Do you get Swayed to certain brands ?

[TheSmiler]

Now I'm not a brand snob and stick to certain brands following them around like some people. Never waited for the next update of a product just because it would be "hip" this year. Normally go for the cheapest gear that suits my fancy at the time that has some good years left in them.

However I've recently been leaning towards the brand Akito I know they are really good quality, sometimes cheap (most probably the cause of the influence).

Just wondered if anyone else gets swayed to a certain brand. Be it alpinestars, sidi, spada or any of the others
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CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[Marmalade]

I did use akito but the stuff just seems to fall apart.

Jackets - Hein Gericke
Trousers - Dainese
Boots - Sidi
Lid - Caberg

Jeans- George at Asda

I've spent many years buying cheap crap with much promised but this choice of kit is what i've came to use after trying most in an attempt to stay warm and dry at low cost and it doesn't happen.

I'm certainly no brand slave but I know what works for me
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[The Tot]

Leathers/Jackets/Gloves/Boots - Alpinestars - Because yes I am a snob! Their old stuff has lasted me years!

- Leathers, which were used, are going on for 5-6 years now.
My jacket has been soldering on for 7 -THAT was used too.
Boots- have seen close to 70k miles of mixed condition riding in 7 years. So stuff from that era was made well - new stuff, not so, but they're more comfortable!

Helmets - Arai - why? Comfort over long distances, followed by shoei - not as comfortable for my head shape, but very good helmets for those that fit them!

Jeans - Sartsos - crashed a plenty with them, including few minimotos.

70% of my collection is alpinestars/arai. My gloves, bar 1 pair is solely alpinestars!
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[P.addy]

HG gloves - cheap

RZ helmets - cheap

Akito python textile lowers - free
Generic ebay textile jacket - cheap

Nitro boots - cheap
Trainer type boots - cheap

I'm cheap. If it fits and keeps me warm, i'll take it. I've owned 1 AGV helmet, thats as expensive as I dared, it cracked in 2 after a crash

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Not really a snob, but for leather suits it'll only be Hideout for me. I always bang on about then, but a hand made, made-to-measure CE level 2 approved suit for £900. Why would you not?

People spend more than that on an off the peg Dainese/Alpinestars.

I've had my suit for 4/5 years, still fit into it, crashed in it once and it's still going strong. A quick clean and it comes up good as new. And I'm supporting the local economy as it's made about 40 miles from where I live.

As I say it's not a snob thing, it just baffles me as to why someone you spend more money on an off the peg suit made in Taiwan.

For boots it tends to be Sidi at the moment, but more because they seem to be the only ones that fit my odd shaped feet properly.
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[phillyctr]

lid-agv
jacket-alpinestars
gloves-alpinestars gp plus
trousers-rst
boots-arlen ness

[Rogerborg]

Features and price. Name is irrelevant because you have no way of knowing which particular Taiwanese or Pakistani sweatshop are sewing the "RST - Designed in the UK" labels in this week.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[daemonoid]

Everyone is swayed by brands, a lot of people don't like to admit it.

Branding & advertising can do all kinds of things to us psychologically, pepsi vs coke is a great example where the majority of people prefer pepsi in blind taste tests but coke if they get to see the brands. Odd how the colour of the can and a name can make us change our minds. It's an observable phenomenon under a brain scan too, coke from a coke can tastes better than coke from a glass when we're told it's another brand.

Everyone talks in brand names and knowing that you're influenced is the first step to being a better consumer. At least you can begin to take it into account when you buy.

To those who are bound to disagree and claim they're not affected at all, just think back to the last time you said brand x is good quality or y is shite when discussing what others should buy.
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@thomasgarrard | www.straitjkt.com | www.racingseven.com

[Kickstart]

Hi

More negatively influenced by brands.

Akito being one example. Waterproof trousers that leak badly within a month from new put me off trusting them at all.

If I find a brand I am happy with then they are more likely to get my business in the future, but they can easily lose that by selling some rubbish.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[sickpup]

Yes I am swayed by brands but not in the normal motorcycle way.
Most of my gear at the moment is Hein Gericke which was purchased at discount but I didn't buy because it was Hein Gericke, it was purchased because it was Gore-tex lined and so has long water-proof warranties.
So my trousers, jacket, 2 pairs of gloves and boots are all Gore-tex lined but a mixture of Alpinestars and mostly Hein Gericke branded. Gore-tex being the brand I go for over most others.

My reasoning is that I have spent a lot of money over the years on gear and tried various alleged waterproof systems and none of them lasted more than 2 years, most lasted about 6 months. Considering the Gore-tex warranty is for the life of the garment it should save me money. I hope.

[Rogerborg]

[dsb79]

Helmet - Bucket

Top - Tshirt

Bottoms - Board shorts

Boots - Flip flops

Because thats how I role.

