[Rocketsled]

(I know this ain't the right forum, but I trust y'all)
File this under "I already know the answer, I'm just commiseratin on opinions"

I've reached my motorcycle destination (Rapid City, SD) the hotel's parking is a couple of blocks away, I'm tired, cold, ready for a shower, and not thinking at 100%. The helmet was sitting on the pillion when I opened the top case to get something out. It then falls to the concrete with a solid THUMP. Crap.

Now the latch has been sticking a little, and it's had a LOT of use pulling full time duty as a commuter helmet for the last 18 months, so it really doesn't owe me anything. It is now a non-modular helmet...this last time I pulled the latch closed, it won't unclasp. That tells me this sucker should probably be sent to that farm...far away...where it can run around and play with the other helmets...right?

TLR dropped helmet from 4 feet up on concrete, won't unlatch...I need a new helmet, right?

 

[wrmoss]

Mike,

Sorry brother for my opinion. I do believe you need a new helmet. I had the wind blow my new helmet off the saddle just two days ago...I slowed it's fall with my knee but she rolled over to the face shield and scratched it up good.

Here is my advice for you...go to the hotel, eat if you need to and go take that hot shower. After some good sleep and only after then...go wrestle with the issue. The good news is that you are among some great bike shops and dealers. You should be able to get a decent helmet there in Rapid City.

Keep us posted...

 

[tips727]

It is now a non-modular helmet...this last time I pulled the latch closed, it won't unclasp.

I would be thinking - new helmet - if I understand your correctly. And that is assuming you are saying that it used to flip up and now it doesn't. If it is anything like my Nolan N102, I wouldn't want to even try to put it on without the face shield and front lower flipped up, but being used to riding with mine flipped up most of the time, not being able to do that would feel way too confining.

 

[Rocketsled]

I was actually leaning the other way...yeah I like the flip-up convenience, but I HATE the wind noise (hjc sy-max II)

 

[johnbaker15]

I was actually leaning the other way...yeah I like the flip-up convenience, but I HATE the wind noise (hjc sy-max II)

I seem to remember that HJC has a repair kit for the Sy-max II. What most likely happened is that the latch pins broke when it fell. Webbikeworld did a write-up on that problem with the HJC and had a pointer to a repair. I'll have to look at their Web site to find it. BRB

Ok found it, http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/hjc-sy-max-2-flip-up-failure/

No repair from HJC, however a reader posted a repair at the bottom of the review. HTH :wave

 

[Rocketsled]

Seems to me to be a penny wise, pound foolish kinda thing...I'd hate to really NEED the helmet and have it fail at a critical moment.

 

[johnbaker15]

Seems to me to be a penny wise, pound foolish kinda thing...I'd hate to really NEED the helmet and have it fail at a critical moment.

The Sy-max III has a "updated" latch. Also written up on Webbikeworld, along with lots of other helmet info.

 

[Rocketsled]

The Sy-max III has a "updated" latch. Also written up on Webbikeworld, along with lots of other helmet info.

I'll look at it, but am leaning towards simpler....full face, sun visor, snell sticker...hopefully there'll be less wind noise, which was a BIG issue on the II

 

[rattler50]

I got a new Nolan N102 the other day. It was $89.99 shipped...........

 

[Rocketsled]

Bit the bullet, ended up with a symax III...they improved the hell out of it! Got a pinlock anti-fog lens with it, too...seems to work well, now I just have to keep my glasses from fogging.

 

[johnbaker15]

Bit the bullet, ended up with a symax III...they improved the hell out of it! Got a pinlock anti-fog lens with it, too...seems to work well, now I just have to keep my glasses from fogging.

Let us know about the difference in the noise level between the II and III.

 

[Rocketsled]

It's quite a bit quieter, but I haven't ridden without my headphones, and not in the rain...sigh...as riding vacations go, this has been a cold wet damp one.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I was actually leaning the other way...yeah I like the flip-up convenience, but I HATE the wind noise (hjc sy-max II)

I have one of these ... the wind noise was such that I couldn't hear my scala g4 ... I took a mouse pad ... cut a piece of it to fit the ear opening ... glued the hook side of velcro to it so the speakers would stick ... then used cloth glue to glue it in the ear holes ... this cut the wind noise down significantly ... the foam on the mouse pad acted as dense noise insulation ... as an added benefit, the speakers are now right next to my ears but comfortably not touching the ears so the scala volume is only on about 1/2 and I can hear perfectly.

 

[Rocketsled]

I have one of these ... the wind noise was such that I couldn't hear my scala g4 ... I took a mouse pad ... cut a piece of it to fit the ear opening ... glued the hook side of velcro to it so the speakers would stick ... then used cloth glue to glue it in the ear holes ... this cut the wind noise down significantly ... the foam on the mouse pad acted as dense noise insulation ... as an added benefit, the speakers are now right next to my ears but comfortably not touching the ears so the scala volume is only on about 1/2 and I can hear perfectly.

I needed a third base for the kid's helmet...discovered their "skidlid" base kit includes a headphone jack...it lets me use a normal set of headphones...I still want to use the speakers that came in the kit, for when i want to grab n go, but hanven't gotten around to installing them...guess its good, now I have another helmet...

 

[wa1200lt]

I was using a Symax II and replaced it with a nearly new Shoei 1100. Not even the same ball game. The Shoei is Much lighter and absolutely silent. I miss the Symax only when I would like to consume a beverage while riding down the road. I do miss this convenience.

I can't imagine you would regret getting the Shoei.

Loren

I was actually leaning the other way...yeah I like the flip-up convenience, but I HATE the wind noise (hjc sy-max II)

 

[Rocketsled]

I was using a Symax II and replaced it with a nearly new Shoei 1100. Not even the same ball game. The Shoei is Much lighter and absolutely silent. I miss the Symax only when I would like to consume a beverage while riding down the road. I do miss this convenience.

I can't imagine you would regret getting the Shoei.

Loren

Do you wear glasses?

 

[wa1200lt]

Do you wear glasses?

Indeed I do. I was afraid not having the flip up was going to be a PITA. While it is not quite as convenient it is not difficult either. Remove your specs, put on the helmet, and slide your glasses into place. The padding in the helmet is relieved so your glasses are actually guided to the proper fit. Almost impossible to put glasses on with the Symax when the flipper is down(duh) but is quite easy with the Shoei. The ONLY disadvantage is that you have to pull over to wet your whistle.

Definitely worth the inconvenience for the lighter weight and absolute silence.

Loren

 

[Rocketsled]

Well then, if this helmet gives up the ghost in anything less than three years, I will certainly look around! I doubt they'll take this one back, now that I've "off gassed" in it.