Are we paying too much for helmets here?

[FatHead]

I have no qualms about buying helmets on the web. Unlike most motorcyclists, I can't walk into a motorcycle store and browse their racks of helmets. Well I can, but they're not going to have anything there that fits, so I don't bother. There are people who have wet dreams and wax eloquently about the joys of an Arai or of some flip-front spectacular, or one of those wizzy new models with the fighter pilot drop-down tinted visors. Marvellous. I am truly happy for your joy, you fucking mass-market pinheads.

I have two manufacturers who can make me a helmet that fits. Money no object. Mr HJC and Mr Shoei are truly enlightened gents, both making XXXL helmets. A New Zealand distributor will happily fit me, after a short wait, with one that is resplendently black. If I want a graphic pattern, then that's when I head for a US online supplier. New Zealand distributors aren't going to do any favours for people like me who inhabit the Siberian wastelands at the end of the head-size bell curve. They presumably care not a jot for the one sale every two years that they lose. Neither do I.

I have the same problem I have a XXXL HJC that only just fits on my mammoth scone and like hitcher I will shop offshore if a local shop will not see that I am a repeat customer if they treat me right. I have the same problem with jackets and pant since I am altogether a largish bloke. I think I have now found a retailer in NZ that does Customer service and will report back once my first purchase is fulfilled.

[Waxxa]

we pay too much for everything here

Kiwis are being ripped off and its not always because we are geographically isolated

In Singapore I can buy a brand new open face helmet with visor for $30 and a full face for $75.
Oh and my(leather) gloves cost $15

....airfare...$2500

[theseekerfinds]

I think we do pay too much for helmets here in NZ, I also think we pay too much for petrol, for chocolate, for shoes and for underpants.. but that really speaks more for the brands of each that I prefer than the item's unit price.. I work hard to buy the products that I covet, eg Arai, Shoei, AlpineStars and others, but the fact for me is that if I want it, it fits and it actually does what it claims to do than I will go without a lot of stuff to pay for what I want.. but I prefer to buy from my local bike shop because the transaction is, to me, about so much more than just the dollars involved.. I have been investigating buying a new Arai but the importers won't get it in for me, my local shop got in a plain version of the same helmet for me to try on and then went about contacting shops in Australia to get prices for me.. sure I could do all this myself but I lack the little sliver of chipped plastic that you need to buy online and as such I would rather give my local some of my hard earned dollars to get me what I want.. even if it does end up costing me a little more..