Helite is moving to Reno

[greenmonster]

Today I called about fitting and pricing for one of their airbag jackets figuring since they're in Emeryville I could try before I buy.
The guy who answered the phone says they've moved most of their stuff to a new Reno location. He has a few jackets left (not the one I want though) so at least I can try one on, then order on line.
Their new rent will be a fraction of what it is down here and I suspect most of their business is online these days anyway so why not?

 

[duck_rider]

Good for them. Tax situation is much better for small businesses there as well. As well as the incomes they pay their employees. Just doesn't make sense to have something here that can easily be online only.

 

[nebulous]

Emeryville passed a proposition increasing property tax, a year or two ago, specifically to help the "Homeless." Currently the homeless problem is worse.

Cant blame Helite for not wanting to pay that tax. Not to mention the Looting that has plagued the area this year.

Be well and prosper in a more business friendly, less crime ridden local.

 

[Clem Kevin]

Those pesky homeless people!

 

[byke]

California is basically operating like that handyman we all hate, where they have so much business, they jacked up their prices to intentionally reduce their business in favor of a better work-to-$$$ equilibrium. The only thing that brings prices back down is when work drops, which doesn't ever seem to happen for that handyman or for California.

 

[greenmonster]

The other air bag jacket I was considering was Hit Air but apparently availability is off and on due to the virus. I think Helite makes a better product anyway

 

[jbawden]

A handyman is today what regular men and women were back in the day; they took the time to learn basic domestic trade skills. It's different than gouging for gas, milk, water, etc. Now no one learns any skills and the natural market forces created an opportunity for someone that makes different choices than you to make a nice living. You can join them if you want, Viva America!

 

[ST Guy]

I guess I'm what you could call a handyman. Plumbing, electrical, carpentry, electronics, mechanic, painter, masonry, computer specialist and dozens of other trades depending on the hat(s) I wear that day.

It amazes me how so many people can get by in this world with only one trade. And sometimes barely even that one.

 

[NoTraffic]

I still find it highly amusing that there are these local motorcycle businesses and yet there's very little advertising/marketing by them. It's not until they move that I find out they were operating here.

Helite - Emeryville (moving)
Sena - Mountain View
Held Gloves Distributor - Scotts Valley (moved)
Helimot - Moved
Coilspec - Los Gatos
K&J Moto Distributors - San Jose

Others . . .?

Wouldn't it make sense to have a table/tent up at Alice's, The Junction, Hwy 9 to showcase your products and have a local presence. Not here to promote these businesses, just amazed you hear little from these companies in the mc scene.

 

[Caddywumpus]

Fox/fox shocks is in watsonville, same with crg.

 

[motomania2007]

Kali Protectives - Kali helmets are in Morgan Hill
Bell Helmets are in Scotts Valley

 

[greenmonster]

So I went to Helite in Emeryville this morning expecting to just try on a couple of jackets to get the right fit, then order the one I wanted on line. Knut (spelling?) had told me yesterday they only had a few black jackets left since they were transitioning to Reno. I told him I really wanted a gray one. He asked about my height and weight before we hung up.
Anyway, today I go down there and he shows me a previous generation black jacket which he offered at a deep discount. I thanked him but told him I really had my heart set on a gray one so he goes over to some packed boxes, opens one and pulls out a gray jacket in my size. The exact one I wanted!
He said someone was coming down last night from Reno so he asked them “to deliver some boxes” as he put it.
He then gave me a good deal on the price and I walked out very happy.
He’s moving to Lake Tahoe and the other guy there (can’t remember his name) bought a house “in the Sierras”.
They say part of the reason they’re moving is the area there in Emeryville has become very difficult to operate a business in due to the neighborhood decline, and costs keep rising so they reached a point where it doesn’t make sense to stay here.
Too bad for us in the local moto community to lose such a business with great people.

 

[NoTraffic]

Totally forgot CRG is in Watsonville! Will have to see if Bell has a showcase at their offices, always wanted to try their CF helmets.