What is the SPYDER History?

[Commander]

My wife and I enjoy riding the our 2013 RT Limited very much.

What is the history of the SPYDER and the name ":spyder2:"?

 

[Bob Denman]

:dontknow: It would be fun to know more about the back-story... :thumbup:
:bbq::bbq::bbq:

 

[Dan McNally]

BRP Customer Care . . . this is a question for you!

Maybe BRP will share . . . :dontknow:

 

[sledmaster]

Back in October of 2005 when we were doing focus group sessions in Lake Tahoe the internal name for the project was already "spyder". We had lengthy discussions as to what the brand name should be, what the vehicle should be classified as, what the actual vehicle name should be. As in Ski-Doo MX Z snowmobile, or Can-Am Spyder Roadster. At that time it had not yet even been decided if the Can-Am name should be used, but we all felt there was enough equity in that name with the target demographic that it would be appropriate, especially with the switch from Bombardier to Can-Am for the off-road vehicles at that time.

While the vehicle was being called "spyder" project internally, we all believed it would be worth paying to use that name (had to get license to use it) as it was appropriate and catchy. The use of the "Y" in Spyder also fit into the "Y" architecture of the three-wheel arrangement, and played into the stability of the platform. It just plain fit. If you recall the original marketing for the 2008 release, it weighed heavily on the "Y" factor of the Spyder design and was a huge part of the initial market acceptance. That, along with the VSS, TCS, DPS, ABS, but it was the "Y" factor that was the big hit from a marketing standpoint. And in reality, it is the main advantage over two-wheeled machines. Loose gravel in a corner? No problem, slide through it just like a snowmobile on ice. The Spyder name stuck.

 

[DJFaninTN]

her right leg looks hot :roflblack:

Look familiar?

It's a '69 Ski Doo Nordic with, I think, a Bombardier wheel kit.

 

[Commander]

SPYDER History

Thank you:clap::spyder2::spyder2:

 

[Chupaca]

Interesting..!!

considering all three vehicles are similar in looks and shape..snow, water and road why spyder.? Snowmobile one understands, jetski one sees and roadster I get. The thing is spyder (many others have used this name) is what most know it as. But then cars have some strange names and don't even start on race horses...:roflblack::roflblack: May be one of those things that just happened....

 

[Eagle1]

Look familiar?

It's a '69 Ski Doo Nordic with, I think, a Bombardier wheel kit.

Thanks, that is a great picture. I had the snow mobile, just with out the wheels!!

 

[Bob Denman]

Maybe it was this earlier video of a competitor's sled, that created the wave...

Roger,
That's a 1970 Nordic; the '69s didn't have the hood scoops with the black accents...

 

[sddinnh]

I wonder if they had stuck with the track instead of going with a rear tire would we ever have to replace it?

I would think that a track wouldn't get much traction on pavement :dontknow:

 

[sddinnh]

As someone who logged more time on the roads with a snowmobile (in winter) than in school I think I would disagree with you.

Then I'll bow to your expertise :bowdown: because I have very little time on snowmobiles and even less time on the roads with them. I was just going by appearances.

 

[jerpinoy]

It will not be successful if they call it different and thanks for the history.

 

[sledmaster]

I should probably add that since the machine was being called a "roadster" (open-air vehicle with emphasis on sporty handling) instead of a motorcycle or car or whatever, that the name Spyder was pretty much (already) synonymous with roadster.This likely comes from the Alfa Romeo Spider (popular open air roadster) and even the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder.

Traditionally, roadsters did not have windows and in some instances, they did not have doors. So going with the Spyder name better identified what the vehicle was, a roadster. I still kind of think it is a stretch, but when you are shifting paradigms you have to get creative. If it was being called a roadster, then the Spyder name was already a natural, then add in the "Y" factor and it kind of comes together.

 

[sledmaster]

That's a 1970 Nordic; the '69s didn't have the hood scoops with the black accents...

Wow, I am impressed Bob. Yes you are correct the '70 Nordic had the hood scoops with black accents, the '69 did not.

1970 was also the year the Alpine 640ER was renamed the "Invader", but only for this one year, for 1971 it went back to being called the Alpine 640ER.

For the 1970 model year Ski-Doo produced a total of 181,234 snowmobiles, including a whopping 104,535 Olympique models. This is also when the company bought Rotax-Werk AG in Austria, our now famous engine manufacturing plant.

 

[ARtraveler]

Interesting back story. Thank you Sledmaster. :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Actually; The Alpine with the 640 remained...
They added the Invader, with a 399 engine...
Or was that part of the model re-alignment in '71?

 

[mxz600]

That's a 1970 Nordic; the '69s didn't have the hood scoops with the black accents...View attachment 91587

Hey Bob, I had the '70 Olympique I bought in '69. It had the hood scoops and retractable light. I painted the cowl between the scoops black from the windshield down to the strip that wrapped around the cowl. Yea, you're right, it was sweet.

But not as sweet as new.

 

[mxz600]

Actually; The Alpine with the 640 remained...
They added the Invader, with a 399 engine...
Or was that part of the model re-alignment in '71?

A friend of mine from high school had an Alpine. Those things were tanks, what a sled.

I wonder if BRP will design a Spyder based off of the Alpine. Imagine a vehicle with just a front tire and back tire. Oh wait, they already have those.

 

[Bob Denman]

Hey Bob, I had the '70 Olympique I bought in '69. It had the hood scoops and retractable light. I painted the cowl between the scoops black from the windshield down to the strip that wrapped around the cowl. Yea, you're right, it was sweet.

But not as sweet as new.

So, you had the 335... :2thumbs: The finest year of the Oly!
I had a '68 Super Oly; but it was just a 300... pps:
The next year; they became 320s...
Dad had a '70 T'NT 340; try pull-starting one of THOSE, with just one hand! :bowdown:

 

[sledmaster]

Actually; The Alpine with the 640 remained...
They added the Invader, with a 399 engine...
Or was that part of the model re-alignment in '71?

In 1969 there was the Alpine 370, Alpine 370E and Alpine 640E.

For 1970 I show the new 399 engine in the Alpine 399 and Alpine 399R. The 640ER was renamed Invader, as this more comfort-oriented utility model featured a twin track and reverse gear.

Then for 1971 we go back to the all three being called Alpines. And in 1971 the Elan was introduced, single cylinder 247CC and 246 pounds. With electric start it was 282 lbs.

At least this is what I show in my documentation!

(Added) - maybe there was a 640E Alpine that remained for 1970? And only the ER was called the Invader?