What do you like or dislike about Spyder Events ?

[SpyderAnn01]

Wouldn't know either way. No one holds Spyder events down here. Maybe there's too few Spyder riders to create the necessary critical mass.

Sometimes I get a flyer from the dealer up in Birmingham, but usually that's just announcing the latest models; "C'mon up and look." That's not enough to interest me.

Spyders on the Bayou is held in Louisiana in mid March. There are usually a bunch of Alabama Spyders that attend. You should plan on attending.

 

[otter28169]

Things that have worked well for us here in NY:
1) Guided rides, with a tail gunner that have had a recent pre-ride.
2) Limiting the number of "Long" rides (those approaching 200 miles)
3) Temporary mounted flashing lights for the leader/tail-gunner

Things that have not worked as well:
1) Even with experienced staff, rides with 50 or more bikes don't generally fare as well.
2) Having your event in a town that has a thriving tourism market. Makes it hard to get deals and special concessions.
3) Over-scheduling. If you put to many things into the itinerary, several may end up with minimal or no attendance.

I am sure there is a lot more that can be said, but finding your niche is what will make your event attractive to riders.

Just sayin'............

 

[PrairieSpyder]

There's something I'd like to see at an event (I'm going to suggest it to MoGang) is a rally course. They've done drag races and Spyder Games, so that covers straight acceleration and slow skills. But I'd like to see a twisty course with timed riding competition. The main problem would be getting cooperation from the LEOs and residents.

 

[Bob Denman]

There's something I'd like to see at an event (I'm going to suggest it to MoGang) is a rally course. They've done drag races and Spyder Games, so that covers straight acceleration and slow skills. But I'd like to see a twisty course with timed riding competition. The main problem would be getting cooperation from the LEOs and residents.

Some sort of gymkhana course DOES sound like fun! :thumbup:
You'd need a large parking lot, and a whole bunch of highway cones!

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Kyle, how far is the dealer from that big Indian Casino? That could be a good host hotel as there are probably multiple restaurant choices and entertainment along with a large parking lot. Having a hotel that can accommodate the majority of the group adds to the fellowship.

 

[Firefly]

Much good advice already given....

One main thing I've enjoyed is when the events are in SMALLER towns.
Spyderfest was much better (IMO) when it was in the small town of Cuba. It just loses its appeal in a bigger city and no one likes riding in city traffic.
Maggie Valley NC has also been a great place as was Durango.
There's no need to try and be the biggest of the biggest, just have a nice rally in a smaller town with good rides, food and vendors and people will show up!

 

[Kredab]

Which Casino ?

Kyle, how far is the dealer from that big Indian Casino? That could be a good host hotel as there are probably multiple restaurant choices and entertainment along with a large parking lot. Having a hotel that can accommodate the majority of the group adds to the fellowship.

Hello, Are you talking the Isle of Capri (not indian). Did you see it on the way to my house?, if yes Dealer is 2 miles from that. There is Mesquaki Casino about 30 miles away also.

My Dealer is investing huge amounts into the state of the art place. He already has Platinum certification and has a Master Spyder tech. He is not the most seller dealer in Iowa but wants to be. He asked me to head up Spyder events and he wants to be big, I was just trying to get some feelers out there. :spyder2::spyder2:

 

[cptjam]

Rally

Fellowship, fun, food, farkles.
Have those 4, it will be Fantastic!!
carefully choose the date, too. Weather is tricky, as well.
We do need more central locations for rallies. I also think Friday-Monday is better than mid week.

 

[UtahPete]

My dealer is building a huge new building to house Dr Powersports. The owner wants to turn it into a destination for Spyders.The pictures attached are the new building.
1) what do you like or dislike about Spyder Events ?
2) do you travels to dealers to see what accessories they have?

1) I like to see new products (farkles) and talk to other knowledgeable owners and vendors about tech stuff. Although I don't participate in group rides (don't like them) I like the venue to be in a part of the country that is interesting to visit because of its scenic rides, history, etc.
2) No. Most dealers don't carry enough of a selection to make it worthwhile.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Hello, Are you talking the Isle of Capri (not indian). Did you see it on the way to my house?, if yes Dealer is 2 miles from that. There is Mesquaki Casino about 30 miles away also.

