How Far Would You Travel to Buy a Can-Am Spyder?

[Dragonrider]

I have a dealer 12 miles away, 70 miles away (new dealer), and 190 miles away - I bought my RS from the dealer 190 miles away, bought my RT through a dealer in New Hampshire (I live in Oregon), and have all my service done at the dealer 70 miles away. The local dealer has done nothing to gain my business or trust, and the dealer I use for service, has gone out of their way to gain my business and trust.

I do my own research on what I want to own, my own research on how much I want to pay, then find a deal that works for me - even if it takes months. I also prefer to own a vehicle with a few miles on the clock (letting someone else take the 1st depreciation), then add an extended warranty, if necessary. My RS was new, and other than the DPS recall, was flawless. My RT had roughly 1K on the clock, and has also run flawlessly. That 1st 1K will tell you if the dealer has set the bike up properly, or not.

 

[SouthernSpyder]

I' looking to buy my first Spyder and I'm in Alabama but seriously considering traveling to Cowtown as none of the local dealers have any used inventory.

 

[Clicker1944]

Purchasing dealer : 114 mi. each way. Best price by far and a nice buying experience.
Closest and servicing dealer: 45 mi. one way.

 

[ARtraveler]

For me the most important piece is service after the sale. Price is secondary as long as its not to far out of the ballpark.

I am fortunate to have a dealer 5 miles from my home and it is the same dealer that I have purchased 4 Spyders and 4 other motorcycles from. We get along well, and they usually take care of any issues that may come up.

 

[Huntindawg1962]

three dealers - all about 25 miles away - each in a different direction. Not sure which is the best so I am sampling them all with different things to see which is most responsive and thorough. Both Spyders were bought from different locations of these three (one is still odd man out - maybe next Spyder).

Heck, I don't worry about service as each of them has told me at some point along this Spyder journey that THEY are THE location in the area that the BRP people come to for all of their service, set-ups, and seminars :roflblack:

Sooooo, I guess i am in good hands and I am not worried about costs for purchase price or service because very soon my new Nigerian friend that I met through an email will be sending me $30 Million in inheritance money.:clap:

 

[Dikicep9]

Fortunately ...

we have a great dealer (Mountain Motor Sports) right under our nose in Conyers, Georgia. We've bought many motor sports from them over the years along with gear and have been very pleased with the "deals" they've provided us. Bought my 2012 Viper Red RT-S SE5 from them in May along with the B.E.S.T. Extended Warranty. Had my 620 mile service after 2.5 weeks. Their mechanics did a great job of explaining every detail to me of what was going to be done to my Spyder, how long it would take to service it and even washed it after service! I've been all through their service area and I can tell you, it's clean with a capital "C". You can't beat this place! The only problem is; they're always packed with customers. I love these guys!

 

[Big Arm]

Drove 275 miles to order it, but they made me wait 10 months for my '08, PE2888 :roflblack:
but well worth the wait. Now I have two dealers to chose from, 100 miles away, in opposite directions.

 

[MRH]

I've seen this topic come up and it confuses me. I purchased my Spyder, used at a good price, from the only dealership in Southern California I could find that even had a used RT. They're better than 60 miles away, and much of that can be in real traffic.

I have one dealer close by, but their reputation is lacking, so I don't bother with them.

There are two others about 30 miles away, and one of those offers pick-up and drop-off (both have good reputations), and that service is key for me, so they have my business.

Car dealerships, as far as I know, actually make their big money in the service department, and I'd guess that with Can-Am that is even more true. I would expect that any dealership who I give my business to would treat me well and provide excellent service, as I pay for that service, and it benefits both of us to form a good working relationship.

I'm sure the dealership where I purchased the Spyder "understands", as I am also too far for them to come to me as part of what they offer.

I wouldn't expect the dealership who does my service to be upset that I didn't buy the Spyder from them, rather I would think they would be happy to have my business (as I believe they are).

To my way of thinking, you can always bring specs and a price to your local dealership, and give them the opportunity to provide the Spyder and get in the same pricing ballpark. If they can, so much the better, and if not then they will still have the portion of your business that will be profitable to them.

Now, maybe I'm missing something, but "loyalty" goes two ways (customers are loyal to dealers, and dealers provide good pricing and selection). Sometimes, one of these just isn't practical for one of the relevant parties, and that's just business. Everybody needs to watch their bottom line, on both sides the equation, and it would seem to me that both a respectable dealer and a respectable customer would know and understand that, as I think they do.

So, in my view, purchase at the lowest cost to you (keeping in mind that the travel itself has an associated cost), and do the service near your home.

 

[warp10]

600 miles to buy it, Cuba, mo

Dealer is about 70 miles away

 

[Luckyme]

I traveled 970 miles round trip to purchase my first Spyder. Local dealer wanted MSRP plus set up/delivery. Plus, getting options installed was a concern, as they said they had never heard of Elka Shocks:shocked:.
By the time I arrived home, by back roads, my Spyder was ready for its first service. I took it to my local dealer, who also services my Goldwing (which I traveled about 1000 miles round trip to buy in 2007). The dealer does not mind servicing my Spyder, but charged $250 for the first service. A bit high, but I think they did OK.

