Why isnt' the Spyder more popular!

[brerrabbit]

Why isn't the Spyder more popular!

I'm glad to see the rhetoric has cooled back down. I thought I was on the Harley forum several times as I read through this. We have two trikes, one is a TriGlide and one is an RT so I 'attend' sites for both brands.

I think the popularity issue for trike style bikes is rider education. Just as you can't learn to ride a motorcycle by reading a book, you can't understand riding a trike by riding a bike. The are two different animals with a similar result. The 'geriatric' reputation will eventually spread to a younger audience. Both Harley and Can-AM have introduced a trike this year to attract a younger rider in my opinion.

Why isn't the Spyder more popular? The brand is less than 8 years old. It is still growing up and being honed to perfection. It just needs a little more time. That said, since we bought the Spyder, we have had more people stop and talk to my wife, the Spyder rider, at the gas pump and wave and stare than we ever had with the TriGlide. We are seeing more Spyders on the road this spring than the last couple of years. I think the Spyder is a very popular machine. We have asked the salesman at the dealership for a stack of business cards to hand out so we can get back to riding vs. reciting the address of the dealer over and over.

By the way we both love our rides.

=bob=

 

[Rob Rodriguez]

This is where BRP could take a look at expanding their market

Put the 600 ACE engine into a chassis, with a CVT drive system.
Simplify the gauge package, and make it a purely entry-level ride. :thumbup:
Use that bike to "set the hook"!
Since it would largely be a "Parts Bin" engineering exercise; the cost to build that bike would be MUCH lower!

I think the 600 ACE engine would be a bad move. That engine can barely power a 500 lb sled to decent performance levels. I have to think it would be severely under powered for a Spyder weighing 200-300 lbs more. Entry level or not, if the bike doesn't offer acceptable performance its not going to "bait the hook". It's going to push people in another direction. It might even be fair to say the 998 doesn't offer enough performance for a "sport" version Spyder (RS, RSS) and that's why they aren't more popular with a younger buyer.

 

[GeoffCee]

So, just to be clear, BRP states that the Spyder is not a motorcycle? That's just not correct. It is as much a motorcycle as a Harley trike, which is certainly considered a motorcycle. A Spyder or any trike/sidecar rig definitely handles completely differently than a two wheeled cycle, but is still a cycle. Just my two cents worth.

Here in the UK a cycle is neither a vehicle nor a means of locomotion. The word "cycle" is commonly used to describe a cycle of activity which itself may contain multi-stage events. A cycle begins and continues until all the stages of the event(s) are complete. Completion describes one complete cycle of the process.

A one-wheeled vehicle is a unicycle.
A two-wheeled vehicle is a bicycle.
A three-wheeled vehicle is a tricycle.

My MOT Registration Document describes my 998cc Spyder as a motorized tricycle. It is a concise and accurate use of the English language leaving little room for doubt as to the nature of the vehicle. This is a description agreed and standardized among the Nations of the European Community to ease cross-border travel.

I'm aware that many differences exist in the common use of the English language between the UK and the USA. :hun: If HD want to call their tricycles motorcycles they are at liberty to do so - nobody on this side of the pond will dare argue with that! :shocked:

 

[ArachnidRyder]

I'm aware that many differences exist in the common use of the English language between the UK and the USA. :hun: If HD want to call their tricycles motorcycles they are at liberty to do so - nobody on this side of the pond will dare argue with that! :shocked:

Completely agree with the differences between English and American. [emoji1] I was quite shocked the first time I heard a British gentleman say he was stepping into the alley for a (British slang term for a cigarette). It was an awkward moment to say the least.

Is there a British equivalent to the term "frunk" derived from the American "front trunk"?

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I'm aware that many differences exist in the common use of the English language between the UK and the USA.

I believe it was your legendary Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, who is reported to have the said something on the order, "America and England, two great peoples separated by a common language!"

I lived in Birmingham for a year in 1988/89 and worked for the Ministry of Defence. I always got a good chuckle out of the Brits when I said, "I can understand you guys mispronouncing aluminum as alu min i um, because you spell it that way! But, left tenant out of l - i - e - u -, ...?" That was a great year working with your fellow citizens. I cherish the memory of it as one of the highlights of my life.

 

[Laila's Dad]

I did like in the article that in the comments that followed, the Spyder had a good amount of support...The one thing that I always shake my head at is for people who assume that everyone rides for the same reason they do. One poster even mentioned "who wants to hold the throttle and not lean in the curves"?. I laugh because that is exactly what I want. I like highways/freeways and would feel pretty good if I never saw another "twisty". My way is not the norm, but my point is many people have different reasons for why they ride and what they like to ride. I used to put a lot of time into expressing my opinion and debating the place of the Spyder, but now I don't debate because the place of the Spyder is in my garage beside my Road King or on the highway helping me enjoy life. Good luck Ryders!

