Where do you shop for your helmet?

Discussion in 'Gear & Accessories' started by danmurphymn, Dec 31, 2009.

  1. Nungboy

    Nungboy New Member

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    I advocate not only trying on in person but also giving your business to the local shop or else they may not be around much longer!
     
  2. Wabbit1961

    Wabbit1961 New Member

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    Well, if my local business would match an online price for a helmet that they have that I want, then I would give them the business. Such was the case when I bought that Bell Star, but that was a closeout fluke and I got lucky.

    The reason a business might not be around in the future is the fact that they are unwilling to sell items for a less profit, higher volume sold philosophy. So, pardon my French, but fuck them. They deserve to go out of business. Next thing you now they're selling off their inventory online for cheap before they declare bankruptcy!

    But when's the last time you saw a dealership or even an online helmet shop go down a couple hundred bucks on say an Arai Cobra Corsair because you can show it to them on Ebay for almost half price? Hell, at that time, when I was interested in that helmet, the Cobra was a year old model already. They should have been willing to come down to clear out old stock. Fuck'em.

    Lastly,the fact that when I buy online I do not pay shipping or tax, so what I see is what I pay.

    I will say that for the most part, other gear like jackets, pants, gloves, etc., are more competitive between local stores and online prices. But helmets are a different matter for some reason.
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2010
  3. desertman62

    desertman62 New Member

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    Cycle Gear or The Helmet Center here in Phoenix. I try to buy local as much as possible also.
     
  4. Nungboy

    Nungboy New Member

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    I understand all of what you are saying and agree with much of it. Retail has always been ruled by this "Survival of the Fitest (Fairest?)" concept and nowadays the internet competition ramps up the pressure. I have seen some shops mismanage themselves out of business and they deserve that. But this concept remains true: when you or I need that one small Honda part TODAY in order to ride, the store down the street will usually have it unless they went out of business yesterday because everyone bought all their gear on line. Perhaps we'll all end up with no small retailers in the future...perhaps we'll all adjust to that. But right now it is an awkward time, the on-line businesses haven't quite perfected their approach and the local brick & mortar stores are carrying MUCH LESS stock than they ever did before...frankly, things are pretty crappy in my estimate. Until the "new way" becomes alot more stable we will all be in this muddled middle ground. But I for one like going down to a store to get advice, to see the products, to try on that helmet, and to get that little part that allows me to ride that weekend. Do I grumble when that part costs $5 instead of 39 cents? Sure. But as soon as I start riding I forget about that. It is a free country...do what you want...but I always advocate understanding what ramifications your actions have for the world.
     
  5. Wabbit1961

    Wabbit1961 New Member

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    Oh, I always prefer to try things on at a local shop too, but as you pointed out, they seem to be carrying less and less stock for us to sample. I rely a lot on opinions in rider forums such as this to give fairly accurate views and testimonials. Specialty items are the crux of the difficulty when you try and vist your local shop to evaluate a product. Take for example one-piece race suits, or even one piece riding suits like a Fieldsheer Cyclone (which I am currently interested in). There is nowhere to be found localy that has them to try as far as fit and quality appraisal, so as mentioned before I rely on others in forums such as this to give honest evaluations before I commit to an online purchase.

    Even something as simple as gloves. No place I know carries a large selection, and even less as far as size ranges are concerned. Same goes for boots, and right on down the line. I'm not mad, but it is frustrating when you want it 'right now' and have to settle for researching it online and then taking the chance and buying it online.

    A retail public motorcycle 'superstore' might do well, but then again because they are so diverse they may not. I contend that they would do well IF their prices were the best around, meaning they cut their profit margin in leu of higher volume sales. Even that's chancy though, IMO. Online, they have little to no overhead, making it very low risk. Many of the online stores sell on behalf of the manufacturer at discounted pricing, and orders are shipped actually from the manufacturer and not an offsite individually owned warehouse.

    Retail stores are stuck with the stigma of having to pay salespeople, power bills, space rental, etc. They'll never IMO be able to compete with online. They may get close, but usually on closeout items only. Would I pay $20 more for a jacket if the store had it, over saving the $20 by getting it online... probably. But for a $50 difference, I can wait a few days.
     
  6. Nungboy

    Nungboy New Member

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    Very good points. And I second you on the gloves...why are there so few quality gloves in retail stores? First rule of retail is PUT THE PRODUCT IN THE CUSTOMER'S HANDS. I'd be pessimistic if not for a few stores in my town (in different hobbies) that are doing it right and are successful. They charge the common internet price on all their products...they do a great business locally AND they sell on line...perhaps that is the answer...retail and on-line service at the same time.
     
