• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

Once again, BRP didn't show up for Daytona Bike Week!!

I think Spyders are a niche market and BRP knows that. They're not trying to appeal to the mass market, as represented at big rallies.
 
BRP has never really spent any meaningful money on advertising, but then again, when was the last time anyone saw any advertising for ANY motorcycle, be it 2 wheels or 3 wheels? In motorcycle magazines, sure, other manufacturers pitch their machines but not BRP. They don't spend money pitching Off Roads, Ski Doos & Sea Doos because they don't have to. Those products sell themselves, and BRP sell a hell of a lot of them. The Can Am dealer here in Austin has one Sea To Sky and one Ryker on their showroom floor, and more than a half dozen ATV's showcasing BRP's extensive choices. Out back there are endless crates of Sea Doos and ATV's. The rest of the showroom floor is Honda, Triumph, BMW, Kawasaki, Slingshot, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, etc. To most powersports dealers, Spyders & Rykers are an afterthought, they only sell them so that they can sell other BRP products. BRP may seem heartless to us Spyder & Ryker owners, but they are not stupid. They know where the real money is.
 
:agree: ...200% .... the largest group of BRAND specific owners are by far and away H.D. owners.... and most of them are getting to an age where a Heavy two wheel Mtc. is not beneficial to their health or riding pleasure .... JMHO ... Mike :thumbup:

And if those guys buy a trike, it will be a Harley, not a Spyder.
 
Maybe the info in this quote from the FY 2022 BRP Annual Report will shed light on why they didn't bother with Daytona. https://news.brp.com/static-files/d1463a38-d512-4556-a48b-a22365794df2

OUR 3WV HAVE BEEN CHANGING THE FACE OF RIDING IN MULTIPLE WAYS SINCE 2007,
AND EVEN MORE SO SINCE 2019. IN FY22, WE CONTINUED TO OUTSTRIP THE MOTORCYCLE
INDUSTRY IN OPENING THE ROAD AND BRINGING THE THRILL OF THE RIDING EXPERIENCE
TO ALL, AND OUR EFFORTS WERE RECOGNIZED AROUND THE WORLD. #WECANALLRIDE
ON-ROAD
STREAKING AHEAD WITH CAN-AM ON-ROAD
Retail sales for Can-Am On-Road continued to break records
in FY22, with a solid growth compared to the previous year.
In fact, the size (in number of retail units) of the Can-Am
On-Road business in North America is now triple what it
was in FY18.
OPENING THE ROADS TO MORE PEOPLE
Can-Am Ryker is attracting more new entrants than ever
before, and is proudly welcoming younger and more diverse
owners than the motorcycle industry average. In FY22, 55%
of Ryker buyers had never owned a motorcycle, an increase
from the previous year, and better than the 34% industry
average. Additionally, according to the statistics collected
by the US Department of Motor Vehicles, 70% of owners
were under 55, 38% identified as female, and 49% as
ethnically non-European, compared to motorcycle industry
averages of 65%, 21% and 32% respectively (Source: IHS
Data US Ryker vs On-Hwy Market).
MAKING OUR MARK FOR WOMEN OF ON-ROAD
Our Facebook community’s membership increased
by 70% to reach 11,800, while the campaign
was recognized with nearly 20 awards from around
the globe, including for “Engaged Community”
(US Effie Awards), and “Demonstrated Growth”
(ANA Multicultural Excellence Awards).
 
Why does it matter whether Can-Am is represented at rallies anyway? I don't understand this whole discussion.
 
Why does it matter whether Can-Am is represented at rallies anyway? I don't understand this whole discussion.

It both does matter and doesn't.

If BRP wants more market share, they need to be out there with their latest offerings. The people that attend those rallies are their true target demographic.

And at the same time, it doesn't. If BRP is happy with their production numbers and profits, then they don't need to load up their trailer and offer test rides.

I have a feeling some people are happy they're not there, because they enjoy being unique and exclusive, as though it somehow strokes their precious ego.
 
It both does matter and doesn't.

If BRP wants more market share, they need to be out there with their latest offerings. The people that attend those rallies are their true target demographic.

And at the same time, it doesn't. If BRP is happy with their production numbers and profits, then they don't need to load up their trailer and offer test rides.

I have a feeling some people are happy they're not there, because they enjoy being unique and exclusive, as though it somehow strokes their precious ego.

I meant why does anyone here care so much about Can-Am's corporate decisions? I ride the machine and could care less about what marketing decisions are made by the manufacturer, to whom I owe no loyalty.

Maybe it's like being a fan of a football team to which you have no connection other than emotional (which I also don't get). I'm just an oddball, I guess.
 
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But everyone already knows and accepts that Pete.:):). It matters because they need to keep growing in order to stay in business and if we want better service, more access to dealers, and better and cheaper parts and accessories, then the Spyder world needs to grow. The service situation is not going to change unless the new kids coming into the trade can see an advantage in learning to speak Spyder. Same with parts counter people, and sales people and GMs and owners. Businesses that don't grow, die. When your manufacturer dies your bike becomes an orphan and it is even harder to get parts and service for an orphan. Been there four times, Bridgestone and Norton, Montesa, and Hodaka.
 
And if those guys buy a trike, it will be a Harley, not a Spyder.

not me, after a life time of riding Harleys i switched to can-am.
i test drove a Harley trike (2 as a matter of fact) they ride like crap and the front end plows if you try and carry any speed into the corners.
 
