirs is a purely marketing and sales orientation. I won't be buying any more new Spyders. And, I hesitate recommending them to folks who can't do their own repairs and maintenance. Fortunately I am interested in learning all I can about maintaining my own motorcycles, so I'm not as dependent on dealers' service as I might otherwise be.

The way Can-Am is approaching this after-sale issue leads me to believe that Spyders will be eclipsed by front wheel trikes from Yamaha and Honda, if they ever see a large enough market for them. Either way, Spyders will become orphaned cult bikes within my lifetime, I think.

 

[CloverHillCrawler]

I'm happy with my 2 Spyders, but not with Can-Am. My local dealer dropped Spyders because as a low volume rural dealer he was losing money on sales and service of them. I've read enough over the years on this forum to realize that Can-Am does not value existing customers unless those customers show an interest in constantly trading up.

Theirs is a purely marketing and sales orientation. I won't be buying any more new Spyders. And, I hesitate recommending them to folks who can't do their own repairs and maintenance. Fortunately I am interested in learning all I can about maintaining my own motorcycles, so I'm not as dependent on dealers' service as I might otherwise be.

The way Can-Am is approaching this after-sale issue leads me to believe that Spyders will be eclipsed by front wheel trikes from Yamaha and Honda, if they ever see a large enough market for them. Either way, Spyders will become orphaned cult bikes within my lifetime, I think.

If Honda was to come out with a front wheel trike I would dump this can-am without blinking. With as much fun and joy that this brings me , I think a Honda would be more well thought out and put together a whole lot better. Unfortunately you would still be dealing with a lot of the same unscrupulous dealerships. :dontknow:

 

[ARtraveler]

I'm happy with my 2 Spyders, but not with Can-Am. My local dealer dropped Spyders because as a low volume rural dealer he was losing money on sales and service of them. I've read enough over the years on this forum to realize that Can-Am does not value existing customers unless those customers show an interest in constantly trading up.

Theirs is a purely marketing and sales orientation. I won't be buying any more new Spyders. And, I hesitate recommending them to folks who can't do their own repairs and maintenance. Fortunately I am interested in learning all I can about maintaining my own motorcycles, so I'm not as dependent on dealers' service as I might otherwise be.

The way Can-Am is approaching this after-sale issue leads me to believe that Spyders will be eclipsed by front wheel trikes from Yamaha and Honda, if they ever see a large enough market for them. Either way, Spyders will become orphaned cult bikes within my lifetime, I think.

Also good food for thought. :bowdown:

 

[Motorcycledave]

So is this 10 year old policy not normal in other states then?
I was a little surprised to hear it myself

I still have my 2008 GS and my dealership is more then happy to take my money for maint. and repairs.

 

[ARtraveler]

I still have my 2008 GS and my dealership is more then happy to take my money for maint. and repairs.

Hang on to that dealer. :yes: :bowdown:

 

[jcthorne]

Agree, I have both BUDS and BUDS2 myself.
However, I was under the impression that a manufacturer can not hold back proprietary diagnostics and then deem they no longer service the vehicles at dealers.
Granted, we both have what we need, how these vendors obtain and sell what we got remains a good question.

That's an easy one. BUDS does not belong to BRP. Its written by a third party vendor and SOLD to BRP dealers and BRP itself.

 

[BikerTank]

@Longtimer... I've been a member of the GWRRA for many years. Just traded my 2015 Goldwing for the 2021 Spyder RT Limited a few months back (got nearly 10K on the Spyder already!). Still loving the Spyder, but miss the Wing a lot. I just wanted to recommend you talk to Ed and the team at Honda of Fairfield. Those guys took care of my 2015 Wing for more than 85K miles! And they still service my 2000 Honda Valkryie Interstate! Best of luck!!!

 

[GRUNT]

I live in Green Cove Springs and always take my Spyder to Gainesville Ride Now. I’ve NEVER used the Jax store based on how I was handled trying to buy this last Spyder. This is my 4th new one in 5 years. I didn’t buy it from Gainesville because all of the Ride Nows at least locally are insane when it comes to new Spyders. I went to Lakeland and had the best experience ever. On a completely different topic I bought a pedal commander and it is hands down changed my riding experience. Feel dumb for waiting so long. Game changer.

 

[agrimm01]

Apologies if this is not the right place or even not allowed but I felt the need to share this as it is most disturbing.
This morning I visited my local dealer which is Ridenow Powersports, Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, Fl with my 2014 Spyder RT.
I wanted them to change the rear tire and take a look at the slight play at the handlebar.
No problem the young lady said, we work on Spyders up to 10 years old so its all good.
The service advisors were in the process of booking it in and I was most impressed as they said if I got the tire from them, fitting was free so only about $175 out the door, most excellent.
Then.....
A service supervisor came along and said they would not work on my bike as it is over 5 years old.
This was a complete shock to EVERYONE else in the service department apparently who all said, "since when"
Since forever she replied, which caused them all to look at each other and shake their heads and then apologise to myself for this as they really did not know what to say.

So just a FYI, Rideout of Jacksonville, Fl WILL NOT work on Spyders over 5 years old even though they are actually selling three examples 2015 and older!!

My next port of call was Jacksonville Powersports on Atlantic Blvd, who were more than happy to assist with a 10 year old policy and was also shocked to hear about Ridenow as to his knowledge they had always been the same 10 year old policy too, and they had exactly the same free fitting on rear tire if purchased from them as well.

Very disturbing imho.

I had an issue with this same dealer during the purchase of my RTL. After weeks of frustration with the delivery by this local store I called their corporate office in Arizona and was able to speak with the Executive Assistant to the President of the company. Early the next morning I received a call from my local dealer wanting to get the issue resolved. Although the local stores are not owned by the corporation I think headquarters has a lot of influence. I would pass the number to you if I still had it but I can't find it.
Good luck, although it sounds like you have got your issue fixed.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

I just spoke with my local dealer here in British Columbia, Canada and he tells me that there IS NO DIRECTIVE FROM BRP regarding the servicing/repairs based on the age of the Spyder...it may be based on the availability for certain parts for certain models, but not on age. My particular unit is a ‘14 RTS and is running the 1330 engine (the same engine as the ‘21+) and the bulk of ALL PARTS are still readily available. To my way of thinking any dealer refusing service to a 5 or 10 year old Spyder is attempting to coerce you to purchase a “new one” from them, thus boosting THEIR revenue. just my 2 cents worth.

 

[TheHammer2021]

Just a quick update.
I finally found the time in my schedule to take my Spyder into Jacksonville Powersports to have a new rear tire fitted.
While there they showed me once the wheel was off that the rear pads were heavily worn and ASKED if I wanted them replacing at the same time.
Which of course I did.
They also took the time to show and explain to my dumb self how to adjust the rear shock, apparently mine is the manual model with the valve under the seat, no onboard compressor.
Guess I need to buy an owners manual...lol
Overall they were the complete opposite of the experience I suffered at Ridenow.
I only rang them Tuesday afternoon, had it scheduled in for 1.30pm Wednesday and was out the door by 2.45pm same day.
Now to be fair they do have 10 year policy but they did also say it is at their discretion and I guess that might mean regular customers whose bikes they know might be shown a little more leniency.
All in all my Spyder dealer for now.