Helimot moving out of state

[Butch]

This is one of the most stupid threads I've ever read on BARF.

There are no stupid threads, only funny comments. Its the internet!

Which is probabally responsible for Helmut's relocation, that and his lease is at its end of term.

The interwebz makes it hard for many brick and mortar stores to operate profitably...

 

[jwb]

This is one of the most stupid threads I've ever read on BARF.

Just remember, when it seems like the Internet is making you stupid, it's usually the other way around.

 

[NorCalBusa]

I've told this before, but it's worth telling again:

Years ago I crashed in a Helimot suit during a test day at Buttonwillow. Crashed in the Riverside turn at ~130. Wasn't injured but the long slide worked the suit over pretty well. It held up well enough that I could finish the day on my second bike.

I had a track day the following weekend and wanted to have the suit repaired before then if possible. Dropped the suit off on Monday morning and asked Helmut if there was any chance of having it in decent shape by Friday. He clucked, shook his head, asked me if I was OK and said he would try.

Thursday, the shop called, said the suit was ready. I came down and found the suit hanging out on the floor. It was immaculate. I couldn't believe they could repair it that thoroughly.

Well, they couldn't. So they made me a new suit and just charged me for a repair.

Steve McCartney had the same thing happen up at Buttonwillow. Stepped off and slid so far/fast it burned holes in various places (elbows & butt cheeks). Suit all fixed in no time and back at it. Sad to the them go, so I bought a pair of Daytonas I don't need.

 

[budman]

I stopped by yesterday and got hugs and gloves.

A little history:
Helmut came to the USA from Austria in the early 80's. He packed a van with Held gloves and drove around the Bay Area visiting locals shops. There were a lot more back then.

Being a hard working immigrant Helmut started a brick and mortar store and his second spot off 13th street became a destination for local motorcyclists. The leathers produced protected some of the fastest riders in the USA. If you dared walking in you could find yourself stuck there for a while. Looking chatting, seeing friends.

Barf Racing when we got serious chose Helimot Leather, because they were the shit! Simple.

The Future:
They will not open a brick and mortar location anymore from our discussion. 30 years of living the American dream, brought so many of us amazing products, which we wore during amazing experiences. A stamp in time has been placed for so many of us.

Our history:
I remember seeing the tall Austrian guy hanging at the AFM races in the middle 80's.
His smile and accent were very engaging. After a couple hello's I became Meeeeeeester Buuuuuuudmaaaan. Always cool to say hello to him.

My most special memory is when I ended up top AFM dude in the '89 AMA National 750 supersport beating Geep Teranova to the line by 5". Of course Dave Deveaux and Mark McDaniels had to fall down for me to challenge for the top spot.. and because the Superbike races were shut down because of noise our race got bumped to 35 laps. That allowed me to get by some guys that normally would beat me and my incredibly stock GXSR because they got tired.

After coming off the track Helmut flagged me down clapping... I flipped up my visor and stopped and he said "Meeeeeeeeeeeeeesterrrrrr Buuuuuuuuuuuuuudman! I did not know you had that in you. Incredible day my friend". From that point on we became solid friends. A special memory from a special day for me.

Him making leathers, for Bobby, Andy, Berto, Siggy, Kenny, Anthony.....and me was special for sure.

And:
I look forward sitting down for dinner with them and catching up.
Hell of a run for the Kluckner's.

So:
"Meeeeester Helmut.....incredible run my friend.
Congrats to you and Linda and all the best in what life brings you beyond your journey in California. Thank you."

Silly thread.

 

[Junkie]

A big downside to internet only is it'll make it difficult to find what pair fits you best. Each pair of gloves fits just a little bit differently, so he's always had me try on a few pairs and see which one fits me best.

I can't really do that if I have to mail order. If he was in NorNev (Reno-ish) it would be worth heading up there when I want a pair of gloves.

 

[WWWobble]

There are no stupid threads, only funny comments. Its the internet!

Which is probabally responsible for Helmut's relocation, that and his lease is at its end of term.

The interwebz makes it hard for many brick and mortar stores to operate profitably...

No argument there. Online commerce is a disruptive technology to both large and small brick and mortar stores. I also wont argue that state, county, and local agencies in California can go overboard on occasion, to both large and small businesses.

But I suspect a decision regarding the future of Helimot is something of a perfect storm with many factors influencing it.

 

[budman]

If you would like to say thanks to Helmut and Linda go here

 

[afm199]

I'm guessing you're not a business owner in CA, as Helmut is?

Right?

 

[afm199]

Playing devils advocate:
When you bring up Tesla, you also bring up a company that manufactures in California despite the California being California. Zero Motorcycles assembles in Scott Valley. I got a tour of Vintage Electric Bikes in Santa Clara and I was surprised they assemble all there bikes in there facility.

California does have a lot of rich customers. Is it the same in Nevada? Its hard to try on a suit if you are not in the state. Aerostich, tours around with hundreds of suits and does custom fittings.

That was due to the very unique circumstance of there being a complete auto assembly in Fremont that had closed down (NUMMI), and one that was modern and well equipped, that Tesla picked up for literally pennies on the dollar. He also pays substantially lower wages than the old NUMMI plant.

 

[FreeRyde]

Welp, better buy a set of buffalo pro's now...

