BiLT/Sedici gear

[JaimeC]

We have a new Cycle Gear showroom in easy walking distance of where I live. It actually opened the year we moved here (how CONVENIENT). Although they do carry plenty of name-brand merchandise they are HEAVY into BiLT and Sedici brand gear.

I've never heard of either and honestly, if I'm buying a helmet, something my life literally may depend on, I want to make sure it is a good piece of equipment made by a company with a solid reputation.

I have purchased some BiLT gear. I'm very happy with the Heat-Out wicking T-Shirts I've purchased, and the engineer boots I just bought are also acceptable. The Freeze-Out winter gear does keep me quite warm in the winter BUT for some idiotic reason these things do NOT come equipped with a fly! Yeah, that's right... if you have to take a leak, you're going to have to half-disrobe.

It's little oversights like that that make me think twice about even considering their helmets. Does anyone here have any experience with these brands?

 

[Skutorr]

My brother has a GREAT Sedici jacket and I have a pair of perforated leather gloves that are nice. Also, a Bilt helmet bag to hang off the bike.

HELMETS? What is your BRAIN worth? Don't cheap-out. You really DO get what you pay for in quality, quiet, fit/comfort and SAFETY!

I went from a $250 HJC modular to a $500 SHOEI Qwest (on SALE for $225!). Night and day difference. I rode with the HJC a while back up and down a local twisty when I had it out to take pictures of it to sell on Craig's List, and was appalled at what a (relative) piece of CRAP it was...

Here is a GREAT website that rates motorcycle helmets for impact resistance and protection:

HJC Symax3 (3 of 5 stars):
SHARP Helmets - HJC SY-Max 3

SHOEI Qwest (5 of 5):
SHARP Helmets - Shoei Qwest

 

[JaimeC]

On another forum I posted this same question. For the most part the Sedici gear was "okay" as low-end leather and textile riding gear. However, I've yet to find anyone who has anything GOOD to say about BiLT helmets. I've been using Nolans for the past couple of decades. Even successfully (but unintentionally) tested their crash worthiness too. The early N100e helmets were "okay" but the newer models are as good as anything else I've seen out there and almost HALF the price of an equivalent Schuberth too.

 

[TwoPort]

I have a Sedici summer jacket with body armor. It seems to work fine with zippers and etc. but I've wondered if the fit was a little weird. The arms seem to big. (not long - just too big). No problems with how it works. It has a removable liner and mesh for staying cool. And the price was right "on sale" at Cycle Gear.

SEDICI - Arturo Mesh Motorcycle Jacket - Mesh - Jackets - Street - Cycle Gear

 

[JaimeC]

Maybe you have "spaghetti arms" and need to go to the gym and pump some ster... ummmmm... I mean... IRON!

Just kidding. But you do have to wonder if the sleeves don't fit right will the armor in them be in the right location if you should take a fall? Or could it simply just roll out of the way leaving just heavy fabric to protect your skin and bones?

 

[SteveADV]

It is strange how much sizes vary. I have varied from L to 3XL. Especially with leather jackets. Guess that's why most of my purchases have been at the store/dealer after trying on whatever I am buying.

 

[Skutorr]

I go to the Dealer/store, try it on, then find it online for half the price!!! It makes up for paying them labor for tires, etc...

 

[JaimeC]

As someone who worked one summer in a dealership, we HATE customers like you. We do ALL the work, and someone else gets the sale? Nice... and people wonder why all the brick & mortar shops are closing up...

I tend to go to trade shows (like the IMS or Americade), find what I like and the sizes available and then see if my local dealer can get it for me. That may be one of the reasons I seem to get treated better in the shops I patronize than other people I know. Online is nice for some things, but if someone put in the time and energy to help me, then they deserve the sale.

 

[Skutorr]

Online is nice for some things, but if someone put in the time and energy to help me, then they deserve the sale.

At my local two Yammy dealers the "Parts Department" is three check-out lanes and half of a JC Penny's worth of assorted bike related crap, clothing and helmets. Usually you get ignored, try something on and leave. If you want it they will ring it up for you. That's about it. When I've approached them with particular questions, they often are ignorant and have no answer. And, the people working there usually have NO IDEA that Yamaha sold a Tmax here from 2009-2011, or what it even is.

The dealer I bought the bike from up in Capistrano went belly-up, as they were just an adjunct to a large, multi-car-dealership consortium and were clueless about most of what they sold...

I have NO loyalty for the ignorant...

 

[Scorpion56]

I also recently upgraded to the now reasonably priced Shoei Qwest (revZilla) from my first helmet, an entry-level HJC full face. I was also amazed at the difference in brain protection between the two. Yes, they are both DOT, of course. But reading on how the Shoei helmets are designed for protection was eye-opening. When it comes to the inside of the cranium, no expense should be spared to protect it.

 

[grey.hound]

I have bought a few things from cycle gear. Both the bilt and sedici brand. I have returned most items except for the riding jeans, gloves, and a pair of riding boots. All of the items have a different fit: something too tight here or too baggy there or too long here or too short there. Oh, I also have a summer mesh jacket that I kept but in reality it's not very comfortable. If you go there and try on something, then try on one of the A-stars or Dianese products, the comfort and fit factor in my opinion is obvious.