MotorcycleCloseoutsReviews 6,852

Some incredible prices, but here's a little trick to make them seem, at least for me, psychologically lower still. After many years of riding I've learned that I'm just not happy with inexpensive items in certain categories; gloves, for example. Even though I know better, I'll buy a pair of $99 gloves for $59.99, and another pair that were $89, for, say, $49.99. Predictably, they don't fit properly, have inadequate protection, or something is wrong. So I return them - USPS economy shipping costs about $5 or $6 for two pairs of gloves, and that includes a tracking number.

Instead of getting my money back, minus 10%, I take a store credit for the full amount. I have mastered my propensity to allow the credit to burn a hole in my pockets, and which used to cause a quick purchase of something I didn't really need or want. Since I have a full year to use the credit, I now patiently wait for something important. I haven't bought a new helmet in about 4 years. My primary helmet has been an Arai XD- 4 dual-purpose. Although it has plenty of use left, I am planning an 8,000 mile trip, from Georgia, to the West coast, North 2000 miles on Highway 1, along the Pacific Ocean from San Diego to Victoria, BC, and back (on the KTM 1190 Adventure (not the 'R') I purchased about three months ago - I love, love, love that motorcycle.)

I wanted., no, make that, *needed*, a top-of-the-line, safe, visible, quiet, full-faced street helmet for the trip.
Motorcycle closeouts had a gorgeous Shoei RF-1200 Dominance with an MSRP of about $600 on sale, and in my size, for $399. Great deal, but still a lot since I've already spent over $2,000 in aftermarket accessories for an already expensive bike. Except, oops, I have that $110 credit. With free shipping and no sales tax, the helmet was "only" $290 - less than half-price - and it is a really, really, nice helmet. If feels a bit snug, but I'm sure it will quickly break-in and feel like it was made for me. (Something like 75% of all riders ride in helmets that are at least one-size too large. If a new helmet doesn't feel slightly small when you first put it on, it is very likely to soon be a size too large.)

My wife has increasingly hassled me as box after box has arrived, including most recently, the one containing this Shoei. I responded, "Yeah, I *could* have gotten by with one of my current helmets, but this beauty was only $290, and come on, surely the last place to save money is on safety equipment that protects my brain, my second favorite organ."

She had to agree, even though she knew I stole that line from Woody Allen ("Annie Hall," *Best Picture*, 1977).