I can't be the only one who feels this way....

[pdxgoldwing]

First let me say..I know R & D costs alot...with that said I am totally shocked at what some of the accessories cost for a Spyder. I have owned Harleys and Goldwings for as long as I can remember. The stuff for those cost a lot also but with time the prices have fallen to a level everyone can afford. Wing and Harley shopping is going to cost a least 100 bucks...I know that...no matter what you buy...but when I look up things for my new spyder...I get sticker shock. A fair price is one thing but when you are the only guy making whatever it is, I guess you can charge whatever you like.....just surprises me sometimes. Listen, I know I'm wrong here...maybe just venting...when you live on a fixed income, buy a new toy, I guess there is going to be surprises....just venting I guess.

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

I agree in principle to what you are saying but the law of economy of scale plays a role here. If you look at many of the items sold for our Spyders they are made in small batches by small makers with not much resources. The BRP stuff sold at the dealers is only slight better. Consider an item like the DPS module that had to be recalled a while back. How many of these were made? I don't know either but I guess there were a lot less made than a part for a HD Heritage Softail. Costs per piece go down with greater numbers made. Then you have after market folks making a similar part and discounting it as well. I am sure, having had HD bikes for years, that they also have issues but with greater numbers of folks who don't read or write to forums we don't hear about them.

Don't lose heart the Spyders are basically fine machines but we are all early adopters of a new way of riding with a pretty complex machine that is not very forgiving to haphazard modifications.

 

[harddrive]

Yeah, it is true that things for the Spyder are pricey...I got a shock the first time I went shopping for accessories, but on the flip side, look at the cost of the spyder compared to other trikes on the market, and for the difference you can buy a lot of accessories for the :spyder2:.

 

[DynamoBT]

We're retired and on a fixed income. I've made modifications slowly and really searched for alternatives when possible. I've got the RoadChrome backrest on my RS. Much less than BRP. And I've gotten comments on how good it looks.

I also haven't gone crazy over lights. I don't ryde much at night anyway. And performance seems OK except for handling. So, I improved suspension as my major modification this year.

It's tough when you see lots of people here doing a lot of things to their Spyder. Sometimes I get the "wants". But, I need to think carefully about "need" rather than going whole hog. The Spyder is definitely a luxury item. Modifications are a luxury for the luxury.

I hear you about the cost of stuff. But, it sort of is what it is. The trick is to add only those things that you really can't live without. ie, I want BRP saddlebags. But, have not done any overnight trips yet. So, those wait.

Yes, I know with bags that I'd be more likely to do longer trips. It's kind of the chicken before the egg dilemma. But, money is tight. Can't deny that. Just have to be careful with what we have.

 

[ARtraveler]

:agree: The prices for BRP farkles are out of this world. Speaking from experience I farkled a 2008 and a 2009 GS/RS with over $6000 each to make them into RTS. Did not work, lost my shirt on 2008 trade in for the RTS. Have managed to keep the farkles down on the 2010--seat, lights, floorboards--that's about it.

Had more income in 2008, 2009 than I do now--had to buy a new house a year ago and that is where my money is going now. Have not been out to even look at upgrading and the jury is still out on that.

Fixed incomes and :spyder2: is a hard combination. The upside--the RTS is pretty good just out of the showroom.

 

[TuckMiddle]

Spyder and accessories costs

DITTO the retired folks here. I have never gone nuts over performance things or lights. But I sure like back rests, floorboards, heated riding gear capabilities, GPS, heated grips, space to store all my stuff and good gas mileage. Love to have a Garmin 665 or whatever, think they are wonderful. I bought a refurbished 1390LMT and it does fine, at 1/6th the cost. I'm not cheap, I just have to watch the retired dollars and use them with care. I think it stinks that the Spyder gets the gas mileage it does. My HD Road Glide, which is for sale, gets 50 to 53 mpg as long as I stay below 65 - it's a 1999 88 cu In, 1450 cc, and is fuel injected while weighing 100 lbs. less than the Spyder. Going 65 is not easy to do on a trip out west and mileage shrinks to 40 sometimes. I'm conservative most of the time with the throttle and get 35 to 37 with the Spyder. At 75 and 80 the other day it shrunk to 30.
Don't get me wrong, I really love the Spyder. It was tough convincing myself to buy one rather than trike my HD for $16 to $18,000. I'm glad I did and it's been almost perfect so far, just a bit more than I'm use to, but I'm getting over it!! I picked up a new battery today for my 1986 Honda Helix Scooter. One of my grandsons was with me, 6th grade. I'm carrying the battery to my car and Nick asks me how much the battery cost - "more than it use to - $65." "Gees, that's not bad, I thought it would be more" was his response. So, now that I've been put in my place by an 11 year old, I guess I'll keep trucking along and not scream about prices any more today.
Keep the painted side up and enjoy the toys you have.

