HJC Build Quality/ Advice

[fazersharp]

Thats not a good advert for the lids is it

[crickleymal]

I've recently bought a HJC TR1 from Fowlers in Bristol. Much quieter than my previous LS2 helmet but on mine the chin vent flap is loose. There should be two pins securing it but one was broken when I got it home. TBH it doesn't matter as I always have the chin vent open but it isn't a good advert for quality.

[nick crisp]

I can't comment on ebay/paypal stuff as I don't know much about it. Personally, I would never buy a helmet online, even if I tried it in a shop first. I would buy the one I physically tried on. If I tried one on from the shop shelf, I'd still want to try one they brought out from the back that had never been out of it's box before buying.

Yes, Oxford Products are the UK distributor for HJC. No, I wouldn't be too pleased about having a helmet sent back and forth for repairs either. Many helmets use a double-sided tape to affix top vents, and I have seen them come loose before. My carbon RPHA10 was in show stock due to a loose/cracked top vent. Put a new one on, and it's now fine.

I didn't like the IS-17 because I found it directed a stream of air straight into my eyes. I'm not the only person to have found this, but others seem to get on just fine with it.

I have physically examined Lorenzo's helmet at first hand and it is exactly the same as one you or I would buy off the shelf except for a mod they have done to fit a drinking tube. They would have removed and slightly modified the EPS and comfort liner to achieve this. I would say that Lorenzo's helmet technician might have done a better job to ensure that it was race-ready, but things fail now and again. That's just the way things are. I do not say that HJC are the best helmets in the world, but I am very happy with the RPHA10 - I've had 3 now, crashed in two, they fit me beautifully, are quiet, and reduce buffeting to a minimum. My first one seemed quieter than my last two, but still not bad.

I have worked in shops selling many different brands of helmet over the years: Shoei, Arai, HJC, Suomi, LS2, Box, AGV, Lazer, Roof, etc etc. I don't think HJC are particularly bad - IMO. If you think otherwise, then  fair enough, steer clear. I can only give MY opinion.

I no longer work for Oxford Products, so have no vested interest in promoting that company. I left cos there were things I didn't like about them, and for many other reasons too, but this wouldn't affect whether or not I bought HJC.

I was put off AGV by mickey-mouse vents, but that was some time ago, and they might have improved by now. I don't know if they'd fit me as well as my current helmets do.

I used to like Shoei and Arai (I seemed to be one of very few people who got a decent fit in both - I must have a plasticine head  :lol), but I only had one Shoei and 3 or 4 Arais - I can't justify spending that much on a helmet now. No, I don't think my head is worth it!  :lol

[brooker81]

Thanks for all the info nick. I'm happy with the HJC in fit look and value for money i was just unhappy with the build quality maybe it was beacuse i bought the entry level model. I'm happy to look at buying HJC again but will go for the next model up the RPHA10as you have. I just couldnt stress enough to the company i bought from that i didnt want a repair done not because i didnt trust the repair i dont trust the fact that it wouldnt be dropped/bumped in transit. All i got from the company was how do we know u havent just dropped the helmet and know want a new replacement cheeky foccers. So i'd rather have a refund from them and take my buisness elsewhere.

[nick crisp]

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

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  :thumbup

[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  :lol

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  :thumbup

Recently taking the helmet testing a bit too far fella.  :lol

[nick crisp]

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  :\

[nick crisp]

Recently taking the helmet testing a bit too far fella.  :lol

We aim for hedges to please  :lol

[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. :rollin :rollin

[nick crisp]

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. :rollin :rollin

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

[sinto607276]

Your better getting one of these :lol

[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.....

[img height=1059 width=597]http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/brooker81/IMG-20150516-WA0002_zps2sz9gmpa.jpeg[/img]

[nick crisp]

Here it is.....

[img height=1059 width=597]http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff444/brooker81/IMG-20150516-WA0002_zps2sz9gmpa.jpeg[/img]

Would you like me to test it for you?  :lol