ylbill
.020 Over
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2008
- Messages
- 23
I don't - but there is a HUGE difference twixt paying out for a lid which supposedly protects your brain and hearing better, and paying out for a set of luggage that WILL get scratched and messed about. And comments recently regarding quality (or lack thereof) are rife. Corbins (as a customer, I'm sorry to say) are living off an an old reputation.
You are paying for looks, and to some extent exclusivity. That in itself is a reason that is personal. Other hand laid fibreglass luggage costs a third the price, but again aesthetics come into play.
As far as I'm concerned I go for FUNCTION before form. For the price of Beetles I can have 8 sets of Shad (who make the OEM Beemer panniers). They're repairable as you can buy spares. Sure they're ABS - but by the time it cracks - it's probable that I'll either have a different bike OR I simply buy another set - and I'm still in pocket.
Will a beetle take a full face lid? - NO. So it's not even on my list.
Stirring the Pot guys!!!!!!!!!!!
I just looked at the SHAD bags, I don't think you can buy 8 sets to one set of Beetle, it's more like 3 . At $700 for a set of SHAD bags, yes there is a considerable savings if you are looking for function only and I mean FUNCTION ONLY, as long as you don't mind putting a set of "American Tourister" suitcases on the side. I use my bags to carry the things I need to carry, not carry a helmet which is what my head and helmet bag is for. LOL
As far as the lids go, if it has a DOT, SNELL or what ever the Euro equivalent rating it's all good, I'm ok with a lid that FITS me perfectly and is soooo comfortable. I ride about 13k mile a year, year round and that's important. Unfortunately it just so happens the Shoei, Arai and Schuberth fit me perfectly....wouldn't you know. I had the choice of getting the same ARAI model helmet without the UK graphics for $300 less but decided to go big or stay home so to speak. Most motorcycle enthusiast spend a lot of money to make our rides unique to us, why would you sacrifice the looks when you have the opportunity to accomplish both? I realize the Beetle Bags can't carry a full face so I have a helmet lock on the engine guard for very short term parking, hardly use it, but it's there. Out of habit I usually carry my helmet in a helmet bag and it goes where I go, I just prefer it that way.
So, with that said, I guess that's why there are Fords and Chevy's, Benz's and Beemers. Seeya, Ylbill.