Motorbike Gear

jimmer123

Hi

I have a bike and no gear, been around to a few shops and the prices online are scarily cheaper.

Is it madness to be thinking of flying to Germany or wherever theres a big massive bike store and picking up boots pants jacket glove lid armour and saving money??

Interested to see what people think.

Cheers
Jim

zubair

I've bought feck all in the shops in Ireland, I have used them for checking sizes though. Most of my gear is from online stores and ebay.

goodlad

Really depends on what your budget is.

I got most of my gear in cotters. They are always up for a bargain, especially if you are buying a good bit. They have actually price matched for me a few times on gear to online prices.

Then you have bikeworld that are pretty much robbery for everything but their rst leathers were reasonably priced and the same as online prices so i bought them there.

Size stuff up in shops here and then look online. If the online price is only a small bit cheaper then biy here for the piece of mind with returns if needed.
If the price difference is massive then just show the price in the shop here and see what they say.

If they simpy wont entertain any discount or deal then fcuk them. They clearly dont need or care about your business.

Vikings

goodlad wrote: »

Then you have bikeworld that are pretty much robbery for everything but their rst leathers were reasonably priced and the same as online prices so i bought them there.

To be fair to bikeworld I priced up a set of RST paragon 3 textiles in there before the summer and the prices were reasonable enough individually but they were willing to do a deal and give a nice discount if I bought a few of the set together. The price of everything - boots, pants, jacket, gloves - with discount actually beat all the online places I found them when delivery was taken into account.

jimmer123

I was kind of put off by Cotters when I first visited. But its been the place recommended most.

Bikeworld lovely staff lovely shop not willing to discount when buying everything???? Lid I looked at was 100 cheaper online ffs

Megabikes seemed cool.....

I dunno what to do

Wonda-Boy

I have had a few minor niggles with Cotters in the past, but I have to say they are a super shop do deal with for most stuff....everyone in there knows their stuff inside out especially Stuart in the garage. I would have no problems recommending them, they have gotten me out of 2 sticky situations in the last 2 mths alone with parts and a helmet replacement. Was up there today and got a PR4's fitted.

sleepysniper

jimmer123 wrote: »

I was kind of put off by Cotters when I first visited.

Me too. Same as you - I heard great things about them before going there. So went there to see what all the fuss was about. Maybe I was expecting too much price-wise or whatever, I don't really know, but I did get a bit of a "club member" vibe in there - I'm not too pushed about going back there tbh, but then again I am at the other end of the country. Would be more inclined to spin over to Lee Honda now instead.

Cienciano

Buying online is obviously way cheaper, like most stuff in bricks and mortar shops. But from my experience, sizes on motorbike stuff is almost random numbers and letters. You really have to try on the exact same style that you plan on buying online. I'm different sizes in different types of dainese jackets and same with alpine stars boots.

CJhaughey

Stuff is a lot cheaper online but returns can cost a lot to post back especially if they are heavy like leathers.

galwaytt

jimmer123 wrote: »

Hi

I have a bike and no gear, been around to a few shops and the prices online are scarily cheaper.

Is it madness to be thinking of flying to Germany or wherever theres a big massive bike store and picking up boots pants jacket glove lid armour and saving money??

Interested to see what people think.

Cheers
Jim

You would be mad to travel to Germany to do that. I bought stuff in Germany last year, but not the savings you think, and really good stuff not cheaper at all.

I'm not a huge Cotters fan and they are a bit 'cliquey' alright, but the stuff and offers they had were enough to get me past the cliquey thing.

Skill Magill

Its maths. All you have to do is add em up?

DubVelo

jimmer123 wrote: »

Lid I looked at was 100 cheaper online ffs

We have to pay VAT on lids here, they're VAT free in the UK (dunno about elsewhere) so that accounts for some of the difference.

gerrowadat

I was very happy with bikeworld, and happy to pay extra for a bit of advice and seeing stuff straight up in person, especially since I'm new and don't have two clues to rub together. Crossans the same when I got my lid, but I can see it's a bit more 'bikery', which can be a bit intimidating for the newb.

One of the lads upstairs in BW had me sorted in the space of 15 minutes after staring blankly myself for an hour.

It's like any specialised gear - if you know what you want, by all means shop online and take your chances, but it's up to you if the in-person advices, sales and returns are worth it.

jimmer123

Dunno found the AGV K3 lids and K4 lids on some Italian website for nearly half the price that Bikeworld wanted.

CJhaughey

jimmer123 wrote: »

Dunno found the AGV K3 lids and K4 lids on some Italian website for nearly half the price that Bikeworld wanted.

If you have tried them and they fit then its probably a good deal, lots of bike gear is actually made in Italy, Nolan,AGV Dainese etc so it stands to reason they would be cheap in that country.

unattendedbag

CJhaughey wrote: »

If you have tried them and they fit then its probably a good deal, lots of bike gear is actually made in Italy, Nolan,AGV Dainese etc so it stands to reason they would be cheap in that country.

