Any Suomy Dealers in Western MA / Enfield CT. Area?

[diddy2003]

Anyone know where I can try on Suomy lids in the Western Mass, Enfield CT. area? I have gone to all the dealers in my area and I still haven't found any. I have been finding some great deals on them, online, but everyone I have spoken to says that they run small. I am not about to spend hundreds of dollars, online of course, for a product I have never tried on. I really like this one: (pic attached)


I have an Arai and wear a med in the RR5 and Profile Lids. I tried on the Quantum 2 but I don't like the way it feels. I would like to stick with arai but I can find a Suomy cheaper.

Any input on these? Should I just stick with Arai. I am not really interested in any other brand. Thanks in advance.

Here is one pretty good deal I have found:
http://www.speedaddictcycles.com/pro...MET_LARGE.html

Ebay tends to have tons of great deals.

[imkindafkedup]

I also wear an arai profile med, and a suomy med fits me just as well, maybe even a little better. I heard suomy no longer is supporting their USA division and they pulled out. I know you can still buy them around, but any support you may need with them (like broken tabs or random shit) may be really hard to get. A company willing to stand by their product and is easy to work with is huge to me, I don't now if Suomy will still do that any more. I'd look into that before purchasing.

Also, before buying on ebay make sure to find out the manufacture date of the helmet. Sometime they can already be 2+ years old.

[diddy2003]

I heard suomy no longer is supporting their USA division and they pulled out.

OMG!!! Look what I just found:

http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=33114

Updated: Changes In U.S. Distribution Of Suomy Helmets

Jul 03, 2008, ©Copyright 2008, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

From a press release issued by Modern World Ventures:

Suomy USA announces today effective immediately, it has ceased operation and no longer represents Suomy Spa, Suomy Helmets or its distributors. Suomy USA will no longer be responsible for customer service, warranty, product support, sales training, sponsorships or anything associated with Suomy helmets whatsoever.

Rick Marlin, Director of Suomy USA - "We are sad to end our long standing cooperation with Suomy Spa and our distribution partners. However, the 5th consecutive year of a very weak dollar and a slumping economy have worked against us, and while we have made significant sacrifices to keep the doors open, we are simply not in a position to carry on in this manner."

Rick Marlin first imported Suomy Helmets into the USA in 1998 through Gearbox International. Then, Suomy was a completely unknown brand in the USA. "We can take pride of our accomplishments with Suomy. Our initial 5 year mission was to position the brand as a relevant competitor to Shoei and Arai's best, and establish a national distribution network. With a very modest budget, we successfully positioned Suomy Helmets against the best out of Japan, ranking as the #1 performing helmet in a well known national Helmet Satisfaction study 5 years in a row, and established a nationwide distribution network with Parts Unlimited, Van Leeuwen Enterprises and Romaha Importer and Distributors. We can leave knowing we attained those goals and more."

Those goals and more, indeed - Suomy was the first modern premium helmet to be established in the US market, not with the Snell approval rating, but with the British standard - the venerable BSI 6658 Type A. In doing so, Rick Marlin and Suomy USA demonstrated that the more demanding, alternative European standards could be sold in the USA and effectively knocked down the old myths about Snell and truly started the conversation of alternative helmet standards now so widely discussed in all the major industry magazines. Says Rick, "I am certain that we at Suomy USA, and Suomy Spa put the helmet standard discussion firmly into the minds of the American consumer, and in doing so we leave a lasting legacy to the improved safety of every motorcyclist in the USA. This is an area of which I am most proud."

Suomy helmets will continue to be made available and serviced in the USA directly from it distribution partners.

Rick Marlin continues as Director of Modern World Ventures, a world leader in optical insert technologies (www.modernworld.com) and as Director of Maric Group, a consulting firm providing services for overseas helmet manufacturers seeking innovative assistance with sales training, brand development, distribution and marketing (www.maric-group.com).

For more information on Modern World Ventures, or Maric Group, please contact Rick Marlin at:
E: rmarlin@modernworld.com
E: rmarlin@maric-group.com
T: 800.436.4248
510.873.8261
F: 510.873.8265




More, from a press release issued by Don Schmidt:

Parts Unlimited, Romaha Distributors and Van Leeuwen Enterprises remain as strong Suomy distributors nationwide, along with their dealer network. These outlets will continue to provide sales for our new and current line of products available to the U.S. market.

I ( Don Schmidt) am based in the San Francisco Bay Area and have been a direct representative of the Suomy factory in Italy since the beginning of this year. I will continue to provide customer service, warranty and technical support for these distributors and dealers, as well as the end user. In addition to this, I have a plan in effect to re-open the popular "Amateur Racer Support Program" for the year 2009. This plan will become effective later this calendar year.

For additional information please contact me at:

Don Schmidt
Dealer Development/Race Services
Suomy Helmets

t: 408.568.5016

don@suomy.com

www.suomy.com











http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=33459


More On Suomy's Status In The U.S. Market

Jul 30, 2008, ©Copyright 2008, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

From a press release issued by Don Schmidt

Suomy Helmets under new management in the U.S.

In response to a press release issued July 1, 2008 Suomy Helmets would like to inform all dealers and end users that it is “Business as Usual” in the US market.

Parts Unlimited, Romaha Distributors and Van Leeuwen Enterprises remain as strong Suomy distributors nationwide. Along with their extensive dealer network, these outlets will continue to provide sales for our new and current line of products available to the U.S. market. Supporting this network is a Suomy factory supported office dedicated to providing quality customer service as well as warranty and technical support.

