BTW, as promised, here's the map to Jim's sidecar shop / Iron Horse Saloon ...
Attachment 3605
Great place to hang and meet fellow riders.
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BTW, as promised, here's the map to Jim's sidecar shop / Iron Horse Saloon ...
Attachment 3605
Great place to hang and meet fellow riders.
Now, finally back on topic ...
The flip-down mechanism is already jamming on my new HJC CL-Max (only two rides!). What a disappointment.
I think I might splurge for the IS-Max BT, as Felix's find of a reasonably-priced BT communicator may tip me in that direction.
I'll try to get the CL-Max repaired / exchanged, or just use it as a back-up / extra.
I don't think that this IS-max is a top quality helmet either, but pretty decent for the price. I got a chance to play with about 15 different ones in the various shops i went to while helmet shopping, i found that maybe 4 or 5 of them had dodgy shutting mechanisms. Some had broken locking tabs, some were bent, some didn't line up properly when closing etc... I'd say some of that is down to people playing with the display models all day and some of it is down to inconsistencies in the construction. Either way i made sure i got a fresh one out of the box and i inspected it thoroughly before buying. I'd suggest you and euphonious do the same!
Damn good advice - yeah, mine was a display model. I guess I was overly excited about buying something shiny, and didn't bother to check. As I recall, it didn't make my butt look even larger than it is, so that was good enough for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by felix
Ride with a buddy - shop with a buddy! :lol8:
So far mine has been good. I had to try three or four in the store before getting one that was in proper working order.
cheers
Quick update on the HJC IS-Max, if anyone cares.
I've been wearing mine just under a year now and have no complaints. The padding is holding up well and is still very comfortable. The closing mechanism has not deteriorated and it still has the same 'click' it had on purchase.
For the cold winter i purchased an anti-fog visor form this taobao shop, it works wonders. Stopping at red lights i don't need to pull up the visor anymore, i can just sit there with clear vision until i start rolling again. Absolutely worth the 100 kuai.
I recently got a chance to test it twice in the space of two days. Both were face plants, one on road and one in rocky dirt. Both falls hurt, but not my face. The chin bar held up and both times ensured that i would live to break another heart.
Now the question is, would i trust it for another hard face plant? I don't know. I'm happy it worked, but if i was planning to fall on my face again i'd still rather a full shell. These flip-ups are not rated to the same level as full shell helmets.
A wise man told me that they give equal protection 80% of the time. Does this mean that 1 out of 5 face plants will end at the dentist? Discussion please.
felix,
Two face plants and the flip up HJC survived? WOW. Knock on wood but I have never had a face plant in over 55 years of riding. Luckily my three crashes on the street were minor. I don't count the crashes in the dirt. :lol8:
I am almost always wearing my full face AFX helmet when riding as it not only provides more safety that an open face but is also quieter.
I got myself the HJC IS-MAX and have had it for about a month now. It's the exact same helmet my dads got in the states and almost the same one I left there (I had the previous model). All said I think it's working great, except for three little irritations. For one the chin locks up in a very stubborn way. The chin has an area before it "locks up" that also lets it stay up but below that the chin will just slide down. I liked the older model I had because it had some friction for the entire course of the hinges rotation upwards. I really liked this because as I rode I could pull it up (I know euphonious may chime in with a danger warning here, it's alright euph, I know they are well intentioned ;D ) and use it as a sunshade when riding right into the sun, much better than any sunglasses or tented visor. For another the visor itself seems to have too much tension in it's ratcheting because if I close it by pushing down on either side it won't close flush but will be raised on one side and closed on the other, this may resolve itself as the mechanisms wear through use. Lastly, the chin bar doesn't want to lock down on both sides unless I grab it to the right of the "unlock" lever and press it down firmly. This might be because it has a very secure latch (I don't know) but it can be a little annoying. For the price I think still it's a good buy. By the way, I paid almost 90 kuai for the express shipping and I don't think I got it any faster so I would opt for the 25 kuai shipping if I ordered another. The helmet is comfortable and seems to be a quality product, I'm just posting about issues I've had with it.
Oh hey, and it's my 100th post! :clap:
I have the HJC IS-MAX BT in matte black, love it. It was a gift from my brother when he found out I bought a bike and was riding here, he said that he wanted to protect my melon, I agreed. The fit is really great, not to tight or loose, I have found the mechanicals to work out really well, no problems at all, flips up nicely with a gentle push on the switch and a firm detent when you push it to the top. Sometimes a little difficult to get it back down when wearing it, but it closes perfectly everytime. I love it and I cant wait to get the BT I just ordered, so the gps on my phone will be very welcome as I have no directional abilities what so ever. I get lost walking across the street in my hometown. But I really love this helmet.