+1

I had my eye on a helmet in BW and it wasn't until the woman pointed out that my chin was almost touching the bar in front that I realised it was not the right fit. You basically pay for the service and advice along with the product. Others mentioned above about returns and postage costs benefit.

Cienciano

gerrowadat wrote: »

I was very happy with bikeworld, and happy to pay extra for a bit of advice and seeing stuff straight up in person, especially since I'm new and don't have two clues to rub together. Crossans the same when I got my lid, but I can see it's a bit more 'bikery', which can be a bit intimidating for the newb.

One of the lads upstairs in BW had me sorted in the space of 15 minutes after staring blankly myself for an hour.

It's like any specialised gear - if you know what you want, by all means shop online and take your chances, but it's up to you if the in-person advices, sales and returns are worth it.

I've bought plenty of stuff in bikeworld over the years, I'd have no problem going there.
If I was getting fully kitted out I'd head up to Hein Gericke in Belfast. Never been to that actual shop, but in the Newry one plenty of times and imho their stuff is the best quality for the price you pay. They do their own brand stuff

Pipz

I find bikeworld far too pricey. Have always gone to Cotters and more often than not they'll price match for you. As was said before, the lads know their stuff in there, and if they dont have something you're looking for, they'll get it in for you.

jimmer123

Was in Hein Gericke in Belfast on the Monday of the bank holiday just gone they had an Alpine Stars GP leather jacket on sale for 160, regret not buying it now. Cant find it online for anywhere near that price.

Paulw

Can it be worth considering buying overseas, when on holidays?

I'm heading to France in Sept, and the US in Oct. Some items seem a lot cheaper in the US, even the same make/model.

P.C.

Paulw wrote: »

Can it be worth considering buying overseas, when on holidays?

I'm heading to France in Sept, and the US in Oct. Some items seem a lot cheaper in the US, even the same make/model.

I think that the USA is a great place to buy gear if you are going, and have space in your luggage to bring it back.

Know a few people who got a few good bargins there.

wicklowstevo

Heres a question for you folks .
im looking for size 12 or 13 boots , seems that they are not stocked in most places and its a balls finding second had ones on adverts or donedeal .
any ideas greatly appreciated

DLMA23

wicklowstevo wrote: »

Heres a question for you folks .
im looking for size 12 or 13 boots , seems that they are not stocked in most places and its a balls finding second had ones on adverts or donedeal .
any ideas greatly appreciated

I got a pair of Haix Gore-Tex boots with a composite toe, size 13, on eBay.de for €130 new including P&P

rusty1

jimmer123 wrote: »

Hi

I have a bike and no gear, been around to a few shops and the prices online are scarily cheaper.

Is it madness to be thinking of flying to Germany or wherever theres a big massive bike store and picking up boots pants jacket glove lid armour and saving money??

Interested to see what people think.

Cheers
Jim

sidi gore-tex ,uk11.leathers rst jacket 46, bottoms 38.and set scott leathers jacket 46 .bottoms 36 or 38 .all in good nick 100 euros the lot

Skill Magill

Rusty1, you waited 8 years before you posted your 1st message, GLWS

KTRIC

wicklowstevo wrote: »

Heres a question for you folks .
im looking for size 12 or 13 boots , seems that they are not stocked in most places and its a balls finding second had ones on adverts or donedeal .
any ideas greatly appreciated

I have a pair of Sidi Vortex gore tex boots in size 48 (13) don't use them and they're in great condition. Drop me a PM if you're interested.

Wonda-Boy

Hein Gericke is not the place it used to be, I was in both Newry and Belfast all the time but since the Newry one closed down the Belfast shop (if still open) had a very bad stock level....I mean really bad. If you are looking for gear then Cotters is great and so is Phillip McCallens really good stock levels on everything.

Cotters need to put the ****ing prices on stuff

Paulw

Yesterday I went to Cotters and also Bikeworld. Cotters was fine, but just didn't have what I was looking for in stock.

Bikeworld is much bigger and has more space and hence more stock. I found the staff very helpful and friendly, and they had what I was looking for. They may have been slightly more expensive, but I think it was worth it, especially first time out.

I have to agree with what was said previously about sizing. You really need to know exactly your size and how it matches particular clothing. Brands seem to differ in sizes. Always better to try something on, unless you are replacing like for like and know the right size.

Wonda-Boy

I really dont have a problem with bikeworld either, although I have heard horror stories of people buying bikes and getting them repaired in there. But for clothes etc I think they are fine, I always haggle anyway and I would not pay the direct price in there.....

Got all my leathers and textiles in there for a very good price.

goodlad

urbanledge wrote: »

Cotters need to put the ****ing prices on stuff

The price is on the tags... I've bought loads of stuff there and the price is always on the tag above the barcode or they have written it onto the tag with marker.

Wossack

theyre an awful lot better now then they used to be in fairness to em

I remember getting my first set of kit when starting out, and thinking I needed a secret handshake in the place