RST Pro Series Raid CE Textile Jacket - Black Review

Everything You Need To Know About Buying Motorcycle Kit Online Tips, tricks and advice about buying bike gear. Who doesn’t like a new piece of kit? You’d be hard pressed to find a biker who’d say no to a new helmet, jacket or luggage solution. But buyers beware! While the internet might be a convenient way to shop for new motorcycle kit, there are many potholes that could turn your comfy shopping spree into more of a bumpy ride. Not sure about the dos and don’ts of buying your bike kit online? Just read through this simple guide that will show you how to make smart and savvy shopping decisions whilst online.

Make sure to read reviews

Reviews are the best way to get first-hand experience on pretty much any product you could ever want. Whether it’s via the retailer’s website or the manufacturer themselves, there are plenty of avenues for seeing what other consumers thought about an item on your wishlist. Pay special attention to write up reviews, as these will offer a lot more detail than simple star ratings, and can give vital information you otherwise might miss out on.

Check the brand

Brands are a good way to judge the general quality of a product. Higher-end brands can be expected to have higher quality goods, but that isn’t always the case. Do some light research to see whether the brand you’re looking at has a solid reputation for good products. This should give you a clear indication of whether the brand is reputable or not.

Set yourself a budget

Now we know that sometimes that shiny new jacket would pair perfectly with the gloves you were searching for, but do you really need it? Shopping online can be a slippery slope when it comes to accidentally spending more than you set out to. Online retailers use lots of little tricks to get you to spend as much as possible. While deals, sales and personalized suggestions might seem pro-consumer, the reason these things exist is so you maximise your spend at individual stores.

Check the safety rating

Of course, when purchasing safety equipment you want to make sure that the equipment meets all the necessary criteria and legal requirements. This is especially true when it comes to helmets, which could make the difference between a major accident and a fatal one. If you’re unsure about the safety rating of a helmet you can refer to SHARP (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Program) which is purposefully designed to help motorcyclists make informed purchases when browsing helmets.

Check the sizing and fit

If you’re looking for clothing, then sizing is important. Ideally, any clothing that you wear whilst on your bike should fit comfortably whilst not compromising maneuverability. Like with any other online clothing retail, most products like jackets, trousers, gloves, etc. will have detailed pieces of sizing information. This usually comes in the form of measurements in centimeters or inches, which can help you decide which items would be a better fit. Reviews are also helpful for fitting advice, as buyer feedback can identify potential.

Don’t scrimp

It might be tempting to save a few extra pounds by hopping from shop to shop, but with something as important as bike gear, it’s vital that you don’t compromise on your own safety. Consider if the safety features of your items might be affected by the price, whether due to poor materials, manufacturing, or even a combination of both. Of course, all of this doesn’t mean that expense = quality, but something that’s incredibly cheap usually has some sort of drawback that could affect your personal safety.

Check the warranty

Warranties are a good way to tell if a seller is reliable, but the devil is certainly in the detail. Some companies promise warranties that sound good on paper, but are actually full of specific requirements for customers to be eligible. As you shop around, take a read of the small print for various warranty schemes for a better idea of when and how you’ll be covered.

Shop around

There are dozens of reasons why two shops might sell the same product but at completely different prices. This means there’s always a chance that you can find the things you’re after at a lower price than you see the first time around. This method can potentially save you anything from pennies to significant percentages of the total price! But be warned, some sites might seem trustworthy at a glance, but upon closer inspection show signs of dodgy dealings. Even if you find a great deal, always stick to trusted and reputable retailers.