Best Helmet Selection in TO

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If your coming from Ottawa to Toronto the regear store in Kingston (just north) has a bunch of last year arai helmets up for sale.

However lately what I noticed in buying quality gear like Alpinestars from the us/canada prices are pretty much the same or cheaper here. Buying from the usa I have to deal with shipping/taxes/duties and the exhange rate. One example is an astar atem jacket for just under $500 on ebay. Well works out to over $600 in Canadian + ship and crap. I can get a new alpinestars tech jacket for a couple hundred more.


example

http://gpbikes.com/alpinestars-t-gp-pro-air-jacket.html
$330+tax = $372

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALPINESTARS..._Merchandise&var=&hash=item35cc2f3c8c&vxp=mtr

$300us = $372 cdn + duties + customs

http://gpbikes.com/alpinestars-gp-tech-leather-jacket-64508.html?___SID=U
$989 Cdn + tax around 1120

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alpinestars...271787306096?var=&hash=item3f47c92c70&vxp=mtr
$999us $1260 cdn + customs and duties.

eff buying gear online from the usa.
 
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Wow, I didn't mean to start up such a huge debate over such a simple question.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I'm definitely going to check those places out.

Personally, I'm not one to avoid online shopping. However whenever possible, for certain things especially I prefer to give my business to the local guy. I've actually done it the other way around. When I bought my helmet for example, I used places like Revzilla to review what I wanted online.... then I bought it locally.

Besides, there's nothing like the instant gratification of taking it home with you right away!
 
sonnythebull said:
Cheapskate time wasting internet shoppers killed the dealers who carried inventory
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The middle man kills gear sales. Parts Canada = greed. Example. Scorpio i900. Went to get one when I bought my bike. Available to purchase from the scorpio website for less at retail than parts Canada dealer cost. That's an issue. Also it depends where you live. I have nothing around me with great deals. Two wheel in guelph isn't bad. The guelph royal absolutely sucks and gp is 2 hours away for me.

Starboy ebay is a rip off and always has been.
 
I use revzilla a lot on youtube to figure what gear I want and what sz I need if I'm buying used from ebay. However those youtube videos explain why I want the better gear and makes me spend money. haha It got me into Alpinestars for some items. Heck my first video was looking into the Alpinestars Hellcats jeans ($300) and I was like... they're better than my joe rocket pants.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yedyyoc_1Q

Only item I'm looking for at the moment and would prefer to buy from a Cdn is Alpinestars supertech or smx plus boots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37aXhWxspZs


Heck even buying a battery is still cheaper here. Local shop $90. Best online $80us+ umm lolwat nope.
 
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At this point, the only online shopping I've ever done was through A Vicious Cycle. Even then I prefer to drive 2 hrs to New Dundee. The people there are great, and I've literally spent hours chatting with Eric.
The local shops I typically deal with Royal Distributing Innisfil gear, lubes, small maint items, Mission Cycle Angus - parts, gear, advice/friendship, Sunday rides, winter blues, and TIRES! Call them for tire pricing, they really offer great deals.
Both of these shops are full of Enthusiasts, not employees. Makes a world of difference.
Edit: Enthusiasts= A Vicious and Mission Cycle, Royal not so much...

"You lost 15 friends on motorcycles? and you have only been riding since 2008? was this a group ride that fell off a cliff or are you being serious?"-ZX600
 
I don't know how you guys buy gear online. I have to try everything on and make sure it fits just right. Especially if I drop a couple $$ on it.
OP, Brampton Powersports has a bunch of helmets as did Daytona, the last time I was there.
Was at Royal last weekend, said it's still sled season, so not a lot of bike gear, but they did have quite a few helmets out.
Sent from my Nokia Lumia 625 Windows Phone using Tapatalk
 
Buying outside of Canada made sense before our dollar took the huge dip. I was saving up to a few hundred per piece of gear, and that's factoring in duty/tax/shipping. I don't mind supporting local businesses but there is limits to everything, as I am not a charity. If the difference is just some 20-30$, I'd buy local but unfortunately that's not the case. I'm not sure how much of that is the retailers themselves and how much it is the distributors (motovan, etc) but they seal their own fate.
 
this argument never goes away, but there has to be at least a 30% difference to make US shopping make sense. Your getting dinged 27% exchange (today) and frt and shipping in US, and then you may have a customs duty. Good luck.
Guys running a brick and mortar store here vs. large US warehouse staffed by people that put X in a box may have a chance in this current economy.