Borrowed a Harley trike from a friend. Wife and I made a hard left turn and lifted the inside wheel off the ground. Sure unnerved her and got my attention. I have a harley with sidecar from 1944 and had a bit of familiarity with that.

Back when BRP did have a presence at Daytona I went to their area to get a test ride. Sat on different models and did take one on a short putt in the Speedway parking lot before going out on the long ride. Horrible seating position had me so cramped I could hardly get my right foot off the peg to push on the brake. With no hand brake I told the representative it would be dangerous for me to take one on the road and then declined to ride the test ride.

Couple years later I read where they had now made the foot pegs/floorboards adjustable in length from the seat. No BRP presence for a test ride. Local Bradenton dealer was not doing test rides. Nuts to it.

Now years later I lose much use of my left hand and cannot pull in a clutch properly. Fellow gave me a ride on his Ryker. I went to there Lakeland dealer and bought one in December. There was no test ride available there but I aleady had one. Still have never been on a Spyder. The huge length and weight of the Spyder stopped me from even considering one. With no test ride possible it was not something I missed.

Set my new Ryker Sport up for two-up riding with all the luggage and the adjustable spring pre-loaded. No issues and the wife actually likes the ride. It's fine for me also. Thanks to a friend riding his over, I got some familiarity. BRP is hurting themselves for not offering test rides and presenting themselves at motorcycle events.
 
I went to my local dealer in PA. at the time and asked for a test ride. Sorry, we don't allow test rides! :hun: To this day they still don't. nojoke I happened to be at a rally in Johnstown PA., six hours away. I test rode a Tri- Glide. Thought it was a POS! :sour: Rode and steered terrible. Noisey. I went across the street and test rode a Spyder RT, v-twin engine. Nice ride, soft suspension, decent handling. Wife said we need to ride it again. :shemademe_smilie: Went back to the Spyder demo's. Along the way, police, fire trucks zoom by. We get there, the exact Spyder we rode was a charred rubble. Just a frame, and wheels. nojoke My point is, if you want to sell something like a motorcycle, trike, you need to be where you can get the most exposure. A place where riders are congregating at. A Rally, bike week etc.. It's what sold me! :thumbup: Tom :spyder:
 
Borrowed a Harley trike from a friend. Wife and I made a hard left turn and lifted the inside wheel off the ground. Sure unnerved her and got my attention. I have a harley with sidecar from 1944 and had a bit of familiarity with that.

Back when BRP did have a presence at Daytona I went to their area to get a test ride. Sat on different models and did take one on a short putt in the Speedway parking lot before going out on the long ride. Horrible seating position had me so cramped I could hardly get my right foot off the peg to push on the brake. With no hand brake I told the representative it would be dangerous for me to take one on the road and then declined to ride the test ride.

Couple years later I read where they had now made the foot pegs/floorboards adjustable in length from the seat. No BRP presence for a test ride. Local Bradenton dealer was not doing test rides. Nuts to it.

Now years later I lose much use of my left hand and cannot pull in a clutch properly. Fellow gave me a ride on his Ryker. I went to there Lakeland dealer and bought one in December. There was no test ride available there but I aleady had one. Still have never been on a Spyder. The huge length and weight of the Spyder stopped me from even considering one. With no test ride possible it was not something I missed.

Set my new Ryker Sport up for two-up riding with all the luggage and the adjustable spring pre-loaded. No issues and the wife actually likes the ride. It's fine for me also. Thanks to a friend riding his over, I got some familiarity. BRP is hurting themselves for not offering test rides and presenting themselves at motorcycle events.

your 11 miles up the road from me, if you would like to ride my 2022 RT-L just say the word and we can hit those roads that go through the strawberry fields that no one travels.
stephan.
 
It matters because they need to keep growing in order to stay in business
Did you see their comment about growth in the quote from their annual report I posted in #24 above? They've been growing tremendously the last few years. Apparently they haven't needed Daytona.
 
My .02 ..... BRP has no trouble selling all the Spyders they can build considering the parts shortages ..... so why spend a bunch of money on advertising?????? .... Jmho .... Mike :thumbup:

True, but from a business point of view, companies often want to both (1) promote goodwill among the faithful, and (2) grow the product line. Staying away does neither.
 
I went to my local dealer in PA. at the time and asked for a test ride. Sorry, we don't allow test rides! :hun: To this day they still don't. nojoke I happened to be at a rally in Johnstown PA., six hours away. I test rode a Tri- Glide. Thought it was a POS! :sour: Rode and steered terrible. Noisey. I went across the street and test rode a Spyder RT, v-twin engine. Nice ride, soft suspension, decent handling. Wife said we need to ride it again. :shemademe_smilie: Went back to the Spyder demo's. Along the way, police, fire trucks zoom by. We get there, the exact Spyder we rode was a charred rubble. Just a frame, and wheels. nojoke My point is, if you want to sell something like a motorcycle, trike, you need to be where you can get the most exposure. A place where riders are congregating at. A Rally, bike week etc.. It's what sold me! :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

IMHO if dealers allow " test rides " they have to have insurance for that .... and I'm sure it would be expensive, the number of people Injured on their First ride is abnormally high ... compared to auto's .... Mike :thumbup:
 
BRP marketing does not seem to be "in tune" with American ideas.

Danica Patrick as a spokesperson, driving on a Sunday afternoon ride in New York City?

Remember the Triple Black announcement when they were in Sturgis?
 
Apparently they had a hot air balloon loaded with freebies to toss out but it went missing in transit. Next year they're coming by train.hidesbehindsofa.gif
 
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