RE: PH2: The Spyder Club
Discussion
Fleegle said:-
"dheads with a bit of money and a bike licence that want to have the biggest cock of the day, and ultimately all the gear, fk all idea"
"I wish your business well, but I really dont think the people that you're aiming this service at are really bikers, more the people that need to have another club card in their wallet and 'the' photo shot of them on the Paniwanake"
"Unfortunately for the regular bikers, we meet tossers on bikes not suited to their confidence all the time. It's very frustrating yet quite funny"
This sort of crxp gets right up my left nostril to be honest. Talk about nicely balanced with a chip on both shoulders. I've been very lucky in life and am now even luckier to be able to have a fair few nice vehicles in my garage - including some great bikes. Having come back to my first love of biking after many years away - and as an old fart - I freely admit that ALL bikes are probably WAY ahead of my ability and skill levels. SO WHAT. If I am able to own them and enjoy them without being a danger to others WHY SHOULdN'T I??? If you want to disappear over the horizon due to you obviously superior riding skills I'm not stopping you, but neither am I making sarcy little comments about you pride and joy (Paniwanake) or prejudging you (tossers) either.
Despite being firmly in the 'all the gear and no idea' camp (although I'm busily going to various race schools etc., to try to address that) and being quite open about it I've only found the bikers I meet out the open and friendly guys who will admire each others bikes and offer a hand and/or advice where needed.
I truly hope I never meet you or any of the 'regular' bikers you speak for. What a superior, sneering lot you sound.
Rant over. Grrrrrrr
Edited to add:-
PS. Oh, and I'm off on my first continental tour in a couple of weeks (v. excited and quite nervous). Working our way up and down the length of Norway. Perhaps you better warn any 'regular' bikers you know out there who might be 'unfortunate' enough to meet us.
"dheads with a bit of money and a bike licence that want to have the biggest cock of the day, and ultimately all the gear, fk all idea"
"I wish your business well, but I really dont think the people that you're aiming this service at are really bikers, more the people that need to have another club card in their wallet and 'the' photo shot of them on the Paniwanake"
"Unfortunately for the regular bikers, we meet tossers on bikes not suited to their confidence all the time. It's very frustrating yet quite funny"
This sort of crxp gets right up my left nostril to be honest. Talk about nicely balanced with a chip on both shoulders. I've been very lucky in life and am now even luckier to be able to have a fair few nice vehicles in my garage - including some great bikes. Having come back to my first love of biking after many years away - and as an old fart - I freely admit that ALL bikes are probably WAY ahead of my ability and skill levels. SO WHAT. If I am able to own them and enjoy them without being a danger to others WHY SHOULdN'T I??? If you want to disappear over the horizon due to you obviously superior riding skills I'm not stopping you, but neither am I making sarcy little comments about you pride and joy (Paniwanake) or prejudging you (tossers) either.
Despite being firmly in the 'all the gear and no idea' camp (although I'm busily going to various race schools etc., to try to address that) and being quite open about it I've only found the bikers I meet out the open and friendly guys who will admire each others bikes and offer a hand and/or advice where needed.
I truly hope I never meet you or any of the 'regular' bikers you speak for. What a superior, sneering lot you sound.
Rant over. Grrrrrrr
Edited to add:-
PS. Oh, and I'm off on my first continental tour in a couple of weeks (v. excited and quite nervous). Working our way up and down the length of Norway. Perhaps you better warn any 'regular' bikers you know out there who might be 'unfortunate' enough to meet us.
Edited by Pugsey on Friday 24th August 08:52
Edited by Pugsey on Friday 24th August 09:56
Edited by Pugsey on Friday 24th August 12:46
PILCH 23 said:
slevin911 said:
PILCH 23 said:
slevin911 said:
950 quid!! are they mad,what A waste of money if you done this 3 or 4 times A year you could buy A pretty good bike.
Comprehension grade D minus. Re-read the article. Also you have to compare like for like.
You make the fair point that for £2,830 you could buy an old Fireblade, Aprilia RSVR or GSXR750 (or many other 2nd/3rd hand bikes) and that you'd still have that bike at the end of the year. But it would need insurance, servicing, road tax, an MOT and maintenance. The advantage of owning a bike for most bikers is that you'd have a motorbike to use whenever you want.
In contrast 30 days on Spyder Club bikes would cost £2,830 delivered to London, insured and maintained. However, the critical point is that the bikes are normally the latest greatest exotics which if you had bought one would cost lots to own and run.
