JUST READ THIS

[UtahPete]

If the spyder line from BRP goes under I predict it will be because of BRP's failed dealer network and their lack of communication with their customers.

I disagree. If the Spyder line fails it will be because of low market acceptance. In the ten years of existence, I believe the last number from BRP was 100,000 units sold worldwide of all the different models. That low a volume takes a huge investment by the manufacturer to sustain, and it's difficult to get dealers to make the necessary investment in local marketing, tech training, etc. It also makes it just about impossible to lower the price because of the massive overhead and direct costs borne by the manufacturer spread over so few units.

Polaris dropped the Victory line in favor of Indian because of low volume. Indian itself has gone through several owners before Polaris. And, those are traditional bikes with brand loyalty (especially the Indian).

The BRP dealers handle a number of brands and types of adventure machines (ATV's, snowmobiles, personal watercraft, etc) with not much commonality between them. They are going to put their effort and investment into the brands and types of machines that have the greatest local market support (i.e. buyers). For many if not most of them, the Spyder is something they are required to carry and support in order to have a dealer agreement with BRP.

These problems will only be solved when sales numbers dramatically improve. Can-Am is spending a relatively large amount of their operating budget to promote Spyders; if we really want to see Spyders thrive, not just survive, we need to help them out, not be constantly critical of their engineering and marketing efforts I think.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree:... Be the best Ambassador that you can, and the sales numbers will look much better! :2thumbs:

 

[Schwingel9]

I thought brp just built a huge multimillion dollar expansion for the Spyder line. Wasn't there a write up about it when the 10 year celebration took place?

 

[HankD]

Just riding my 2017 RTS around is pretty effective marketing. I tend to stop a lot at dive diners and coffee shops while on a day-ride. I get a LOT of people coming up to me asking about it, cost, ride, how I like it. I see husbands and wives looking at each other and saying "we were thinking about a Slingshot, but I really like this", or, "This is really nice, I like it a lot better than the Harley trikes!". So, just do more riding and take your time with with folks that ask questions. :chat:

P.S. I forgot to mention that the kids go NUTS over the trike, dragging their parents over from across the parking lot to gawk and ask questions. Future Spyder owners!

 

[UtahPete]

Just riding my 2017 RTS around is pretty effective marketing. I tend to stop a lot at dive diners and coffee shops while on a day-ride. I get a LOT of people coming up to me asking about it, cost, ride, how I like it. I see husbands and wives looking at each other and saying "we were thinking about a Slingshot, but I really like this", or, "This is really nice, I like it a lot better than the Harley trikes!". So, just do more riding and take your time with with folks that ask questions. P.S. I forgot to mention that the kids go NUTS over the trike, dragging their parents over from across the parking lot to gawk and ask questions. Future Spyder owners!

I think this is an experience we can all relate to. Thanks.

 

[ARtraveler]

I think this is an experience we can all relate to. Thanks.

Yup! We still market for BRP and have been doing so since 2008. Never said any of the "dark" stuff to a potential customer.

When I bought our 2nd in 2009--BRP sent me a pin that said "2009 Ambassadors" and a really nice photo album to put pictures in. I still have the pin on my "trophy" vest. The "ex" snarfed the photos and album. :roflblack:

 

[wyliec]

People in their 60s are slowing up in life, disabled people have physical issues that require less income and more personal expenses.

I'm kind of confused. Are you contradicting yourself. If someone has more personal expenses, I would think they would require more income.

But, I can agree with you about the demographic, but I'm not saying all spyder riders. Based on what you read on here, there are a lot with physical ailments. It's like one person expresses with physical problems, and then others pile on with theirs. Oh, Road-Kill, let's not forget overweight. You seem to have caught everything else. By the way, where do you fit in?

 

[Road-Kill]

Wow...this is feedback. Ok, I'll admit I made it all up. :bowdown: BRP was wrong in their demographics from actual sales, what misogynists and anti-elderly they are! The older crowd are running marathons and its the younger crowd experiencing degenerative diseases. Women earn less then men cause of um huh hmmm duh hum aaaaa..........patriarchy? The real money is with the older crowd and is why the government refuses to increase social security benefits.....smart government! /QUOTE]

Where can I get Can-Am official marketing studies? That might prove helpful with a project I'm working on. Thanks.

I believe I saw that posted on this forum....somewhere. Call BRP, they will talk demographics as that's not secret stuff.

