Discussion on Quasi Gear from Wellington Gear Thread

[Quasievil]

Actually yes. While I'm not rubbishing the Quasi stuff (in fact, for the price it's very good) it's not manufactured to the same level as Dainese and Alpinestars (admittedly some of Hein Gericke stuff is questionable particularly the newer stuff) and 'if' you had problems with those Italian brands surely they would have been covered by warranty?
Not saying they are perfect, like all this stuff it is mass produced so human error etc does come into play.

But having visited both Alpinestars and Dainese's production facilities and seen what goes into their products, there is absoloutely no way a product like Quasi's is comparable. Alpinestars in particular put a huge amount into the R&D side of things, they aren't just made to 'look nice' like so many products. In fact their company mantra is all about protection - that's why they are so highly regarded by professional riders worldwide.

I got a couple of things to add.

The big brands arent actually made any better at all, I will admit the style and bling and acronym's wizardry is better but I refuse to accept the actual garment is actually any better at all.
Look at the basics, my leather is just as good, and I know my stitchin is just as good and in many cases better, while the big brands have gone double (often) stitching in their street jackets we have gone Triple, in our racing gear its Quadriple.

Interestingly we (Paula and I) was in a bike shop the other day checking out a Dianese Ducati branded jacket, it was $1000 reduced from $1295
The jacket was a ladies one, we inspected it very closely and while it looked good ( at a distance) our trained eye's where horrified at the poor stitching and the general lack of quality in its finish, hey it looked great but it was a piece of crap (made in Bosnia)
Conversely I picked up a one piece Tecknic from Whites the other day (as a favour to a mate who won it) and got it home and pulled it out of the bag and had a real close look at it, first impressions was it was awesome in every way leather was nice, finish was reasonable (stitching wasnt to straight) but nice.........it was about a $2300 suit though, ours are $1595, you might look blingier in the tecknic but you wont be better protected

You are correct I do believe the big brands have alot of R&D money to throw at their brand, I think though its spent on marketing hype and blingy bits and acronyms that really dont do fuck all, ie Teknics Airblade system, whats that do exactly (nothing is the answer)

Its not complicated, good gear (leather) needs good quality leather, and good quality stitching, and good quality Armour............thats it, thats all you need (oh and a good fit) we concentrate on that here at Qmoto head quarters when it comes to blingy bits we got them to anyway ie titanium external armours, TPU shoulder armours, but our focus is on the crashability of the gear.

Then of course its about the service, when was the last time you saw Mr Alpinestar or Mr Dianese at the track standing next to the guy racing in his suit, or infact even racing in his own brand suit, service is a Huge part of it all, and I believe that Mr pimple face retail counter boy wont really give a flying monkies if you have an issue with your suit, even if he did, he will then be three layers away from the maker ie pimple face counter boy-Wholesaler-manuafactuer, for QUASiMOTO, one deep you-me

But its a big market and there are lots of brands out there to, but keep it simple and look at the basics of the gear dont get caught up in the hype and bling.
At the end of the day though, buy what you like just make sure its a good fit and it has the neccersary components to make you safe in a crash...thats what they are for

[cs363]

I got a couple of things to add.

The big brands arent actually made any better at all, I will admit the style and bling and acronym's wizardry is better but I refuse to accept the actual garment is actually any better at all.
Look at the basics, my leather is just as good, and I know my stitchin is just as good and in many cases better, while the big brands have gone double (often) stitching in their street jackets we have gone Triple, in our racing gear its Quadriple.

Interestingly we (Paula and I) was in a bike shop the other day checking out a Dianese Ducati branded jacket, it was $1000 reduced from $1295
The jacket was a ladies one, we inspected it very closely and while it looked good ( at a distance) our trained eye's where horrified at the poor stitching and the general lack of quality in its finish, hey it looked great but it was a piece of crap (made in Bosnia)
Conversely I picked up a one piece Tecknic from Whites the other day (as a favour to a mate who won it) and got it home and pulled it out of the bag and had a real close look at it, first impressions was it was awesome in every way leather was nice, finish was reasonable (stitching wasnt to straight) but nice.........it was about a $2300 suit though, ours are $1595, you might look blingier in the tecknic but you wont be better protected

You are correct I do believe the big brands have alot of R&D money to throw at their brand, I think though its spent on marketing hype and blingy bits and acronyms that really dont do fuck all, ie Teknics Airblade system, whats that do exactly (nothing is the answer)

Its not complicated, good gear (leather) needs good quality leather, and good quality stitching, and good quality Armour............thats it, thats all you need (oh and a good fit) we concentrate on that here at Qmoto head quarters when it comes to blingy bits we got them to anyway ie titanium external armours, TPU shoulder armours, but our focus is on the crashability of the gear.

