This is one of those times that I need answers, BROtoers. I would say one of the top gear companies as far as overall style is Alpinestars. But for the life of me, I cannot figure out why they don't distribute their race apparel in the States. Obviously they have the ability to do it, because their boots and casual wear are EVERYWHERE. You can go into a PacSun in East Jesus, Kentucky and you will find Alpinestars shirts and hoodies and all that. I know for a fact that retailers in Europe and the land of Oz carry A-Stars gear. So why not the U.S.? The only reason I can think of is that they are trying to create some sort of exclusivity in their product. They may be going with the proven winner: You can't come in here. That's how Facebook originally crushed MySpace into a hollow shell of a social networking site. It just fuels our need for it. We cannot have the gear, therefore, we want it more. Only certain team riders have it, and that's just enough to show it to us, but then say "Oh, but you can't have any". It's driving me crazy as I type this. I need it more and more every second. Please, Alpinestars, now all I want for Christmas is your 2010 jersey and pants. And maybe some new Tech 10s. And one of those neck braces. Ok, fine, a new bike, too. And a house. Maybe a spaceship? And I want a pony - are you writing this down? And a choo-choo, and a role model, and a candy cane, and a ducky, and a pencil, and a tyrannosaurus, and a friend...
A-Star gear is gnarly. What ever happened to Sinisalo? Their gear was sick. A-Star is definetely doing the Apple exclusive type thing only to the 10th degree. I give it under 5 years before they have full blown gear lines all over the US. Fact.
ReplyDeleteBut have you been a good boy this year? And clarification the tyrannosaurus... Dead or alive? Same question about the role model.
ReplyDeleteAlpinestars is distributed largely by Parts Unlimited which owns Thor. Parts Unlimited doesn't want Alpinestar gear to come to the States because they know Alpinestars would take a large chunk of the market from Thor.
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ReplyDeleteEbay.co.uk. A-stars gear is very easy to get that way.
ReplyDeleteIt will never sell here as long as their distribution is through Parts Unlimited.
Exclusivity is part of it. It is more politically driven though. By keeping it out of the US, it allows all riders dispute their current gear sponsor to run Alpinestars boots. If the gear would be available in the US, then at that point Alpinestars would be considered a competitor for both gear and boots.
ReplyDeleteThis allows Thor (Parts Unlimited) to have a lower end, more price point boot on the shelves and still be able to offer a high end boot in Alpinestars. When it comes down to it, its about money which should be no surprise. Alpinestars reserves boot sales (A tremendous majority of their sales) and distributers get to sell them.