 

[2dogs]

These problems will only be solved when sales numbers dramatically improve. Can-Am is spending a relatively large amount of their operating budget to promote Spyders; if we really want to see Spyders thrive, not just survive, we need to help them out, not be constantly critical of their engineering and marketing efforts I think.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you in a large part Pete, but when BRP won't help me out why should I help them out, it's a two way street you know. Don't get me too wrong here, I love the you-know-what out of my spyder because it will, and I hope, keep me riding for many more years. Like most owners I can no longer ride 2 wheels because of medical issues. BRP is trying to capture the younger market but so far they've got us and our sustainability is not that long. Harley is in much worse shape because if you own one you can't get rid of it. The used market is saturated and new prices are so high they've limited their buying market. BRP is approaching the same situation with their spyder line because of the age of the owners and potential buyer's pocket books. Just look at the want-to-buy or want-to-sell section on this site. If I knew what I know now I would have bought one off this site rather than the showroom floor. If BRP won't help out their new owners why buy new when there are numerous good buys on the used market. The results are the same. Almost everywhere I park my spyder someone's asking me how I like it. My answer is always the same, I love it. However I caution them in regard to the manufacturer and that if they were to purchase one to make sure they seek out a competent dealer. Quality dealers are far and few between and that's their only go between if and when serious technical issues arise with the machine. One more thing, I've heard this from a number of owners; the spyder's engine and frame are superb, however it's the crappy Asian parts that are the root of the problems, and my dealer's service department employees agree.

 

[Road-Kill]

I'm kind of confused. Are you contradicting yourself. If someone has more personal expenses, I would think they would require more income.

But, I can agree with you about the demographic, but I'm not saying all spyder riders. Based on what you read on here, there are a lot with physical ailments. It's like one person expresses with physical problems, and then others pile on with theirs. Oh, Road-Kill, let's not forget overweight. You seem to have caught everything else. By the way, where do you fit in?

I'm not a demographic that fits into anything I mentioned. I'm early 50s, excellent physical condition, financially sound and can ride anything out there. I bought the Spyder cause it looked and rode different. My other bike being considered was a sport tourer. To answer your other question, I find that those with a disability need more cash because they need more help. Compounding their diability they can not work to get that cash thus tapping into savings......if they saved anything. My buddy is mid 60s, failing health and broke because he is both a financial fool and cant work a full time job. (I hope he never reads this). We are all getting older. We all age differently. We all experience accidents and recover differently. Its called life and remaining real about everything helps better then pretending you are more then what you are. My thoughts.

 

[UtahPete]

I agree with you in a large part Pete, but when BRP won't help me out why should I help them out, it's a two way street you know. Don't get me too wrong here, I love the you-know-what out of my spyder because it will, and I hope, keep me riding for many more years. Like most owners I can no longer ride 2 wheels because of medical issues. BRP is trying to capture the younger market but so far they've got us and our sustainability is not that long. Harley is in much worse shape because if you own one you can't get rid of it. The used market is saturated and new prices are so high they've limited their buying market. BRP is approaching the same situation with their spyder line because of the age of the owners and potential buyer's pocket books. Just look at the want-to-buy or want-to-sell section on this site. If I knew what I know now I would have bought one off this site rather than the showroom floor. If BRP won't help out their new owners why buy new when there are numerous good buys on the used market. The results are the same. Almost everywhere I park my spyder someone's asking me how I like it. My answer is always the same, I love it. However I caution them in regard to the manufacturer and that if they were to purchase one to make sure they seek out a competent dealer. Quality dealers are far and few between and that's their only go between if and when serious technical issues arise with the machine. One more thing, I've heard this from a number of owners; the spyder's engine and frame are superb, however it's the crappy Asian parts that are the root of the problems, and my dealer's service department employees agree.

I think we're on the same page. Just a different approach maybe.

 

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

Missing

Let's recap your statement here: We're all old, sick, and economically disadvantaged...

Did I miss anything? :dontknow:

Yes, Bob, you did .... we are also weaklings ("most women" are) .... nope, I don't think so. I know I am physically stronger than many men and also mentally tougher than most anybody. Of course ... that is just my opinion.