For info on a Suomy dealer near you contact:

Parts Unlimited
www.parts-unlimited.com

Romaha Distributors
www.romaha.com

Van Leeuwen Enterprises
www.vleonline.com

Suomy Customer Service
www.suomy.com
don@suomy.com
t: 408.568.5016

In regards to the date, yes, that is the first thing I would ask. Someone actually posted up a Suomy before, brand new, and after asking the seller for the date it turns out that it was made in 2003!! I def ask for the dates.

I guess Suomy might not be the best choice in the world after reading that they are no longer in the US.

[Paul_E_D]

Valley Motorsports in Northampton, MA carried them. I don't know what this announcement means for them though. Call ahead.

[diddy2003]

Valley Motorsports in Northampton, MA carried them. I don't know what this announcement means for them though. Call ahead.

Ya, I am there all the time. They carry them but nothing on the floor. Each one is special ordered, which sucks. They give me a pretty good deal there but nothing like what can be found online. I just got my Astars gp tech gloves from them for 170 bucks and my RC-1 jacket for 390 bucks. Not bad. A lot of my friends work there.

[patricia929]

I heard suomy no longer is supporting their USA division and they pulled out. I know you can still buy them around, but any support you may need with them (like broken tabs or random shit) may be really hard to get. A company willing to stand by their product and is easy to work with is huge to me, I don't now if Suomy will still do that any more. I'd look into that before purchasing.

This isn't the first time I've heard this or been asked this, so I'll try to explain.

It is unfortunate how Suomy originally made this announcement, all they intended to say was they are changing how DISTRIBUTION in the US occurs.

Previously, all product in the US was first processed by Suomy USA and then by the large distributors (such as Parts Unlimited / Romaha / etc.) These large distributors then provided the product to retailers.

Now, as per the above press release, all product goes directly to the large distributors, then to the retailer.

This really is not a radical change or anything to be concerned with, just an improvement in efficiency - keep in mind that when Suomy originally entered the US market, Suomy USA provided the product directly to the retailers. As the brand grew in the US, they involved the large distributors. Now they are simplifying the distribution channel. Don Schmidt continues to provide support for the Suomy product line in the US and work with their dealers.

Regarding the fit of the Suomy helmets - they do fit differently than most of the Arai helmets and are more similar to the Shoei helmets. I would strongly (always) suggest trying before buying. Additionally, like most of the Arai and Shoei helmets, cheek pads may be changed to get a better fit.

And finally, as a shameless plug - Seacoast Sport Cycle in Derry, NH stocks the Arai, Shoei and Suomy helmets along with a good selection of pads for all of these.

[diddy2003]

And finally, as a shameless plug - Seacoast Sport Cycle in Derry, NH stocks the Arai, Shoei and Suomy helmets along with a good selection of pads for all of these.

Cool, looks like I just found my first ride of the year All back roads of course, like 202, to 2, to 13, to 101, 101a, to 102. That should get me close

[Mustang]

I also wear an arai profile med, and a suomy med fits me just as well, maybe even a little better

+1, except the Profile fits me better due to having an oddly shaped head. I believe CycleGear carries Suomy products; the closest one to you is Manchester, CT - probably 15-20 mins from Enfield.

[diddy2003]

+1, except the Profile fits me better due to having an oddly shaped head. I believe CycleGear carries Suomy products; the closest one to you is Manchester, CT - probably 15-20 mins from Enfield.

Just called them. They do "carry" them, but like all the other dealers, they are not stocked.

Plus, and this is from the guy I was talking to that works there, they don't have a SNELL rating. Does anyone know more about this? This would be bad because a lot of tracks require the SNELL rating, 2005 I believe. I would hate to get one and not be able to use it.

[Paul_E_D]

Most tracks accept the BSI rating that Suomy has.

[imkindafkedup]

Suomy is rated on a british rating scale known as BSI. It's comparable to Snell. I believe all Suomy helmets will pass track inspections, I know the model you are looking at definitely will.

[Mustang]

In 5 TDs in 2008, I never had anyone question my Suomy.

[diddy2003]

That is cool then. When I called the school they said the lid had to have a SNELL 2005 or better certification on it. This is from the helmet requirement section of the penguin school site:


Required Equipment
Riders must have full coverage Snell approved helmet that was made no longer than 5 years ago. The manufacture date of your helmet is usually stamped or printed on one of the chin straps of your helmet. Leather boots (over the ankle - work boots will suffice) and gloves(with gauntlets over the wrist) are required as well. Zip together leather jacket and pants are accepted, as well as a full racing suit. Rental suits, boots, gloves and helmets are available. You should reserve all rental equipment in advance.

http://www.penguinracing.com/pages/28_equipment.cfm

I really don't care as I know the BSI rating is very good. But, I want to make sure I can wear it on the track. I really like the helmet I pictured. The only one I would want over it would be the corsair Edwards lid, and that is crazy money.

[imkindafkedup]

The BSI rating that these come with are better then the required snell rating. I think most people ride with helmets above what is just "required". I don't think you will have to worry about being turned away at a track. I haven't even had my helmet ever looked at during a tech spec. Usually when they a top name helmet they know it's going to pass. If you roll up in a no name, then they will look at it.

[marshdrummer]

I run a Suomy Bostrom Helmet. Noone at the track questioned me. When I first looked into these helmets, I did some research. the BSI rating is BETTER than the Snell rating. The Suomy is rated as one of the safest helmets on the market IIRC. I wore a Medium in Arai and Icon, but wear a large in Suomy. If you wanna take a ride one day, I work in Manchester, CT. You can try it on if you'd like....