Ordering a helmet internationally?

[Yex]

I recently purchased my new helmet from the US.

After looking around on the net and figuring out what I wanted, I went into my local bike shop to buy.
They didn't have the graphics I wanted in stock and explained to me why: HJC helmets are made in Korea, the two biggest markets, obviously, are Europe and the US, then you've got Asia, Aust, a bunch of other places, then the 4million people in NZ. Basically we are the bottom of the heap, we get to choose from what the manufacturer has left to send us rather than what we might want. So there was no hope of the version I wanted being shipped here.

I tried on a different one for size, bought a nice RST jacket and went home and ordered what I wanted from the states.

As for customs, anything with a value over (or even close to if you are unlucky) NZ$400 you will get charged 15% GST. You will also get charged an admin fee of approx. $38.

What is supposed to happen when your item arrives in NZ is customs check it out, decide they are going to charge you, send you a letter with an entry number and amount to pay. You pay, they send you your stuff.

In my experience what actually happens is your item arrives in NZ and customs throws it in a corner somewhere and forgets about it.
What you need to do is keep an eye on the tracking information that you get sent when your order ships from overseas. As soon as it shows as "Arrived in NZ, Customs Clearance" ring NZ Post's 0800 number and ask about it. They will give you the customs entry number and the amount to pay, then you ring customs pay them the money and they generally ship it out to you the next day.

[slowpoke]

Not really agreeing as such as Mods & Rockers were essentially the 1st forms of pommy motorcycle gangs but their bling & patches were just affiliation displays to which areas they came from and it was all based on Black .
Black is the fashion colour that never goes out of fashion, and yeah thats what I wear and always have helmet colours have changed over the years but not dramatically.
Race replica gear doesn't offend me just amuses me because as I said most can't follow up their image with their abilities on a bike; There's a time & place for everything and if you want to race go to the track


No offence taken
Motorcycling isn't really a fashion image it's what the non-motorcycling public view us as, we're different riding big high powered dual gyroscopes they can't get their heads around...were dangerous, or the bikes are dangerous & we enjoy them...leaves old Joe P scratchin . Film & media depiction hasn't helped either.

Marketing has made motorcycling image concious, once upon a time we were humble and happy to wear black or other basic plain colours, but just like magpies we're drawn to bright shiny things...so marketing comes along & pitches make it flash and it'll sell and 'vanity thy sole is man' we thrive on looking good towards others.

Your image hasn't changed for a few years and that's what makes you you & got the goods to back it up. There's plenty of johnny come latelys that try similar but make a piss poor attempt.

Mate, unless you pick your gear in the dark we're all just trying to become the image we hold in our heads. Black is no different. Your derision of race rep gear makes it plain you hold image just as dear, if not more so tha the rest of us. Most folks don't give a toss what other folks wear whereas you obviously do. So those who wear black are just opting for a different hero/image, be it Marlon Brando, Geoff Duke or that "tough cunt" gang affiliate up the road. Can they ride like Mr Duke? Do they have the charisma of Brando? Do they enjoy beating up school boys half their age/size? I doubt it, but I'm not gonna judge them for it.

I've seen some truly horrendous "outfits" worn by the nicest people you'd ever wish to meet, so I fail to see why the hell it matters what someone chooses to buy/wear, but it obviously does to some. Go figure......

[bosslady]

We should just all ride naked. Problem solved. No fashion issues, except who has what piercing or tattoo where.. oh wait it starts all over again...

[haydes55]

If you want race rep gear then go for it. Race rep gear helps sponsor racing. Companies make gear that looks the same as racers, charge more and sponsor the rider. If they sell heaps of replica gear they will be more inclined to continue sponsorship. I think it's not just a fashion issue. I think it's supporting your favourite riders and racing series.

[T.W.R]

Mate, unless you pick your gear in the dark we're all just trying to become the image we hold in our heads. Black is no different. Your derision of race rep gear makes it plain you hold image just as dear, if not more so tha the rest of us. Most folks don't give a toss what other folks wear whereas you obviously do. So those who wear black are just opting for a different hero/image, be it Marlon Brando, Geoff Duke or that "tough cunt" gang affiliate up the road. Can they ride like Mr Duke? Do they have the charisma of Brando? Do they enjoy beating up school boys half their age/size? I doubt it, but I'm not gonna judge them for it.

I've seen some truly horrendous "outfits" worn by the nicest people you'd ever wish to meet, so I fail to see why the hell it matters what someone chooses to buy/wear, but it obviously does to some. Go figure......

you've been watching too many hollywood movies

And nothing looks as gayer than some twat prancing around looking like a licorice allsort with friggin knee sliders, back hump etc at a rally or gathering....they get plenty of looks for sure, mainly followed by comments of what a wanker or what a fuckin hero truth is half the dicks couldn't ride a hot knife into butter!

[Gremlin]

And nothing looks as gayer than some twat prancing around looking like a licorice allsort with friggin knee sliders, back hump etc at a rally or gathering....they get plenty of looks for sure, mainly followed by comments of what a wanker or what a fuckin hero truth is half the dicks couldn't ride a hot knife into butter!

The point train... you missed it...

[T.W.R]

The point train... you missed it...

Someone has feed the trolls, looks pretty much like you got hooked up aswell

Funny how the whole post was taken and yet picks on the 1st paragraph

The 2nd to last sentence in it sums up the whole attitude to motorcycle apparel

The only bug I have with the whole ploy of motorcycle apparel is that if you want to look like you've come from doing a hot lap around the local race track back it up by actually getting out there on the track and do it the majority wouldn't have the balls yet on the road they try to emulate it of which half become the figures on ACCs charts that cause the rest of us so much grief with levys.