All the best ... Ann

 

[michrick]

Hmmmm.....the dealership we deal with can't keep them in stock? Is it a regional thing or quality of dealership? We have a dealership within 30 minutes of our home, that we drive by because of their service quality. We drive another hour for quality service.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I'm not a demographic that fits into anything I mentioned. I'm early 50s, excellent physical condition, financially sound and can ride anything out there. I bought the Spyder cause it looked and rode different. My other bike being considered was a sport tourer. To answer your other question, I find that those with a disability need more cash because they need more help. Compounding their diability they can not work to get that cash thus tapping into savings......if they saved anything. My buddy is mid 60s, failing health and broke because he is both a financial fool and cant work a full time job. (I hope he never reads this). We are all getting older. We all age differently. We all experience accidents and recover differently. Its called life and remaining real about everything helps better then pretending you are more then what you are. My thoughts.

Actually you are in their demographic. Previously it was reported that 25% were never ridden, 25% were women, 25% had physical limitations, and the last 25% could ride two wheels but bought one because they were different. So there you are RoadKill you fit in to the BRP plan.

 

[UtahPete]

Yes, Bob, you did .... we are also weaklings ("most women" are) .... nope, I don't think so. I know I am physically stronger than many men and also mentally tougher than most anybody. Of course ... that is just my opinion. All the best ... Ann

My wife says I'd better not comment on this!

 

[UtahPete]

Hmmmm.....the dealership we deal with can't keep them in stock? Is it a regional thing or quality of dealership? We have a dealership within 30 minutes of our home, that we drive by because of their service quality. We drive another hour for quality service.

I think it's regional. On the coasts, where there are many major metropolitan areas, the market is big enough to keep dealers' sales up to where they're profitable. In the heartland, it's less so and in the intermountain west where we live, population densities don't support large, profitable dealerships (with the possible exception of the Denver area and Las Vegas)

 

[stevencovert]

People Still Amazed

He says "at least one dealer", I'm not going to give this article a lot of credibility based on second hand information from one dealer.

People are still taking pictures when we go out cruising here in Virginia Beach! Always asking me about the bike (always love to talk about it!). I do think the price tag is steep when compared to the Slingshot (yes - it is NOT a motorcycle!!) but looks rly cool. I think a lot of people would love to have one, especially since you can start from zero experience. All the people wince when I mention what they cost :shocked:! Combine this with Harley sales going down, it's a trend not on Can Am itself. All bike sales are plummeting, as the Millenials seem not interested. We see Harley introducing the 500cc (?) stripped down version trying to gain market. It's something that will get sluggish for a while and hopefully rebound.

 

[bmccaffrey]

Survey's can be adjusted to your liking. If this writer is not fond of the spyder or three wheeler in general then he will check with dealers that have found the spyder not to be their most profitable line. We have seen many dealers drop spyders because they are a slower seller. They are up there in price but then so are the Harley's, Vision's and Indian's so that is not the main factor. So to be fair they need to dig deeper....:lecturef_smilie: Where they are geographically, weatherwise, populationwise etc...all make a big difference. Considering they have dropped three models would make it seem like they are going down....

I agree Gene.
Droppinf the 3 models is a sign of something. We may have a discontinued classic

 

[ppawheels]

I think that to grow the market BRP has to reach a younger demo. My daughter is getting to the driving age and would be great for her to come out riding with me. I truly don't want her on two wheels and I can't justify over $20K to buy her a new spyder. When the younger demo can purchase a 2 wheel for $10k it's not hard to see why you're not seeing younger people out on Spyders. I find it hard to believe that BRP can't build a bike for the $12-15k mark. I just purchased a new Ski Doo 850 Renegade last year for less. Maybe it's a sell less units for big profit than more units on the road at smaller margins. Now that Polaris has a few years out there with their 3 wheel car :roflblack:, BRP will need to do something to get more people into the showrooms. Just my 2 cents.

 

[UtahPete]

People are still taking pictures when we go out cruising here in Virginia Beach! Always asking me about the bike (always love to talk about it!). I do think the price tag is steep when compared to the Slingshot (yes - it is NOT a motorcycle!!) but looks rly cool. I think a lot of people would love to have one, especially since you can start from zero experience. All the people wince when I mention what they cost :shocked:! Combine this with Harley sales going down, it's a trend not on Can Am itself. All bike sales are plummeting, as the Millenials seem not interested. We see Harley introducing the 500cc (?) stripped down version trying to gain market. It's something that will get sluggish for a while and hopefully rebound.

I think it's the traditional American cruiser style bike that is losing market share. Millennials seem more interested in European and Japanese sports bikes and adventure touring bikes. I think the Spyder F3 is aimed right at them and should do well in affluent areas.