Off to USA....

[Watta]

Hello,

off to USA on holiday (Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and New York)

Can anyone recommend any motorcycle clothing, helmets etc worth buying over there rather than here, taking into consideration price and quality etc?

Need new gear as returning to motorcycling after a long time.

Thank you.

 

[John Armstrong]

Knowing what time of year will make a bit of difference, also if it's on a Harley then that has its own dress code.

 

[Schtum]

Relatively speaking it's all going to be cheaper in the US than it is here. Expect to pay $1 US for most things that you'd pay £1 (and multiples thereof) for over here.

However, some things to bear in mind....

Most helmets on sale in the US will be to DOT and / or Snell spec. They may well not have ECE 22.05 certification unless they're European imports and will therefore be illegal for use in the UK.

Warranty claims on faulty garments, boots and lids could be a bit difficult and you'd have to return items to the shops from which you bought them. You could, for example, buy an Arai in the US but if something broke on it or it was faulty in some way, Phoenix NW, the UK importer wouldn't be interested in helping.

Specifications of helmets, boots and clothing may be different from those in Europe, eg until recently, Sidi Adventure boots imported into the USA were of a Lorica construction with a Tepor membrane rather than the leather and Gore-Tex variety which we get over here.

Having said that, both my wife and I rode in the UK for a number of years wearing Arais which we bought in California. The guys on the Arai race truck were even nice enough to service them at one point when we pointed out that we'd personally bought the lids in the US.

You should also be able to find a wider range of hot weather clothing, in spite of the fact that there are far more squids in the US than you see over here.

 

[Aidjay]

Klim for anything with an off-road flavour.

 

[Andy B]

These guys might be worth checking out. Despite their name it isn't all from the UK!

I have one of these and absolutely love it. One of the most comfortable jackets I've ever owned. Never bothered to take the arms off mind you!

 

[Schtum]

These guys might be worth checking out. Despite their name it isn't all from the UK!

Actually, none of it's from the UK, apart from the Knox armour which they sell and they're working towards changing their name to BMG.

I have one of these and absolutely love it. One of the most comfortable jackets I've ever owned. Never bothered to take the arms off mind you!

Likewise, I've worn mine in temperatures of 100 deg F + riding in California and it's been great. I've also crashed in it and it's been unmarked. I've also got the matching BMG pants and they're equally as good. Paul Brooks and his wife run BMG out of their home in San Diego so it's a pretty small operation and there's not a retail outlet other than the BMG roadshow which Paul takes to various motorcycle events throughout the year. They do, however, have a reputation for providing excellent customer service which, in my experience, is entirely warranted.

 

[jkersh1]

Assuming you want a brick and mortar location instead of mail order, you might try Cycle Gear ( cyclegear.com for locations) for a good selection of value priced house label gear in addition to premium brands like Aria, Shoei, Dainese, Sidi. Most dealers will have apparel and helmets although at premium prices ( http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/us/en/index.html ).

If you have time for mail order try (ones I've had good experiences with) aerostich.com, roadgear.com, motorcyclegear.com, motorcycle-superstore.com. Lots of others in any cycle magazine.

 

[jimswms]

In Philadelphia, check out Revzilla!! They have a retail store although not in the greatest part of town, but it's definitely worth checking out!

 

[Watta]

Off to USA...

Hello,

thanks to all for taking the time to reply to my original post - all good advice.

I have contacted Revzilla regarding Klim jackets and they will update me as to what they have available nearer my travel time.

I have found (as most of you know and have pointed out) that 'European' clothing / equipment is as, if not more expensive than here.

Thank you

 

[Steptoe]

[URL="http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-suits"]Aerostich[/URL].

The Roadcrafter suit is the only motorcycling suit you'll ever need. The most well thought out riding suit made, often copied but never bettered.


Save yourself the shipping and duty costs. Order and they'll send it to your hotel.

 

[bowser]

Most helmets on sale in the US will be to DOT and / or Snell spec. They may well not have ECE 22.05 certification unless they're European imports and will therefore be illegal for use in the UK.

Often quoted and complete and utter rubbish !!!!!!!
It is illegal for any supplier to SELL a helmet that is not ECE 22.05 rated however for the law you have to wear a helmet that is manufactured to a standard that would give equal protection in event of an accident, and that applies to the quality of the shell not the ammount of shell so those stupid beanie helmets that have passed the snell test are legal to use because the shell that is there is made to an equivilent standard despite not passing the EU test because there is not enough of it.

From a legal standpoint anything that has passed the Snell test or DOT testing in the US would be legal to wear just not to SELL as a retailer, you can happily sell it as a private seller.


Notes
(i) Every person driving or riding on a motor bicycle (other than in a sidecar) on a road -

(a) must wear protective headgear, which
(b) must be securely fastened to the head of the wearer by means of straps or other fastening provided for that purpose (if it has a chin cup it must have an additional strap to go under the jaw), and
(c) must bear a mark indication in compliance with the British Standard/equivalent EU standard, or
(d) be of a type which, by virtue of its shape, material and construction could reasonably be expected to afford protection similar to, or greater than a helmet which conforms to the latest British Standard 6658:1985 (or equivalent EU standard).

(ii) In (c) above, the British standards Kitemarks which are acceptable are B.S.2001 :1956; or 1869:1960; or 2495:1960; or 2001:1972; or 5361:1976; or 2495:1977 or 6658:1985 (per Schedule 2 of the Regulations). Any of these will do, it does not have to be the latest Standard. The Standards are amended over the years (the 1960 Standard has had 8 amendments, the latest in 1975), the helmet does not have to have the latest amendment.