 

[ratsblast]

I'm with AFM, when GM went bankrupt they divested themselves of their Nummi partnership with Toyota. The production facility was basically given to Tesla. Without government handouts I dont think any manufacturing is profitable in california. Another building across the street from Tesla made solar cells, a company call solyndra, sucked up 400m in subsidies before going belly up. Unless you sell "green" products california doesnt want you in business. My Father works at a local missile factory and they are moving most of their production to Denver because between regulation and environmental it doesnt make sense to stay here.

 

[WWWobble]

I'm guessing you're not a business owner in CA, as Helmut is?

Right?

Laugh away. I've had plenty of experience dealing with small, locally owned businesses. No, I have never owned one.

None of this matters to my points, which are basically:

1. All business, large and small, deal with various adversity caused by all sorts of things. It's seldom just one thing that crashes trains, airplanes, motorcycles, or businesses large or small.

2. I do not agree that California has become a "3rd world" entity.

3. I respect Helmut, have worn his gloves, know him to be ethical, and I wish him well, whatever decision he finally makes.

 

[ilikefood]

I'm with AFM, when GM went bankrupt they divested themselves of their Nummi partnership with Toyota. The production facility was basically given to Tesla. Without government handouts I dont think any manufacturing is profitable in california. Another building across the street from Tesla made solar cells, a company call solyndra, sucked up 400m in subsidies before going belly up. Unless you sell "green" products california doesnt want you in business.

...and that's a problem because...? If the state is going to subsidize businesses, doesn't it make sense to subsidize those that are future-proof and sustainable, rather than obsolete and polluting?

Old-school businesses, like for example oil companies, car manufacturers, and so on, get many billions of dollars in subsidies. It's awesome that CA is a little more forward-looking than other states, and subsidizing modern companies.

BTW, I have a couple different companies (LLCs), in NY and in CA. CA isn't any worse than NY for small businesses. You pay an annual fee of $600, and you pay your taxes, nothing particularly anti-business about that.

 

[ilikefood]

California is already a third world status.
Funny thing is there are entirely too many stupid people who don't realize Socialism doesn't work.
The left only want to take the middle classes money and give it to the meatheads who want to work at Taco Bell and try to raise a family of 4 kids on it.
Since when do you owe someone who makes poor choices in life a free ride?
If anyone can come up with a good reason why the middle class should foot this bill, please I'm all ears.

How many third-world countries have you lived in or at least visited? California is probably the farthest away from third-world status among all the US states.

The problem is not the government taking middle-class money and giving it to poor people, it's the government taking middle-class money and giving it to rich people. Dumb trust in "trickle-down economics", and corporate control of government is what's gutting the middle class.

 

[FreeRyde]

The problem is not the government taking middle-class money and giving it to poor people, it's the government taking middle-class money and giving it to rich people.

That. What? Do you know how taxes work? Like, the basic concept?

The problem is not what you mentioned above... It is the government NOT taxing the rich at all!

While small businesses are paying 30-45% tax (Helmut), Tesla across the street is probably paying 5% (being generous) or less. You can't argue that with me.

 

[Holeshot]

You pay an annual fee of $600, and you pay your taxes, nothing particularly anti-business about that.

It depends what industry you're in for that to be correct.

 

[Killroy1999]

Every time someone moves out of CA there is less pressure on housing prices to look on the bright side.

That was due to the very unique circumstance of there being a complete auto assembly in Fremont that had closed down (NUMMI), and one that was modern and well equipped, that Tesla picked up for literally pennies on the dollar. He also pays substantially lower wages than the old NUMMI plant.

Tesla only really uses the shell of NUMMI and the large stamping machines and maybe some of the conveyor system. Tesla gutted the rest of NUMMI. The assembly line, robots and paint are basically all new.

I would really like to see the side by side comparison on how California is business unfriendly.

 

[jwb]

Every time someone moves out of CA there is less pressure on housing prices to look on the bright side.



Tesla only really uses the shell of NUMMI and the large stamping machines and maybe some of the conveyor system. Tesla gutted the rest of NUMMI. The assembly line, robots and paint are basically all new.

I would really like to see the side by side comparison on how California is business unfriendly.

The most valuable thing Tesla got for moving into NUMMI was a local population of skilled, trained, experienced, and unemployed auto workers.

 

[JimX]

The more things change....

It was a GM assembly plant before NUMMI...

 

[rsrider]

I had a Nova, once. I still feel the shame.

Most business's fail. For a small, boutique business like Helimot, making motorcycle gear for a small group of people (MC riders that can afford custom leather gear), to survive as long as it has in an area where the cost of floor space, labor, material, is probably near the top of all the US, is pretty amazing. But, to see it have to adjust as market factors begin to decimate profit margins is usually the way all business's go. If they wanted to make a profit, I doubt moving to anywhere in the US is going to help, maybe moving to Cowzbekistan would do it.

Another thing: CA sells more MC's than any other state, more people actually ride in leathers in this state than any other that I've ever been to, so where exactly is Helimot's market? It's CA. There are a lot of business's that are shutting down due to the interwebs, but that's just the B&M storefront, and they're moving on-line. So if Helimot moves, who buys their gear? If it's custom fit, where are the people who buy custom fit leathers (in a quantity that can sustain Helimot's business)? I don't see how Helimot moving out of state will save it.