Since most everything being Imported into canada is paid for initially in US dollars by the distributor or agency, I'd expect retailers to be moving prices up on equipment and accessories at retailers as they look at replacement costs.
 
Joe Bass said:
I don't know how you guys buy gear online. I have to try everything on and make sure it fits just right.
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Myself I know my sizes and I stick to the same brands. My lids are all shoei, gear is all alpinestars or dainese. Rare to see better deals in the states but they're out there. Other times local can't be beat (riders choice was very good to me about my 1 pc)
 
Ahaha everyone scared the OP away.

I personally only ever shopped at GPbikes and Royal distributing. I've checked out Riders choice a few times, but I find that GP has a pretty decent selection of stuff I want.

I was going to order from revzilla but our exchange rate seemed to take a ******.
 
sonnythebull said:
There is no way a 500 helmet here is 200 in the US or the jacket. Show me an example including the exchange rate
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This was back in 2011, when it was 1:1 ratio with CAD$ and US$

Arai Corsair V Crutchlow helmet
GP bikes : quoted $1,089 + HST
Studio Cycle: quoted $1,299 + HST
Royal Distributing: called twice, no answer on the phone

SportBikeTrackGear: US$700 (this was after a 10% discount was applied) + $40 shipping + duty
Sales Rep was friendly on phone, knowledgeable on head shapes and fit, walked me through the measurement process and I measured myself, etc. Helmet was delivered right to my doorstep and I saved approx $380 plus gas

I didn't go into any stores to try on helmets for sizing, saved myself from going on a 100km roundtrip to pick up my order.

I've been buying online since then. I have the same awesome experience with Canada's Motorcycle.

True story.
 
sonnythebull said:
Cheapskate time wasting internet shoppers killed the dealers who carried inventory
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sonnythebull sir..........I have a brand new Shoei helmet for you that you would like. Its $899.99 plus tax. My shop is 124 km's away from you, but it's worth the drive as you'll get a smiley face from me.
The same helmet online is $699.99 and will ship right to your door. But you don't want that. You've got 2 kids and a mortgage, you recently got let go and/or your job simply doesn't pay you enough. Come spend 200 more at my store, with another $50 on gas and I guarantee you will go home a happy man!

How do you fail to understand people who don't want to spend MORE on things that they buy when they can pay less on the same product.
The friggin people who are manufacturing the products are always trying to spend as less as possible on making their products in order to maximize profits. The dealers who carry the inventory are always trying to spend less on their inventory in order to maximize profit.


If you want ill happily buy from the dealers who carry inventory if you are will to pay the difference on the online prices? Deal?
 
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I think what WOULD work, is something that some of you would still not agree with, but a large chain supplier that was franchised. Like Home Depot, SAIL, WalMart etc.
Its the only way they could afford to off prices that you find online. Having a large distributor store with a HUGE collecting of bike parts, apparel , accessories, miscellaneous. etc.
There are too many stores that offer one thing or another but not the next thing. Too little variety, with high prices drive customers away.

If any of you are venture capitalists I would be happy to get things going ;)
 
alangolding25 said:
sonnythebull sir..........I have a brand new Shoei helmet for you that you would like. Its $899.99 plus tax. My shop is 124 km's away from you, but it's worth the drive as you'll get a smiley face from me.
The same helmet online is $699.99 and will ship right to your door. But you don't want that. You've got 2 kids and a mortgage, you recently got let go and/or your job simply doesn't pay you enough. Come spend 200 more at my store, with another $50 on gas and I guarantee you will go home a happy man!

