No one loves Harleys more than I do, and I am not usually inclined to defend BRP, but it is a little unfair to compare BRP to Harley-Davidson. Harley-Davidson is a giant corporation with enormous financial resources and a customer base many times larger than all other motorcycles combined (in this country). Harley has been selling motorcycles for more than 100 years and for the most part uses an exclusive dealer network (no other motorcycles).
BRP, and especially Spyder, is tiny in comparison. Spyder production for the entire year would be equal to just a few days of Harley production. BRP just doesn't have the financial resources to play on the same field with Harley, and it doesn't have any where near the experience in motorcycle production and quality control. BRP doesn't have the huge parts distribution capabilities Harely has. This said, it could do a lot better in parts distribution than it has been doing.
BRP brought a new product to market at the most inopportune time. Soon after the Spyder's introduction, the international financial system took a nose dive and we entered a serious recession. Unemployed workers don't buy new motorcycles. Even Harley is hurting now. BRP is also saddled with some very serious safety issues.
An improving economy will help both Harley and BRP. If BRP succeeds in overcoming the steering disease, and with the new RT model, they should do a lot better. This should allow them to focus on improving the parts distribution system and some of the other irritating shortcomings. BRP is short on the learning curve and Harley is long on the learning curve.