Tuck

 

[boborgera]

One of my grandsons was with me, 6th grade. I'm carrying the battery to my car and Nick asks me how much the battery cost - "more than it use to - $65." "Gees, that's not bad, I thought it would be more" was his response. So, now that I've been put in my place by an 11 year old, I guess I'll keep trucking along and not scream about prices any more today.
Keep the painted side up and enjoy the toys you have.
Tuck

Einsteins theory of relativity, Made simple. When the minimum wage was 75 cents a hour 65 dollars was like two weeks pay, Now 65 dollars is chump change [in a 11 year old eyes] :shocked:

 

[Saluda]

You aren't the only one and I'm not retired !

 

[bruiser]

Even some of us still working find it hard to spend on "stuff" for the Spyder. I'd like to get some things but there are priorities. And BB says since I just got the Vulcan...

 

[Schnauzer]

I have to agree about fixed incomes, The reason we parked the trucks and started riding the bikes, cost of fuel. Wife decided she wanted to get the spyder. I told her to make sure it had what you wanted. Cause I see upgrades will break ya.. All the mods we've done have been by us. Either fabricated our own, or found something simple to make it look like we spent a large amount... One of the comments hit the nail on the head with lack of competition in the market.

 

[Mexican]

I really want a set of hard bags for my spyder but im scared to ask how much they costpps:

 

[coz]

i agree

i agree with all of you. it's hard to justify the price of a spyder [toy], much less the cost of mods. however i don't regret it for a second. at first i hated it, but now i kind of love it, and it gets better every time out. one way around the high cost of goodies is to figure out what you want or need then watch the for sale forum for it to appear. i've done this several times and saved lots of dough. in other cases i've been able to make my own, which have turned pretty good. there are LOTS of cheap mods you can do yourself. if you get stuck there is plenty of expertise right here. just ask. go spyderlovers. go rangers:clap::clap::clap:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

COST EFFECTIVE MODS

Price of all mods listed in my Profile including three tires = $ 705.00 Mike :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

Mexican: The Givi hard bags from BRP run about $800.00 a set. If you want the better looking Corbin bags--they are about $1500.00 a set. :sour:

 

[Neez]

I think a lot of folks waste a lot of money on farkles trying to turn an RS into a " poor man's RT". Admittedly, this was necessary in '08 and '09, before RTs existed, but what makes sense these days is to be very sure if you prefer a sporty ryde or a tourer before you make the initial purchase. If you choose correctly, only minor tweeking should be needed.

 

[angel]

I really want a set of hard bags for my spyder but im scared to ask how much they costpps:

800 will buy them

 

[arntufun]

WOW! I just read your mods list and I'm impressed. :thumbup: I'm not bragging but I've got more into just my seat. :yikes: You don't even want to know my total. Frack, I don't want to know my total. :gaah:

100+ $ will get you a nice ultra sport windshield and your Spyder would be complete. :joke:

 

[Mexican]

Mexican: The Givi hard bags from BRP run about $800.00 a set. If you want the better looking Corbin bags--they are about $1500.00 a set. :sour:

I like the corbin better but ouch!!!!!!:yikes:

 

[Mexican]

WOW! I just read your mods list and I'm impressed. :thumbup: I'm not bragging but I've got more into just my seat. :yikes: You don't even want to know my total. Frack, I don't want to know my total. :gaah:

Does your wife happen to know the total?:roflblack::shemademe_smilie:

 

[Mexican]

I think a lot of folks waste a lot of money on farkles trying to turn an RS into a " poor man's RT".

Poor man's RT??:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:
Heck you need to be middle class to buy the RS and rich to buy the RT!!!!!