Then of course its about the service, when was the last time you saw Mr Alpinestar or Mr Dianese at the track standing next to the guy racing in his suit, or infact even racing in his own brand suit, service is a Huge part of it all, and I believe that Mr pimple face retail counter boy wont really give a flying monkies if you have an issue with your suit, even if he did, he will then be three layers away from the maker ie pimple face counter boy-Wholesaler-manuafactuer, for QUASiMOTO, one deep you-me

But its a big market and there are lots of brands out there to, but keep it simple and look at the basics of the gear dont get caught up in the hype and bling.
At the end of the day though, buy what you like just make sure its a good fit and it has the neccersary components to make you safe in a crash...thats what they are for

Well I don't want to get into a pissing match, even though that's obviously a pastime enjoyed by some on this forum ...but:

You are either ignorant of some of the facts or you are deliberately distorting them for your own ends - Alpinestars have been using triple stitched main seams on their gear for quite a few years, and their R & D department is exactly what it says it is, research and development with the aim of constant improvement of the product. If you were familiar with their products you would know that often a product will have running production changes in response to things learnt in R&D, on the track or at retail level - their marketing and media department are a completely seperate operation.

All the armour is fully CE approved with most items exceeding CE requirements.

Mr Alpinestars (Gabriele Mazzarolo, son of the founder) spends most of the year travelling to various racing events both car and motorcycle and talking to athletes (both their own and opposition) as racing is his passion. Alpinestars also have a huge racing service that is highly visible at major events (overseas, obviously as NZ no longer has world ranked events). Though I do know that high ranking staff from Alpinestars have visited NZ events in recent years. They even have an entire factory devoted entirely to the racing service.
This a company that has been going since 1963 with a huge following worldwide, I know there's a lot of dumb people in the world but I can't honestly believe a company would survive (and thrive) if their products were as shonky as you imply.

I can't speak for Dainese as it's been a few years since I've had anything to do with them, though I do know they operate a similar racing service, though I believe this is mainly European based. And that company's entire focus was about racing at least going back a few years, this may well have changed.

Your comments regarding shop staff have some merit - many a good shop has been let down by low budget staff, but then that's down to the consumer finding a shop at which they feel comfortable dealing. It is after all a buyers market these days.

Finally I will add the comment that a sales pitch that consists of bagging other peoples products doesn't sit well with me. Neither for that matter does the idea of riding around with a name that appears at best far too close too a well known and hideously disfigured hunchback or at worst a hip-hop artist of dubious talent on the side of my leathers, but hey, that's just me!
That said, I've seen your gear and I think (as I said previously) that it looks well made, stylish and offers good value for money - that should be your selling points, not the perceived or real faults of your competitors.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents well spent and I will close with total agreement on your final paragraph.

[Quasievil]

Well I don't want to get into a pissing match, even though that's obviously a pastime enjoyed by some on this forum ...but:

Neither do I but ........

You are either ignorant of some of the facts or you are deliberately distorting them for your own ends - Alpinestars have been using triple stitched main seams on their gear for quite a few years, and their R & D department is exactly what it says it is, research and development with the aim of constant improvement of the product.

I dont think Im ignorant, I was in the industry in a senior role for a fair few years and understand the industry very well.
but what you say above is no different to us in anyway, we are just smaller and of course based in NZ

If you were familiar with their products you would know that often a product will have running production changes in response to things learnt in R&D, on the track or at retail level - their marketing and media department are a completely seperate operation.

Yup same as us as well, we change a product with improvements as and where neccersary

All the armour is fully CE approved with most items exceeding CE requirements.

Can you explain that ? because Im not sure what you mean by exceeding the standard, they either use the same armour as us or Knox which is the same as us, Knox is the best in the world and has a CE level 1 or 2 rating, I dont think you can exceed CE, you get a CE armour approved insert

Mr Alpinestars (Gabriele Mazzarolo, son of the founder) spends most of the year travelling to various racing events both car and motorcycle and talking to athletes (both their own and opposition) as racing is his passion. Alpinestars also have a huge racing service that is highly visible at major events (overseas, obviously as NZ no longer has world ranked events). Though I do know that high ranking staff from Alpinestars have visited NZ events in recent years. They even have an entire factory devoted entirely to the racing service.

I understand that they are involved in racing, so are we and attend racing events regulary through involvement and support, we look for feedback as well as trying to find ways to improve the products

This a company that has been going since 1963 with a huge following worldwide, I know there's a lot of dumb people in the world but I can't honestly believe a company would survive (and thrive) if their products were as shonky as you imply.