The most critical point is that Jon's article probably misrepresents the raison d'etre. This is not a recession focused idea to reduce the motorcycling costs of the average biker. It is a luxury trinket for people that love riding bikes and want to ride lots of the new exotics. It just happens to cost about the same as owning an exotic 2nd or 3rd bike but gives you flexibility over which machines to ride and doesn't commit capital to another depreciating asset.
Edited by PILCH 23 on Thursday 23 August 15:34
Fleegle said:
I generally keep quiet in these sort of posts, but its a forum, so heres my thoughts
PRO
good for those that only want to ride on a sunny day without insurance and ownership costs
CONS
d
heads with a bit of money and a bike licence that want to have the biggest cock of the day, and ultimately all the gear, fk all idea
A harsh summary I'm afraid. I'm not rich enough to consider this luxury, but thats purely and simply because bikes are already a big part of my life. Its in my blood.
I have no issue with the service you are offering, but as a long term biker and probably a life long biker, cant help but feel that the majority of the people that subsribe to your service think that having the money to hire a powerful bike exageretes their ability and talent. If not, and they ride like a fanny, pray, whats the point
I dont get it. Cheapeat option a year is £950. My road hack, enduro and a back up cost less than that each year to tax, insure and maintain. And I can ride each one like i was born with it between my legs
I wish your business well, but I really dont think the people that you're aiming this service at are really bikers, more the people that need to have another club card in their wallet and 'the' photo shot of them on the Paniwanake
Unfortunately for the regular bikers, we meet tossers on bikes not suited to their confidence all the time. It's very frustrating yet quite funny
I appreciate you are a business and want to hire bikes out as much as you can, but do you carry out any vetting regarding ability before lending out a bike of 170+hp?
Only asking like
Fleegle, apologies in advance for making assumptions on the basis of one post but..... you sound as blinkered as the people you are mocking. PRO
good for those that only want to ride on a sunny day without insurance and ownership costs
CONS
d
heads with a bit of money and a bike licence that want to have the biggest cock of the day, and ultimately all the gear, fk all ideaA harsh summary I'm afraid. I'm not rich enough to consider this luxury, but thats purely and simply because bikes are already a big part of my life. Its in my blood.
I have no issue with the service you are offering, but as a long term biker and probably a life long biker, cant help but feel that the majority of the people that subsribe to your service think that having the money to hire a powerful bike exageretes their ability and talent. If not, and they ride like a fanny, pray, whats the point
I dont get it. Cheapeat option a year is £950. My road hack, enduro and a back up cost less than that each year to tax, insure and maintain. And I can ride each one like i was born with it between my legs
I wish your business well, but I really dont think the people that you're aiming this service at are really bikers, more the people that need to have another club card in their wallet and 'the' photo shot of them on the Paniwanake
Unfortunately for the regular bikers, we meet tossers on bikes not suited to their confidence all the time. It's very frustrating yet quite funny
I appreciate you are a business and want to hire bikes out as much as you can, but do you carry out any vetting regarding ability before lending out a bike of 170+hp?
Only asking like
Car drivers seem to accept that not everyone who drives a fast car does so purely for the technical abilities of the car.
I've had a bike for years and have had some of the best times of my life on it and other bikes. I don't ride much in winter and I don't ride enough anymore to ride it like "I was born with it between my legs". I don't care whether you would judge me a "real biker", it's something I'll carry on doing whilst I'm enjoying it and give up when I don't.
I admit and maybe even apologise (only maybe) for the rash generalisation of the type of rider that might be attracted to this service, but it is only my opinion and people can take it or leave it
I'm sure that riders of all levels will use this service, but in all honesty and being quite cynical, I can't help think for every good rider it attracts, it will also attract a cock waving egotist who will wobble about
I might be wrong. I usually am
I'm sure that riders of all levels will use this service, but in all honesty and being quite cynical, I can't help think for every good rider it attracts, it will also attract a cock waving egotist who will wobble about
I might be wrong. I usually am
Fleegle said:
I admit and maybe even apologise (only maybe) for the rash generalisation of the type of rider that might be attracted to this service, but it is only my opinion and people can take it or leave it
I'm sure that riders of all levels will use this service, but in all honesty and being quite cynical, I can't help think for every good rider it attracts, it will also attract a cock waving egotist who will wobble about
I might be wrong. I usually am
I think you pretty much summed it up.Harsh yeah but we all have our own opinions right? also A big part of biking for me is tinkering with things,restoring bikes and basically making it yours.Without these things biking for me would just be driving all year round in pretty much crap weather,at least we these things it reminds me why I love bikes I'm sure that riders of all levels will use this service, but in all honesty and being quite cynical, I can't help think for every good rider it attracts, it will also attract a cock waving egotist who will wobble about
I might be wrong. I usually am
Fleegle said:
I admit and maybe even apologise (only maybe) for the rash generalisation of the type of rider that might be attracted to this service, but it is only my opinion and people can take it or leave it
I'm sure that riders of all levels will use this service, but in all honesty and being quite cynical, I can't help think for every good rider it attracts, it will also attract a cock waving egotist who will wobble about
I might be wrong. I usually am
Well,(since I was one of the ones who complained about your comment) 'maybe' apologie accepted! It's more than many would do. But PLEASE, don't assume the everyone you see with a flash new expensive bike/car is a - well, the various unpleasant things you called them. Some of us (most?) are just lucky enough to be fullfilling our dreams. I'm sure that riders of all levels will use this service, but in all honesty and being quite cynical, I can't help think for every good rider it attracts, it will also attract a cock waving egotist who will wobble about
I might be wrong. I usually am
Cheers.