 

[GeoffCee]

Is there a British equivalent to the term "frunk" derived from the American "front trunk"?

I first saw that expression used here on SpyderLover's pages about 5 years ago and thought then what a great word invention it was. The first time I remember actually hearing it was my dealer during his new owner walk-around. He was describing the two ways of releasing the RT's frunk catch.

The English language is a wonderful work in progress, lending itself to change and adaptation as required by common usage.

To answer your question: Nope, cousin, frunk just can't be beat! :thumbup: (Strange that SpyderLover's spell-checker doesn't yet accept it tho)!

 

[GeoffCee]

I believe it was your legendary Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, who is reported to have the said something on the order, "America and England, two great peoples separated by a common language!"

It was indeed. Winny was very quick witted, even when he was much the worse for wear. At some gathering of England's gentry he was slurring his way through his speech when Lady Astor unkindly declared that he was drunk. Without missing a beat he thundered back, "Yes, Madam, and you are ugly. But tomorrow I shall be sober!"

Wonderful riposte!

 

[Bob Denman]

I think the 600 ACE engine would be a bad move. That engine can barely power a 500 lb sled to decent performance levels. I have to think it would be severely under powered for a Spyder weighing 200-300 lbs more. Entry level or not, if the bike doesn't offer acceptable performance its not going to "bait the hook". It's going to push people in another direction. It might even be fair to say the 998 doesn't offer enough performance for a "sport" version Spyder (RS, RSS) and that's why they aren't more popular with a younger buyer.

Hi Rob,
Remember; the rolling resistance of the Spyder is WAAaaayyyy... less than that of the snowmobile...
The 998 offers enough for anybody who might actually be interested in this type of ride; it's the COST factor that might be hurting it in the marketplace. :shocked:
My guess:
A smaller, lighter Spyder with the 600 ACE and CVT drive, would have sufficient power to run at highway speeds at a much lower price point. :thumbup:
If folks need more; just write a larger check!

Of course; BRP has their own folks working on this and other issues. They've got lots of market studies that prove to them, that mine is a VERY bad idea...

 

[Big Mike]

Quote

I love that quote and the way it binds us as well as poking fun at both of us. The quote, though is actually attributed to George Bernard Shaw

 

[wyliec]

I love that quote and the way it binds us as well as poking fun at both of us. The quote, though is actually attributed to George Bernard Shaw

I may have missed it;but, here's an article I found, and I don't see George Bernard Shaw listed.

http://quoteinvestigator.com/2011/08/17/sober-tomorrow/

 

[Big Mike]

How about Churchill's answer to Mary Astor when she said " If I were married to you, I'd put poison in your coffee." He replied " If I were married to you, I'd drink it."

 

[Big Mike]

I may have missed it;but, here's an article I found, and I don't see George Bernard Shaw listed.

http://quoteinvestigator.com/2011/08/17/sober-tomorrow/

I was referring to the quote about separated by a common language. Check Google and the list of Shaw's famous quotes. My college professor always attributed it to Shaw but there may be some controversy.

 

[Atv]

If it was more popular..

The aftermarket for the Spyder would be stronger and there would be more options for power adders (I realize that many feel power isn't a problem). The TAM for the powersports market is pretty large, and Cam-am can probably grab a larger share of it by bringing to market a rawer version of the RSS at below 10k. This is about market creation, not just short term profitability.

 

[DrewNJ]

Hi Rob,
Remember; the rolling resistance of the Spyder is WAAaaayyyy... less than that of the snowmobile...
The 998 offers enough for anybody who might actually be interested in this type of ride; it's the COST factor that might be hurting it in the marketplace. :shocked:
My guess:
A smaller, lighter Spyder with the 600 ACE and CVT drive, would have sufficient power to run at highway speeds at a much lower price point. [emoji106]
If folks need more; just write a larger check!

Of course; BRP has their own folks working on this and other issues. They've got lots of market studies that prove to them, that mine is a VERY bad idea...

So you think brp should make scooters? Like a 3 wheeled burgman?

 

[Bob Denman]

What makes you think that It'd be just a "scooter"? :dontknow:
What is your definition of "Scooter"?

 

[Magdave]

What makes you think that I'd be just a "scooter"? :dontknow:
What is your definition of "Scooter"?

 

[LEEB]

Sypder Ad!!!

Well, finally I just saw my first Spyder commercial on TV a few minutes ago on A&E. As Deanna says, "Woo Hoo"!!!!!!

 

[Magdave]

Peugeot Has been building this in Europe.

http://www.carnbike.co.uk/mahindra-brings-peugeot-scooters-to-india/#more-678