As per my think full face helmet is the best for everyone because it is a very strong. If you want to other half open face helmet then it will not protect you against a big accident. You should adjust with full face helmet, if you want to full protection. Which type of helmets are you using now?Quote:
Originally Posted by jape
G'Day,
After testing a Schuberth C3 flip-helmet for two days in various conditions and speeds, bought one today, my first flip-helmet......
Schuberth C3 with SRC Blue-Tooth System
http://www.schuberth.com/en/motorcycle/c3.html
http://www.schuberth.com/en/motorcycle/src.html
They are available through the official China importer based in Shanghai: http://www.adrenaline-asia.net
Congrats! You are not naive, you know what is a gooooood helmet.
I really like the Schuberth C3 helmet. Damn expensive, but worth it IMHO.
Unfortunately, I can't say anything good about one of the Beijing shops that is affiliated with the Shanghai distributor. I just bought a second Schuberth C3, this time the Schuberth C3W (for women). Paid full price (over 5,000 rmb) and was given a bashed up box from some other helmet, a used owner's manual, a torn hang tag, and no owner's registration card. The Shanghai distributor says that owner's registration cards are not provided in China? Huh? My first C3 helmet (bought in China) had one. A moot point, anyways, because the helmet's serial number (necessary for registration) is on the original box (which I didn't get).
I bought this second helmet in Beijing from the Motorways shop at 798 (the BMW place), and it was a horrible experience. They didn't see any problem giving me a POS box from some other helmet that looked like it had been used for staff football, or a used manual, and so on. Unfortunately, it was the only place that had the C3W color/size I needed. I definitely won't be going back to that 798 shop for anything. What a pile of idiots.
Yeah, yeah - I know it is the helmet that I bought ... but damn it, for the full, brand new price of >5,000 rmb, I also want the NEW, original box and associated stuff.
Sigh, yet another thing I need to arrange to have carried over from overseas.
Dear LJH,
Why not ping the Shanghai importer and ask them why they accept this kind of practice. You might find you get a friendly response. At risk of igniting a SHA-PEK flame war, I find that complaints are taken quite seriously here and there is a tradition of wanting to make things right. I can't tell you how many times taxi drivers here have switched off the meter well before arrival at my destination because they chose a suboptimal route into heavy traffic.
It's worth a try.
Five large!! Damn, but you must really love that pillion!
cheers
Yup, chatted with the Shanghai importer - he seems decent, so far. We'll see. There is another affiliate shop in Beijing that sells Schuberths (where I bought my first one) that is really great. Unfortunately, it didn't have the right size/color in the C3W, so the Shanghai guy sent me to 798.
I am simply dumbfounded that a shop like Motorways (798) looked at me like I was from another planet when I started asking about the original box, and associated goodies. It honestly saw no problem flogging off garbage to me, and was curious as to why I would want the original stuff, in new condition.
Yup, my sweety's noggin' is worth it ... gotta keep her gainfully employed so I can play during my "retirement."
I use several modular helmets: HJC IS-Multi Nolan N43 Air Shark Evoline Series 2
From time to time I wear a flip-up helmet: HJC IS Max
Though I also have 3 open face HJC CL22
My favourite out of all the helmets is the Shark Evoline series 2 and with the series 3 out in a month or so, I've already got my name on one. and at CNY3900 its a bargain compared with the prices in OZ and NZ. I bought another Shark Evoline series 2 when I was over there for my 3 months hiatus, but cost me 30% more there than here in PRC. Lovely chubbly...
I really like the convenience of a half face helmet, but certainly appreciate the safety benefits of a full face helmet and many years ago an off from a FJ1200 saw my nice Arai come out of that with a severe case of gravel rash. That said, I like being able to toodle along at walking pace, or pay for gas without having to remove my helmet, so after reviews of modular helmets on webbikeworld bought three different modular helmets. One is the HJC IS-Multi, another is a Nolan N43 Air and the third is the Shark Evoline series-II. The first two require manual removal of the chin piece and then stowage, however these two have multiple (6-7) configurations, though the Nolan can't have the peak on in combination with the visor, unlike the HJC IS-Multi which can, so I find that the better of the two. The Nolan also only allows the visor to sit in either the fully up or fully down positions, which I don't like. The HJC IS-Multi allows multiple increments of the visor. Both offer built-in sun goggles/visor. The Shark though is great, flipping the chin piece to the rear of the helmet shell is such an innovation it is hard when one has to go back to a normal full face helmet without such a function. The only thing I miss with the Shark is being able to have a peak on it, which in direct sunlight even with the sun goggles/visor can't stop the bright to dark transitional glare spots. That aside, the Shark is my favourite helmet, which is why I'm buying a second, the new evoline series-III which I've pre-ordered. I can stop pop the quick release mechanism, rotate the chin piece to the rear, then go about my business; having a drink, eating a snack, reading a map etc and enjoy some air around the face etc. all without the need of removing the helmet. Even have walked into gas stations still wearing the helmet (even there are stickers on the glass doors to one which I'd been going to for a month before I noticed it), as I rotate the chin piece back when I stop to fill up then proceed to walk inside to pay. Never had anyone request I take it off or point out signage.
