Cycle Gear rant

[MrPepsi]

CG has always given me the best prices on tires, helmets, and misc parts & gear.

I like CG, but in this case, you're not looking hard enough.

[maxtog]

I like CG, but in this case, you're not looking hard enough.

Agreed.
Personally, I am not that impressed with CG.  The store here is about 75% "cruiser" stuff.   For example, when I was looking for a silver or grey jacket, they had exactly zero.  You could count non-black, non-leather choices on one hand.

[wildnphx]

  New to the forum, just got an 08 Connie a couple days ago, but been serious long distance riding since '76.  Cycle Gear made the very top of my good people chart last weekend.  Was making a run home on a saturday from Boston to Raleigh and had crossed into Maryland, just past Delaware, and I picked up a nail in the rear of my 2000 Triumph Tiger.   It was about 2pm, none of the dealers nearby (there were 3 major brands dealers) would come get me, all were to busy.   None would change change the tube even if I could get it there. 

In fact....since I was looking at Connies, I finally (at about 3:30), called the Kawi dealer back and offered to buy a new 2012 outright if they'd wait for me to limp the tiger there....about 40 mins drive (only 20 miles but I'd be riding a rear flat).   They said no, we close at 5pm and that's not enough time to prep a new bike, and they wouldn't stay open late just to sell one new bike.   Fugggggggg.   

Finally I asked Siri to look for a Cycle Gear, there was one right near the Kawi dealer.  It was about 4:20 now...they had a tube and tire, but they don't pull wheels off bikes.  I limped over there, got in about 45 mins before closing.  One of the counter guys drove me out to a pep-boys to buy the one tool I was missing (19mm socket and drive for the axle nut).  Looked the other way while I pulled the rear in their parking lot, stayed open late to change out my stuff, then hung around to make sure I got everything back together.   Bought a new Shoei 1100 while I was there, and some farkles, bein old and a bad ticker I was done for the day and ended up stayin a hotel. 

3 dealers told me to **** off.  Cycle Gear squiders took care of me, I'll give 'em my business whenever I can now.

Duck.

That is why I buy from them as well when ever possible!!  They go above and beyond to ensure you are taking care of.  I went there on a Sunday and arrived about 3 mins after they had closed.  The guy at the counter came over to the door unlocked it and let me in to get the parts I needed before my trip early Monday morning.  Most places would not do that including the Kawi Dealer... Most places are chasing you out 5 mins before they close.  I do make them price match my oil and other items though as I don't like to pay more then I have too.

[rcannon409]

The flip side to that is that you might be buying a helmet that someone else wore for a couple of weeks.  Certainly they don't just throw them away 

They did tell me the "used" helmets get sent back to the main warehouse. No idea where they go from there.  I found no evidence they were being re-sold at the store, but who knows?  I imagine the liability of selling a "used" helmet would scare any major chain away from doing so.

[stevewfl]

$9.99 here... free shipping over $50, or $9.95 flat rate under $50.

http://www.streetsideauto.com/search.asp?keywords=kn-303

THANKS!

[lt1]

Well, I guess I'm just stupid.  I'm willing to pay extra for K&N filters (car & bike) for the integrated nut.  CG will ususally match pricing if I have a copy of the ad.  I have Sedici leathers, and they are fine, but I haven't crash-tested them.  I had a pair of Bilt gloves from when they were first introduced that were not well-made.  CG replaced them under warranty and the replacement pair is my favorite glove currently, and one of my all-time favorites.  I have never spent more than $110 on a pair of gloves, so I may not have tried the "really good stuff".  I replaced by FrogToggs (leakage) with a Bilt 2-piece rainsuit which doesn't leak.  It doesn't pack down as nice and small as the FT's, but again, no complaints.  And I've even used some of the Freeze-Out products successfully.  It is possible to find junk, of course, but a bit of care when shopping usually allows you to avoid the stuff that should be left alone.

So Cycle Gear, K&N, Bilt and Sedici are still on my "possible" lists when I go shopping for bike stuff.  FWIW, so is Murph - I've dealt with him successfully as well.

