HJC Build Quality/ Advice

[brooker81]

nick,
I wont be ordering a helmet again online. Not a chance thanks for the info again nick spoke to oxford yesterday they where very helpful more helpful by far than the shop. Lets see what happens about it really need something sorting how long is turn around at oxford as it will prob go to someone who is doing you old job.

[esetest]

I bought a flip front from Fowlers for £ 159 a few years ago , it fell apart within a year , i wouldn't bother with one again , i also have a Box flip front , it still works  ,but thats probably due to the fact that i hardly wear it because it is so uncomfortable and heavy , my Shoei raid 11  full face is light comfortable and is still in one piece 8 years later  .

[darrsi]

Just some musings on the subject - I do after all have too much time on my hands 

Personally, for the given reason above, I don't like the IS-17. Other than that reason, it seemed like a good helmet. I still have mine as a spare. I don't like the RPHA-ST (with the drop-down sunvisor). The sun-visor mechanism seems a bit cheap and nasty, and they have changed the shell shape from the standard RPHA to accommodate it which says to me aerodynamics, fit etc will have changed too; not to mention weight. Having said that, I've never used one out on a bike, so....?

Companies deal with many customers who like to try it on - and I don't mean just the helmet! Conversely, us customers deal with companies who like to try it on. Keep a balance in your mind, don't jump to instant conclusions - sometimes we can only learn by personal experience, good or bad. I will one day buy a helmet that disappoints me again, I'm sure. Just happy with what I've got for now.

Just some info on how it all worked at Oxford's:
Shops will clear helmets back to the distributor if they have not sold or wish to replace them with a new product. At Oxford's, part of my job was to examine the helmets so returned, to determine their fate. If I was VERY happy that they were as new, I'd put them back to stock for resale as a new item. If I suspected that they had been show items on a dealer's shelf, but otherwise were in perfect nick, they'd go to show stock for sale at a hefty discount at the BMF or such. If I so much as found a loose hair or bit of dandruff in them, they wouldn't be sent by me back to new stock. That was my PERSONAL standard.

Helmets would get sent back and forth to dealers for repairs. Now Oxford's run a loan helmet service for customers who's helmet is away for repair. I wouldn't like this myself, but I think I'd give it one chance. If I was at all unhappy with how this worked out, it'd be a case of never again!

Oxford's do this because they lose a lot of money over replacing helmets with the most minor, repairable "faults", but also, because they got fed up with dealers trying it on. In some ways, Oxford's shoot themselves in the foot over this by allowing dealers to return almost anything for any reason - economics dictates sometimes you have to keep a good customer onside. But remember that ALL dealers say that you cannot return a helmet after it leaves the shop unless you have found a genuine fault with it - you must make sure it is right for you before you part with your hard-earned. This doesn't really work for us as the buying customer/end-user, as you may find something that isn't exactly a fault, but isn't right for you when you actually ride a bike with the helmet on; e.g. the wind-in-the-eyes problem I have with my IS-17. But what's the solution?

Good companies work with their customers to provide a satisfactory outcome, but when customers sometimes take the piss the same as bad companies might, what do you do?

I think what I'm saying is, you can't generalise, you must be reasonable, use common sense. We all are disappointed from time to time. Know when to invoke your rights, and when to accept things aren't quite perfect. But don't buy helmets online. "Oh but my mate always buys his online, and he never has these problems". So do you think that will always be the case with everyone, every time? Using a shop that you can physically go back to, to discuss issues face-to-face seems an infinitely better way of doing things in my view. (Not digging at anyone here btw, just hoping some of my experience from both sides of the counter may be of some use    ).

Hope you get it sorted to your satisfaction brooker 

Recently taking the helmet testing a bit too far fella. 

[Hedgetrimmer]

how long is turn around at oxford as it will prob go to someone who is doing you old job.

I can't comment on this at all, as I just don't know who is doing it now, how organised (or not) they've got it now...sorry 

[Hedgetrimmer]

Recently taking the helmet testing a bit too far fella. 

We aim for hedges to please 

[darrsi]

My last lid was a Shoei, and i've been using an Arai one for quite a while now, probably well overdue an upgrade now to be honest.


I really liked both brands but my only gripe is the Arai visors simply do not dispel rain, and i've had a few, especially compared to the Shoei visors where even a tilt of the head would suffice for better vision.


If it wasn't for the Vee Wipe on my finger i wouldn't see sod all in bad weather.

[brooker81]

Managed to get a FULL refund on this. Off to J&S this weekend to trade upto a RPHA 10+ and a new pair of boots.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Managed to get a FULL refund on this. Off to J&S this weekend to trade upto a RPHA 10+ and a new pair of boots.

Good result, but never aim for buying a specific helmet until you have tried it on, and know the fit is right for you. That way lies disappointment.

[slimwilly]

I have just bought a RPHA10+,  so far very pleased,,,just get a little misting on the right hand side of the visor when cold,,odd that,,maybe the visor has adjustment screws.  Also some breeze upwards from mouth towards eyes,,but I have used it for 300 miles and am still well pleased.comes with tinted visor in the box too.

Just fidded Bluetooth speakers behind the removeable linings, tight on ears but I think it will be ok

[sinto]

Your better getting one of these

[brooker81]

Got a RHPA 10+  and a new pair of boots on the weekend very happy with it seems well better quality than the is7 very comfortable and quiet too.

[fazersharp]

I think Nickcrisp did the same as you (went from a is17 to a RHPA ) and said it was quieter. Although my is17 is quieter than my 12 year old HJC it replaced it would be nice to be quieter - I do wear earplugs. But the fact that the RHPA does not have a flip down visor was a deal breaker for me, perhaps that is what makes it quieter.

[brooker81]

Yeah the visor was a good option i will have to be honest on that. I got a free light smoke visor with new lid so doesnt bother me that much but yeah would be nice if it had that function.

[brooker81]

Here it is.....

[Hedgetrimmer]

Here it is.....

Would you like me to test it for you? 

[brooker81]

haha if u want nick.