[Robert Taylor]

Someone has feed the trolls, looks pretty much like you got hooked up aswell

Funny how the whole post was taken and yet picks on the 1st paragraph

The 2nd to last sentence in it sums up the whole attitude to motorcycle apparel

The only bug I have with the whole ploy of motorcycle apparel is that if you want to look like you've come from doing a hot lap around the local race track back it up by actually getting out there on the track and do it the majority wouldn't have the balls yet on the road they try to emulate it of which half become the figures on ACCs charts that cause the rest of us so much grief with levys.

Yes, clearly there are a lot of idiots out there that think they can safely ride as fast as Jorge Lorenzo, on the road. Such people do indeed impact on ACC levies, as do many scooter riders with little or no protective clothing. As do many bikes that are so poorly adjusted and with wear issues, making them dangerous.

As far as race replica clothing, each to their own. Personally I prefer to wear bright colours that are highly visible. Certainly when I drive a car ( most of the time ) I find it arguably a lot easier to become aware of riders making every effort to be visible. As for black motorcycle clothing I guess you could say that also is race replica clothing, predominantly from the 50s and 60s.................

That there is so much mild scorn for those who choose to wear brighter colours ( and in fairness maybe thats not always an intention in itself ) is kind of indicative of some of our channelled / polarised mindsets

One thing is clear, if you can afford it prioritise going for the higher end motorcycle protective gear. A lot of the cheaper leathers on the market may as well be just textile. Myself I owe my life to Dainese leathers and a Bell helmet, coming up 30 years ago . Current attire is Alpinestars and Arai. And thats for my occupation that includes road testing.

[Berries]

Yes, clearly there are a lot of idiots out there that think they can safely ride as fast as Jorge Lorenzo, on the road. Such people do indeed impact on ACC levies, as do many scooter riders with little or no protective clothing.

No they don't. They only impact on ACC levies if they crash and make a claim. Whilst what you wear may indeed reduce the severity of your injuries in the event of a crash, or so you hope, the fact that you are geared up with the latest stingray hide helmet, kangaroo skin neckbrace, and hi-viz airbags does not necessarily mean you are less likely to crash, make a claim and thus impact on ACC levies.

Just to throw it out there, if I was riding in jandals and bare hands I would be a damn site more careful than I would if I had my boots and gloves on. Perhaps the opposite is true, perhaps it is all the ATGATT aficionados who think they are safe who are crashing and impacting on ACC levies?

[nzspokes]

No they don't. They only impact on ACC levies if they crash and make a claim. Whilst what you wear may indeed reduce the severity of your injuries in the event of a crash, or so you hope, the fact that you are geared up with the latest stingray hide helmet, kangaroo skin neckbrace, and hi-viz airbags does not necessarily mean you are less likely to crash, make a claim and thus impact on ACC levies.

Just to throw it out there, if I was riding in jandals and bare hands I would be a damn site more careful than I would if I had my boots and gloves on. Perhaps the opposite is true, perhaps it is all the ATGATT aficionados who think they are safe who are crashing and impacting on ACC levies?

After my recent extensive study into the workings of hospitals, motorcycle related crashes, ACC etc I have come to the conclusion that except for your helmet and boots the rest of your gear is to keep skin on ya body. And the wards that look after skin grafts are the most expensive wards to be in long term. I think I heard a figure of $1200 a night.

[Robert Taylor]

No they don't. They only impact on ACC levies if they crash and make a claim. Whilst what you wear may indeed reduce the severity of your injuries in the event of a crash, or so you hope, the fact that you are geared up with the latest stingray hide helmet, kangaroo skin neckbrace, and hi-viz airbags does not necessarily mean you are less likely to crash, make a claim and thus impact on ACC levies.

Just to throw it out there, if I was riding in jandals and bare hands I would be a damn site more careful than I would if I had my boots and gloves on. Perhaps the opposite is true, perhaps it is all the ATGATT aficionados who think they are safe who are crashing and impacting on ACC levies?

Yes, but would other road users be more careful for YOUR safety if you were silly enough to ride in shorts and jandals?

I will personally carry on using common sense, as much protective gear as possible and taking nothing for granted, with respect for other road users.

[Robert Taylor]

After my recent extensive study into the workings of hospitals, motorcycle related crashes, ACC etc I have come to the conclusion that except for your helmet and boots the rest of your gear is to keep skin on ya body. And the wards that look after skin grafts are the most expensive wards to be in long term. I think I heard a figure of $1200 a night.

Yes, that's a horrible figure and all road users should be doing their bit to reduce the frequency of visits to such wards.

[mossy1200]

I look a lot better in all my gear and full face helmet. Jandals and man thong not so much so.

[swbarnett]

Yes, but would other road users be more careful for YOUR safety if you were silly enough to ride in shorts and jandals?

Quite frankly, who cares? What other drivers think or see of me is irrelevant to my safety as long as I've got my head screwed on. I had a minor accident recently where I was hit from behind. If I'd known they were there it would never have happened. Lesson learned.

Whether or not an individual is ATGATT says nothing about their contribution to the ACC bill apart from the fact that IF they come off it will likely be higher.

[Robert Taylor]

Quite frankly, who cares? What other drivers think or see of me is irrelevant to my safety as long as I've got my head screwed on. I had a minor accident recently where I was hit from behind. If I'd known they were there it would never have happened. Lesson learned.

Whether or not an individual is ATGATT says nothing about their contribution to the ACC bill apart from the fact that IF they come off it will likely be higher.

Well you've certainly confirmed a few suspicions about attitudes.............