Why isnt' the Spyder more popular!

[Nito]

In a nutshell, I want to enjoy the motorcycle experience (as a family) and with my kids, the Spyder allows me to do that with much higher relative safety and eases my conscience immensely. I couldn't (simply wouldn't) put them on the back of my motorbike.

As it turns out, I thoroughly enjoyed the Spyder experience and regularly use it and choose it over my motorbikes.

Keep an open mind amd eye on the demographic I think with awareness this will certainly shift from those cited above.

 

[Spyder Tony]

When was the last time you saw a Spyder commercial on TV? Hear on radio? Read in the local paper? It doesn't appear as though BRP is very active in it's marketing.

Actually, all through the 2014 holiday season I saw daily Spyder commercials. They started showing for the 1st time right around when they brought Danica Patrick on board as a spokesperson. I was impressed to say the least. They also were on primetime shows such as Mickey Fisher's Extant. I do have to admit that the advertisement died off quite a bit in the beginning of 2015.

As others have stated...I like belonging to an "exclusive" limited number club
I only wish I could've been an original owner back in '08...I bet that first year it must've been like being a Rock Star when out and about on your Spyder:firstplace:

 

[ARtraveler]

For the last 2 nights, Fox News had Spyder F3 commercials. The commercials were about 30 sec long and looked great.

I finally saw a :ani29: commercial for the F3 last night on one of the higher cable channel numbers. No celebs, just plain people having a blast. They are targeting the younger crowd. :yes::yes:

 

[ARtraveler]

I purchased a 2008 Spyder RS in 2008 and still have it. During the first year of ownership the attention it drew was unbelievable:

1. cars would pass me then put on their breaks/follow along by my side - most took pictures and yelled out questions (hard to answer with a full face helmet on doing 70mph on major highway) - after a brief period I would hit the throttle wide open, not to be caught.

2. I don't remember ever stopping for gas or at a store or a rest stop or stopping anywhere - where someone didn't approach and ask questions about it.

3. I surprisingly always got thumbs up or the low hand three fingers out from two wheelers.

And this was in a state where people really don't talk or approach strangers, and only maybe 50% of motorcycle riders, going in opposite direction, do the low hand two fingers out.

Oh! I forgot to mention - I loved every minute of it - enjoy talking about Spyders and motorcycles in general.

Me Too! Sorry no button. I had the first 2008 sold to a customer in Alaska. In 2009 we added a red SE5. Then we had a pair. License plates said SPYDR1 AND SPYDR2. They always drew a crowd wherever we went. Not so much anymore--but it was fun while it lasted.

 

[SL Ken]

Some years ago, maybe 30, I read in a magazine that Harley was having a problem with their reputation and was trying to correct it or change the perception... Something to that effect. Anyway, the perception at that time was that only cops and outlaws (Hells Angel types)rode Harley and people didn't want to have anything to do with them. Well, look at them now. The perception can be changed, but it will have to be changed by BRP and by the riders of these machines. If we want a larger base, we will need to "help" get rid of the perception that it's only for old and infirm. How do you do that? Just by riding, enjoying and advertising to anyone that asks. This is a great machine! Word of mouth has always been the best advertising.

 

[cognaccruiser]

There is no doubt that Spyders seem to be purchased by the "older" demographic. That said, I think that the new F3 is an attempt to reach out to other potential demographic groups. Not that it doesn't appeal to some of our older group. If the cool factor becomes more common, others will follow I think (hope).

Yes Spyders are expensive but as others have said not out of line with HD trikes and Wing conversions. I paid about the same for my RTS as I did for my 2012 Wing. I appreciate that many younger people with children for instance might find it too much to pay. The flip side from my experience is that the 30 - 40 somethings don't have the same aversion to spending money they don't have as what many 60 +/- year olds do. They will buy on credit much more readily.

Just some other thoughts on the subject.

Gary

 

[Bob Denman]

Some years ago, maybe 30, I read in a magazine that Harley was having a problem with their reputation and was trying to correct it or change the perception... Something to that effect. Anyway, the perception at that time was that only cops and outlaws (Hells Angel types)rode Harley and people didn't want to have anything to do with them. Well, look at them now. The perception can be changed, but it will have to be changed by BRP and by the riders of these machines. If we want a larger base, we will need to "help" get rid of the perception that it's only for old and infirm. How do you do that? Just by riding, enjoying and advertising to anyone that asks. This is a great machine! Word of mouth has always been the best advertising.

Honda addressed this very issue about 20 years earlier...

 

[vondalyn]

Honda addressed this very issue about 20 years earlier...

wow! the woman driving and the man on the back -- how progressive for them in 1966

 

[flaggerphil]

When was the last time you saw a Spyder commercial on TV? Hear on radio? Read in the local paper? It doesn't appear as though BRP is very active in it's marketing.

