Make sure you do your research
Make sure you do your research
Maybe 10 years ago or more, I wanted to buy a new helmet.
When I was down at the local HD dealer, I saw a nice modular helmet they had.
I don't know how it came to be, but I found out that HJC made the helmet, and it was cheaper buying the HJC brand instead of the Harley brand, the only difference was the stickers on the helmet.
Now I was looking at buying another HJC helmet and since I have some reward gift certificates from the HD Visa, if I could buy the HJC brand there, I could use those and save some money on the helmet, along with getting my usual 10% discount they give HOG members.
So I go down and ask a lady there about the Symax 3 helmet and she says Harley sells the HJC who makes the Symax 3 and they put Harley's name on it, and it is cheaper than the HJC version.
After discussing with her that my past experience has shown that HD prices are higher, she quickly confirmed that this helmet was $50.00 cheaper than the HJC counterpart.
I told her I would get back to her.
So today, I am looking at the Harley website, and come to find out that the helmet they sell at the dealer is actually the IS Max 2.....and you can also buy that helmet cheaper everywhere else without the Harley stickers.
Boy....I almost fell for that one. Good thing I did some research online before buying that helmet.
When I was down at the local HD dealer, I saw a nice modular helmet they had.
I don't know how it came to be, but I found out that HJC made the helmet, and it was cheaper buying the HJC brand instead of the Harley brand, the only difference was the stickers on the helmet.
Now I was looking at buying another HJC helmet and since I have some reward gift certificates from the HD Visa, if I could buy the HJC brand there, I could use those and save some money on the helmet, along with getting my usual 10% discount they give HOG members.
So I go down and ask a lady there about the Symax 3 helmet and she says Harley sells the HJC who makes the Symax 3 and they put Harley's name on it, and it is cheaper than the HJC version.
After discussing with her that my past experience has shown that HD prices are higher, she quickly confirmed that this helmet was $50.00 cheaper than the HJC counterpart.
I told her I would get back to her.
So today, I am looking at the Harley website, and come to find out that the helmet they sell at the dealer is actually the IS Max 2.....and you can also buy that helmet cheaper everywhere else without the Harley stickers.
Boy....I almost fell for that one. Good thing I did some research online before buying that helmet.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,817
Likes: 7,850
From: SE Louisiana
I wonder if the local dealers will ever figure out that if they lower prices, it's better to make some profit than no profit.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 425
From: Illinois
Last time I went to a dealership to buy a shirt for my girlfriend,I told the motorclothes girl I don't buy any Harley branded stuff for myself 'cause it just costs too much.
She says"I know what you mean" Then she looked around quickly and quietly added"especially here"!
She says"I know what you mean" Then she looked around quickly and quietly added"especially here"!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 189
From: Louisiana
Last time I went to a dealership to buy a shirt for my girlfriend,I told the motorclothes girl I don't buy any Harley branded stuff for myself 'cause it just costs too much.
She says"I know what you mean" Then she looked around quickly and quietly added"especially here"!
She says"I know what you mean" Then she looked around quickly and quietly added"especially here"!
The price variation from store to store for clothes, especially t-shirts, is ridiculous.
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Joe Kucinski
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 247
From: Tulsa, OK
I was in a jam for a new lid in a hurry and the dealership tried to sell me on the $185 3/4 with a face shield and sun visor(They are now down to $160), which is an HJC IS-33 a helmet I could pick up all day long for $135(now $111 from revzilla) online. When I said there was no way I was paying that price for an HJC she tried tell tell me how much better it was than a Shoei J-Cruise because of the price difference. I've been wearing Shoei for 20 years and every time I try to chase a better value in a helmet I wind up wasting money. I bit the bullet bought a new j-cruise and couldn't be happier.
