Clothing Shops for bikers...

Is it just me or has anybody noticed how downhill the clothing shops for bikers these days have gone? Now I'm not going to get all Uncle Albert here but to be fair I've been riding 3 years and in that time I have seen the decline grow.

Perhaps this is down to the growth of online orders nowadays the shops don't seem to carry stock anymore but I felt particularly aggrieved for my wife as yesterday we went out with the mission of buying her some leathers or at the very least getting her to try some on so that she could see the difference in sizes between the brands Alpinestars, RST, Dainese etc.. We had already tried all our local biker shops in Essex only to be told sorry we can order something in for you but got nothing here don't get much demand for women's stuff etc..

We visited one yesterday who actually had some women's gear but it was the crappy pillion designed stuff no knee sliders etc and I think well it's a bit harsh as why can't women have the same clobber as us lot do. That being said their men's selection was pants boot in particular I've got more chance of finding a golden pube on my nut sack than a pair of Super Tech R's in store for me to try on these days. Eventually the oomper loomper behind the counter begrudgingly spoke to us and almost treated us a stupid when we asked if that was all the women's leather gear they had? Her response was well it's the start of the season really and.... At this point I cut her off and said excuse me my wife and I are not fair weather fairies we don't not keep our bikes locked up for 9 months of the year and polish them with nappies so there is no season for us. This point last year you had gear in why is it not here this year?

Then came the ubiquitous well we can order it in for you if you pay a deposit then if you don't like it or it doesn't fit you can get your deposit refunded. My retort was so hang on you want me to drive all the way from essex to maidstone to try something on that I've had to pay for the privilege of doing then if my wife doesn't like the fit of it then you'll give me the money back? Her response...Erm well yes. My Response so how is that any different to me ordering it online from the comfort of my own home where it will be delivered to my door and if we don't like it we ship it back again? Her response...Erm....

In the end the wife opted for some RST Blade leathers from the RST site and for cheaper than what the bike shop was going to charge to order the same product in. Just boils my piss that shops carry hardly any stock these days I mean what's the point in even being open if the one thing people come to you for you just don't stock it?

Anybody else noticed this developing trend?

 

Up here in the North.. we are fortunate to have a J&S in Doncaster and leeds,they always have a huge range of ladies clothing.And at a good price.. I have trouble getting leathers to fit correctly.. Big boobs,small waist and narrow hips and longish legs.. Dainese are the best fit for me... I cannot order on line cos the chances are they just won't fit.. Its a problem... Next time i need a new set of leathers i'm having them made to measure.. and sod the expense..

 

Thanks Ash I'll be sure to check into the custom made stuff for her in future. Glad to hear that we weren't going mad. Funny that you mention J&S that was the only shop that actually stocked the type of leathers she was after but sadly none in her size but gave us an idea of how they fitted.

 

Same here

 

Its dreadful how we have to suffer isn't it Rich... How are you getting on with that new sports bra..?

 

"In the end the wife opted for some RST Blade leathers from the RST site and for cheaper than what the bike shop was going to charge to order the same product in."

That's your answer really.

It's very difficult to compete with the on-line retailers. Ideally you need someone working for you full time to run your own competitive web site, not many bike shops are willing to pay someone just to do this.

Plus RST have no stock at the moment, we are waiting for a delivery of Blade leathers due in at the end of April and knowing Motordirect it could be a little while later. Unless you pre-order well in advance your lucky to get stock, Motordirect have about 100K of orders they can't yet fulfill, that's not the shops fault.

Or do you spend a a load of cash on leathers get them all in stock only to be left with them at the end of the season when you can't shift them because a new range is due out and run the risk of not having a shop at all.

You might not have seasons but bike clothing suppliers do, try and order some chillout from Oxford or thermal gear from EDZ, they won't have it.

It's difficult, days of credit and sale or return have gone.

 

We have J&S a mere 5 minutes from our house in Hamilton.
They have some pretty decent stocks, however the place is like a jumble sale at times the way stuff is laid out.
Wife was down this morning trying on some one piece leather suits.

 

Thanks dude appreciate the input it's nice to hear from the otherside of the fence so to speak as I had no idea the credit sale and return thing had gone. But just seems that 3 years ago everywhere had really good stock levels yet that has since been declining and whenever you are in the shop nobody offers an explanation as to why.

The only exception to that rule seems to be Lids they haven't reduced in stock at all but boots, gloves, leathers etc all disappearing off the shelves. I suppose I am having a grumble because 3 years ago when I started riding I walked into the same clothing shop that I did on Sunday and I bought everything I needed from the shop right there and then Lid, Leathers, Boots, Gloves, back protector they had it all and yet Sunday even though they had made the shop bigger they had less in there?

 

This may be a bit late for you now, or to far to travel etc... but in future try Girls bike2 in St Albans

Women's bike gear chosen by women. They used to be in Hitchin and were really good and helpful

GirlsBike2 - Motorcycle clothing chosen for women by women

 

Thanks dude I will pass that on to the wife.

 

I guess it's a bit of a trip for you but there is a J&S in Braintree Freeport. There is a really good shop call the Bike Stop in Stevanage old town & if you want a great ride out on some awesome roads and custom leathers there is Hideout leathers in Ashdon nr Thaxted.

Hope you got something sorted...

Ozz

 

I used to use the hein Gericke store all the time in Leeds but shortly before it closed, for the first time, a getgeared store opened next door, the original Gericke staff were running it, can never do enough for you, free brews and a really good range of kit, I know they've got a store down in leatherhead as well as the website. J&S have just moved into the old Gericke store now.

 

Couldn't get away with it, Ash. Felt like my chest was being crushed.

The sports French-cut knickers were canny. Don't wear them on the bike though. Just around the house and that

 

Bike stop in Stevenage are having an open weekend, this weekend.

Dainese will be doing a demonstration of the D air suit and on Sunday, Tommy Bridewell will be there