Howerver i ctualy have a decent leather jacket, cheep bottoms, oxford boots, HG gloves and a shoei lid. Only been riding since Sep 11 and building my kit up slowly to what i want.

[daemonoid]

[dsb79]

Helmet - Bucket

Top - Tshirt

Bottoms - Board shorts

Boots - Flip flops

Because thats how I role.

Howerver i ctualy have a decent leather jacket, cheep bottoms, oxford boots, HG gloves and a shoei lid. Only been riding since Sep 11 and building my kit up slowly to what i want.

[Teflon-Mike]

No... I buy on price, performance & practicality...
But for some reason....
I have a Honda VF1000; a Honda CB750; and gawd knows how many Honda CB125's.... I drive a Honda Civic, and when I needed a lawn mower... OH FFS... yes, it's another ruddy HONDA!
Ah! But at least I have my 'Montesa' trials bike.....
Oh Bugger... they are OWNED by Honda, aren't they!
Some-times it just 'happens'.... and a lot of it is down to how agressive the brand's marketing is, rather than any conciouse consumer choice!
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Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Grrh27]

Helmet- Nolan
Boots, Gloves and leathers- Dainese
Luggage- Ortlieb and Kriega

[Clanger]

[Hetzer]

[GREENI3]

Don't ask why, but I've seemed to have become attached to Tuzo.

Ever since I bought my TZG-4 gloves when I was on a tight budget, I've just been buying more of their stuff.

Tuzo TZG-4 gloves = £14
Tuzo tempest jacket = £40
Tuzo TZG-10 gloves = £25

I've had the TZG-4 gloves for over a year now, and they're still going strong, so from that, I assume all their gear is durable etc.

The TZG-10 gloves were just too much of a bargain to pass up.
£25 for a nice looking pair of leather gloves with a lot more protection compared to the ones that Richa and others sell, that are £60 +.

Tuzo get my vote.

[Dan_Davies]

personally i go for what fits/feels the most comfy.

lid: duchinni
textiles : rst
gloves : rst
boots : tcx
waterproofs : spada
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current ride: 07 suzuki sv650s
ex rides : lifan mirage 125

[Walloper]

HG for jacket, troos, boots. (Leathers and Textiles)
Gloves BMW Extreme Winter Gloves, Alpine Stars (toasty warm) Gloves. HG Racing Gloves (for the two/three days of summer we get in the UK)
Shoei for next Lid as the Arai and Schuberth I've been using are a bunch of Hyped-Over rated shite, if the purchase price is considered.

I buy initially on recommendation, reputation and to some degree price.
If it works and ticks awe the boxes then I will consider same Manufacture/Brand for future. But I will be most critical if next purchase doesn't come up to scratch.

Clothes in general, Georgio Asdani is fine.
For a Posh do it would be some Macho Designer for the Underskidders to the Neck Tie.

But I'm defo not a Brand Only Man if that is what you are axing.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[waffles]

Shark or Arai for lids, I prefer Arai but couldn't afford one when I last needed to buy a helmet.
Alpinestars for leathers and boots as they seem to be one of the few companies that make one-piece ladies leather that fit me off the peg. The boots are just amazingly comfortable.
Knox gloves, after a couple of trips the leather had softened a little and moulded to the shape of my hands plus I like the dial thing to tighten them up.

I do like my familiar brands and I fell into the buy cheap, pay twice trap when I first started riding.
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[WannaBeDude]

Belstaff - HG - 2nd hand gortex gloves and casual boots.

Kriega ---

Some branded stuff if WAY overpriced, in part due to their advertising and sponsorship budgets.

Perhaps not worth the money, but defo worth having.
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Jogging on, destination living.

[Paris2]

Generally whatever I get on the cheap or like the look of. I dont stick to any brands in particular..Though I have a rule of keeping to neutral colours, so that I can sit on any bike and not look out of place.

Lid - HJC (liked the look and fit)
Jacket - Frank Thomas (was a bargain)
Trousers - RST (was too a bargain)
Boots - Arlen Ness (again, bargain and very cool)
Gloves - Buffalo (liked the look)
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Current Ride: Daytona 600

[haroman666]

If I like how it looks/feels/performs then i'll have it.
It's too early in my "biker days" for me to have any contrasting opinions between brands as i haven't owned two alike garments in the same style and size to compare.
Currently using:
- HJC IS-16 Scratch helmet which was bought for the inbuilt sunvisor and the colours somewhat matched my CBR125.
- Lewis leather jacket. Fuck knows model name or what, as I went to my local bike shop, looked at their jackets and i picked the one that fitted and liked.
- RedRoute kevlar enforced jeans. Bought because of the price and style. Wasn't arse finding another brand as all jeans look the same (Aside from colours etc)
- Shoes... Whatever I find before I leave the house. A selection of skate shoes including Nike, Etnies, Duffs, Vans and used to have DC's too.
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