Ordered mine in August '07. Was # 48 on dealers list, but since I ordered yellow, I was # 6 for that color. But there's more ..
One primary reason for me moving to a Spyder from my Harley was that I had my left leg amputated above knee in June '07. If I was gonna keep riding - and there was no doubt I was - three wheels were required. Converting the Electra Glide to a trike was not a financially reasonable solution as it would have cost me over 15K before all done. The Spyder trumped that idea in every possible category.
A few weeks ago, as the relization that I wouldn't see my Spyder until probably February or March at earliest set in, I decided to do the real right thing. I contacted a couple of the National Program Managers at BRP, explained my situation, and got them to assist me in transferring my deposit from the '08 model to a '09 model with the SE5 tranny. I've been assured priority delivery on that come next July.
It was the right thing for me to do. I'd have had to use aftermarket devices to allow for shifting, and that would have cost as much if not more than the SE5 tranny option anyway. It wouldn't have been warranted, and I doubt as efficient as the factory will produce. So, I wait.
Let me say this - kudos to the people at BRP! The folks that got involved in helping me could have easily pushed this off on lesser employees. It's seldom when dealing with a large multi-national corporation that you can reach right up into the inner circles and actually get e-mails and phone calls from the decision makers. Marc, Claude .. you guys are the greatest! Yeah, there are some bumps in the road in getting everything up and running, but from what I read much of that is coming from the dealers, not BRP. My knowing that you cared enough to take time out of your hectic schedules to pay attention to a single individual such as myself speaks volumes about the committment BRP has to it's new owners of Spyder. And I would be remiss if I didn't also say thanks to my dealer, Broward Motorsports in Davie, FL, for allowing the deposit transfer. I appreciate your cooperation!
To all of you out there like me, I hope this note lets you get a glimpse of what is happening behind the curtain so to speak. Be patient, please. This fantastic motorcycle is worth the wait!
Jim S.
Royal Palm Beach, FL
Member, IronButt Association
Member, American Motorcycle Association,
Member, National Harley Owners Group
Member, Ft. Lauderdale H.O.G.
Dealer, Amsoil Mororcycle Oils (
www.lubedealer.com/biker )
Motorcycle rider and enthuasist since 1962