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Electric Spyder? By Polaris??

PistonBlown

PistonBlown

Active member
Was reading Bike Rider NZ magazine today and there's an article about Polaris buying Brammo Electronic Motorcycles. So far so what. But the last paragraph starts with:

"Polaris have already produced prototypes of the three-wheeled Spyder as a hybrid vehicle..."

I don't know if this a journalist getting his wires crossed and actually meant the Slugshot or BRP really have let Polaris have a play with one of their products. As I suspect some of you will think I'm making this up or becoming pre-senile here's a scan of the article:
scan0013.jpg
 
I wonder if the writer ment to say that Brammo was developing the electric Spyder as it would make sense that BRP would be working with a company that is an expert in that field. :dontknow:
 
My suspicion would be a writer not checking facts...a common problem. As a writer myself, you have to be careful not to let deadlines trump diligence.
 
Polaris

Polaris is a 3.5 billion dollar company that is in competition with BRP for the recreational vehicles market, at least when it comes to ATVs, Side-by-side utility, snowmobiles & watercraft. The Slingshot is their interpretation of a 3 wheeled street machine, not the Spyder. I would say their acquisition of Brammo would more than likely enhance their market in electrically propelled ATVs & Side-by Side utility vehicles and definitely their Indian & Victory brand motorcycles.
 
There was a prototype hybrid Can-Am Spyder I saw on this site a couple of years ago. I think the writer just got his facts wrong, and mixed up the two companies in some way. The style if simply too "matter of fact" in taking about a Polaris Spyder.
 
A lot of interesting information.

I don't see Polaris making a :spyder2: clone. I believe their effort showed up this year with the Slingshot. A good alternative to a three wheeler, but definitely not a :ani29: roadster.

RE: BRP hybrid. Have not heard or seen anything of this in a couple years now. We did discuss it pretty thoroughly back then. Most thought that it would be very pricey ($40K plus) and many (myself included) did not think it would show up at all for sale to the public.

I brought it back to SL two years ago on April Fools day and had a bunch of people going for a little while. Fun while it lasted. :roflblack:

Until they can solve the price issue as well as the miles per charge issue, I for one am totally not interested. A range of 100 - 150 miles just does not cut it for me. Heck, that is an afternoon mailbox run for me. :roflblack:
 
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Yeah, just a typo/misfire.

Saw today that Polaris trademarked the term "Victory Charger" associated with electric bikes, so that's probably where their minds are going.

As for the Spyder hybrid, my conspiracy theory back in the day was that it was a tax writeoff to get subsidies from the Canadian government, i.e. Canadian regs required BRP and others to invest $$$ in "green" vehicles and the hybrid RS was their example. Of course, as everyone here pretty much agreed, there wasn't much logic in a hybrid Spyder at the price point they'd surely had to have charged (no pun intended) for it, even after any subsidies.

That said, I would not at all be surprised if we ultimately did get a purely electric Spyder in the future, perhaps relatively new future. Given how much fun electric bikes are to ride-- that torque!!! :yes:-- I still think an electric RS would be a great idea. Using a battery pack ala the electric manufacturers might be a way to differentiate the RS from the rest of the Spyder lineup, especially since BRP has other Spyders as its touring options (i.e. range isn't nearly the concern with the RS as it is with the ST/RT), and now the F3 (a "traditionalist" ICE offering).

Basically, make the next RS the "Tron" bike of the line-up.
 
I would think BRPwould be all the the use of "Spyder" in anthing not made by them. Once a term becomes "in common use" You lose your trademark. Cresent wrench, I just saw a itoa brand cresent wrench, coke spends millions a year doing this. Kleenix is fighting it, Fridifare (sp) lost thie right as a tradmark, among others.
Now for eletric trikes, who knows. There are some two wheel electic bikes, but to me, short range and cost rule them out.
Oldmanzues
 
The Spyder..!!

it is dragged into any and all articals remotely connected to "one more than two..one less than four" wheeled vehicles. Confirms its success yet no one mimics it. They create their own version but many fall into other catagories. I say writers error, can't see BRP needing Polaris's help with anything...jmo :thumbup:
 
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