Triumphcycleman
New member
Ok, let me start off by saying that I 'd like to think I know a thing or two about riding and selling Spyders. To date, I have sold 783 new/used from my dealership and have put thousands and thousands of miles on them. All of them, GS's, ST's, F3's, etc... yadda yadda yadda. So, let me say this.... I am thrilled to death about the new Ryker!
Why? Well, like it or not, the Spyder business has been on the decline across the country for the last few years, and it mimics the whole motorcycle industry trend. New riders aren't interested and we are aging out. That, is, a, fact!
So, what should BRP do? Just keep shining the same apple? Add colors, options, and variations on the same ol' same in an effort to sell to the same ol' you? Pretty sure we all know the answer. That is exactly how a product line goes extinct, which is exactly what could happen if the revenue doesn't exceed the expense.
Enter the Ryker.
NOTE: This bike wasn't built for you. I repeat, IT WASN'T BUILT TO REPLACE YOUR RT, F3, etc.. (tho maybe the RS/GS). It is for a whole new crowd. The barriers to new entrants are threefold. Price, Skill and Interest.
Start with price. At $8499 it is affordable to two groups who frequently visit and leave without purchase. Youngsters new to the workforce, and fixed income retirees. Their current possibilities only included the cheap used manual transmission RS/GS or, at best a high mileage RT/ST/F3. Those aren't easy to finance, and they often aren't right for them. Here they can finance a brand new ride, or better yet, lease one for as little as $140 a month with a 3 year commitment. That is a winner.
Skill level. Here's the way I see it. The new generation is so electronically attached to their devices that they lack many of the mechanical skills necessary to ride a bike. Heck, many of them are struggling to drive a car! Well, this thing is stupidly easy to ride. Fully automatic, with only forward, reverse, and a parking brake. BRP is putting a huge effort in placing Rykers at training centers around the country to make it really, really easy to learn, ride and purchase. That is exactly what we need to grow the sport.
Interest. Well, start by marketing it thru digital media to the target market. (that's their plan). 2nd, give it an ultra hipster, funky cool, off the wall look with customization at the forefront of design. Done. 3rd. make it versatile. The rally edition can go off road (fire roads, gravel roads) for gods sake, and the infinitely adjustable foot pegs, brake lever and handlebars can fit nearly everyone. 4th make it an alternative to a bike that is appealing. I can't tell you how many times a husband/boyfriend has come into our shop looking for a way to get his wife/girlfriend off the back of his bike and onto something else. He steers her to either a little metric cruiser, (gasp) sportster, or little crotch rocket and the end result is a miserable experience for her due to the shifting/clutching/lifting chore that is that bike. The one stigma that is attached to our current line up is that it is perceived as an "old persons" bike (sorry, but it is true). This thing looks like it is straight out of TRON, or Tony Starks' lab. Not old person looking! NOT A SPYDER, lol! Market it to the newbees.
Ok, hope i didn't upset anyone with the age comments. It is what is is..
So, what's it like to ride?
Let me first say that i am or at least was partial to the F3 model. I like sitting in it rather than on it. That said, my next three wheeler will be a Ryker Rally. I love sitting waaaay inside it. I love adjusting the pegs and brake wherever I want them. I love setting the bars and then resetting them to change the feel at a traffic light. I am a dirt tracker, so I love drifting it! I love the ability to go on a dirt road or driveway with no fear of ruining the belt. I love the fact that we have this motor in our sleds and the thing has PLENTY of room under the hood for the turbo that is inevitable (woo hoo). I love 300 lbs less and the fact that I could not get it on two wheels even after chucking it into a corner in a vain attempt to bicycle it. I am shocked how well the CVT worked. I am thrilled that it doesn't have power steering so the feeling thru the bars is positive and yet not difficult. It is the right Spyder for me. Simple, capable and fun. I want a bigger, quick detach rear trunk, a want to try the adjustable windscreen, and I'd like the possibility of cruise control. That's it. Oh, and the Army green body kit!
Why? Well, like it or not, the Spyder business has been on the decline across the country for the last few years, and it mimics the whole motorcycle industry trend. New riders aren't interested and we are aging out. That, is, a, fact!
So, what should BRP do? Just keep shining the same apple? Add colors, options, and variations on the same ol' same in an effort to sell to the same ol' you? Pretty sure we all know the answer. That is exactly how a product line goes extinct, which is exactly what could happen if the revenue doesn't exceed the expense.
Enter the Ryker.
NOTE: This bike wasn't built for you. I repeat, IT WASN'T BUILT TO REPLACE YOUR RT, F3, etc.. (tho maybe the RS/GS). It is for a whole new crowd. The barriers to new entrants are threefold. Price, Skill and Interest.
Start with price. At $8499 it is affordable to two groups who frequently visit and leave without purchase. Youngsters new to the workforce, and fixed income retirees. Their current possibilities only included the cheap used manual transmission RS/GS or, at best a high mileage RT/ST/F3. Those aren't easy to finance, and they often aren't right for them. Here they can finance a brand new ride, or better yet, lease one for as little as $140 a month with a 3 year commitment. That is a winner.
Skill level. Here's the way I see it. The new generation is so electronically attached to their devices that they lack many of the mechanical skills necessary to ride a bike. Heck, many of them are struggling to drive a car! Well, this thing is stupidly easy to ride. Fully automatic, with only forward, reverse, and a parking brake. BRP is putting a huge effort in placing Rykers at training centers around the country to make it really, really easy to learn, ride and purchase. That is exactly what we need to grow the sport.
Interest. Well, start by marketing it thru digital media to the target market. (that's their plan). 2nd, give it an ultra hipster, funky cool, off the wall look with customization at the forefront of design. Done. 3rd. make it versatile. The rally edition can go off road (fire roads, gravel roads) for gods sake, and the infinitely adjustable foot pegs, brake lever and handlebars can fit nearly everyone. 4th make it an alternative to a bike that is appealing. I can't tell you how many times a husband/boyfriend has come into our shop looking for a way to get his wife/girlfriend off the back of his bike and onto something else. He steers her to either a little metric cruiser, (gasp) sportster, or little crotch rocket and the end result is a miserable experience for her due to the shifting/clutching/lifting chore that is that bike. The one stigma that is attached to our current line up is that it is perceived as an "old persons" bike (sorry, but it is true). This thing looks like it is straight out of TRON, or Tony Starks' lab. Not old person looking! NOT A SPYDER, lol! Market it to the newbees.
Ok, hope i didn't upset anyone with the age comments. It is what is is..
So, what's it like to ride?
Let me first say that i am or at least was partial to the F3 model. I like sitting in it rather than on it. That said, my next three wheeler will be a Ryker Rally. I love sitting waaaay inside it. I love adjusting the pegs and brake wherever I want them. I love setting the bars and then resetting them to change the feel at a traffic light. I am a dirt tracker, so I love drifting it! I love the ability to go on a dirt road or driveway with no fear of ruining the belt. I love the fact that we have this motor in our sleds and the thing has PLENTY of room under the hood for the turbo that is inevitable (woo hoo). I love 300 lbs less and the fact that I could not get it on two wheels even after chucking it into a corner in a vain attempt to bicycle it. I am shocked how well the CVT worked. I am thrilled that it doesn't have power steering so the feeling thru the bars is positive and yet not difficult. It is the right Spyder for me. Simple, capable and fun. I want a bigger, quick detach rear trunk, a want to try the adjustable windscreen, and I'd like the possibility of cruise control. That's it. Oh, and the Army green body kit!
Last edited:
opcorn:
pps:
