I was not in a hurry when I placed the order and expected it to take 3 weeks normally.

BHPian hikozaru recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I bought some stuff from FC moto a few days ago and received a nice invoice with a detailed breakdown on customs, so thought I'd share.

BCD = basic custom duty
SW Srchrg = social welfare surcharge
IGST = is your normal tax. Not sure if motorcycle gear comes under the 28% slab but I guess it is par for the course to rip us off since it is an import

After doing running some calculations with all the different numbers in the invoice I was able to arrive at the precise breakup

BCD is applied on the Assessable value which is invoice value + shipping (0.1*69980.13=6998.013)

SW Srchrg is applied on the BCD (0.1*6998.013=699.801)

Here is where the government really takes the piss. You'd think IGST applies on the value of the product. Nope. Assume our scummy government adds shipping charges to it, just because they can. Nope, still does not work. It turns out that IGST is applied as 0.28*(assesable_value + bcd + sw_surcharge). In this case, 0.28*(69980+6998+700)=21749.840. This is blatant double taxation.

Finally, there is an additional amount of 1042 from UPS. 883INR to be precise and 18% GST for what UPS claim is a processing charge. Of course.

And that is how I ended up paying 30503INR for goods that cost 636.26EUR.

The numbers make sense but I still cannot fathom how I got billed for 57775.13, but customs decided to assess it at 69980.13. It turns out that there is a freight amount of 11555.03 which I never agreed to pay. Shipping cost 28.95EUR according to FC Moto which comes out to 2546.94INR even with the unfavourable exchange rates from customs. So, Where did an extra 9008INR come from?

I did a bit of digging and I am still not fully sure but here is my (partially correct or totally incorrect) hypothesis. FC Moto ships through UPS Express saver. I paid for the order on 1st Dec and got it today. 3.5 days is blisteringly fast. I was not in a hurry when I placed the order and expected it to take 3 weeks normally, but expected this in the second week of Jan because of Christmas and New Year's Eve. I was shocked to get a customs invoice this afternoon (which I did not check as I was working) and a phone call from the delivery guy two hours later, asking me where exactly my flat was. So far I've always had to pay customs in cash, imagine my horror when I realised I had to scrounge up 30k in 10min when it was pouring outside. The delivery guy told me that he would get a scanner and I can Google Pay him (or prepay by NEFT according to the email). Dude pulled up a QR code from his gallery full of personal pictures but hey, at least he wore a UPS shirt, carried the standard delivery signing papers and is better than paying the local postman in cash anyway. And that was that. Point is, fast delivery and pretty good billing manners is not coming cheap and I suspect FC Moto's 28.95EUR covers only the part where they pack it and dump it at a UPS pickup site and maybe the return label it ships with. The rest of the payment is borne by the consignee.

Surely this is misleading to everyone

This is what 28.95EUR gets you these days

To test this hypothesis I measured the box, weighed it and pulled up the calculator for UPS Express saver. The resulting numbers are frighteningly expensive and unfortunately don't support my theory. I checked UPS Air Freight and it was just as expensive. I don't know if it is cheaper for FC moto as a business because they negotiate a cheaper deal with the volumes they do but that is the only thing I can think of.

How FC Moto ships it for 11555INR is beyond me.

A small aside; After the delivery guy called me the first time, I rang UPS customer service to help me understand the tax breakup and I must say it was quite unhelpful. It took me a while to get past the no reps present while the clock was ticking and when I finally did reach a person, she said all personal imports are taxed at 77.28%. When I told her that it was about 50%, she had no idea and in any case pressured me to take the goods because fighting back charges incurs some additional penalty and what not. Since this not so little excursion cost me only about 3000 more than I had estimated, I silently agreed at the time and took the package.

As if to rub salt in the wound after this ordeal, one of the things does not fit me right as I was straddling between sizes. Currently debating between storing it and trying to get fit enough to fit in it, selling it to some fit people (feel free to PM me if it rains money in your part of Bangalore, mine just rains water) or as a joke option returning it just to see what the return process through customs is like. This whole process is a little opaque from just about everyone. FC Moto for not explaining clearly enough that there is some kind of extra charge for freight, UPS for not mentioning an additional 1k in 'processing fees', and our government for making calculations arcane and locking customs product codes making it available only to officers. At least, if you are buying from a different website where the delivery charge is crystal clear, you now know how much customs to expect.

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Stitching, straps and zippers, everything feels premium and built to last.

BHPian Pferdestarke recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I've been using Rynox Ubran X Jacket for the past 9 months. Though the jacket is well made, fits me well and comes with decent protective armors, the jacket felt heavy for long runs. After looking at various options under 30k, I decided to go for Rev'It Hyperspeed 2 GT Air Jacket.

Initial impressions: The jacket feels pretty light compared to my Urban X jacket. Stitching, straps and zippers, everything feels premium and built to last. Like most International brands, Rev't doesn't sell the jacket with back protector, had to purchase it separately.

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A solid choice if you are looking for reliable knee protection while riding.

BHPian Mrs&Mr_Shenu recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

The Royal Enfield Knox External Knee Armour L2 is available for 67% discount at Rs. 1500 /- at RE Store.

It was sold-out once and a huge chance of happening again. If you are lucky enough, try the below link.

Link: https://store.royalenfield.com/en/re...rmour-l2-black

I purchased one and shared news with few of my rider colleagues. In turn it turned out to be around 7 order from our group itself. This guard comes with a Knee and shin protection and our use case will most probably be one or two day ride of around 300 Kilometers.

Ordering through the portal was easy. Overall delivery experience was glitch free. However, one of my fellow rider faced some challenges when opted for Cash on Delivery (COD).

Some of the key things which influenced the decision.

1. CE Level 2 Certification: This knee guard comes with one of the best safety standards, providing effective impact protection for Knee and then shin.

2. Comfort and Flexibility: I tried it once and it is fairly flexible and comfortable enough. Long term use for all-day wear, under various riding conditions must be tested.

3. The materials used are soft and breathable, which seems like comfortable for longer rides.

4. Durability: This is something needs to be looked upon after few rides. I assume that RE has given a good amount of protection and this will endure for some time.

Overall, if you're looking for reliable knee protection while riding, this knee guard seems like a solid choice. I will try to update the usage experience.

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I love the Grip Puppies. They feel plush and premium, and they provide a nice cruiser-like feel.

BHPian nr07 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I bought the Triumph Speed 400 on July 31st this year (switching from the Duke 200 Gen 2).

Initially, I experienced pain in my palms during short and city rides, especially when I wasn’t wearing gloves on my left hand, which had a prior wrist injury (fractured, with a plate inserted and later removed). This led me to consider trying Grip Puppies.

By the time I ordered and received the Grip Puppies, which was around 15 days after buying the motorcycle, the pain in my palms had significantly reduced. However, I decided to try them anyway. I also bought the Route 95 grips but never installed them.

I love the Grip Puppies. They feel plush and premium, and they provide a nice cruiser-like feel. However, the increased grip width caused some minor aches and pains. I didn’t go on any long rides for about another 15 days.

After two 100 km rides over two days last week, I developed persistent pain at the base of my thumb and the area between my thumb and index finger on my left hand (the one with the previous wrist injury). My throttle hand also experienced some minor aches in the same area.

I believe the reason for this is that I have smaller hands than the size these grips were designed for (British people?). Additionally, I often stand while riding over rough patches and bumps, sometimes pulling the clutch at the same time. I think this increases the impact due to the larger grip diameter. Plus, I wear gloves on longer rides, further adding to this.

I’m waiting a few more days to see if I can get used to this, but I don’t have high hopes. I think I might have to give these up, sadly.

Pros:

• Feels amazing and premium
• Reduces vibrations
• Does its job

Cons:

• Increased diameter might not suit people with smaller hands
• Gets wet in the rain
• Needs cleaning after your bike goes to a mechanic

I did not bother with Route95 one because it is ever thicker than the Grip Puppies.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I’ve always been a sucker for intricate artwork with complex designs and multiple colors.

BHPian TRR recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

A minor update to catalogue here. The bike has just done 46,4XX kms as of this update.

Will detail more of the bike ownership in a separate post. Been an eventful 3,000 kms since the last post with long rides, multiple visits to Hafiz’s place and some OEM part shopping from Japan.

But this post is more of a gear update. More specifically, on the helmet front.

First off, I was able to procure a set of photochromatic (transition) visors for my HJC RPHA11 from the UK. These are in the Red reflective color and have been somewhat of a revelation to me. The visor is almost clear in low light conditions (<5% tint) and are fully tinted under bright sunlight. Plus, the red visor gives everything a bluish tint in well-lit conditions, making for a ‘cooling’ kind of sensation on the eyes (could just be placebo). This has been incredibly convenient for me as I no longer have to swap out my visors on long rides or even the office commutes. Even with the ease of changing visors on the HJC, this has just made things so much easier. Well-worth the spend, I feel.

In their somewhat clear stage, halfway through the transition.

And the visor under bright sunlight, almost fully opaque from the outside, appropriately tinted from the inside

The second update is a bit more significant. I am now the proud owner of an Arai RX-7X. While the HJC is up there and is an excellent helmet on its own, I always wanted to move to the big leagues and get an Arai / Shoei. I’ve always been a sucker for intricate artwork with complex designs and multiple colors. The RX-7X in the Oriental Blue Frost colorway fit this perfectly. On a recent visit to Singapore, I was able to pick up this stunning helmet. This version carries many traditional oriental designs, from the artwork inspired by the ‘Great Wave off Kanagawa’ (one of Japan’s most famous artworks), the Dragon on top, the Koi fish at the back and the multiple flowers adorning the helmet all around. All this is on a matte blue background.

The frontal view

The front left

The left side of the helmet (the waves dominate this side)

The rear left side (the large flower is in almost fluorescent red IRL)

From the rear (the large Koi takes centre-stage here)

The rear right (same as on the right, the flower is a fluorescent yellow IRL)

The right side (again dominated by the waves)

And the front right side (can see Mt Fuji at the bottom, similar to the front left)

And finally, the Oriental dragon on top

Planning to get the tinted visor and the rear spoiler for this a few months down the line.

I have just ridden for a short jaunt of 100-ish kms so far with this and am impressed with the stability and ventilation it offers. Can instantly feel the coolness seep in once the vents are open. There is almost no wind buffeting at speeds up to 100 kmph. The view out is excellent and it seems to handle wind noise better than my RPHA11

Will drop a more comprehensive review once I have used this for a few 1000 kms, including maybe a comparison with the HJC RPHA11. For now, the Arai will be reserved mostly for out-of-city rides, while the HJC will fill in the commuter duties. The HJC is little over 3 years old so I plan to use both helmets side-by-side for a while. Will allow me to better understand the differences in the characteristics between these two helmets as well.

That's it on this update

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Helmet was rated ECE and DOT. I am not sure if it's legit, but it did work where it mattered.

BHPian PrasannaDhana recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I am alive today because of a 4.5k Axor helmet.

I had a motorcycle crash at 120 kmph and am lucky enough to share about it. Note the half portion of helmet cam mount scratched and gone on the top of the helmet. If I wasn't wearing one, It would have been my scalp and face. It was rated ECE and DOT. I am not sure if it's legit, but it did work where it mattered.

Before buying a motorcycle, budget atleast 10k on a very good helmet.

Buying the right helmet doesn't stop with choosing the brand, but also with choosing how snug it fits your head and how it is restrained. Many people wear helmets that are too loose.

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The chrome mesh elements make the helmet stand out from all the other options in the market.

BHPian neil.jericho recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Recently, I got to check out the new Airoh Connor helmet at Autoqueen, Cochin. Since the popular Airoh Valor has seen a bump up in its price, the Airoh Connor is now the entry level product in the Airoh lineup for India. It is ECE 22.06 homologated and is pinlock ready (not provided in the box). It doesnt come with a sunvisor or a double D ring mechanism. The air vents at the top have a unique roller mechanism which might take some getting used to but will probably be very easy to use, once you get the hang of it. The large size helmet weighs in at 1560 +/- 50 grams while the small size helmet comes in at 1450 +/- 50 grams.

The chrome mesh elements make the helmet stand out from all the other options in the market. I did like some of the colour schemes that were on offer. Despite being the most affordable Airoh option, the padding is surprisingly plush and feels as good as its competitors in the Rs 11K to Rs 15K price range. Speaking of prices, the base colour versions retail for Rs 12,950 and the fancier ones are for Rs 14,950.

As the regulars on this thread know by now, High Note Performance is importing Airoh helmets with the ISI mark for India. With the new ISI certification, the revised prices of all the Airoh helmets have gone up a bit as compared to their earlier listed prices, but as motorcycle enthusiasts, we will never complain about the increased availability of high quality helmets in our market. Overall, the Airoh Connor is a premium looking and feeling helmet that should attract the attention of enthusiasts who want an ECE 22.06 rated helmet for their daily riding / commuting / occasional weekend rides.

Notice the subtle chrome elements at the chin

A closer look

Pretty push padding

The weight of the larger shell option

The weight of the smaller shell option

The unique mechanism for controlling air flow on top

The mesh elements at the rear

Another view

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John plans to develop a helmet that is both safe and comfortable for all.

In a recent interview, actor John Abraham revealed that he is considering launching his own helmet brand.

John, who is an avid motorcycling enthusiast, plans to develop a helmet that is both safe and comfortable for all. He said that he would go through every possible certification to have a safe helmet rather than just a plain good-looking one.

The actor said that he had already visited some of the top motorcycle helmet manufacturers in Spain and Italy to understand the manufacturing process. That being said, he also clarified that there’s still some time for the final product to be ready.

During the interview, John said, “My intent is very simple – my intent is safety. I will go through every possible certification to have a safe helmet rather than just a plain good looking helmet".

"I'm obsessed with helmets and like how people buy clothes, I buy helmets," he added.

Source: Autocar India

The new range of riding gear has been divided into two product lines: Sahara Air and Darcha Pro.

Royal Enfield has launched a range of motorcycling apparels, designed by REV’IT! in India.

The new range of all-weather riding gear includes jackets, trousers and gloves for both men and women. According to the company, the products come with detachable liners and advanced armours to ensure optimal performance and safety irrespective of the weather and terrain conditions.

The latest range of riding gear has been divided into two product lines: Sahara Air and Darcha Pro. The former includes an all-weather jacket and gloves made from durable mesh stretch fabrics and a TPR knuckle protector.

The Darcha Pro riding jacket has been designed for optimal movement and boasts Level 2 protection at the shoulders and elbows. It also comes with reflective detailing. It is complemented by riding trousers that offer all-weather protection, mobility and convenience. It comes with a detachable thermal liner for cold days and a hydratex waterproof liner for rain.

The Darcha Pro gloves are also designed for all types of weather conditions and feature a new TPR knuckle protector and sliders and are touchscreen-compatible.

The limited edition collection will be available across Royal Enfield dealerships and online.

Royal Enfield REV’IT! riding gear prices:

• Sahara Air Riding Jacket – Rs 26,990
• Sahara Air Gloves – Rs 8,990
• Darcha Pro Riding Jacket – Rs 29,990
• Darcha Pro Riding Trousers – Rs 22,990
• Darcha Pro Gloves – Rs 10,990

The Crossroader jacket features KNOX Microlock Level 2 protectors at the shoulders and elbows.

Royal Enfield has launched what is said to be India’s first riding jacket with 100% Titanium sliders. The new Crossroader dual-sport riding jacket is priced at Rs 14,950 and is available at Royal Enfield dealerships and online.

The Royal Enfield Crossroader is said to be engineered with the brand’s two Weather technology to keep riders cool and comfortable in varying conditions. The jacket features KNOX Microlock Level 2 protectors at the shoulders and elbows, Ergo pro tech Level 2 back armours, and Level 1 chest armours. The jacket’s construction features Superflow Mesh (450 Gsm 100% Poly) with durable CORDURA patches at critical areas like the shoulders and elbows.

Reflective elements placed on the front and back maximize visibility and a standalone high-visibility Rain Jacket made with 8000MM Nylon helps keep the rider dry. The jacket also has waterproof transparent pockets for your ID and medical card, YKK zippers at the front and a TruDry waterproof pocket inside.