Reading some of the utter rubbish on the thread, I had to jump into the fray.
I absolutely love bikes, been riding from the day I was allowed, never owned a car, AWB commute in all weathers (well okay if its snowing I take the train), TDs, ridden on 3 continents, etc., and I was part of the Spyder Club and only allowed my membership to lapse because I moved away, but when I visit the UK again for a wedding or something will probably sign up as its cheaper than hiring a bike from a rental company for a few days and the selection is better.
I suppose I'm someone with "all the gear and no idea"
If this was a supercar club then yes you're going to attract a lot of "poseur" types, but FFS do you think ANYONE on the street gives a FVCK about a Panigale vs. a 1098 vs. a 1997 knackered Honda Fireblade??? If you do you're f*cking deluded. I'll never understand the class-warfare attitude of some bikers when the difference between a new Ducati Panigale and a new Blade is about £600/year over 5 years. Which is money yes but about the difference between a well-specced Mondeo and a no-frills one. I don't see standard Mondeo owner saying that the owner of an ST220 is a "poseur" and has "all the gear and no idea" and it would be pretty silly if he did.
Is the Spyder Club a luxury? Yes it is, just like bikes are for 99% of members of this forum. I could afford a $hitty car but choose not to because I'd rather take the train or bike and have money left over for other things...like the Spyder Club
I absolutely love bikes, been riding from the day I was allowed, never owned a car, AWB commute in all weathers (well okay if its snowing I take the train), TDs, ridden on 3 continents, etc., and I was part of the Spyder Club and only allowed my membership to lapse because I moved away, but when I visit the UK again for a wedding or something will probably sign up as its cheaper than hiring a bike from a rental company for a few days and the selection is better.
I suppose I'm someone with "all the gear and no idea"
If this was a supercar club then yes you're going to attract a lot of "poseur" types, but FFS do you think ANYONE on the street gives a FVCK about a Panigale vs. a 1098 vs. a 1997 knackered Honda Fireblade??? If you do you're f*cking deluded. I'll never understand the class-warfare attitude of some bikers when the difference between a new Ducati Panigale and a new Blade is about £600/year over 5 years. Which is money yes but about the difference between a well-specced Mondeo and a no-frills one. I don't see standard Mondeo owner saying that the owner of an ST220 is a "poseur" and has "all the gear and no idea" and it would be pretty silly if he did.
Is the Spyder Club a luxury? Yes it is, just like bikes are for 99% of members of this forum. I could afford a $hitty car but choose not to because I'd rather take the train or bike and have money left over for other things...like the Spyder Club
I can see how it makes sense for someone that wont ride much or spends months abroad but other than that I dont understand renting something you could probably buy and having nothing to show for it at the end of the year. Reminds me of people who change there car or bike every year to impress their mates and neighbours but are up to their eyeballs in debt.
I know someone who had a bit of a drop on one of the club bikes and I think he was both very bashful at the crime but impressed he wasn't dragged out back and shot.
Oddly I think he in some ways makes the scheme more impressive. He's a very keen motorcyclist who does big miles pan Europe on the latest sports bike and is fugging swift - but likes the chance to try something different some times.
Of course he has the cash so why not have a play? Definately no willy waver, just someone who has one bike permanently and likes a second sometimes.
Not for me of course, I need my boxer twin feet warmers at my age....
Oddly I think he in some ways makes the scheme more impressive. He's a very keen motorcyclist who does big miles pan Europe on the latest sports bike and is fugging swift - but likes the chance to try something different some times.
Of course he has the cash so why not have a play? Definately no willy waver, just someone who has one bike permanently and likes a second sometimes.
Not for me of course, I need my boxer twin feet warmers at my age....
