Amazing People
There are amazing people like Viktor and Ivan who picked me and my bike up in Weed, CA and drove me up to Corvallis, OR at night during a snow storm, and then there are amazing people like Victor Barreira at GPHelmets.
My partner in crime, Cristina, the one responsible for my website, video, and most graphic design stuff for nonquistadora, decided to buy a bike. I insisted that if she was going to start riding, this being her first bike, she would have to buy a top of the line helmet. Far too many first time riders skimp on riding gear so they can afford bigger, faster bikes. To me, this is disaster waiting to happen.
At the recommendation of my good friend Kevin, I went with Cristina to GPHelmets in Scottsdale, AZ. Kevin had mentioned that Victor, the owner, was very nice and would custom fit your helmet with the right size cheek pads and liner.
Victor did not disappoint. He was very friendly and after measuring Cristina's head, fitted her with an Arai XD3. He even went as far as changing the cheek pads out and making sure the color of the pads matched the liner.
Then he asked me if I was looking for a new helmet...
Well, I was, but to be honest, I am broke.
Through casual conversation I told Victor about my plans to travel from Vancouver to Ushuaia. I told him I would be back in a couple weeks when I could afford a new helmet.
Victor was so generous, he offered to sell me an Arai XD3 for cost and he said that I could pay when I scrounged up the money!!! I couldn't believe it! I was elated! He measured my head and switch out the cheek pads to better fit me. He then put both of our helmets in nice soft helmet bags, taking great care not to bump or scratch them.
We both walked out extremely happy with our new helmets. Cristina has yet to ride with hers, but mine fits like a dream. I highly recommend stopping by Victor and his son's shop. They're a small business with great selection of Arai helmets and EXCELLENT service. They won't try to sell you something that doesn't fit or isn't safe.
As a final note: It's your brain... How much is it worth to you?