Test drove a Can Am Spyder RT-SE5 today...

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by ponch

He plays drums. I used to too...I bet there are a lot of musicians in KawaNOW.

I'm a drummer, although I haven't played in 10 years...

[glwilson]

I played drums as my vocation for 26 years. I did a lot of recording for many bands and individuals throughout those years also... some of which, if you are old enough, you would have heard their names before.

In bands, I was a hired-hand playing in regional bands that mostly hit the major college circuit. It paid better than most would have expected, but certainly not where I am today.

Regarding not playing any more... I woke-up one day and it just wasn't fun any more.

I still have two Ludwig sets... one wood, the other Vistalite. My sets are identical to John Bonham's sets. Some would say I play a bit like his style; so as to give you an idea of what you might expect.

Music styles for me are rock, blues, and believe it or not... some country. I like vocal and guitar songs the best.

I also have a "Hart" professional digital-pad set with an upgraded Roland TD20 module (with memory card to custom settings). I bought that set because people still hire me to do "work-tracks" for music they are putting together. I can easily record over their basic-track my ideas for the drums/percussion and send it via email or thumbdrive in the mail. Jockeying back and forth like that eventually allows the artist to have a good idea, if not a final idea, where they want the song to go when they record it. A lot of the artists have been pretty good at letting me give them arrangement suggestions -- which makes it far more fun for me.

For those drummers that have not played the Hart-set... you might be surprised at how realistic they are. Mind you... they are not drums; but surprisingly close given they are digital. The original Hart-set was designed for the drummer of Dep Lepppard; who lost his arm in an accident.

That is about all I do these days regarding drums... ;)

[ponch]

I used to have Vistalites. I still have a Vistalite bass drum, blue. I used to have a bigger set, but I think I would like the Bonham style set now. Simplicity is best. I was in a music store recently and the Mapex Saturn series looks reals nice...

[glwilson]

Drum prices have some back down over the last several years given the crowded market of manufacturers.

Personally, an old maple-shell set from the sixties are some of the best sounding drums you'll find. They simply do not make them like that any more. The wood is different these days -- even if it is maple.

Back to the Spyder... just noticed sales info on them.

Despite an overall motorcycle market reduction of 15% since 2010, the Spyder line-up has realized a 50% increase in sales and already is #6 in marketshare--#2 in Quebec behind only the cult following Harley Davidson.

I am telling you... Kawasaki and other manufacturers had better get "in-tune" to what is happening with these things. Whether certain people like them or not... their sales are growing at an incredible pace despite their opinions -- which to some degree shouldn't be surprising given our overall age demographics in the U.S. and Canada.

If I were on Kawasaki's board of directors... I would be demanding we look in that direction for designs to compete with it -- given the increasing sales numbers BRP is racking-up.

Again, I think Kawasaki could put something respectable out to appeal to some of that crowd. At least they should give it a try.

Just saying... ;)

[ponch]

I am not sure Kawasaki has the depth in the electronics to do it. Honda, BMW for sure. Then again they could farm it out. Outside of the sportbikes, Kawasaki tends to be conservative. The other thing is increases when numbers are low show large percentages. Lets see what the long haul is. If they sustain increases over the next couple years, well, it will say something. The other thing that may be feeding this is all those aging baby boomers. 900 lb 2 wheelers aren't so easy anymore.

[audiogooroo]

Originally Posted by ponch

The other thing that may be feeding this is all those aging baby boomers. 900 lb 2 wheelers aren't so easy anymore.

Hey! I resemble that remark!
I'll give up my two wheeler when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers! ;)
In all honesty, this is one of the reasons I still hit the gym and lift. I do intend to ride well into my later years, and am trying to stay fit enough to extend that time. But should the time come where I feel I cannot adequately control an 800lb two wheel beast, I'll be looking at other options for sure. And I agree, these manufacturers had better take note.

[glwilson]

Staying fit helps... but a sudden back injury or another such injury doesn't seem to care about how your abs look Daryl... if you know what I mean

(Which is a good thing considering how my abs look!! )

[ponch]

Originally Posted by audiogooroo

Hey! I resemble that remark!
I'll give up my two wheeler when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers! ;)
In all honesty, this is one of the reasons I still hit the gym and lift. I do intend to ride well into my later years, and am trying to stay fit enough to extend that time. But should the time come where I feel I cannot adequately control an 800lb two wheel beast, I'll be looking at other options for sure. And I agree, these manufacturers had better take note.

I am a baby boomer too, the last of them age wise. My parents were born in the early to mid 1920's.

[audiogooroo]

I hear ya Greg. I have an untreated back injury from many years ago that has caused arthritis to develop in my lower spine. Gives me fits sometimes and it SUCKS! But I still feel strong as an ox...or am just to dumb to know better. :)
Ponch, my parents were young parents: both born in the 1930's. My dad was only 22 when I was born. I'm 52, and the years seem to tick by a bit faster all the time.