On BMW Riders Apparrel at BMW shops

[LuvsTouring]

Dear List,

In reading some threads from the end of last yr about the availability of BMW riding gear, some inquired about why BMW dealers do not carry riding apparel. Someone commented that it was consumers' fault b/c of buying online after looking in stores. I've been told, by more than 2 BMW dealerships that BMW requires a dealer to carry a large volume of apparell product (in terms of dollar amount) to permit them to carry apparel in the 1st place. Second, in searching online for BMW bike parts and apparel, I've never seen cheaper prices than what's listed on BMW's main website, unless, that is, that product is being sold used. So, if BMW wants more people to buy their gear, they should make it more available, b/c I, too, tend not to buy stuff, especially clothes, unless I try it on.

 

Regards

Joyce

[Firefight911]

I've never had an issue if I wanted to try on a BMW piece of apparel, boots, gloves, etc. I just asked my dealer to order in my expected size, they did, it arrived, I tried, and then decided. No money out of my pocket. My dealer(s) also know that if I am inquiring, I am serious. Sometimes I have bought, others times I have not. Never had a problem.

 

I'd ask your dealer if they'll do the same.

[barryNmarin]

Ditto what Phil said. My BMW shop (MotoMarin) has always encouraged me to order an item if they didn't have my size or style in stock. They can't afford to carry a massive inventory so they are happy to order an item and then send it back if the customer doesn't want to buy it after seeing, touching and trying it on. No money changes hands unless you buy. I've done this many times and, like Phil, sometimes I buy and sometimes I don't. This is true for all brand names the shop carries, not just BMW. Give it a try. The only downside is waiting for the item to arrive but it shouldn't take more than a week most of the time.

 

[CruisinCruzan]

Unfortunately it is very dealer dependent as to how willing they are to order for you to determine if you want to buy it.

[Indy Dave]

According to one dealer I spoke with this winter about ordering a jacket - they do have to pay a restocking fee or something when they return items; so there is money changing hands on their part, even if the item is not purchased.

[marcopolo]

Around here, if you special order it, you own it.

[moshe_levy]

Weird. I've never seen a BMW dealer without a huge stock of apparel, and I've been to them across the country. Even our little dealer here in NJ has enough clothes on hand to equip a small army of motorcyclists...

 

-MKL

[Indy Dave]

Our local dealer in Indy is getting better at stocking apparel. They're also a fairly new BMW dealership and they carry other lines, First Gear, Olympia, etc. With the Grand Prix, they should get a decent amount of traffic they might not otherwise see ie:opportunities. They're making progress and it's good to see

[bobbybob]

Weird. I've never seen a BMW dealer without a huge stock of apparel, and I've been to them across the country. Even our little dealer here in NJ has enough clothes on hand to equip a small army of motorcyclists...

 

-MKL

 

Same here in Charlotte--dealer is not large by any means but always has good stocks of BMW & Olympia gear (and now some Ducati stuff). It costs $$$ to own inventory so I guess its up to the dealer--but for those that don't carry gear, I think they're missing the boat. Many times I have stopped in just to look at gear, and ended up in the moto sales dept. also..... (they also stock Ducati, Triumph, & MV)

[Bullett]

Two dealers in SLC. The old dealer rarely had apparel in my size and even when I asked them to order in my size, never did.

 

The new dealer has my size in stock. Now I have too many choices...

[tallman]

Weird. I've never seen a BMW dealer without a huge stock of apparel, and I've been to them across the country. Even our little dealer here in NJ has enough clothes on hand to equip a small army of motorcyclists...

 

-MKL

 

Moshe,

location can have a big impact on what the dealer does.

You probably have 25-30 million people w/in 150 miles?

Our area had less than a million.

It sometimes took five years to sell some of the BMW line after stocking it.

Great stuff, but demand varied tremendously.

We sold more Olympia jackets in the first 3 months of carrying it than BMW jackets in 5 years.

YMMV.

[Motodan]

Pricing of BMW clothing is over the top. There are many competitors making as good or better quality apparel at a far better value when it comes to price. In this instance, there is no doubt, you are paying for the label and most people do not think it is worth the extra cost.

[mbelectric]

Pricing of BMW clothing is over the top. There are many competitors making as good or better quality apparel at a far better value when it comes to price. In this instance, there is no doubt, you are paying for the label and most people do not think it is worth the extra cost.

 

I feel the extra cost for BMW apparel is well worth it. I own several items:

 

Boots

Leathers, jacket and pants

Mesh jacket

Mesh pants

Mesh gloves

 

Never, and I repeat Never an issue. Sizing spot on. Quality spot on. You'll more often times than not get professional fitting as well. That's why I shop at the dealer. I trust them with that, and if there was an issue, I know they'd back it up with what I needed.

 

Been buying BMW stuff for years. But that's just me. Maybe others can't justify the cost. To each his/her own.

 

I also have other manufacturers apparel. Can't say it all fits as good as BMW. Some of it has performed though..Just hasn't lasted as long.

 

Ya know, some riders can make it with S-M-L-XL....I can't. I'd rather have it fit perfect than accept less than satisfactory.

 

Just me tho...

 

MB>

 

[RichEdwards]

Pricing of BMW clothing is over the top.

 

+1 on that comment.

 

Good example: The Olympia Mesh Jacket and the BMW Mesh Jacket. The quality is the same. The liner jacket on the Olympia is far better. The armor is similar. The Olympia fits me better. The BMW offering costs more than twice as much. If BMW priced their bikes like they price their apparel, a new RT would cost $45,000.

[Motodan]

Pricing of BMW clothing is over the top. There are many competitors making as good or better quality apparel at a far better value when it comes to price. In this instance, there is no doubt, you are paying for the label and most people do not think it is worth the extra cost.

 

I feel the extra cost for BMW apparel is well worth it. I own several items:

 

Boots

Leathers, jacket and pants

Mesh jacket

Mesh pants

Mesh gloves

 

Never, and I repeat Never an issue. Sizing spot on. Quality spot on. You'll more often times than not get professional fitting as well. That's why I shop at the dealer. I trust them with that, and if there was an issue, I know they'd back it up with what I needed.

 

Been buying BMW stuff for years. But that's just me. Maybe others can't justify the cost. To each his/her own.

 

I also have other manufacturers apparel. Can't say it all fits as good as BMW. Some of it has performed though..Just hasn't lasted as long.

 

Ya know, some riders can make it with S-M-L-XL....I can't. I'd rather have it fit perfect than accept less than satisfactory.

 

Just me tho...

 

MB>

 

Interesting you say this, especially about the boots. I have worked for a couple of BMW shops over the years and find their sizing tolerance to be very high. We once had a huge order of boots wherein multiple pairs of the size 10 1/2 (as one example) ranged from about 9 1/2 to 11. Not sure I've seen a professional clothing fitter at any bike shop? About the closest they came to being one, they did wear clothes.

 

Like any other exclusive item, paying something extra is certainly acceptable. However, my problem with BMW, they charge far more than it is worth, even as a "snob" factor and certainly for its competitive value. Like most other motorcycle garb, it is third world sourced and cheap to produce. But as you say, each to their own.

[moshe_levy]

I think the BMW gear is expensive, but quality and features are in line with other high end gear (Aerostich, Motoport, etc.). So far I'm slowly converting my gear collection over to high end and I couldn't be happier.

 

-MKL

[pbbeck]

I just saw the Rallye 3 jacket for the first time. When I saw what they want for it ($800!), I had a heart attack. I recovered quickly and began saving my pennies.

[Marty Hill]

Just bought a trail guard jacket from Cary @ Moto Marin.

[mbelectric]

Pricing of BMW clothing is over the top. There are many competitors making as good or better quality apparel at a far better value when it comes to price. In this instance, there is no doubt, you are paying for the label and most people do not think it is worth the extra cost.

 

I feel the extra cost for BMW apparel is well worth it. I own several items:

 

Boots

Leathers, jacket and pants

Mesh jacket

Mesh pants

Mesh gloves

 

Never, and I repeat Never an issue. Sizing spot on. Quality spot on. You'll more often times than not get professional fitting as well. That's why I shop at the dealer. I trust them with that, and if there was an issue, I know they'd back it up with what I needed.

 

Been buying BMW stuff for years. But that's just me. Maybe others can't justify the cost. To each his/her own.

 

I also have other manufacturers apparel. Can't say it all fits as good as BMW. Some of it has performed though..Just hasn't lasted as long.

 

Ya know, some riders can make it with S-M-L-XL....I can't. I'd rather have it fit perfect than accept less than satisfactory.

 

Just me tho...

 

MB>

 

Interesting you say this, especially about the boots. I have worked for a couple of BMW shops over the years and find their sizing tolerance to be very high. We once had a huge order of boots wherein multiple pairs of the size 10 1/2 (as one example) ranged from about 9 1/2 to 11. Not sure I've seen a professional clothing fitter at any bike shop? About the closest they came to being one, they did wear clothes.

 

Like any other exclusive item, paying something extra is certainly acceptable. However, my problem with BMW, they charge far more than it is worth, even as a "snob" factor and certainly for its competitive value. Like most other motorcycle garb, it is third world sourced and cheap to produce. But as you say, each to their own.

 

Didn't say BMW shops employed professional fitters...did say the fitting was professional, as in they knew the product and how to fit it.

 

Sorry, don't know about the "snob factor" you talk about, seems some resentment there, perhaps a bad experience...i haven't had one, so tell me about yours.

 

The theme in my reply seems to have escaped some...my point was, that I prefer to shop at the dealer than shop on the internet. My experiences have been positive. Couldn't imagine receiving boots that ranged from 9 1/2 to 11, I'm sure you'd have bigger trouble on your hands with an internet shopping experience. I let the dealer handle those problems. I'd rather be riding than sending stuff back and forth UPS..

 

MB>

 

 

 

[moshe_levy]

I prefer to shop at the dealer than shop on the internet. My experiences have been positive. Couldn't imagine receiving boots that ranged from 9 1/2 to 11, I'm sure you'd have bigger trouble on your hands with an internet shopping experience. I let the dealer handle those problems. I'd rather be riding than sending stuff back and forth UPS..

 

Bravo! In many cases the ever penny pinching customer has shot himself in the foot. Goes to the dealer, spends everyone's time getting fitted, then buys online to save a few cents. Dealer's stock piles up so he sells it out at a loss and stops stocking. Customer then bitches that the dealer doesn't stock clothes. And the cycle repeats until the dealer closes, or the customer realizes that there is value in value added service. Hopefully the latter happens in your area before the former.

 

-MKL

[Firefight911]

Just bought a trail guard jacket from Cary @ Moto Marin.

 

You're gonna love it!! I am thrilled with mine!

 

Added bonus - I didn't have to buy the liners as I have them in my Rally 2 jacket/pants. They are a direct zip in to the Trailguard jacket/pants.

[Motodan]

Pricing of BMW clothing is over the top. There are many competitors making as good or better quality apparel at a far better value when it comes to price. In this instance, there is no doubt, you are paying for the label and most people do not think it is worth the extra cost.

 

I feel the extra cost for BMW apparel is well worth it. I own several items:

 

Boots

Leathers, jacket and pants

Mesh jacket

Mesh pants

Mesh gloves

 

Never, and I repeat Never an issue. Sizing spot on. Quality spot on. You'll more often times than not get professional fitting as well. That's why I shop at the dealer. I trust them with that, and if there was an issue, I know they'd back it up with what I needed.

 

Been buying BMW stuff for years. But that's just me. Maybe others can't justify the cost. To each his/her own.

 

I also have other manufacturers apparel. Can't say it all fits as good as BMW. Some of it has performed though..Just hasn't lasted as long.

 

Ya know, some riders can make it with S-M-L-XL....I can't. I'd rather have it fit perfect than accept less than satisfactory.

 

Just me tho...

 

MB>

 

Interesting you say this, especially about the boots. I have worked for a couple of BMW shops over the years and find their sizing tolerance to be very high. We once had a huge order of boots wherein multiple pairs of the size 10 1/2 (as one example) ranged from about 9 1/2 to 11. Not sure I've seen a professional clothing fitter at any bike shop? About the closest they came to being one, they did wear clothes.

 

Like any other exclusive item, paying something extra is certainly acceptable. However, my problem with BMW, they charge far more than it is worth, even as a "snob" factor and certainly for its competitive value. Like most other motorcycle garb, it is third world sourced and cheap to produce. But as you say, each to their own.

 

Didn't say BMW shops employed professional fitters...did say the fitting was professional, as in they knew the product and how to fit it.

 

Sorry, don't know about the "snob factor" you talk about, seems some resentment there, perhaps a bad experience...i haven't had one, so tell me about yours.

 

The theme in my reply seems to have escaped some...my point was, that I prefer to shop at the dealer than shop on the internet. My experiences have been positive. Couldn't imagine receiving boots that ranged from 9 1/2 to 11, I'm sure you'd have bigger trouble on your hands with an internet shopping experience. I let the dealer handle those problems. I'd rather be riding than sending stuff back and forth UPS..

 

MB>

 

 

 

I think you'd rather be shopping than riding!

 

Your reply leaves me thinking I offended your original posting...didn't mean to. Just expressing a different view. Certainly didn't mean to miss your theme or demo any resentment. And if you think (or haven't thought) "snob factor" isn't part of the buying process, you aren't up to date on the marketplace.

 

My experience was as I indicated. Worked for a dealer that sold BMW boots. The boot sizing, in at least one shipment, was of poor quality...not much more to tell. I'm certainly not advocating buying online or not. Especially clothes, unless you have lots of experience with a certain source.

 

The "snob factor", my label, many folks buy based on label alone, for the exclusive aspect, alone. Not sure how that shows "resentment"? Glad you are getting "professional" fittings from folks who have read the label and know what the product is made of. Also, that they can tell you if the jacket or pants appear tight or not. I know a lot of them have taken classes in Asian zipper operation, per BMW Apparel Specialist, online.