How do you fail to understand people who don't want to spend MORE on things that they buy when they can pay less on the same product.
The friggin people who are manufacturing the products are always trying to spend as less as possible on making their products in order to maximize profits. The dealers who carry the inventory are always trying to spend less on their inventory in order to maximize profit.


If you want ill happily buy from the dealers who carry inventory if you are will to pay the difference on the online prices? Deal?
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Wait until there's no dealers to go into to try things on. How will you know what fits before you order it online? Why are you spending $700 on a helmet when you have no money to pay your mortgage and little Lisa needs braces?

"Damn I need a continuum transfunctioner so I can ride tomorrow! I'll just take a quick trip over to....ah damn never mind, they closed up because everyone just orders their **** online now."
 
Used manufacturer and revzilla videos for product demo/info and then purchase from GP Bikes usually. Just last week I got new HJC RPHA 10 helmet for easily $100+ less than anywhere online. As well as a set of gloves, boots, hat, and two shields (all under online prices).
 
Im surprised shops in GTA struggle. The second hand market here is insane, people ask more for second hand bikes/gear then you can buy it new from the dealers. Its not just a bike industry thing either, people in the GTA think their stuff is just worth more then you can buy new. My favourite is ads for say a $500+tax item new and they are selling it second hand for $500... you save the tax.... LOL If i sell a second hand item, chances are its at about half the price of new unless its nib in which case its about 80% of new...
 
dricked said:
Wait until there's no dealers to go into to try things on. How will you know what fits before you order it online? Why are you spending $700 on a helmet when you have no money to pay your mortgage and little Lisa needs braces?

"Damn I need a continuum transfunctioner so I can ride tomorrow! I'll just take a quick trip over to....ah damn never mind, they closed up because everyone just orders their **** online now."
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well, a helmet is mandatory. My point is there are numerous reasons why people want to save a $. Ultimately the power is with the consumers. No one can tell you how you spend your money. Buying online is a continuing trend. Wht are the stores doing about it?
 
Hardwrkr13 said:
Used manufacturer and revzilla videos for product demo/info and then purchase from GP Bikes usually. Just last week I got new HJC RPHA 10 helmet for easily $100+ less than anywhere online. As well as a set of gloves, boots, hat, and two shields (all under online prices).
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This is what I have been doing recently as well. This past Saturday I was shopping for riding jeans and decided on the Dianese D1 Evo jeans. They are $249 US at Revzilla plus shipping. I purchased them for $279.95 CAD with no tax (due to the show sale) at GP Bikes. The Canadian price was over $30 cheaper than buying them online.

Sometimes you can save by ordering from the states but the way the exchange rate is now you better do your homework before ordering.
 
alangolding25 said:
well, a helmet is mandatory. My point is there are numerous reasons why people want to save a $. Ultimately the power is with the consumers. No one can tell you how you spend your money. Buying online is a continuing trend. Wht are the stores doing about it?
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Closing because even when they have something reasonably priced people want to haggle them down another $10.

I pay pay extra for customer service. The price is the price and I'm happy to pay because when I need something they're there and willing to help me out.
 
dricked said:
Closing because even when they have something reasonably priced people want to haggle them down another $10.

I pay pay extra for customer service. The price is the price and I'm happy to pay because when I need something they're there and willing to help me out.
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99% of the time I agree and I do the same. However when for example the alarm thing happened to me, parts canada can stuff their item where the price came from. I typically buy what I wear here with the exception of one of my x12's because I got it for 625 to my door instead of 845 and tax here. Otherwise it's hard parts where I notice the big difference. Chain, sprockets, plugs, air filter.... all from the states at way cheaper than anywhere I could find here. If we were talking a few dollars it's a no brainer but when you're saving 50 to 100 or more, money is money.
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