Down here I see commercials for it all the time. They're in the local paper too.

 

[isthatahemi]

Allowing riders full control of the machine would be a significant first step in erasing the "wuss" factor. Some will crash, but the fact is, nobody likes being told what to do by a nanny. no reason to not allow on throttle antics, in fact, most newer vehicles with VSC, only disable it until a yaw induced / braking event re-engages it.

Snowmobiles and quads are inherently less stable, but imagine the harm to a brands image of they were to sell anything other than the geezer model with a "nanny".

Due to the prevailing demographic, and evidenced by the warnings of mayhem and destruction, at the mere thought of giving riders the same control as pretty much ANY bike, or car for that matter, allows; clearly shows that there are many owners who think like "Volvo" owners.

This all amounts to A LOT of reasons many will never consider one.

 

[isthatahemi]

There is no doubt that Spyders seem to be purchased by the "older" demographic. That said, I think that the new F3 is an attempt to reach out to other potential demographic groups. Not that it doesn't appeal to some of our older group. If the cool factor becomes more common, others will follow I think (hope).

....

Gary

That F3 will only attract poseurs with bad taste. It looks Aweful, like a recliner, a coffe table, and some orange scaffolding got squashed together. Until they appeal to the "sport rider" spectrum, only a focused buyer will consider the Spyder. Consider many younger buyers will dislike anything that broadly appeals to older / safety conscious sorts.
I'm young-ish at 35, and (no offense intended), I think the RT looks like a geriatric conveyance. (As does the Honda Goldwing, and assorted other touring machines). If I really cared about "image", my wish would be to discontinue all the couch models, so as not to be associated with them. I know that sounds harsh, but there is a lot of denial as to the real reasons these don't appeal to younger buyers. I am buying one IN SPITE of its image, no because of it.

Again, no offense intended, we all know how life goes and priorities change as we age.

 

[cheska]

That F3 will only attract poseurs with bad taste. It looks Aweful, like a recliner, a coffe table, and some orange scaffolding got squashed together. Until they appeal to the "sport rider" spectrum, only a focused buyer will consider the Spyder. Consider many younger buyers will dislike anything that broadly appeals to older / safety conscious sorts.
I'm young-ish at 35, and (no offense intended), I think the RT looks like a geriatric conveyance. (As does the Honda Goldwing, and assorted other touring machines). If I really cared about "image", my wish would be to discontinue all the couch models, so as not to be associated with them. I know that sounds harsh, but there is a lot of denial as to the real reasons these don't appeal to younger buyers. I am buying one IN SPITE of its image, no because of it.

Again, no offense intended, we all know how life goes and priorities change as we age.

I highly disagree with your view about the F3 riders. BRP has finally put a machine on the market which hopefully has most of the bugs worked out and handles a heck of a lot better then some of the older machines. The F3 is going to be a homerun for BRP and I
predict in the future you will see more F3 models. Some people will love them and some will not but ridership of Spyders is going to go up because of the F3.

 

[robmorg]

...nobody likes being told what to do by a nanny.

I sometimes do. Especially if she's wearing a short skirt.

I didn't take any offense to the rest of your opinions about the Spyder. Everybody is entitled to voice their own opinion. But I am a little curious.... If you really feel the way you've stated, why in the world are you considering buying one?

 

[MRH]

That F3 will only attract poseurs with bad taste. It looks Aweful, like a recliner, a coffe table, and some orange scaffolding got squashed together. Until they appeal to the "sport rider" spectrum, only a focused buyer will consider the Spyder. Consider many younger buyers will dislike anything that broadly appeals to older / safety conscious sorts.
I'm young-ish at 35, and (no offense intended), I think the RT looks like a geriatric conveyance. (As does the Honda Goldwing, and assorted other touring machines). If I really cared about "image", my wish would be to discontinue all the couch models, so as not to be associated with them. I know that sounds harsh, but there is a lot of denial as to the real reasons these don't appeal to younger buyers. I am buying one IN SPITE of its image, no because of it.

Again, no offense intended, we all know how life goes and priorities change as we age.

Offense may or may not have been intended, but to call those of us who like the F3 design "poseurs with bad taste" is patently offensive. My RT is not a geriatric conveyance (nor is my friend's Goldwing). You don't have to ride what you don't like or want to ride, but your taste also doesn't speak for your generation.

I looked at one of your other posts - you are sports bike rider who loves sports bikes. If you have such a strong dislike of what Spyders are, then they probably aren't for you. I doubt you'll ever be happy comparing them to sports bikes because they aren't sports bikes. Why set yourself up to be constantly disappointed?

