Shopping for Bike Kit

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#1 Post by **Kwackerz** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 8:54 pm

Got to thinking about where I buy stuff earlier today. A combination of working on the Zed and thinking about Sam's first trackday. Dont ask... lol

Anyways, I thought i'd start a thread on the subject.

Ive found I usually head to three places for my kit.

www.bandcexpress.co.uk

Brilliant service, not had bad dealings with them so far Swift service on the mail order side of life.

www.hein-gericke.com

First discovered these guys out in Germany. Cracking range of kit, a bit halfords for bikers, but great nevertheless. Had one bad dealing with HG in Farnborough, mainly cos the counter staff who served me was an obnoxious tw*t. Company themselves have been great tho', especially the German side of the business, nothing was ever too much trouble.

www.mandp.co.uk

Hmm.. Ive had lots of crap service from these guys, the kit they have supplied me has been fantastic and fairly reasonable price-wise, but the phone/mail order has left me with a bitter taste. I avoid them now unless I really really really have to use 'em.

There have been other places ive gotten kit, but these have been the main 3 I have used.

How about you? Do you find yourself using certain places for your 'general biking needs' ? Who? what're they like? 'Fess up!

Gio · #2 Post by **Gio** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:16 pm

J&S at New Malden, they used to be better than now, there's only 2 blokes I know there now, bought 2 dodgy bits of kit a few years ago and they gave me replacements with a smile and if they went the same way I'd get a refund.

George White at Swindon and Oxford, top blokes never sold you something you didn't want.

Dunno the name, but you do Tim, the Aprilia peeps at north camp Farnboghorror. Twats the lot of 'em, fecking miserable as hell and if you need any help god help you.

#3 Post by **Kwackerz** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:18 pm

The big dealership just down the road from HG?

Gio · #4 Post by **Gio** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:21 pm

Thats 'em

#5 Post by **Kwackerz** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:32 pm

Used to be a Carnells branch. cant remember what it is now.

AH! Infinity.

jam · #6 Post by **jam** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:04 pm

Bristol Kawasaki, Matt,Gary & Ken on the parts counter are brilliant, nice guys to deal with and more than helpful. Makes Fowl ups look like a bunch of retarded monkeys by comparison.
Barton Motors of Bath again really good service, nice guys to deal with on the phone, and great prices on used Kawasaki parts.
Tim Blakemore Racing in Bristol, Very good dyno operator, and a really nice bloke, and races a ZX12R methanol burning FunnyBike. and won't reccomend silly amounts of tuning that you can't use on the road,(unless you really really want to do it)

homertrix · #7 Post by **homertrix** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 10:33 am

MotorcycleGold scans dealers and retailers looking for the best prices. As soon as more people post retailer ratings I think it would be a good resource for finding out who the best retailers are to get your kit from.......

Paulh · #8 Post by **Paulh** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 4:17 pm

Cissbury Leathers are always worth a look - especially towards the end of the year - often some good clearance deals

http://www.cissburyleathers.com/

BikerGran · #9 Post by **BikerGran** » Thu Oct 02, 2008 5:28 pm

Hein Gericke Bournemouth - supermarket for bikers is quite a good description but they have a good range of prices and I've found they're just as helpful over one pair of gloves as a set of luggage.

Bournemouth Kawasaki (just up the road from Hein Gericke) are helpful too but I don't know about the stuff they sell as I haven't bought any.