Boxerworks.com

Since I'm going on a long trip, I thought it would be good to put a little riding time on my new HJC CL Max modular helmet. As with any new riding gear, some initial break in and testing is required. Even though this is exactly the same model and size of my last helmet, I was surprised how tight it felt. So tight, after a short run, I removed it to make sure I had ordered the correct size. Slipping on my old helmet demonstrated just how much the interior would compress. The old one still doesn't allow my head to move when held still. Five years later the face shield is still quite clear and minimally scratched. Back out for a longer ride, It did start to ease up but it's going to take a few more hours to be forgotten. I had to stop into my local BMW dealer, and while there I tried on the latest BMW modular helmet. It had some nice features like a built in sun visor, was a bit lighter, and was nearly $1000. more expensive. It had no better safety certification. The dealer told me "you get what you pay for." Is that adage defunct?

I think the implication of "higher quality = higher cost" has been replaced with "you can't have that product with a BMW (or other brand) logo without paying for it first"...

Tim Shepherd wrote:I think the implication of "higher quality = higher cost" has been replaced with "you can't have that product with a BMW (or other brand) logo without paying for it first"...

The odd time I go to the BMW dealer for a part, I am amazed at the pricetags on the "lifestyle" nick-nacks for sale.
Can that many people be wealthy and stupid at the same time?

SteveD wrote:The riding gear and equipment that BMW sells as its own is of a very high standard, I have no doubt about it.

I recently tried on a Shark Evoline 2 helmet that I've been reading good things about but it felt flimsy by comparison to a BMW helmet.

The jackets/pants/gloves/boots etc are all top notch, but the prices in the "boutiques" are ridiculous. Ebay will often have the same stuff at heavily reduced prices, within months of their release. Second hand gets cheaper again.

And yes, I expect there are plenty of people out there with money to burn.

I agree that BMW puts out some top quality gear. I have some BMW branded gear that I really enjoy. Up here in Canada we pay a lot more. They push us onto the internet to get the same stuff, often for half price. In this case the BMW helmet was a nicer piece, but on my head there wasn't a noticeable difference. If I hadn't just spent the last 5 years wearing the HJC I probably wouldn't expect it would hold up as well as it did. I paid $250 for the last HJC in Canada. I paid $64. shipping included for the new one as a close out with a recent date of manufacture. I don't mind paying more for good gear, I just want to understand why so much more.

Zombie Master wrote:... I don't mind paying more for good gear, I just want to understand why so much more.

I s'pose that gets down to badge tax and perceived exclusivity by some and because their marketing and history shows them they will sell enough at the BIG price to get away with it.

I reckon you were lucky in the selection of your cheap helmet ZM .I bought a cheapie recently ,before the new Shoei .It was great for 6 months then the foam just kind of collapsed .It got loose and pretty hopeless and I tossed it .The Shoei is excellent , very quiet and I really ,really hope the foam doesn't do what the cheap one's foam did .

The Shoei was x5 as expensive .

Zombie Master wrote: I don't mind paying more for good gear, I just want to understand why so much more.

Why does a Rolex cost so much more than a Timex? The Timex keeps time very well. This is a cheap shot easy example.

There is a relationship between what one pays and one receives. It is not linear. Let's say that we start at a product that is adequate. That is, it does its job well enough and lasts long enough. Moving up from that product that has a little nicer finish, or additional features that may be unnecessary but still more desirable, can cost a lot more. Those features and the finer finish may not be needed but some are willing to pay for them. At the next level, we may see that the product is produced in a circumstance that doesn't actually change its quality but still has a desirable result for the end user. Fair trade items could qualify here. It is worth it to some people to know their purchase didn't cause more harm to a person or the environment than necessary. Then there is the location where the product is made. Is it a country with very low cost of living and no environmental controls or is it made down the street from you or in a country that has a similar lifestyle? The branding of a product can certainly add to the cost of the product. Advertising is paid for by the end user. Big name sports figures endorsing a product adds to what the consumer pays. Where is the product sold? Is it in a contrived ambiance, or does it have a knowledgeable sales person attached to it, or is it sold over the internet and you takes you chances? Each of these factors can, and usually does, add to the cost of a product.

There are a lot more detail type factors but that explains it pretty well. The funny thing is that we all know that stuff. The question was asked and now it has been answered. In my estimation, it is just an exercise in trying to explain something that we all know. I hope I didn't insult anyone's intelligence.

Chuey

ZM, does that helmet drip water down the inside of the visor when you ride in the rain? My Sy-Max did and my fairly new IS-Max does as well. This is behind a Windjammer, so there is no wind directly at me, just little odd cross winds sometimes.

I have yet to find a Shoei that fits me, the HJCs do.

enigmaT120 wrote:ZM, does that helmet drip water down the inside of the visor when you ride in the rain? My Sy-Max did and my fairly new IS-Max does as well. This is behind a Windjammer, so there is no wind directly at me, just little odd cross winds sometimes.

I have yet to find a Shoei that fits me, the HJCs do.

The fit is the thing. I haven't had any issues with water leakage on the three HJC's I've owned. I run minimal or no windscreens. I also went out looking for options for other modular helmets. Amazingly the less expensive CL Max is lighter than the Sy Max! I would like to try another brand, but they never have my size in stock to try. Ordering a helmet off the internet that I've never tried, would be a real crap shoot.