BlackPrince said:
I'll never understand the class-warfare attitude of some bikers when the difference between a new Ducati Panigale and a new Blade is about £600/year over 5 years. Which is money yes but about the difference between a well-specced Mondeo and a no-frills one. I don't see standard Mondeo owner saying that the owner of an ST220 is a "poseur" and has "all the gear and no idea" and it would be pretty silly if he did.
+1The whole idea of a £13k bike being "expensive" or "unaffordable" compared to an £11k bike from another manufacturer makes me chuckle. In relative terms, ALL bikes are priced so closely, that in car terms, you are simply moving up the trim level for a given rep-mobile. No one other than people who read magazines too much really cares whether you are on the latest bike surely?
Perhaps this is more closely tied in with the (perhaps historic now) ownership profile of most "bikers" falling into the socio-economic C,D,E categories, and the reasoning power of people doing those roles?
I cannot believe some of the ignorant prejudiced opinion that has been spouted in this thread!
Anyway. My two penneths. I used to be a member of Spyder Club and in my opinion, yes, it is a luxury, but for what it offers I think it's conspicuously good value compared to similar car club offerings like ecurie25, Club GT etc. (e.g., ecurie25 charge £12k for the lowest level of their annual membership!!)
Unlike Spyder Club, the car clubs don't take all the hassle out of things either by delivering and picking up your toy for you do they! (unless u pay extra "delivery charges").
Spyder club isn't just a hire mechanism either - like others have said - it's a proper club with a great friendly community atmosphere, club tours through the alps/wales/scotland, holidays, track days, open days to attract new members, visits to IOM TT etc etc. In my experience the club is friendly, and more importantly, all members are proper biking enthusiasts who want to try out a variety of machinery in addition to the "daily" bike they already own.
My advice is to try it, then make up your own mind. There's a Spyder Club Open Day coming up in Sept - why not give it a go - I think they only cost £50 for the day and you get to experience about 4 bikes on some great roads - including lunch. Beats the pants off a track day for value!!
Anyway. My two penneths. I used to be a member of Spyder Club and in my opinion, yes, it is a luxury, but for what it offers I think it's conspicuously good value compared to similar car club offerings like ecurie25, Club GT etc. (e.g., ecurie25 charge £12k for the lowest level of their annual membership!!)
Unlike Spyder Club, the car clubs don't take all the hassle out of things either by delivering and picking up your toy for you do they! (unless u pay extra "delivery charges").
Spyder club isn't just a hire mechanism either - like others have said - it's a proper club with a great friendly community atmosphere, club tours through the alps/wales/scotland, holidays, track days, open days to attract new members, visits to IOM TT etc etc. In my experience the club is friendly, and more importantly, all members are proper biking enthusiasts who want to try out a variety of machinery in addition to the "daily" bike they already own.
My advice is to try it, then make up your own mind. There's a Spyder Club Open Day coming up in Sept - why not give it a go - I think they only cost £50 for the day and you get to experience about 4 bikes on some great roads - including lunch. Beats the pants off a track day for value!!
No longer a member of Spyderclub, but was for two years (I caught the track day addiction, which in turn redirected my free time and disposable income!). However, I really enjoyed my membership and went away to Spain with them twice.
I learnt a lot from experimenting with the club's fleet. A couple of the more memorable episodes were a weekend jaunt on the S1000RR to North Wales, and a week with the RSV4R Factory in the Highlands, but also being very surprised by bikes I would never in a million years choosed to cock a leg over, such as the Moto Guzzi Griso. Such experimenting informed my future bike purchases a lot.
The couple who run it are genuinely nice people who go out of their way to look after you. One nice touch is they go to great lengths to listen to their members' feedback, such as suggestions about which bikes to invest in next. The other members that I met were generally down to earth enthusiasts who knew how to ride powerful bikes quickly and safely.
To the sceptic, I recommend their open days. As a concept, I think the club has a secure niche well and truly carved out.
I learnt a lot from experimenting with the club's fleet. A couple of the more memorable episodes were a weekend jaunt on the S1000RR to North Wales, and a week with the RSV4R Factory in the Highlands, but also being very surprised by bikes I would never in a million years choosed to cock a leg over, such as the Moto Guzzi Griso. Such experimenting informed my future bike purchases a lot.
The couple who run it are genuinely nice people who go out of their way to look after you. One nice touch is they go to great lengths to listen to their members' feedback, such as suggestions about which bikes to invest in next. The other members that I met were generally down to earth enthusiasts who knew how to ride powerful bikes quickly and safely.
To the sceptic, I recommend their open days. As a concept, I think the club has a secure niche well and truly carved out.
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