HJC Sy-Max

[Jethro]

As I believe, the only difference with the CL-Max is the Sy-Max is a fiberglass composite shell, the CL-Max is thermoplastic. Mostly a weight thing, but some reports are mixed as to what is a safer material. Some say the cheaper thermoplastic shells actually perform better, some say the fiberglass is better in a crash. I guess I'll spend my efforts trying not to crash instead of worrying about my choice of helmet.

 

[dpep]

Been riding for 40+ years and always with a 3/4 helmet with a five snap flat shield. It is getting harder to find those shields, but as of now I still can.

There is one reason why I would like to go to a full face or modular helmet, and that is noise. I do a lot of highway riding and while the wind in my face is refreshing, the wind in my ears is not. I do in fact have a mild case of tinnitus, and I prefer that it not get a lot worse.

I became even more aware of what a beating my ears are taking after I started listening to mp3 on my trips. The volume I need to hear things on the road is so much higher than the volume level I need around the house. If I forget and leave it at road volume when there is no wind noise to overcome it actually hurts my ears.

I guess I would prefer the modular style if it can be as quiet as the regular full face. I wish there were a place that sold helmets that had a wind tunnel you could sit in to try it out. I wouldn't care what it costs.

My other consideration is that my head is not an easy fit. I will probably need some extra padding to customize the inside a bit.

Does the HCL have good noise characteristics and allow for pad-to-fit?

Also I note that the price for the full face helmet shields are 5-10 times what my old flat shields cost. What can I expect to pay for an HCL shield and how well do the hold up in normal street riding?

 

[Dexx]

My current HJC i've had about 5 years now with the original face shield on it, usually clean it with straight amonia and an old t-shirt. sometimes touch it up with mcguires clear plastic polish. Only considered swapping it out last season when it refused to stay part way open like I like. the quote i got for the replacement was around 25 bucks i think.

 

[GregM.]

Thanks Dexx for resurrecting this 2 year old post. I've done some shopping on this subject the last few months... and the sy-max is the one I liked as well. So, it's cool to read all this detail now... it confirms that my choice sounds like a good one.

And dpep, I agree, wind noise reduction is a very big deal to me too. I hope the sy-max is quieter than what I have now. A Shoei RF-800, a full-face helmet... which should normally be a quiet helmet - I'm sure they are very good. But unfortunately mine is too big, and that's why it's probably also noisy.

What about ear plugs... anyone use those? What works and what doesn't?
I understand lots of high mileage rider's use them.
Thanks :-D :-D

 

[Jethro]

I ride with earplugs religiously. Once you start, you will not be able to stop. It's so nice. I use the foam roll up ones. They are awesome.

 

[Joe Nardy]

Thanks Dexx for resurrecting this 2 year old post. I've done some shopping on this subject the last few months... and the sy-max is the one I liked as well. So, it's cool to read all this detail now... it confirms that my choice sounds like a good one.

And dpep, I agree, wind noise reduction is a very big deal to me too. I hope the sy-max is quieter than what I have now. A Shoei RF-800, a full-face helmet... which should normally be a quiet helmet - I'm sure they are very good. But unfortunately mine is too big, and that's why it's probably also noisy.

What about ear plugs... anyone use those? What works and what doesn't?
I understand lots of high mileage rider's use them.
Thanks :-D :-D

Greg,

My wife and I just bought new helmets so I've done quite a bit of research lately. I looked into flip-ups but decided to go with a standard full-face HJC. Cathy really wanted a flip-up so we did a lot of looking and shopping. One thing we found is that most of the Flip-up helmets use plastic hinges and latches. Nolan uses stainless steel for both on its N-102 helmet. It also has a cool flip-down sunshade that can be easily removed if desired, an anti-fog shield that attaches to the inside of the visor, and a clip type strap. Cathy tried them on at the bike show last weekend and liked them. I found them online at Motorcycle Superstore for $251 with free shipping: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=21442&department=101&division=1

Ear plugs? Definitely!. Like Jethro said, once you use them you'll never stop. The soft roll-up kind are nice as are custom molded silicone plugs. You can get the custom molded kind for $20-$40 at gun shows and probably other places as well. Cathy and I have custom molded earplugs with built-in speakers. We have an intercom and play XM radio or MP3 players through the intercom. It makes riding a lot more enjoyable.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Road_Clam]

I ride with earplugs religiously.

Thats just because you don't want to listen to Skip and his drag-n-brag barking throughout the day's ride.

 

[Bert Patterson]

I became even more aware of what a beating my ears are taking after I started listening to mp3 on my trips. The volume I need to hear things on the road is so much higher than the volume level I need around the house. If I forget and leave it at road volume when there is no wind noise to overcome it actually hurts my ears.

Don, I always wear earplugs on any rides out of town, but a few years ago I was going on a ride to NY/VT. Because so much of the trip is droning straight hideous I90, I wanted music. I didn't have an mp3 and a CD wouldn't work with the high frequency vibes, so I used a tape walkman. I bought a pair of earphones from Aiwa called The Plug. They were about $20-25. Incredible. I could ride on the interstate (with just a Wes Cooley fairing and full-face Shoei) and at 80 mph I didn't have to raise the volume any louder than at a dead stop. They were just incredible.

 

[jpaul]

I have been riding with the CL Max for two years now. Went with it due to the price, since it was either buy the less expensive model or not ride. My dad has had the Sy Max, and I think it is a better helmet. After using the helmet for a couple of months, the latch doesn't work quite as smoothly. It still holds, but it seems a little notchy (if that's a word). I think it is due to my habit of lifting it at lights on hot days, and slamming it shut after I get rolling again. I pay attention to make sure it latches solidly, and will replace it if I question whether or not the latch is holding well.

 

[Jethro]

I found it annoying to listen to music over the wind noise, and I had to crank the mp3 player way up when on the highway. So I pretty much gave it up. Then someone (I can't remember who- a GSR member, might be Skip) suggested using my regular ear plugs WITH the headphone setup. The ear plugs work like speakers that pretty much transfer the sound. It's almost like listening to tunes in the car. I use cheap headphones with pretty big speakers and broke them off the headband, then velcro'd them in my helmet. Very comfortable, great sound.

 

[kilroy]

I decided that 10 yrs is enough for a helmet for me and decided to update.I decided to get a great helmet.Heard and read alot about them and made my decision.It's a Shoei Diabolic 3.Now I am snowed in after tonights storm. Thinking spring!!Here we go:

Let the flaming begin...