Purchase online vs in store.

[storysunfolding]

For me the shop needs to either be $20 for small items (like gloves) or like 10-20% more for bigger $ items for me to go online. I'm willing to pay some money for convenience and supporting local business, but I'm not willing to get screwed for it.

+1

[storysunfolding]

I've also thought of making my own motorcycle armor stuff by sewing in some armor in underarmor or similar material....

bad idea, zero abrasion protection. Won't hold together under strain

[Sev]

I get most of my gear straight from the shops because I know it fits and I get it right away. Parts for the bike... I tend to order those online as the shop would have to order them in for me as well. It's just way more convient for me to shop about online, order what I want, then have it shipped straight to my house. No fuss no muss.

[intotherain]

dont be cheapos by trying it on at a store and buying it online; support your few motorcycle stores in town and buy from them. Its mostly just a few more bucks at a store and you get professional advice on the product...

[intotherain]

fudding double post..

[intotherain]

I buy online because the other option is to not have the item. Money....it smells funny.

I got my helmt for somthing like $45 new (DOT), and thick jacket for $35 new, and gloves for $35 new. They all fit like a glove...Especially the gloves. I'll be buying some nice boots once I find something nice at a thrift store for $15. I plan on buying kevlar and sewing those into some jeans to make my own pants, but we'll see about that one.

Thats reallllly inexpensive man (esp boots, helmet and jacket) I remember a guy here that bought a cheap leather jacket (50-60) and he fell a while later and the jacket didnt do much good. The cement ripped right through his jacket and also right through his soft and bloody skin.

[The549]

Yeah, the jacket is cheap patch leather. I'm gonna get a nice $100 jacket as soon as that's possible. But for $35, it's certainly $35 better than cotton. After the magazine helmet test and inspecting the helmet, I feel like it is a good quality piece.

[ofblong]

Yeah, the jacket is cheap patch leather. I'm gonna get a nice $100 jacket as soon as that's possible. But for $35, it's certainly $35 better than cotton. After the magazine helmet test and inspecting the helmet, I feel like it is a good quality piece.

just cause it feels like a good quality piece does not mean it is.

I have yet to order cycle stuff online I just dont trust it. Besides I have yet to see more than a few dollars difference between online stuff and shop stuff. Hell the honda dealer is usually the same price and sometimes cheaper for stuff like helmets. Even the ducati dealer near me has sales that make stuff cheaper than online. If you goto the shop during deal times (spring/fall) you are very likely to be able to get 25-50% off helmets and upto 75% off on other items like jackets. Hell the honda dealer near me has 20% off helmets right now and 50% of jackets.

when you think about it the bigger/better shops make more money off service and parts than they do off gear.

[The549]

Yeah, the jacket is cheap patch leather. I'm gonna get a nice $100 jacket as soon as that's possible. But for $35, it's certainly $35 better than cotton. After the magazine helmet test and inspecting the helmet, I feel like it is a good quality piece.

just cause it feels like a good quality piece does not mean it is...

I was just making my best guess. Hopefully you don't have a helmet that feels like it's good quality however.

[boulevardbiker]

I do a lot of research online for the lowest price and best quality. If I can find the same product at my local bike shop but the price is a lot higher I tell them that I can buy it online for less (plus no sales tax or shipping charge in most cases) and ask if they can match the price. This gives them the opportunity to make a sale and I feel good about supporting the local guys. The worst they can say is "no." It never hurts to ask.