  7. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I would like to patronize my local shop. And for the most part I do. Far that matter, I have only once ordered something on line and I took delivery just a couple days ago. But dammit. Over the 3 1/2 years I have been riding, I have had about 90% of my servicing done on the bike that I bought from that dealership. Three sets of tires, three sets of chain and gears. Three suits, two rain suits, two helmets and untold pairs of gloves. And they give me a standard 10% discount. Fuck, I can walk into the dealer down the street where I have not spent a cent and get that. In all fairlness, they did come close to meeting an on line price for my present Sharke helmet. Almost is good enough. I can understand overhead issues and all. But I had to really bargain for that. The dealerships should make me want to come in to see them. I come from a family where there is a sales background. I have a strong appreciation to treatment of potential customers. ANd even though I may not be in sales or business myself, I do have to sell positions and proceedures on a daily basis.

    There is a lot of room for business to improve and get people back into thier shops. If they don't do this, there is definately an uncertail future for them.

    After all that blubbering, when I need a new helmet, I will be going to the shop and fighting for the best deal I can get. Maybe just a different shop.
     
  8. Nungboy

    Nungboy New Member

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    Well spoke, Puck! (Shakespeare)

    Randy, your post should be required reading for retail shops...they could then understand what customers are expecting.
     
  9. kd4ysi

    kd4ysi New Member

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    cycle gear is where i buy all my helmets at
     
  10. ZEN biker

    ZEN biker New Member

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    I bought my Helmet from my honda dealer....they took the time to measure and remeasure my mellon to get the right size, they also brought in the color i wanted and kept their price close to the internet store prices. since i live in northern canada and the closest main stream city is 6hrs drive away I expected to pay more for shipping regardless.
     
  11. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    The Pas Manitscolditoldya?
     
  12. madduxca

    madduxca New Member

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    You will learn the imortance of fit as soon as you buy your first lid. Your hat size does not alway refelct you helmet size. first helmet i bought was a cheap hjc on sale form Motorcycle Helmets, Motorcycle Tires, Motorcycle and ATV Accessories at Chaparral Motorsports on a 70% off deal. It fit ok but gave me a headache after 45 min or so. So i saved and perchased a shark rsr2 muggerrdige on ebay. best lid in the world. fit great, very comfy, and a great visor (easy to switch and never fogs.) This was basically a lucky purchace becasue the shell shape of the shark just happened to be the same i wear. so @ this point i still had no idea helmet shape was an issue. Next lid was a suomy spec 1r Xuas rep from ebay. beautiful helmet for a great price. i ordered my hat size and when the helmet arrived i couldn't stand to have it on for more than a minute. the fit was very round and my head was a little to long so i was getting alot of preasure on the forehead.

    recently i went to the arai website. there is a guide on how to measure your dome as well as find roughly what your fit is. have a friend take a cloth measuring tape (what people who fit suits and stuff use) and measure you head at its largest point, usually right above your eyebrows. the measure front to back and side to side. compare the numbers. this should give you an idea if your head is longer than it is wide (long oval fit) or close to the same lenght as width (round Oval) or somewhere in between (intermediate oval) like most of us are. then take a look @ webbike world helmet site (Motorcycle Helmets - webBikeWorld) they have reviewed almost every helmet out there thoroughly and should be able to tell you what kind of shape to expect. compare this to you prospective helmets.

    Unfortunatly the best prices are usually found online so its impossible to try lids on. but you can make a pretty good estimation of what would work for ya. the shops were i live don't want you try lids on unless they know you "serious" about purchasing one that day. im sure they see people every day that find the right size and buy online. so find a model with your size and shape an Ebay away
     
  13. Cruise

    Cruise New Member

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    Go to your dealer. Its best to try on all brands. Everyone fits everyone differently. I really like HJC but I know lots who go for Arai
     
  14. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

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    I just bought a Shoei RF1000 at Competition Accessories in Ohio. They are having their blowout sale. I saved over $200. As you can tell I wait for the sales. It replaces my way way older Shoei.
     
  15. Cruise

    Cruise New Member

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    I have family in Ohio. Ive been to Roush Motorsports in Medina, Ohio. Have you been there? Its amazing. Their showroom is sick. Ive never seen anything like it. But Im sure you'be heard of it since your a local.
     
  16. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

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    Hey my daughter just moved to Dallas. Kinda close to you. Never been to Roush. But it's not that far away. I'm up on the lake just west of Cleve. Just looked them up. I pass buy that area quite often. Thanks for the name. I'll have to stop this summer and see what they carry.
     
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