The Reality Of Internet Motorbike Gear

[iginge]

Just a topic I thought would make for a quick and interesting debate.

First and current set of gear could do with replacing, zip on the trousers broke, boots are wearing away.. got them from my local J&S but cost an arm and a leg and as far as I was aware at the time was a one off long time purchase, now realising the reality of buying multiple pieces of gear I would rather shop online (yes i'm aware sizes can be different and play a big factor)

So as far as I am concerned ebay is somewhere I would never buy motorbike clothing/gear from just because even it says it's "road legal" and "approved" doesn't mean that a sticker makes it.

Amazon then, perhaps?..

The below helmet is one I've considered buying as a second backup helmet beside my current FT helmet that was on sale and does the job.

Also many have "tinted visors" as a extra for a cheap price.

Feel free to share your views, the helmets all have cheap price points and look the part, maybe the experiences of those that have bought online might be valuable?

I won't post several links to different options as advert posting seem to be a no no on here.

Sample choice

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shox-Sniper-Solid-Motorcycle-Helmet/dp/B00B5VJBWG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421258746&sr=8-1&keywords=motorbike+helmet#Ask

Please share your opinion on all gear in general, not just the above helmet.

Thanks

[Matt B]

What's the problem with ebay? Lots of bricks and mortar stores use it and branded gear is sold via ebay. If you are talking about no name non branded gear then you take your chances.

As for the helmet - it's cheap but will it fit the shape of your head? Check the SHARP rating too.

Try stuff on in a shop, find it cheaper online. Job done.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[iginge]

[chris-red]

Amazon is no better than ebay.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[chris-red]

Also you can't be that worried about 'coming out the other side' if you are looking at buying cheap gear without trying it on online.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[wr6133]

I have slid in eBay £30 Kevlar jeans and my legs have been fine.

I have crashed in a cheap helmet and my brain didn't explode (MT brand but bought on eBay).

Fell off in a novelty lid and brain is intact (though that maybe open to debate).

Crashed in an Aussie Bikers gear textile brando jacket bought on eBay and it held up.

Slid in cheap leather gloves and they didn't explode.

My eBay Kevlar jeans have better coverage than my draggin ones.

So fuck all wrong with cheap stuff unless you are dumb enough to buy the latest race rep lid from China at 1/3rd of it's price.... but that's not cheap stuff that is fake stuff.

[Ben90]

Most of my kit is made up of 'secondhand' hardly worn branded stuff pulled out of the rubble from an ex-motorcyclists crushed dreams and sold on to me for a fraction of the price, usually listed on ebay or gumtree. Latest was a pair of Richa Arctic gloves; practically new, fingertips weren't even worn, £70 on websites, cost me £15.

A lot of my purchasing decisions are also heavily influenced by online reviews. Marketing lies, owners (usually) don't.

None of this applies to helmets though. When it comes to lids, fit is a hundred times more important than cost. Try before you buy.
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Yamaha FZ6 S2

[iginge]

[pdg]

[G]

[iginge]

[Monkeypony]

I would not trust my life to anything that costs £30.

Fuck me, I own hats that cost more than that!

Nothing wrong with Amazon or ebay for kit, but the key word is RESEARCH. Don't buy something just because it's seems like a bargain.

Work out exactly what you want first. Then fingers the cheapest place to get it from.
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Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[iginge]

[-Matt-]

Almost all the helmets i've had have been in a similar price bracket to that one, usually around 50 quid. Assuming the seller is fairly well rated and looks legit I wouldn't be concerned personally. If its some unbranded helmet off someone with a few feedback i'd probably look elsewhere but even then you might be fine; theres plenty of well known/rated sellers about to choose from though.

I've had a shox helmet and didn't have any complaints about it. Never crashed in it; but I don't see much evidence around that its anymore likely to leave me potato'ed than a lot of helmets that cost 5x as much. The only thing i'd really be concerned about is looking into the company a little bit and making sure whatever you buy fits properly and meets the basic requirement standards; thats good enough for me personally.

The only issue i've had with some cheap helmets in particular (as is the case with your link) is a lot of them don't have the gold ACU sticker, so not much use if you plan on doing trackdays etc. My current one was 50 quid including a free pinlock-ready visor and is gold ACU approved though - you just have to look around and message the sellers to confirm sometimes.

Other gear i've usually got online too. The big problem is making sure you check their returns/exchange policy. It won't be such a bargain if you have to pay 20 quid in postage, restocking and exchange fee's potentially if you order something that turns out not to fit as well as you expected.

Edit: This is the same one I currently use. £50, or 55 if you want a spare visor. ACU sticker. Best helmet i've had so far in terms of comfort and noise and i've had a couple that cost about £150.

[wr6133]

[pdg]

[bikertomm]

Research is the key.

Never been mugged with gear I've got at very decent prices.
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Monkeypony]

[pdg]

[G]

[TheSmiler]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Recently found a couple of shops that will do price match.
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[smegballs]

Met a guy who had just passed his DAS and was quickly heading for "all the gear and no idea" status at work.

He was telling me about his £400+ helmet and his boots/textiles/gloves that totalled over a grand.... which is apparently fully waterproof and will never leak. I gently tried suggesting that, should you ride enough hours in the rain it will find a way to leak, but he wasn't having any of it.

Came out with the old "what price is your head worth" line too, I countered with the fact that any helmet sold is the UK has to meet a set standard, plus the fact that some cheapo helmets actually tested out safer than more expensive lids.

I guess once you've spent all that money you have a significant mental incentive to try and think it was worth it

He seemed shocked that someone could ride around in a 2nd hand ebay jacket that cost less than a tenner delivered (and done me well for about 10k miles too!)

[Andy9934]

Ebay is excellent for gear, I've picked up two £100+ jackets for under £10 because the seller did not want to post them (search by distance). All my other gear is similarly obtained except my helmet.

For the helmet I got a 4* SHARP (MT thunder) which is a great fit for £50. For £120 I could go 5* but I wanted fluorescent yellow and am on a small budget.

I commute 30 miles 5 days a week in this gear and I am very happy with it. I am generally warm, comfortable and feel as safe as gear can make me.

Buy smart and you don't have to worry about dying or breaking the bank.
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Surrey
Honda Varadero XL125

[Eddie Hitler]

As soon as I realised crashing would hurt at 70mph wearing gear or no gear, I came to a conclusion. I decided that instead of spunking money on expensive gear to give myself a false sense of security whilst riding, I would just ride defensively and actively try not to crash.

Bought a set of Akito leathers for £20 second hand off ebay, did me well for over a years worth of daily abuse.

More money doesn't mean more safe. You have to be a moron to believe that (as others have mentioned "all the gear, no idea"). Good luck to them.