What's with Olympia?

blackbill13 · May 15, 2020

I am trying to buy some Olympia Airglide4 pants but there seems to be none to be had. Is this a problem with the Olympia company or just a result of the COVID problems nationwide? It seems there are other brands available from the various websites I looked on.
Does anyone have a suggestion for an alternative to the Olympia Airglides? I want a full-length outside leg zipper and prefer well vented pants as it gets hot here in So. Tx.
Thanks.

millsaps2 · May 15, 2020

Olympia sold to Motovan in 2015. Olympia’s problems stem from a bankrupt parent that was very mismanaged and became extremely cash-poor while the debt went through the roof.

jgoertz · May 15, 2020

You can find Olympia products listed on the Motovan website: https://motovan.com. I don't know which pants would compare with what you're looking for, but you may find their current replacements.

jad01 · May 16, 2020

An alternative could be RevIt Airwave pants. I recently bought a set of RevIt Airwave 3 jacket and pants from RevZilla. I really like them so far. Very good airflow, true fit, good construction quality and armor. The pants are easy to get in and out of and have a long zipper on each leg. I matched them with the TCX Street Ace Air Shoes- like those too.

Between the silver/black RevIt gear and grey TCX boots, I like to think I have a little bit of an Even Knievel vibe going (or maybe Elvis :scratch

)... I just need a cape.

In any event, the light colors don't heat up and the gear flows lots of air- I like them for commuting around Houston.

:beer

kbowman · May 16, 2020

blackbill13 said:
I am trying to buy some Olympia Airglide4 pants but there seems to be none to be had. Is this a problem with the Olympia company or just a result of the COVID problems nationwide?
Thanks.

Revzilla has some sizes.

Ken

bigjohnsd · May 16, 2020

I inquired about Olympia through MotorcycleGear.com who disposes of a lot of overstocks in our world.

Here is what their email reply said:

Hello John,

Yes, Motovan did file for bankruptcy last year. They did liquidate the US distribution company, MTA Distributing, and closed their doors in March. Currently, Olympia is still being offered from Motonvan in Canada but it is no longer offered here in the US. The last time we spoke with them they said the future of Olympia is still up in the air. If they do bring it back to the US it is not going to happen any time soon. I am sure that all this COVID-19 stuff is having an impact on Motovan's plans to come out of bankruptcy as well so we are not holding out much hope for Olympia at this time.

Sincerely,

Aaron
Motorcycle Gear
www.motorcyclegear.com
806-832-5190

With the current financial climate here in the USA I'd not be betting on Olympia making a quick return.

azgman · May 16, 2020

Bummer. I really liked Olympia when it was run by the husband and wife team years ago. My current jacket is an Olympia that I purchased last year at a good price. Still good quality.

36654 · May 16, 2020

azgman said:
Bummer. I really liked Olympia when it was run by the husband and wife team years ago. My current jacket is an Olympia that I purchased last year at a good price. Still good quality.

Like you, I picked up a last generation Ranger Vent jacket in HiViz for around $140. Good cold weather jacket in HiViz.

ebell · May 16, 2020

azgman said:
Bummer. I really liked Olympia when it was run by the husband and wife team years ago. My current jacket is an Olympia that I purchased last year at a good price. Still good quality.

I agree. I have an old Olympia Phantom suit, well over 10 years old, and it's still structurally sound. I sealed the arm vents, and give it a spray of Camp Dry every year.

I hardly wear it anymore as my commute has shortened, but it was my go to suit for years, and will be again if I get another job with a longer commute.

mikegalbicka · May 17, 2020

Only gear I have owned - AirGlide and MotoQuest - will be missed. Has served us very well.

drneo66 · May 18, 2020

blackbill13 said:
I am trying to buy some Olympia Airglide4 pants but there seems to be none to be had. Is this a problem with the Olympia company or just a result of the COVID problems nationwide? It seems there are other brands available from the various websites I looked on.
Does anyone have a suggestion for an alternative to the Olympia Airglides? I want a full-length outside leg zipper and prefer well vented pants as it gets hot here in So. Tx.
Thanks.

