To Brake or Not To Brake....

[BajaRon]

I would like one, but can I get a line lock too so I can enter the burn out comp hyea:

Just stick a broom handle through both of the front wheel spokes. :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

FRONT BRAKE LEVER

RON...I think you should change the questions to include .....would you like this as an " OPTION "....right now it's the poll is the spyder either has it as delivered or it doesn't.....the buyer has no choice......??????.....Mike Personally I would like one, ....and I dis-agree if it was " optional only " that the the cost would have to be a lot more . This might be true if they were only to make say 200, but I think the number would be a lot higher......IMHO......Thanks for the Poll......Mike :thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

RON...I think you should change the questions to include .....would you like this as an " OPTION "....right now it's the poll is the spyder either has it as delivered or it doesn't.....the buyer has no choice......??????.....Mike

I did that on purpose as the price of an optional brake would be many times higher than if it were production. Just like rider foot pegs or a dual seat. Some never use them but they don't cost much because they are installed on every Spyder. No one complains that they are paying for something that is not necessary or that they will never use.

The same brackets and dual seat would cost a pretty penny if they were options.

 

[OldDog]

Yes! I think a hand brake lever would be a good thing from the factory. It would not be that difficult or costly when the cost is spread over all the vehicles. In an emergency situation you may not be able to reach the foot pedal.

 

[Bob Denman]

Just stick a broom handle through both of the front wheel spokes. :thumbup:

:2thumbs: Boys will be boys...

 

[DynamoBT]

I voted "yes" because I don't feel safe installing highway pegs without one. And right now, the cost to add one is pretty high. If the hand brake was standard the cost would be hardly noticeable in the total price of the Spyder. People would still have the option not to use it. Just opens more possibilities with it being there.

 

[flaggerphil]

I've always wished they had one.

 

[ARtraveler]

Another interesting topic. The pro brake riders seem to be in the majority at the moment.

My vote was for no additional brake lever.

The fact that it is a redundant brake system makes it a waste, IMO. It does not increase your stopping power, it does not make it stop any quicker, it just makes it possible to get the stopping effect from either the hand or the foot position.

I was also thinking that if offered as an option, it would be very expensive. I am guessing about $1500.00. If you look at the current catalog--it is like looking at a Nieman Marcus catalog. $999.00 for a pair of foot boards, $500.00 apiece for fender and mounting bracket combos, etc. etc.

As a built on--it would probably be less. IMO it would be $500 or so additional. I don't see them just putting in the parts at cost--don't forget the factory overhead add-on that goes with all cost accounting.

It will be interesting to see the outcome of the poll.

 

[Deputy56]

Hand Brake

yes I would get it if it was an option :thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

Another interesting topic. The pro brake riders seem to be in the majority at the moment.

As a built on--it would probably be less. IMO it would be $500 or so additional. I don't see them just putting in the parts at cost--don't forget the factory overhead add-on that goes with all cost accounting.

It will be interesting to see the outcome of the poll.

I really don't have a definite idea of what adding a handlebar mounted slave cylinder, lever and hose would cost. But do really think that the front brake lever on a motorcycle (Honda, Yamaha etc.) adds $500.00 to the bike?

Remember, BRP already has the parts in their system and they pay pennies on the dollar for what it would cost you and I to go out and get the same items off the shelf. I'm thinking they could add $150 to the price and still make money. Just a guess though.

 

[Oldmanzues]

I would like a front brake lever. Handy to have when moiving the spyder by hand.
I installed highway pegs, but seldom use them because of time it takes to get back to the pedal. Then again I am kind of old.
Oldmanzues

 

[ARtraveler]

Ahhhhhhhhhh Ron. We always seem to disagree about even the most mundane things. I was guessing actual cost just like you. But--I really don't see them putting in a front brake at actual cost for the parts. There are three components to costs in manufacturing. Direct materials, direct labor and factory overhead. Factory overhead covers all indirect costs such as supervisors salary, maintenance dept, personnel department. etc. etc. The manufacturers work out all these costs and add overhead to the DM and DL by a formula. The more overhead, the more add-on. That is one reason cars cost so much these days. Every car sold has built in costs for pension plans of the people who put the car together--as well as you name it.

Our discussion is also moot--because based on what Bob and other have said in talking directly with BRP representatives, they are not considering a hand brake now or in the future.

 

[jerpinoy]

Paddle like underneath the throttle:yes::yes::yes::yes: will be a good addition

 

[asp125]

Ahhhhhhhhhh Ron. We always seem to disagree about even the most mundane things. I was guessing actual cost just like you. But--I really don't see them putting in a front brake at actual cost for the parts. There are three components to costs in manufacturing. Direct materials, direct labor and factory overhead. Factory overhead covers all indirect costs such as supervisors salary, maintenance dept, personnel department. etc. etc. The manufacturers work out all these costs and add overhead to the DM and DL by a formula. The more overhead, the more add-on. That is one reason cars cost so much these days. Every car sold has built in costs for pension plans of the people who put the car together--as well as you name it.