With any of the three I got the best of both worlds, but with the Shark I got my cake and can eat it too at the same time (chin piece to the rear)... just my 2 cents worth. I'm sold on the modular helmet design concept, and am happy with all three. As I wrote above, my order is in for the series 3...
** Update **
Well, the Shanghai distributor for Schuberth has class. I sent an email and he responded quickly, with concern, and offered to immediately make things right. Wow ... am I still in China?!?!?! Kudos to them.
Then, Motorway (798) also responded via email, apologizing and explaining. Frankly, also a class act, despite it frustrating the hell outta me when I was in the store.
So, prior rant retracted. These folks deserve credit for providing some stellar post-sale customer service. Again, WTF? Really, am I still in China?
^from time to time there are real surprises and these present a glimmer of hope... Yippee!
Something tells me the sudden change of heart at Motorway/798 was precipitated by your call to Shanghai. Whatever happened, it's a great outcome. The moral of the story: Never assume that "just because it's China" it's not worth chasing up the responsible parties in cases of poor service.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lao Jia Hou
cheers!
I read the thread and it seems that quite a few of you guys use HJC IS-MAX. Im thinking of getting one online (no other way in Taizhou) but I worry a bit about the sun shield cos I wear glasses. Is there enough space under it for specs?
If not I think ill get AGV LONGWAY but its nearly 1000 kuai more expensive so I hesitate
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...id=15894892187
Good question. I often wear glasses with my IS-Max, but don't remember ever trying the sunshade while wearing them. So I just tried with several different pairs. The answer: I can't pull the shield over any of them. This comes as quite a surprise! But it also says that I rarely use the sunshade.Quote:
Originally Posted by modron
The alternative, of course, would be to use prescription sunglasses. But then the sunshade would be as useful as, er, mammaries on a nun.
cheers
Thanks for a quick reply. I guess Ill get the AGV but will think if its worth the extra $$$ ;)
Any helmet is better than no helmet. There's a lot of research about a helmet's role in a getoff, and an ongoing debate about whether paying more actually buys much more. A $750 helmet is probably not five times better than a $150 helmet, but a $150 helmet is infinitely better than no helmet. There's a school of thought that in America's National Football League, head injuries have actually increased in the decades since players shifted from thin leather helmets to current foam-padded shell helmets. This is because while the helmet may protect your skull from fracture and your skin from abrasion, it does almost nothing to protect your brain from blunt impact. Your brain is a goopy, almost gelatinous mass encased in your skull. Force equals mass times acceleration. When your head hits a wall or the ground at speed, it goes from your speed to zero almost instantaneously, meaning huge acceleration (actually deceleration). Even though the helmet maybe protects your skull, you can just imagine what happens inside your skull to the loose, goopy, gelatinous mass: Inertia tries to keep it in motion, and it slams up against the inside of your skull, causing all kinds of trauma, even though your skull may appear relatively unscathed.Quote:
Originally Posted by modron
Of course I'm not arguing against helmets. But physics and cranial physiology dictate that spending more does not substantially increase your safety, unless the helmet has some special ability to attenuate the deceleration the way, say, the springs of a trampoline attenuate the deceleration of your body as gravity slams you down onto it.
On that cheery thought, Happy New Year!
Quote:
Originally Posted by modron
I have an HJC Flip top and the sun visor works great with my glasses but they are not the big 1960 plastic monstrosities that now seem to be in fashion. Mine are wire rim.
Also, this is the third HJC flip top I have had. I crashed in Baja at 50mph wearing one and took a hard hit in the face with no damage. (At least to the face, I also had flack jacket and broke 2 ribs but the HJC did its job)
I bought mine in the USA and carried in my luggage over here.
Ride safe and enjoy!
It looks like its better to get prescription sunglasses with really delicate frames than buying the AGV just for the sunshade ;) Thanks, I might just do that.Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasAggie