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Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 5 Oct 2006
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Location: Almeria, Andalucia
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Where to buy new gear
I'm currently dizzy at the prices here in Scandinavia -- Norway was punishing, Sweden less so, but still....

I am heading for Finland, St Petersburg, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuainia.. and hoping to replace my riding gear (jacket, trousers) which have become much too big. Life on the road seems to be agreeing with me!

With an eye on the weather, I probably need to make steady progress round the Baltic so will be in these countries in relatively short time.

Can anyone suggest the best place, in terms of price and quality, to look at buying? I'm guessing the Baltic states will have cheaper equipment. Any suggestions? Any good or bad reviews? Will I be charged west European prices if I go for a 'name' brand there?

Thanks in advance

--Mike
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  #2  
Old 5 Oct 2006
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Mike
I have been very happy with Hein Gericke gear. Sure you can get better but you pay top price for top quality Rukka or BMW brand gear. The Hein Gicke stuff seems to be a good balance between price and quality . There waterproof 'shetll-tex' (goretex equivalent) seems to work well and they make some good quilted winter gear too. They do have real goretex lined stuff too but it gets more expensive because of the goretex brand name.

Check out www.hein-gericke.com . They do mail order and have branches all over Germany . I am told the one in Berlin is a bit special - they have a sort of wind tunnel where you can test your gear while sitting on a bike I haven't been there myself I go from Belgium to Aachen and get my stuff there because the service is good and the prices are better .I also use their oil in my GS. Seems good stuff and the beemer likes it too
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  #3  
Old 5 Oct 2006
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Hi Mike,

Here in Finland we have this time of year a season sale, so you can find brand gear -50% -70% discount. Unfortunately Rukka is often out of these campaigns and max discount of Rukka is often ~20% ( although it's a domestic brand). I'm planning to buy new Gore Tex jacket+ trousers, so I have visited several shops in southern Finland. To give some examples of prices now, a set of Scott 390 eur, IXS Pathfinder 400 eur, Rukka Steel 600 eur, Rukka Adventure 1050 eur.
I have travelled several times in Baltic countries, I know there are some shops selling mc supplies, but quite often they dont have goods in stock. So if you want to get clothes at once, this may be a problem.
If you want to get names and addresses of local shops, or if you need some other support during your visit in Finland, you can send me private mail.
Best regards, have a nice ride and be awake in Russia, Baltics and especially in Poland. They are nice countries, people are very friendly, but traffic is wild.

Ari
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  #4  
Old 5 Oct 2006
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I found gear all over Europe to be very expensive. A few exceptions:

At the BMF bike show in the UK I found a huge variety of gear
at like 70% off!! Dirt Cheap!! Simply unbelievable deals. Everywhere else in
the UK gear is about double USA prices.

Other bike shows may offer similar deals. Maybe the Intermot show? which
happens NOW or very soon. Not sure. Another show in Milan.

Also, I found very good deals in Andorra. Andorra is between France
and Spain in the Pyrennes. 30 bike stores all in a couple blocks.
Also, some good deals in Spain if you hit a sale.

Thats all I know.

Patrick
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  #5  
Old 6 Oct 2006
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Thanks to all and I'm contacting bemAri offsite...

I visited Stockholm's biggest MC shop yesterday.. some end-of-season discounts available though nothing spectacular and.. for example.. they didn't have many winter gloves available because nobody rides during the winter. (Given the temperatures and the snow, who can blame them?)

I'll be crossing ther border in the next few days. Finland looks a good bet for now, then.. unless anyone has a special secret location they'd care to share??

--Mike
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  #6  
Old 6 Oct 2006
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Location: Samaipata / Bolivia
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Smile buying mc gear
hello to Norway,

if you are not in a rush and if you are not fussy second hand (most of time like new) than there is only one very good place I know

Ebay

After my trip I had to buy all my gear new (used) here are some German Ebay prices (I know Germany is a bigger market than Norway is, but still you could find good stuff)

Two IXS jackets, good one, for 85 Euros
BMW helmet like new, exactly my size, for 100 Euros
Winter pants, no name, 25 Euros

Many people buy expensive gear and only use it once or twice and than they sell it two or three years later.

Good Luck

Mika
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  #7  
Old 14 Oct 2006
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Message for Ari

I tried contacting you offpost! Am now in Vaasa/ Vasa and heading in yr direction. Would be great to meet up and find those shops. Buy you that .

My email adress is mikewith [ at ] hotmail.com

--Mike
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  #8  
Old 15 Oct 2006
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Hi Mike,

I didn't get your private mail, but I'll mail you today.

Ari
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