In any event, you are quite entitled to your opinions, and you have the right to speak freely. I simply hope you develop the maturity to do so with intelligence and grace.

 

[jcthorne]

Offense may or may not have been intended, but to call those of us who like the F3 design "poseurs with bad taste" is patently offensive. My RT is not a geriatric conveyance (nor is my friend's Goldwing). You don't have to ride what you don't like or want to ride, but your taste also doesn't speak for your generation.

I looked at one of your other posts - you are sports bike rider who loves sports bikes. If you have such a strong dislike of what Spyders are, then they probably aren't for you. I doubt you'll ever be happy comparing them to sports bikes because they aren't sports bikes. Why set yourself up to be constantly disappointed?

In any event, you are quite entitled to your opinions, and you have the right to speak freely. I simply hope you develop the maturity to do so with intelligence and grace.

You are very correct of course. Trouble is, his mindset IS the prevailing mindset of the millennial generation. Anything remotely associated with the prior generations, no matter how functional or well designed, is dismissed out of hand as beneath them. See it all the time.

 

[DrewNJ]

Hemi's got a point. What cracks me up though, is a lot of the old timers jumping from their full blown touring RT with all the storage, big windshield, and comfy seats to an F3 with none of that, only to try to figure out how to add baggage, bigger shield, etc etc.
Old people trying to feel young again?

I think your going to see a lot of farkled out used 15' f3 machines for sale over the next year or 2 as those same old people jump back to an RT.

 

[Bob Denman]

Allowing riders full control of the machine would be a significant first step in erasing the "wuss" factor. Some will crash, but the fact is, nobody likes being told what to do by a nanny. no reason to not allow on throttle antics, in fact, most newer vehicles with VSC, only disable it until a yaw induced / braking event re-engages it.

Snowmobiles and quads are inherently less stable, but imagine the harm to a brands image of they were to sell anything other than the geezer model with a "nanny".

Due to the prevailing demographic, and evidenced by the warnings of mayhem and destruction, at the mere thought of giving riders the same control as pretty much ANY bike, or car for that matter, allows; clearly shows that there are many owners who think like "Volvo" owners.

This all amounts to A LOT of reasons many will never consider one.

:shocked:

That F3 will only attract poseurs with bad taste. It looks Aweful, like a recliner, a coffe table, and some orange scaffolding got squashed together. Until they appeal to the "sport rider" spectrum, only a focused buyer will consider the Spyder. Consider many younger buyers will dislike anything that broadly appeals to older / safety conscious sorts.
I'm young-ish at 35, and (no offense intended), I think the RT looks like a geriatric conveyance. (As does the Honda Goldwing, and assorted other touring machines). If I really cared about "image", my wish would be to discontinue all the couch models, so as not to be associated with them. I know that sounds harsh, but there is a lot of denial as to the real reasons these don't appeal to younger buyers. I am buying one IN SPITE of its image, no because of it.

Again, no offense intended, we all know how life goes and priorities change as we age.

Here's someone with all of 5 posts, and already trying to alienate everyone...

Hey "Mister Expert", How many miles have you actually ridden one?

 

[miltonb]

60

i'm 60 and can afford what I want, so to be thought of as being as a wuss because I can afford to have more than the average person is incomprehensible to me.:roflblack::doorag::gaah:nojoke:chill: deer slayer

 

[robmorg]

Here's someone with all of 5 posts, and already trying to alienate everyone...

Hey "Mister Expert", How many miles have you actually ridden one?

Bob,

I don't think Hemi is trolling. I believe he actually feels that way, and he's just someone who doesn't mince words. Like Drew says, he does have a point. ...not that his point bothers folks like you and me and most of us here. I don't necessarily agree with him that BRP is loosing sales because Spyder's don't perform like sports bikes.

But what amazes me most about his posts is this particular sentence....

I am buying one IN SPITE of its image, no because of it.

Again, no offense intended, we all know how life goes and priorities change as we age.

For the life of me, I can't figure out why he's buying one, feeling the way he does about them. Yes, priorities change with age, but not usually strong dislikes and negative pre-conceived notions. :dontknow:

 

[MRH]

You are very correct of course. Trouble is, his mindset IS the prevailing mindset of the millennial generation. Anything remotely associated with the prior generations, no matter how functional or well designed, is dismissed out of hand as beneath them. See it all the time.

But this guy isn't 25, he's 35. He's not a Millennial. He's old enough to be a bonafide adult. Can you imagine what his employer must cope with what he likely says behind their backs.

He also sounds very much like somebody who might not make it all the way to retirement in one piece, which he may consider a compliment. After all, it isn't cool to be safe. Being dead, after all, is very cool, and that much anger taken on to the road is a well known short cut to death or serious injury.