My Dealer is investing huge amounts into the state of the art place. He already has Platinum certification and has a Master Spyder tech. He is not the most seller dealer in Iowa but wants to be. He asked me to head up Spyder events and he wants to be big, I was just trying to get some feelers out there. :spyder2::spyder2:

The casino you told us to stay at.

 

[Kredab]

The casino you told us to stay at.

That is the isle of Capri , it has 2 restraurants in it and 2 bars , buffet and gambling , open 24 hours a day and lots of parking lot lighting ....2-3 miles from new dealership - perfect

There is rumored to a hotel getting built next to dealership also

 

[south GA Farm Boy]

Likes and Dislikes of Rallies

My dealer is building a huge new building to house Dr Powersports. The owner wants to turn it into a destination for Spyders.The pictures attached are the new building.
1) what do you like or dislike about Spyder Events ?
2) do you travels to dealers to see what accessories they have?

Thank you you in advance, I want to know your thoughts

We live down south, and all the rallies are too far off! The one we get to go to is the Maggie Valley one! We like it! Down south, we have too few dealers (selling only 8 or 10 spyders per year) and no rallies. Our nearest spyder dealer is over a 100 miles away, and they usually don't have spyder tech's! So service, and warranty work is hard to fine! Maybe Spyder should copy Harley and have rider groups, dealers with assessories, more advertisement, and really push their products!

 

[Bob Denman]

Fellowship, fun, food, farkles.
Have those 4, it will be Fantastic!!

The Four major "F-Groups"! :thumbup:

 

[Pirate looks at --]

Fellowship, fun, food, farkles.
Have those 4, it will be Fantastic!!
carefully choose the date, too. Weather is tricky, as well.
We do need more central locations for rallies. I also think Friday-Monday is better than mid week.

Agree Joe about weekends...but the problem is that the hotels usually get a premium price for their rooms on the weekend, if they are in a "resort" type of area. So the weekdays are way more affordable.

 

[Many brands]

re -group

I personally - have found it VERY hard to "break into" the group. (Sacramento, ca.) Nice enough folks -- just felt I and my Wife were outsiders.

 

[UtahPete]

I personally - have found it VERY hard to "break into" the group. (Sacramento, ca.) Nice enough folks -- just felt I and my Wife were outsiders.

I know what you mean. Some clubs are sincerely welcoming of interested newcomers and others seem more exclusive. Not sure why that is.

OR, are you talking about the Spyders in the Redwoods Rally?

 

[2dogs]

Originally Posted by Many brands I personally - have found it VERY hard to "break into" the group. (Sacramento, ca.) Nice enough folks -- just felt I and my Wife were outsiders.

I know what you mean. Some clubs are sincerely welcoming of interested newcomers and others seem more exclusive. Not sure why that is.

OR, are you talking about the Spyders in the Redwoods Rally?

We had the same experience at the Redwoods Rally. My wife said not again. The only friendly's seemed to be cptjam and SpyderAnn. Going to try Sonora next month.

 

[UtahPete]

Originally Posted by Many brands I personally - have found it VERY hard to "break into" the group. (Sacramento, ca.) Nice enough folks -- just felt I and my Wife were outsiders.

We had the same experience at the Redwoods Rally. My wife said not again. The only friendly's seemed to be cptjam and SpyderAnn. Going to try Sonora next month.

That's good to know. I'll bet the organizers don't realize that. Captain Joe and Ann are pretty special people in my estimation; I'm glad you had a good rapport with them.

 

[Firefly]

So which rallies do you REALLY like going to and why?

Spyderfest-- been to all 8.... I go to see the friends I've met through the years and get some good riding in. Don't care for where it is now, but still go.
Maggie Valley Spyder meet... not sure what they call it anymore. Same as above.. but the riding is amazing up in the Smokies.

Those two are ones I do every year. Smokies was off for a few years as it went downhill and now someone else is running it.

Also been to official BRP events in Durango, Chicago, Maggie Valley, Valcourt.

It's mostly about the people for me.... then the riding....

 

[Cruzr Joe]

I think that each event ought to have guest hosts at the major hotels to plan get togethers for New and Old members.


Cruzr Joe