Our discussion is also moot--because based on what Bob and other have said in talking directly with BRP representatives, they are not considering a hand brake now or in the future.

Ah.. but, with volume manufacturing the cost per unit comes down. You spread the capital costs and labor costs over the production run. You're able to source material in bigger, cheaper, lots than some small volume manufacturer like ISCI. I too, don't see Can Am making a change in the next year model, but if the ST is any indication, they do listen to their customers through forums like this. If they see a demand (and even if they don't).. someone else might, and competition in the marketplace is good for the consumer in the long run.

 

[BajaRon]

Ahhhhhhhhhh Ron. We always seem to disagree about even the most mundane things. I was guessing actual cost just like you. But--I really don't see them putting in a front brake at actual cost for the parts. There are three components to costs in manufacturing. Direct materials, direct labor and factory overhead. Factory overhead covers all indirect costs such as supervisors salary, maintenance dept, personnel department. etc. etc. The manufacturers work out all these costs and add overhead to the DM and DL by a formula. The more overhead, the more add-on. That is one reason cars cost so much these days. Every car sold has built in costs for pension plans of the people who put the car together--as well as you name it.

Our discussion is also moot--because based on what Bob and other have said in talking directly with BRP representatives, they are not considering a hand brake now or in the future.

Well, someone has to disagree with me! :roflblack:

I'm sure that BRP has no intention of putting a hand brake on the Spyder. But that doesn't necessarily make them right.

Of course it's their machine and they can do what they want.

I understand that there are costs involved beyond just parts. But we are not reinventing the wheel (or brake system) here. Adding these few off the shelf parts isn't going to send a wave of cost increases throughout the BRP corporate structure.

Think about it. If the front master cylinder and lever added $500 to the price of a 2 wheeled motorcycle, then the rear master cylinder, peddle and hose would surely add another $500. I just can't believe that these few components (not counting the much more expensive calipers, brake pads and mounting hardware which are already included in the Spyder) add $1000.00 retail to the total price of a new Honda Fury, or any other production motorcycle. And I don't think it would add much to the cost of the Spyder either.

I still think at $150.00 BRP could show a profit for adding a front brake. Acknowledging, at the same time, that this will probably never happen. So at least we disagree on a moot point.

But still, like Edith Bunker used to say... 'You never know!'

 

[Bob Denman]

Now my head hurts... :shocked:
Only BRP could really begin to give you an idea of what the costs might be; and they haven't posted in here yet! :gaah: :roflblack:
Does anybody have an "in" with somebody who might have access to that kind of information?
How about our Ambassadors??
Lamont???

 

[SllimG]

Another interesting topic. The pro brake riders seem to be in the majority at the moment.

My vote was for no additional brake lever.

The fact that it is a redundant brake system makes it a waste, IMO. It does not increase your stopping power, it does not make it stop any quicker, it just makes it possible to get the stopping effect from either the hand or the foot position.

A hand brake wouldn't be a waste if the parking brake fails (or in my case - I failed to engage the parking brake) and you are chasing after your Spyder. Sometimes I wish I would have gone with the SM5 just so I didn't have to rely on the parking brake. Also, a hand brake would be great for those that have highway pegs or want to stretch their legs a little at a red light. I will probably break down and spend the money on one before long.

 

[ARtraveler]

Just to keep the discussion interesting.

There is also what I refer to as a finnagle factor--in pricing new accessories. They look at cost and profit margin to make sure they are going to at least make the required profit. THEN, they look at how much more they can sell it for before the customers won't buy it--and then they up it some more. This always happens with new or in high demand items. Look at car dealers when a new vehicle comes out that is in demand. When Camaro was re-introduced--they were sticker priced for over 10,000 above MSRP up here. Same with the PT Cruiser when it came out--you could not get them at first unless you were willing to pay $5000 over MSRP.

A lot of people want the addition of a hand brake, and some want a bigger engine--so why not look at "Well, how much are they willing to pay to get it".

The manufacturer is not stupid and they are going to get everthing they can in the way of profit in order to make up for R & D costs.

I am sure there is some finnagle factor built into the floorbards, the new improved fenders, etc.

Enough cost accounting stuff--but hope people find the discussion a bit informative. :roflblack:

 

[yamahog]

:2thumbs: Boys will be boys...

You guys are just full of great Ideas :bowdown: now where did she put that broom :yes::yes:

 

[flamingobabe]

I have a nerve damaged right hand and left one is iffy...no hand brake or clutch lever for me...