Hey Phil...............I will take a stab at it. The challenge is what do they compare to...........I believe BRP believes they are on an even playing field with the Honda Goldwing. When you compare them to the Goldwing they are competitive for the most part, still perhaps a little higher but its close. But in my opinion the Goldwing and the Spyder are approx. 20-25% higher than they should be. The consumer has been led astray in many sectors for sure but when you look at the volume of plastic and the off shore sourcing of components there is no justification for the price. Yes it has lots of technology involved but once designed this technology is sent off shore and created ultra cheap. I get a kick out the "chrome" you can add or is added..........its frickin plastic with a shiny surface on it? This isn't chrome for cryin out loud what happened to actual chrome? They use metal when they need structural support or exposed to heat, other than that plastic? When I said it was overpriced, it was meant to suggest for what you get the price is absurd. Don't get me wrong I love my new Spyder but there is no way in heck I would suggest its not over priced.
You know who actually looks better when compared to the Goldwing and the Spyder...............yup the previously over priced Harley?
The Spyder RT Limited starts at $ 31,999.00 in Canada get the price down around $ 24,000.00 and its more reasonable. Everyone will tell you boating is an expensive past time...........see what 32k will buy you in a boat? No not a frickin 40 foot cabin cruiser live aboard but a recreational boat.
Well thought out answer Buttsy. I asked, not to be uppity (is that even a word?!) but out of economic curiosity. I have a company that creates software, predominantly for the first responder two way communications industry. We are known for not being cheap. In fact, expensive. We are VERY unique, we are over the top excellent in what value customers receive, we do what would be called low volume in quantity of annual sales, we don't argue over issues, we just fix things. I'm used to giving that Raving Fans type product and service. So that's my perspective of view.
I'm one that has had ZERO issues, and the RT is the first bike I've ever owned. So likely I'm not a good cross section, but from my seat, for all that I get, the value is strong. I tend to buy on what I want, after researching, and look at price last. Again, I'm not a good judge.
I guess I tend to look at things from the manufacturer's POV since I manufacture software I guess. That may make me a bad buyer. I want companies I buy from to make money, especially those in which I own stock (none in BRP, btw)!
Thanks for the education. Oh... on the chrome, I agree that it is high. And what I added to the exhaust was metal, but expensive. But I love the look and it was worth it to me.
Phil, Tyler TX- from my iPad3.5 using Tapatalk HD