About buying online

[Heed]

How do you guys go about buying gear online?

The selection online is great. I look at http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ a lot.

But how do you guys know everythings going to fit well?

[nickjpass]

Originally Posted by Heed

But how do you guys know everythings going to fit well?

You don't.

[k-os]

See if there's any local places you can go to and try things on. Write down the model/brand and size and order online for cheaper.

[Trailerboy531]

Find a motorcycle store near you and try on what you can while you're there. If you're uncomfortable buying from them for whatever reason (service, price, etc) then buy what you know fits online. It's always best to try things on before you buy them. One item in particular that goes without except is helmets. Don't sometimes try on helmets, ALWAYS. I repeat. A L W A Y S try on a helmet before you buy it.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by k-os

See if there's any local places you can go to and try things on. Write down the model/brand and size and order online for cheaper.

And keep repeating until "local" place eventually means "within 200 miles", as it becomes utterly unprofitable for any local shop to stock anything.

Like most folks, I spend tons of money online. But when I can buy local, and I'm already there to try things on in the first place, it seems awfully cynical to then stiff that same shop out of any chance at my business. Now - if I feel those local prices are completely unfair, and I feel like I'm being taken advantage of, then that's a completely different story. But motorcyclists will have a hard time in future years if things continue the trend of making an actual store-front wholly unprofitable.

[massacremasses]

local for me is 30 miles away. So 60 miles round trip... So far Ive bought all my stuff offline... lucked out on the helmet. hopefully will luck out with everything else...

[Heed]

Yep. Nearest dealer by me is about 25 minutes away.

Already found boots I'm interested in at the dealer for $99.95 but they're $82.95 online. cool. Now I just have to make sure they're legit, call the dealer, ask if they've got them, try them on, and buy them online haha.

This is going to be a longer procedure than i thought.

[Momaru]

Or you can go with stores like www.motorcyclegear.com (previously New Enough) that offer extremely easy return policies and no restocking fee. Just order your best guess, try it when it arrives, order the correct size if that wasn't it and return the first order. Seems like a hassle, but it's usually quite easy to return gear that's just been tried on.

+1 to buying local with the shops you go to for trying stuff on though. Some stores you can haggle a bit, like my local shop GoRace.

[Heed]

Originally Posted by Momaru

Or you can go with stores like www.motorcyclegear.com (previously New Enough) that offer extremely easy return policies and no restocking fee. Just order your best guess, try it when it arrives, order the correct size if that wasn't it and return the first order. Seems like a hassle, but it's usually quite easy to return gear that's just been tried on.

+1 to buying local with the shops you go to for trying stuff on though. Some stores you can haggle a bit, like my local shop GoRace.

Thanks, i remember my instructor suggested Newenough.com

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by Heed

Thanks, i remember my instructor suggested Newenough.com

Instructor? you do MSF? I gotta do that... Insurance with out it and with just my permit =$1000 a year.

with it and my license its $360... Even paying the $230 that the class costs, itll still be cheaper....

[Momaru]

Originally Posted by Heed

Thanks, i remember my instructor suggested Newenough.com

No problem. I've had great experiences with them. Also, if you write a review/comment for your order, they'll give you something like ~10% of the order price in store credit for use next time.

One other place you can look is this sticky at the top of the "Motorcycle Gear" subforum:

Places to Buy Gear Online

[Heed]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

Instructor? you do MSF? I gotta do that... Insurance with out it and with just my permit =$1000 a year.

with it and my license its $360... Even paying the $230 that the class costs, itll still be cheaper....

Wow. Yeah I took the BRC. Take it for sure, it's a great feeling to have completed it. It's like putting a good experience on your resume.

[gfloyd2002]

One other place you can look is this sticky at the top of the "Motorcycle Gear" subforum: Places to Buy Gear Online

Now there is an excellent thread, genius in fact, I can't even tell you how cool the guy is who started it, man that guy is the best. It summarizes the main online sources for buying gear, gives info on shipping and return policies, and rates them. May be useful.

[Havok]

one thing you can do is when you go to a shop and you try it on and like it. haggle with them, tell them you can get it for xxx online and ask if they will match that price. That way you get the better price and can shop local.

[LazinCajun]

Originally Posted by Momaru

Or you can go with stores like www.motorcyclegear.com (previously New Enough) that offer extremely easy return policies and no restocking fee. Just order your best guess, try it when it arrives, order the correct size if that wasn't it and return the first order. Seems like a hassle, but it's usually quite easy to return gear that's just been tried on.
.

+1 on motorcyclegear.com (newenough.com). If you have to buy online, those guys have been great in my experience.