 

Keep spending those coins on BMW wear, it's one of the higher profit margin lines in the store and certainly doesn't hurt the commission checks.

[mbelectric]

Pricing of BMW clothing is over the top. There are many competitors making as good or better quality apparel at a far better value when it comes to price. In this instance, there is no doubt, you are paying for the label and most people do not think it is worth the extra cost.

 

I feel the extra cost for BMW apparel is well worth it. I own several items:

 

Boots

Leathers, jacket and pants

Mesh jacket

Mesh pants

Mesh gloves

 

Never, and I repeat Never an issue. Sizing spot on. Quality spot on. You'll more often times than not get professional fitting as well. That's why I shop at the dealer. I trust them with that, and if there was an issue, I know they'd back it up with what I needed.

 

Been buying BMW stuff for years. But that's just me. Maybe others can't justify the cost. To each his/her own.

 

I also have other manufacturers apparel. Can't say it all fits as good as BMW. Some of it has performed though..Just hasn't lasted as long.

 

Ya know, some riders can make it with S-M-L-XL....I can't. I'd rather have it fit perfect than accept less than satisfactory.

 

Just me tho...

 

MB>

 

Interesting you say this, especially about the boots. I have worked for a couple of BMW shops over the years and find their sizing tolerance to be very high. We once had a huge order of boots wherein multiple pairs of the size 10 1/2 (as one example) ranged from about 9 1/2 to 11. Not sure I've seen a professional clothing fitter at any bike shop? About the closest they came to being one, they did wear clothes.

 

Like any other exclusive item, paying something extra is certainly acceptable. However, my problem with BMW, they charge far more than it is worth, even as a "snob" factor and certainly for its competitive value. Like most other motorcycle garb, it is third world sourced and cheap to produce. But as you say, each to their own.

 

Didn't say BMW shops employed professional fitters...did say the fitting was professional, as in they knew the product and how to fit it.

 

Sorry, don't know about the "snob factor" you talk about, seems some resentment there, perhaps a bad experience...i haven't had one, so tell me about yours.

 

The theme in my reply seems to have escaped some...my point was, that I prefer to shop at the dealer than shop on the internet. My experiences have been positive. Couldn't imagine receiving boots that ranged from 9 1/2 to 11, I'm sure you'd have bigger trouble on your hands with an internet shopping experience. I let the dealer handle those problems. I'd rather be riding than sending stuff back and forth UPS..

 

MB>

 

 

 

 

Keep spending those coins on BMW wear, it's one of the higher profit margin lines in the store and certainly doesn't hurt the commission checks.

 

No offense taken, and hope none given.

 

I choose to shop at BMW for my riding gear, but not All my riding gear. With that said I DO support the dealer, and don't care if I can get a better deal somewhere else. I don't want the dealer to go out of business. I don't begrudge the dealer for making a profit, however high that may be. I evaluate price and quality and make my choice accordingly. As said before, most of the stuff I have will outlast the other products. Your gear may be different.

 

Just hate to see blanket statements that the dealers prices are out of line, or too high. Or inferences thereof...

 

Too high for some, yes, too high for me, I'll make that decision.

 

MB>

 

 

[Bologna]

I compete in an adult ski racing league every winter and the same topics are discussed every year. The ski racing equipment technology changes every year and if you don't have the latest skis or you are not using the latest wax ($100 per oz) or your $800 race boots are packed out or the $1200 race skis are beat,

you can't possibly be the fastest and your handicap will suffer and Blah,Blah,Blah.

This is the same for the clothing and every year the clothing manufactures come out with something new with the latest color, padding, etc and the stores sell out prior to the season because when it is gone, it's gone. If a jacket fits and you feel good in it, hand over the money and thank them for stocking it. If you get lucky and the size or color you really want is available online then order it. When I walk into my ski shop in the fall they know me and they also know that I'm looking for something special and they go out of their way to help me out and if it is not what I want the next racer walking in may like it and buy it. My BMW dealer is the same and I'm very grateful that they stock options for all the riders in this area. If you feel that profit is a dirty word then open up a store and sell everything cheap but please make sure that you signed a short term lease prior to opening those doors. I spend more on my ski racing equipment then I do on my riding habit each year but when I want a clothing item it either comes from Aerostich or BMW because it fits and the quality is top notch.

[KDeline]

Say what you want about the BMW gear being overpriced but it saved my wife after a 65 MPH slide/tumble down the road. Savanna jacket and pants, BMW boots and gloves. The suit holed in 2 areas the size of a dime, never ripped, boots and gloves scraped up and she only had a bruised ego and body.