It will be for the prosecution to prove that the driver or rider of a motor cycle on a road was not wearing protective headgear of the appropriate type for a prosecution to be brought.

 

[Schtum]

Actually.....the last time I researched this and having ridden around for several years wearing a US sourced Arai, I did so quite thoroughly in order to be sure of my ground, the opinion I found was that it was unlikely that any other helmet standard would be considerable equal or superior to ECE 22.05. The corollary of this was that US DOT / Snell helmets were not legal for use in the UK and mainland Europe. It would, of course, need a test case to establish this definitively.

In passing, I see that Scorpion helmets now produce their new new EXO-1100 to ECE 22.05 spec for sale in the USA.

Often quoted and complete and utter rubbish !!!!!!!
It is illegal for any supplier to SELL a helmet that is not ECE 22.05 rated however for the law you have to wear a helmet that is manufactured to a standard that would give equal protection in event of an accident, and that applies to the quality of the shell not the ammount of shell so those stupid beanie helmets that have passed the snell test are legal to use because the shell that is there is made to an equivilent standard despite not passing the EU test because there is not enough of it.

From a legal standpoint anything that has passed the Snell test or DOT testing in the US would be legal to wear just not to SELL as a retailer, you can happily sell it as a private seller.


Notes
(i) Every person driving or riding on a motor bicycle (other than in a sidecar) on a road -

(a) must wear protective headgear, which
(b) must be securely fastened to the head of the wearer by means of straps or other fastening provided for that purpose (if it has a chin cup it must have an additional strap to go under the jaw), and
(c) must bear a mark indication in compliance with the British Standard/equivalent EU standard, or
(d) be of a type which, by virtue of its shape, material and construction could reasonably be expected to afford protection similar to, or greater than a helmet which conforms to the latest British Standard 6658:1985 (or equivalent EU standard).

(ii) In (c) above, the British standards Kitemarks which are acceptable are B.S.2001 :1956; or 1869:1960; or 2495:1960; or 2001:1972; or 5361:1976; or 2495:1977 or 6658:1985 (per Schedule 2 of the Regulations). Any of these will do, it does not have to be the latest Standard. The Standards are amended over the years (the 1960 Standard has had 8 amendments, the latest in 1975), the helmet does not have to have the latest amendment.


It will be for the prosecution to prove that the driver or rider of a motor cycle on a road was not wearing protective headgear of the appropriate type for a prosecution to be brought.

 

[bowser]

Actually.....the last time I researched this and having ridden around for several years wearing a US sourced Arai, I did so quite thoroughly in order to be sure of my ground, the opinion I found was that it was unlikely that any other helmet standard would be considerable equal or superior to ECE 22.05. The corollary of this was that US DOT / Snell helmets were not legal for use in the UK and mainland Europe. It would, of course, need a test case to establish this definitively.

In passing, I see that Scorpion helmets now produce their new new EXO-1100 to ECE 22.05 spec for sale in the USA.

Most of the Arai range would probably pass EU tests anyway the normal reason for failure is that the shell is a different size or shape or the eye slot is the wrong size none of which reduce the amount of protection the shell will give, in fact the snell test on the shell is a higher spec than the EU one ie the amount of force used is greater.

In either case to prove beyond all reasonable doubt the helmet would need to be tested or one of similar type and the proving is down to the prosecution, which as far as I remember requires 20 separate items to be tested to eliminate any possibility of a production failure being picked up in the test process. The only prosecutions I personally know of has been for No helmet, or wearing a helmet that was broken, or no chin strap (nicked helmet), or dark visor (it was almost black), I know of someone who was reported for wearing one of the beanie skull caps but got away with it at court. I cant recall anyone ever reported for wearing a helmet not EU approved.

 

[jack_mccain]

Bowser,

Actually in the legislation you quoted it says that the helmet has to bear EU or British standard.

In Italy, you will be prosecuted if no ECE homologation is on the helmet. Dunno about other countries but would be stupid if you crash and die and your wife will not get your life insurance because of the non-homologated helmet or you will have to pay back medical costs... just a side note.

 

[bowser]

Bowser,

Actually in the legislation you quoted it says that the helmet has to bear EU or British standard.

In Italy, you will be prosecuted if no ECE homologation is on the helmet. Dunno about other countries but would be stupid if you crash and die and your wife will not get your life insurance because of the non-homologated helmet or you will have to pay back medical costs... just a side note.

dont wish to be rude but did you actualy read it?

(d) be of a type which, by virtue of its shape, material and construction could reasonably be expected to afford protection similar to, or greater than a helmet which conforms to the latest British Standard 6658:1985 (or equivalent EU standard).

Re your last point dont know about Italy never lived there but the EU rules state that if somthing is legal to wear in your own country of registration then it is legal in any EU state you are visiting. Your medical costs in italy would be coverd by an E11 or by insurance in any case and so long as your wearing a helmet legal to WEAR in this country then its no issue, and do you really think that Italian police have any idea regarding what is legal in the UK or not? I dont, and in anycase as stated they are not footing the bill so why would they care?
I really cant see why anyone is making such a fuss, a point was made that you cant wear somthing and all I did was point out that you can legaly? nobody is forcing you to wear one or not. You can still legaly wear an old cork helmet from the 1950's if you have one !!!! again if you do or not is down to you.

 

[jack_mccain]

Ok see your point but look here about Italy:

http://www.shoei-europe.com/uk/homologation

It also seems that there are no harmonized EU legislation (ECE 22.05 standard is actually an UN one (UNECE)) on motorcycle helmets, so some EU countries e.g. Italy may be stricter then others. Important if you plan to go abroad because what is legal in the UK may not be legal elsewhere.



I stop bragging here.