Well, it looks like I need to retract the nice things I said about the Bilt gloves.  The 2nd pair fell apart after about 6 months and 5-8k miles.  The local CG said the Bilt 5-year warranty would not cover "hard use".  I raised a fuss and said that a 5-year warranty didn't mean much if wearing the glove for 6 months was considered hard use.  My goodness, is the glove only covered if we leave it wrapped and sealed in a drawer?  Anyway, they finally agreed to give me credit for the purchase price and a 10% discount on a different pair of gloves.  I picked up a pair of Sedici gloves, and they seem to be better quality.   Although it is only anecdotal evidence, it may be that CG/Bilt has decided that the 5-year warranty is no longer as generous/necessary as it was at first.  I'm guessing that there may be some negative feedback if that attitude persists.

[stevewfl]

Well, it looks like I need to retract the nice things I said about the Bilt gloves.  The 2nd pair fell apart after about 6 months and 5-8k miles.  The local CG said the Bilt 5-year warranty would not cover "hard use".  I raised a fuss and said that a 5-year warranty didn't mean much if wearing the glove for 6 months was considered hard use.  My goodness, is the glove only covered if we leave it wrapped and sealed in a drawer?  Anyway, they finally agreed to give me credit for the purchase price and a 10% discount on a different pair of gloves.  I picked up a pair of Sedici gloves, and they seem to be better quality.   Although it is only anecdotal evidence, it may be that CG/Bilt has decided that the 5-year warranty is no longer as generous/necessary as it was at first.  I'm guessing that there may be some negative feedback if that attitude persists.

Very unfortunate you had to find out 1st hand Cycle Gear brand stuff is pure junk in comparison to legit brands. 

I dunno if these boys would even come get it:

[rcannon409]

I've had good luck dealing with my Cycle Gear in Draper, UT.  Pretty much no questions asked if an exchange was needed.  I'll keep buying from them as they are one place who actually stocks gear instead of offering to order it.  I'm not opposed to ordering, but I've never been able to fit gloves in the mail.

As far as the built stuff goes...yep, it sure is cheap when its on sale.

[lt1]

Very unfortunate you had to find out 1st hand Cycle Gear brand stuff is pure junk in comparison to legit brands. 

I dunno if these boys would even come get it:

'Lizabeth?  Lizabeth?  Can you hear me?  I'm comin' home.    (or at least that's how I remember it)

Again, I'm more disappointed in the warranty treatment that with the product quality.  And they did make it good when all was said and done.  Which is more that Mama K did with my "flying saddlebag".

I will still shop at CG, and may well buy more Bilt gear, but will be a bit more skeptical about the "warranty".  I still have/am using a few other Bilt products and will see how it goes.  Hopefully the quality is better and the "warranty" won't be needed.

[Son of Pappy]

I use CG because they offer a %30 discount for MSF instructors on most anything they stock or can order.  Heck, I picked up 3 tire tubes, a patch kit, and a free set of barely used (Mold **** are still there) tires for the KLR today, all for $46!!  Tires were free, a guy wanted more aggressive knobbies and just wanted them to pitch em!!  I asked and they said sure, after all the money I've dropped there I think they felt almost sorry for me   So, new tube for the front, new tire for the rear and I'm ready for the WABDR   Wanna guess what I'll be doing tomorow?

[stevewfl]

I use CG because they offer a %30 discount for MSF instructors on most anything they stock or can order.  Heck, I picked up 3 tire tubes, a patch kit, and a free set of barely used (Mold **** are still there) tires for the KLR today, all for $46!!  Tires were free, a guy wanted more aggressive knobbies and just wanted them to pitch em!!  I asked and they said sure, after all the money I've dropped there I think they felt almost sorry for me   So, new tube for the front, new tire for the rear and I'm ready for the WABDR   Wanna guess what I'll be doing tomorow?

Sweet deal! I shop there occasionally but not for the CG branded stuff, if i crash i wanna be in the decent gear =)

[OregonLAN]

Sweet deal! I shop there occasionally but not for the CG branded stuff, if i crash i wanna be in the decent gear =)

For the same reason I wear clean underwear...

[Conrad]

For the same reason I wear clean underwear...

Ya think that it'll still be clean if you crash?

I know, I know, Depends.   

[ZG]

Ya think that it'll still be clean if you crash?

I know, I know, Depends.   

 

[Son of Pappy]

Ya think that it'll still be clean if you crash?

I know, I know, Depends.   

On what?