I didnt say they are shonky, nor would I becuase I dont think they are, I like the products myself, point I make is as I said before, dont be blinded by the label, look at the basics.

Finally I will add the comment that a sales pitch that consists of bagging other peoples products doesn't sit well with me.

I think you read to much into it, your first post in this regard is also guilty of this hence my involvement

Neither for that matter does the idea of riding around with a name that appears at best far too close too a well known and hideously disfigured hunchback or at worst a hip-hop artist of dubious talent on the side of my leathers, but hey, that's just me!

Its changing shortly in a progressive way, we should have addressed it ages ago, but it will be a subtle change but a important one

That said, I've seen your gear and I think (as I said previously) that it looks well made, stylish and offers good value for money - that should be your selling points, not the perceived or real faults of your competitors.

It is thank you, we do sell on those merits only

Anyway, that's my 2 cents well spent and I will close with total agreement on your final paragraph.

[Quasievil]

Im sure he will mate.
Email me if you like dude..
parts@motomart.co.nzor call... 0800 DUCATI

Let me know what exactly you are looking for and ill be able to help ya.
Cheers
Martin

Price me some Metzler Drifts to bro, a sharp deal please lol

[Sparky Bills]

Price me some Metzler Drifts to bro, a sharp deal please lol

Chuck me an email mate. Ill forget otherwise as I dont usually get on kb during the day
Ill do my best to remember though. Just cause its you and all

[cs363]

I don't think Im ignorant, I was in the industry in a senior role for a fair few years and understand the industry very well.
but what you say above is no different to us in anyway, we are just smaller and of course based in NZ

Exhibit A:

Look at the basics, my leather is just as good, and I know my stitchin is just as good and in many cases better, while the big brands have gone double (often) stitching in their street jackets we have gone Triple, in our racing gear its Quadriple

You are contradicting yourself - your previous post implied that big brands only used double stitched seams.

Yup same as us as well, we change a product with improvements as and where neccersary

Good to hear

Can you explain that ? because Im not sure what you mean by exceeding the standard, they either use the same armour as us or Knox which is the same as us, Knox is the best in the world and has a CE level 1 or 2 rating, I dont think you can exceed CE, you get a CE armour approved insert

they either use the same armour as us or Knox which is the same as us

Can you explain that, or is it a typo?

They don't use Knox (otherwise i'd be damned sure Knox would be trumpeting that fact on their website http://www.planet-knox.com/insideKnox.htm) as far as I am aware all their armour is either made by Alpinestars or manufactured for them to their designs under licence. Not of course arguing regarding the proven quality of Knox armour.
All Alpinestars armour has CE approval of level 1 or 2, as will any CE approved armour. Level 1 (1997) applies mainly to armour designed to protect the shoulder, elbow and forearm, hip, knee and lower leg regions (and older back protectors) while Level 2 (2003) is a newer standard aimed mainly at back protectors and other hard protectors and has a higher level of compliance. (The testing procedure has a transmitted peak force of half that of Level 1).
Like any standard such as helmet approvals for instance, the testing authority sets a minimum pass level. Therefore it is not out of the question to be able to exceed said standard.

I understand that they are involved in racing, so are we and attend racing events regulary through involvement and support, we look for feedback as well as trying to find ways to improve the products

If you understand that then why use throwaway lines like:

Then of course its about the service, when was the last time you saw Mr Alpinestar or Mr Dianese at the track standing next to the guy racing in his suit

I didnt say they are shonky, nor would I becuase I dont think they are, I like the products myself, point I make is as I said before, dont be blinded by the label, look at the basics.

You may not have said it, but you certainly implied it - the implication I get from your comments is that if you buy products like Alpinestars or Dainese you are just paying for a label.

I think you read to much into it, your first post in this regard is also guilty of this hence my involvement

Here's my first post, please point out where I was bagging anyone's product:
"I would vote Motomart in Rutherford St, Petone.

PM Sparky Bills on here - he works there and handles the accessories as far as i know.
They are a top shop, great guys and have probably the best selection of gear in Wellytown.

Edit* Just realised at 2 posts you won't be able to PM him, but his name is Martin - go in and ask for him and tell him you heard about him/the shop on KB. I'm sure he'll look after you well."

