No, not from the "dog-cat incident." I will have some new scars, but the punctures and gouges are healing. I have spent a lot of my free time searching out my next helmet. "But, Jim, you are retired - isn't all of your time free time?" Yeah, pretty much. But, I have spent a lot of time looking at all the helmet review videos on YouTube.
I made a choice today: the HJC RPHA 90S Carbon Balian. Quite the title. In the end, it ticked the most boxes on what I was looking for in a helmet. In the olden days, you went to a dealer, put on a helmet, and if it didn't poke into your scalp, you said, "This'll do."
Helmets have gotten more sophisticated these days, with some having plush interiors, installed communication systems, snazzy graphics (not important to me), and other interesting features. This helmet looks to solve my quest for: light weight (it's carbon fiber), comfort, and quiet. I say "looks" because I had to order it. No dealer around here has any of the helmets I was considering in stock. First time I've bought a helmet without trying it on first. Of course, I used to say that about guitars, too... and look at the cool carbon fiber guitars I'm playing now... every one of them ordered without being able to play it first.
So, now I wait. Glad to be beyond the information overload.
I would have preferred white, but that would take a coat of paint and add weight... not to mention covering up the carbon fiber weave. No, they don't make it in white. You get black, or this blue/gray.
Yes, I can return it if it doesn't fit.
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It never ends. I was out for a bit, and when I came back, Joan said, "I got the e-mail for your helmet order... I don't think this is the right one, though." I looked at the e-mail... yep, they ordered the wrong helmet... close, but not what I specifically requested.
I called. Revzilla is a big operation, so you don't get back to the person with whom you placed the order. The guy I ordered it from was great - very friendly and informative. This guy was indifferent. I asked to speak to a supervisor... she came on, knew my name and info, and asked, "You want to modify the order you placed today?"
"Absolutely not - I want you to send me what I ordered. Not my screw-up. Yours."
To make a long story shorter and less painful, she is trying to cancel the order and get another order placed. Apparently, that isn't as easy as having someone get the wrong helmet out of the shipping box and putting the right helmet in. I could hear her clicking away on her keyboard. When their order info says "in stock," that doesn't mean they actually have it in their facility... it is being drop shipped from the distributor, and that is where the problem lies: they already sent the wrong item number to the distributor. In all likelihood, the first helmet is going to ship. She assures me they will try to get a "Return to Sender" with the shipper so I don't get two helmets. Assuming they are going to send out the second (i.e. the correct) helmet.
So, as of right now, two helmets may show up. Or, no helmets may show up. Not the end of the world. I can always buy it somewhere else, and/or I can get one of them sent back. No cost to me, just the run-around time. Yes, this would have been much easier if I could have gone into an actual building, tried on the helmet, and given them my money. What? Yes, a "first world problem."
Remember the good ol' days? Back when you ordered something and a real person took it to their "shipping department" (which was a counter in back where they could get it boxed up) and it was sent to you. Or, the really good ol' days, when you went into a motorcycle dealer and actually tried on a helmet. It fit or it didn't. If it didn't, you tried on another. That was a pretty good system. ;-)
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Speaking of "the good ol' days"... remember way back on Monday? Yeah, yesterday. When I ran into town today, gas all along my route went up 20¢ per gallon overnight. Because the Rally is about to "officially" start. On Friday. That's 3 more opportunities to raise gas prices before the official start.
7 comments:
Jim, consider the Scorpion AT950 modular ADV helmet also. The visor is removable and nice trim pieces cover the sides. Big deal is the much larger eye opening meant to fit goggles but works great to simply see better mostly down and wide. Loving mine after many HJC lids and not going back. Greg (aurelia from cbrats)
Hi Greg - Good to hear from you! I checked a Scorpion at one of the bike dealers here. They were showing it with the peak on, so I passed over it, thinking it was mostly ADV oriented. I'll keep it in mind for next time around.
How have you three been? Getting closer to that liveaboard time? Aven must be getting quite grown up.
Best wishes,
Jim
Yup - a helmet that costs more than I paid for my first three brand new motorcycles. Thanks for helping out with the COVID-19 recovery Cap. it is AarthurWritis that keeps me from buying what I want??? With a $20 a month budget from my wife, my choices are pretty thin unless what I want is in stock at the 99 Cents Only Store. See ya and glad you are healing. Bob Jarrard
Hi Bob. Yeah, this helmet cost more than my first two motorcycles combined. Back in that day, you could buy a helmet for $10. Times have changed. Searching for that combination of what I wanted in a helmet led me down this path. If/when it shows up, I'll see if it was worth the hunt.
For the record, my first two guitars back in that same day (well, a couple years earlier than the motorcycles) were $15 and $50. And they were real crap. But, just like riding, it helped cultivate that passion.
For future financial planning: you can get a box of 6 Mini Moon Pies for $1 at Dollar Tree. ;-)
Yup - and ALDI has Winking Owl wine for $1.99 and five just under 1 oz chocolate bars (the good stuff) for under two dollars. BEST OF ALL - use coupons at Del Taco and get two 1/2 pound cheese and bean burritos, two grilled chicken tacos, and a Crunchtada for $3 and that is a deal for sure. I tried to send you five gallons of ethanol free high test gas but the Post Office refused the package. I am still looking for a motor, I am aging and losing my rider ability faster than the price of good ride is going up, down to my first bike, a Honda S-90 Sport that cost me $325 out the door (they cost over that now - 55 years later). See ya. Bob
We are well and Aven is nearly 15 now. Less than 3 years to go before work stops and boat life begins. Shopping around for that next home and riding on two wheels while I can. Over 20k miles last year! Bought a fresh new AT950 this year and a friend is loving my handmedown. The increased visibilty is a game changer, and real safety addition. Take care and keep rollin.
Hey, Bob - I could save money on that Del Taco $3 feast, but I'd wind up spending a LOT more on toilet chemical for the motorhome! TMI?
Hi Great - Aven is almost 15? You may need to check the math - that can't be right. That empty-nest time is coming up fast. I thought I was prepared for that back when Steph was in high school, but it all happened in the blink of an eye. Good to hear things are still on schedule for your lifestyle! Since the Balian helmet didn't work out, I'll look more into that AT950. Enjoy the riding!
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