Have you looked at Motoport's Air Mesh? Not cheap, but great quality

gregfeeler · May 19, 2020

azgman said:
Bummer. I really liked Olympia when it was run by the husband and wife team years ago. My current jacket is an Olympia that I purchased last year at a good price. Still good quality.

I had not heard about the situation with Olympia until I saw this thread and am very disappointed as I have worn Olympia gear for many years and found it very well designed and constructed. I met the original owners at an MOA rally years ago and they seemed like very good people. Very sad.

blackbill13 · May 20, 2020

"Bummer" is right

Olympia was the first and only gear I wore. Sure hope they come back as they had great products.
I love current business practice, or what seems to be the practice now. Take a good company and drive it into the ground.
I'll stop whining now.
Thanks for the information.

Omega Man · May 20, 2020

Sounds like some of you may know or have met owners. Send them a link to this thread...... Let them know the thoughts.
I have been happy with my Olympia gear as well.
OM

gregfeeler · May 20, 2020

blackbill13 said:
Olympia was the first and only gear I wore. Sure hope they come back as they had great products.
I love current business practice, or what seems to be the practice now. Take a good company and drive it into the ground.
I'll stop whining now.
Thanks for the information.

Although I see cases where it happens that someone buys a company and either hollows it out or mismanages it to death, I think that shout of evidence of such things in this case, we have to recognize that the motorcycle accessories market is extremely tough, and has been since 2009. That's about when U.S. motorcycles sales dropped in half, and have never recovered. There is no shortage of people making bike riding gear, and many of them with numerous besides just clothing.

pglaves · May 20, 2020

blackbill13 said:
I love current business practice, or what seems to be the practice now. Take a good company and drive it into the ground.

It is called vulture capitalism (more formally venture capitalism but the former better describes it). It happens on a grand scale and a small scale but it happens every day. Buy up a company. Dismantle it. Sell off assets. Pocket the profits and proceed to the next victim. To see it on a grand scale study the recent dismantling of Sears. Sell off Kenmore. Sell off Craftsman. Close stores. And on and on. We have seen it with several BMW dealerships too.

brownie0486 · May 20, 2020

My 2 favorite jackets are Olympia made.

The_Veg · May 24, 2020

I too am just learning of this now in this thread and I am SUPER-bummed! I have Olympia gear for all seasons and LOVED the great balance of price and quality- too good to be true for very long I guess.

PoorUB · May 25, 2020

PGlaves said:
It is called vulture capitalism (more formally venture capitalism but the former better describes it). It happens on a grand scale and a small scale but it happens every day. Buy up a company. Dismantle it. Sell off assets. Pocket the profits and proceed to the next victim. To see it on a grand scale study the recent dismantling of Sears. Sell off Kenmore. Sell off Craftsman. Close stores. And on and on. We have seen it with several BMW dealerships too.

Sears was dying before the sell off began. It was an attempt to bring in capital and save it, much too late.

I find the history of Sears ironic. The business was built on mail order, and partially killed off by the internet, which is nothing more than a modern, electronic version of mail order. What does Amazon do that any large retailer could not have done, except lacking vision.

36654 · May 25, 2020

PoorUB said:
Sears was dying before the sell off began. It was an attempt to bring in capital and save it, much too late.

I find the history of Sears ironic. The business was built on mail order, and partially killed off by the internet, which is nothing more than a modern, electronic version of mail order. What does Amazon do that any large retailer could not have done, except lacking vision.

Yep, Amazon is following the lead of Sears, K-mart, Walmart. Someday, someone will replace Amazon.

I remember waiting for Cycle, Cycle World or the Owners News to see the current price for gear. Now, I do a web search and, possibly, even purchase from overseas.

What's with Olympia?

Member

New member

Member

New member

Member

'21 R1250 GS Adv

Addicted to curves

New member

Member

Back in the saddle again

Active member

Dances With Sheep

Member

Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat

Dances With Sheep

#13338

Well-known member

D'OH!

Active member

New member

Similar threads