For what it's worth my subsequent posts didn't (I believe, and certainly not my intention) bag anyone's product. My suggestion to start at the top price level and work your way down was so that the person could see for himself the differences in price, specification, fit and finish etc between brands and price levels.
I'll believe your products are of a comparable standard to brands like those mentioned when you have achived worldwide acceptance and the endorsements of world ranked riders. By the same token, I still maintain that your product is perfectly acceptable and good value for money when compared to similarly priced and specified products.
I just abhor the name, which it seems you are moving to improve on.

Its changing shortly in a progressive way, we should have addressed it ages ago, but it will be a subtle change but a important one

Good move, I'm sure it will improve your sales.

It is thank you, we do sell on those merits only

Then I suggest you refrain from making throwaway comments about gear which many other KB'ers are perfectly happy with just to sell your own product.
It seems to me that whenever anyone mentions any of these big name brands there are a vocal few that jump in and bag the crap out of them, for reasons that I can only imagine.
I feel it does you a disservice to buy into this tall poppy knocking, when you have a perfectly acceptable (and improving all the time) product at good prices which more than a few KB'ers are happy to endorse. Your product will not become the best just because you say it is so, that will come from happy customers - exactly in the manner that the big brands have established themselves over the years. After all, Alpinestars was just a local manufacturer of ski boots that turned their attention to the motocross market over 45 years ago and look where they are now.



Think we've both made our points, can we move on now?

[Robert Taylor]

Its actually good to see some quality debate from CS363 and Quasi, who both understand the realities a whole lot better than much of the tripe that gets posted. Both products are excellent and its also important to support these guys who put their earnings back into the NZ economy.
Casey Stoner certainly emphasised the benefit of wearing AlpineStars leathers several times over this season and Im sure there are just as many local racers who will attest to the quality of both that product and Quasis good work.

[Quasievil]

Exhibit A:

You are contradicting yourself - your previous post implied that big brands only used double stitched seams.

Yes I said Double (often) stitching which is accurate, usually in street jackets (as I pointed out) where we use triple.

Can you explain that, or is it a typo?

Typo, We use Plastic CE armour as well as Knox dependant on the product some of our gear has Plastc/foam inserts (ce approved) some has Knox

You may not have said it, but you certainly implied it - the implication I get from your comments is that if you buy products like Alpinestars or Dainese you are just paying for a label.

You can take it that way if you like but I didnt say that, I said look beyond the label and look at the basics of construction, and do not rely on the label as a guarantee of quality, because its not always the case as I pointed out in my first post .

Here's my first post, please point out where I was bagging anyone's product:

Exhibit one "
Better than Spyke? maybe
Better than those others? What planet are you on?"

Exhibit two "it's not manufactured to the same level as Dainese and Alpinestars"
Im waiting for accurate information where you can demonstrate this to be true


Exhibit three "Neither for that matter does the idea of riding around with a name that appears at best far too close too a well known and hideously disfigured hunchback or at worst a hip-hop artist of dubious talent on the side of my leathers"[/quote]

Thats kinda insulting, but I take it on board, the name change will evolve into QMOTO, with the first appearance on the new Jackets and gloves styles (btw the new glove will be one of the few featuring Knox sps armour system in it available in the country)

I'll believe your products are of a comparable standard to brands like those mentioned when you have achived worldwide acceptance and the endorsements of world ranked riders.

Im not sure how does Sponsorship dollar inputs equate to Quality product, How does Big brand mean better brand? How would me throwing a few million dollars at marketing to get a worldwide prescence increase the quality?
I dont think the Mcdonalds burger tastes better than the burger at the local fish n chip shop, Or I dont think the big brand shoe is better than the small NZ maker such as Mckintleys, infact there are thousands of examples of where small company products are better than big brands, dont take that as me saying mine is better than big brands, all Im saying is how can you be so sure?
I think I have comparable quality when Jimmy Mair can crash around ten times and still have a serviceable suit, I think I have comparable quality when 73 Kbrs crash in QUASiMOTO gear and not have a seam blow apart on and off the track.
Do you really think that top racers get a off the shelf suit like you could buy from Motomart?

Then I suggest you refrain from making throwaway comments about gear which many other KB'ers are perfectly happy with just to sell your own product.

Nothing is thrown away, I stand behind everything said including my comment that I like Alpinestar and Dianese, infact I like most brands of gear, my message is still the same though, dont relay on the label and look at the basics of its construction, and sorry to tell you but alot of the big brands have minimised the construction in favour of price and quality in the lower priced end of their range.

I feel it does you a disservice to buy into this tall poppy knocking

Who is doing this? you are I feel, youre suggesting my product isnt as good, I can and have demonstrated it is, with facts. But you havent demonstrated that mine is any worse.

Your product will not become the best just because you say it is so, that will come from happy customers

We sell 90% through word of mouth, so I know this. It will become the best through our effort which is constant.