I would much prefer to purchase locally, but I felt the cost difference, and assurance of a knowledgeable dealer for set up and initial farkels was worth the trip. Not to mention, Cowtown was accomodating for out of town buyers.

 

[retread]

760 mile round trip, no dealers in Indiana at the time, went to a dealer near Pontiac, MI, that I've done business with for over 50 years, April 15 of '08, came back with my Spyder.

john

 

[Fly boy]

760 mile round trip, no dealers in Indiana at the time, went to a dealer near Pontiac, MI, that I've done business with for over 50 years, April 15 of '08, came back with my Spyder.

john

I traveled 970 miles round trip to purchase my first Spyder. .

600 miles to buy it, Cuba, mo

Dealer is about 70 miles away

What he said!

We (wife and I ) drove 600+ miles to Cowtown to buy her Spyder...We live in TN, but after hearing and speaking to Len at Cowtown....We couldn't pass up not going there...They had the best price, best set up and a LARGE Majority of Spyder ryders recommended him....So it was ROAD TRIP TIME!!!

Haven't looked back since!! Have service done at a local dealer 40 miles away...There's one that is 15 miles from the house, but their arrogance, OVER PRICED SERVICE, and RUDE attitude has kept us from doing business with them...

Spyder purchase -1500+ miles one way.

Closest dealer of choice for repair/warranty - 80 miles.

Purchase: NJ-Cowtown 1100 miles
Service DE 45 miles
Closest dealers 8 mi. & 30 miles.

I am only seeing RT's in all the Sig's that are over 200 miles......
I flew from Cheyenne WY (has local dealer -3 miles maybe) all the way to Cuba, MO for my bike. Len and Cowtown was worth the trip!!! 970 miles later I was home with my sweet Phantom edition. - Oh yeah, and that was riding out of Cuba in the evening and being back in Cheyenne around 4pm the next day. Was the best way to take a test ride on a spyder I only had 6 miles on a dealer demo in Cheyenne before venturing to Cowton! :doorag:

 

[JCSMOKE]

This kind of sounds like a Klondike bar commercial

1.5 miles for me, now twice.

 

[Firefly]

I see both sides of this issue... buying local is nice.. if you have a good dealer and they take good care of you..... but I can guarantee they won't hold a candle to Len and the Cowtown gang. I knew my next Spyder purchase would be at Cowtown.. just didn't expect it so soon.

Service I'll do myself for the most part.... and some with my local dealer... but to be honest if I needed anything major done to my RT.... it's going to Len because I know it will get done RIGHT!nojoke

 

[bcoulter19]

I' looking to buy my first Spyder and I'm in Alabama but seriously considering traveling to Cowtown as none of the local dealers have any used inventory.

Check out Big #1 motorsports in Birmingham they have used inventory and has always been good with service on mine.

 

[TexasSpyder]

870 miles round trip and didn't even leave the state. Have had good service from the dealer 45 miles away. They wouldn't match the $3,000 less price so I took the drive.

J. D.

 

[bone crusher]

I live in Canal Winchester (Columbus suburb), Ohio and have 3 Can-Am Spyder dealers within 15 miles of my home. Two of them within 8 miles.

I noticed that many of my fellow Spyderlovers have driven great lengths to procure their favorite Spyders. Once you purchase the vehicle, you will need to get dealer service at some time (600 mile break-in inspection and service, etc.)

To be honest, I would never be comfortable if I had to drive too far for service. Obviously, many of you have. How far did you drive to buy? How far away is the closest dealer for service?

FOR MYSELF: 312 miles to buy. 8 miles for service.

*screenshot from BRP website Click HERE to find your area dealers.

For me...bought 70 miles away...service 70 miles away...platinum dealer well worth it...

 

[retread]

I am only seeing RT's in all the Sig's that are over 200 miles......
I flew from Cheyenne WY (has local dealer -3 miles maybe) all the way to Cuba, MO for my bike. Len and Cowtown was worth the trip!!! 970 miles later I was home with my sweet Phantom edition. - Oh yeah, and that was riding out of Cuba in the evening and being back in Cheyenne around 4pm the next day. Was the best way to take a test ride on a spyder I only had 6 miles on a dealer demo in Cheyenne before venturing to Cowton! :doorag:

Really? I got mine in 2008, there weren't any RT's.

 

[GloryRyders]

The closest dealer is 12 miles. I bought my current Spyder from a dealer 230 miles from home.
Reasons = 1) outstanding reputation, 2) extensive experience with setup, 3) super product service, 4) great customer relations and 5) the best price ... by a significant amount.
The name is Cowtown.:firstplace: :thumbup:

:agree: with all of the above reasons. There are two other dealers closer to me (one only 15 min.) but I will drive the 80 miles one way to go to Cowtown for everything!:firstplace::2thumbs:

 

[MMcc]

Took a commercial airline flight to Atlanta Ga to pick up my 2008 GS. This was from Minnesota. Drove it home in 3 days. Dealer 25, 60, and 80 miles away. Bought/ traded for a 2011 RT-s with the 80 mile dealer, Caswell's Cycle in Mora Mn. Service at other dealers was OK just not great. Caswell's like cowtown is fantastic and quite a bit closer for me. Very happy with Les and his crew. Besides 80 miles is a nice ride through beautiful Minnesota back roads.