[/quote]

[zeocen]

On the subject of branding.. I've always liked your Vengeance jackets Quasi, but I'm an artfag and minimalist at heart so I rarely try to wear anything that has big fuckoff signs or designs on it. Now I'm not saying the "Quasimoto" on the sleves are bad, they're obviously selling well but what if someone was to request the jacket sans lable on the sleves? Is that doable? (Only the sleves, I quite like that Q on the shoulders, look's pretty swish!)

They just look like a good, plain jacket that could even be worn in and around after hopping off the bike.. not many of them around these days.

PS. I always enjoy these debates, if I read between the lines it helps me, the consumer, know what to look for when buying leather apparel.

[Quasievil]

On the subject of branding.. I've always liked your Vengeance jackets Quasi, but I'm an artfag and minimalist at heart so I rarely try to wear anything that has big fuckoff signs or designs on it. Now I'm not saying the "Quasimoto" on the sleves are bad, they're obviously selling well but what if someone was to request the jacket sans lable on the sleves? Is that doable? (Only the sleves, I quite like that Q on the shoulders, look's pretty swish!)

They just look like a good, plain jacket that could even be worn in and around after hopping off the bike.. not many of them around these days.

PS. I always enjoy these debates, if I read between the lines it helps me, the consumer, know what to look for when buying leather apparel.

Hi Dude, yeah thats do able, we have a Classic jacket which is the vengeance minus the quasimoto sleeve branding and the TPU shoulder armour, other than that the same jacket........or we can make you a Vengeance with the TPU on the shoulders but without the sleeve logos, not a problem either way we can customize it to however you wish, for the same price (stick that mr big brand lol sorry couldnt help meself)

yeah its a good discussion, good fun.

[cs363]

....

OK, despite both our best intentions (?) this is turning into a pissing match, not something I personally enjoy.

I concede I made a few late night offhand comments regarding your gear that in retrospect are probably a bit harsh - however I will point out that in all my subsequent posts I have tried to maintain that I do not believe your gear is crap, quite the opposite. I will admit that I was a bit pissed with the brand bashing comments that another poster made and unfortunately you got dragged into it and it degenerated from there.
Some people on this forum seem to love to bash brands, people and shops with seemingly no basis other than innuendo or implied problems - witness Hitchers post re: Motomart earlier in the thread.
There seems to be an underlying trend on this forum that any big name brand is crap and that you are only paying for the label, the thing is that in our sport/hobby no brand will make it on marketing alone and for people to bash brands like Arai, Alpinestars, Dainese, Ohlins and a number of others that I have seen bashed out of hand on these pages is clearly ridiculous - if these brands were as bad as a select few try to maintain then they would have long ago disappeared as no company can survive without customers.
You say that you aren't indulging in this but even in your last point you imply cost cutting for profit and that athletes only use product that they are sponsored with.
As part of my job and my recreational activities involves dealing with top level athletes often with world and national championships to their credit I can 100% assure you that this is not always the case. Sure there will always be some who blindly chase the almighty dollar but this does not apply across the board. Some athletes prefer to use a certain product on for any number of reasons and will often not be swayed no matter the cash offered to change.
I would imagine that no matter how well reasoned an argument in support of brands like these, you will most likely take an opposing viewpoint at least as far as clothing brands go as you are of course promoting your livelihood (for which I applaud you). I on the other hand do not work for Alpinestars or any of these other companies mentioned so am not going to continue to post opposing views ad nauseum as I have better things to do.
I trust that you will continue to promote your products on their merits rather than at the expense of your opposition as the latter is generally not a successful sales technique long term. One day, hopefully Qmoto will be a big brand on the world market, lets hope so and that you do not get your brand bashed just because you are successful. (Yes, unlikely I know as this is KB and NZ, both of which are renowned for tall poppy bashing)

That's the last 2c I have....moving on now

[Quasievil]

OK, despite both our best intentions (?) this is turning into a pissing match, not something I personally enjoy.

Same, Im done, But it was a good discussion eh dude !

[cs363]

[Katman]

Question for you Quasi, why would you have a photo of Nicky Hayden in a set of Alpinestars advertising your company instead of a racer in a set of yours?

[Quasievil]

Question for you Quasi, why would you have a photo of Nicky Hayden in a set of Alpinestars advertising your company instead of a racer in a set of yours?

Its a banner dude, Im changing it soon anyway, if you look at the gallery there are plenty of pics of racers in our suits. The other reason is money if I had lots of it it would have been done ages ago, but cant do everything at once, question of piorities really