I am looking at the Syncrotec myself. It is the only flip face helmet I know of that is Snell certified. It appears to be more solid and does not flex like the Nolan and others do when you squeeze them, and the hinges and locking mechanisms are made of steel and not plastic like the other brands.

From a safety perspective, it *probably* is the best brand of flip face helmet.

 

Fred,

I didn't know SNELL was certifying ANY flip helmets???

When did this happen?

I thought the did not have a proper test procedure yet???

If this is true, it is very good news to me!

 

Paul, the helmet I was wearing on the S.M. ride is a xl syncrotec. I love it. It fits well, and is so quiet I installed a volume control in the front lead so I don't get blasted out. If I had known.....

 

Duane,

Is there a "Snell" sticker on that puppy :?:

Which headsets did you go with :?:

Thanks :!:

 

Just looked up a bunch of ratings from the Helmet Shop

http://www.helmetshop.com/flipup.asp?CartID={520BFFB8-BCEVEREST4E-47A2-BBAC-D11B143D02B5}

None of the flip ups listed were rated by Snell as acceptable.

And this is what I found on the Shoei Website for the Syncrotech:

Standards: DOT-218
Construction: Fiberglass Composite Material (FCM)Shell
Weight :3.5 lbs/1600 grams (approx)

 

Just checked http://www.smf.org/

SNELL CERTIFIED M2005 MOTORCYCLE HELMETS
FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
ACTIVE LIST - 10/28/2005

No Shoei Syncrotec listed there.

Fred :?:

 

This is what Sierra Electronics told me just the other day. I assumed that they knew what they were talking about, and didn't look for the sticker myself.

Sorry for the bad info. I will call Sierra and see what is up with that.

 

OK, it seems to be helmet review time.

I currently have a pair of HJC CL-Max flip helmets for the wife and I.

They are of good quality, the flip mechanizm works very well, but I find mine to be slightly uncomfortable (Creates two "hot spots" on the either side of the forward top of my head), heavy and a tad noisy.

I have been very happy with my Shoei helmet fit in that past, (A full face and a open face), So I'm looking for opinions on the the Shoei Syncrotec.

I have to assume for now that an "XL" will fit me as did my previous Shoei's, (It will have to, as "XL" is the biggest Shoei has in this helmet).

The dealer I go to doesn't have an XL in stock, but I'm pleased with the look and feel of the Medium he does have.

I'm going to the Long Beach California Bike Show next month where Shoei will be in attendance so I hope to make a final decision then, but in the mean time...

What do y'all think :?:

I have one and enjoy it.

When I purchased my '02 ST 1100 (used, one owner with 1,374 miles on it-got it for $7,900.00..I stole it!), the former owner had a Shoei Syncrotec brand new in the box, still in the plastic baggie inside the box. He gave me the helmet with the purchase of the ST, and luckily it fit.

I have used it for three years now and have worn it in all types of weather, from extreme heat and humidity (south Georgia), to cold and rain. Gully washer did cause a little bit of leakage, but when I realized I had the top vent open, closing it stopped the water leakage. If it gets a bit foggy, click the shield open a bit and all is well, seems like good ventilation. Easy shield change, looks more complicated then it really is.

The only bad experience I have had with it, and partially my fault, was in July of this year. I was headed up to meet some rider friends and we were going to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway. I was cruizing along nicely on the interstate at about 80 when the flip up portion of the helmet simply disengaged and started to flop around. Scared the hell out of me. So, with one hand clamped on the flip up portion, I made it to an off ramp that just happened to come up, to find out what the hell was going on.

I had lost one of the screws that hold the flip portion to the helmet. I had failed to check these screws..that was my fault. I detached the other side and rode the rest of the trip ala 3/4 style. Now, I did NOT notice any difference in the flip up portions operations..I would have thought that if one of the screws were loose, it would act differently, but it did not. Word to the wise on anyone who has a flip up style helmet..check the pivot screws for tightness once in a while.

Upon getting back home, I wrote to Shoei and they sent me two, upgraded, screws to reattach the flip up portion of the helmet.

This time I applied a little dab of loctite to them when I put them in. No problem so far, but I now will check them weekly.

Is it quiet? That is going to differ from person to person, but I believe that any flip up helmet is going to be noisy. I am hard of hearing, and wear ear plugs whenever I am out on a trip. Around town, I really can't say to me that it is noisy. Again, that is going to be subjective to the individual.

It is light weight and is not hard to wear for long periods of time.

Would I purchase another Shoei Syncrotech?

Yes.

 

I just went out and looked at mine, no Snell sticker. But to me, it's at least as well made as the cheap full face I used to have. I can't seem to get myself worked up about it not having a Snell sticker.

Paul, I have one of the newer, more expensive J&M headsets in mine. Peggie is using a HJC, and evidently it has enough wind noise that she wants the stereo and intercom cranked way up. I love music, but not at that volume for any duration. As I said, I purchased an inline volume control and installed it in the front lead, so Peg can have her tunes, and I can still hear myself think. If I change over to my open face, I unplug and remove the volume control. Between the cheaper headset and the open face, I use about the same volume as Peg. :lol:

 

Thanks for the replies!

It sounds like the Syncrotec should give me what I am looking for over my HJC. Lighter, better comfort and less noise. The Snell sticker would be nice, but still seems to be something Flip helmets do not have yet.

I'll have to ask the Snell Foundation about the story behind that at the Long Beach Motorcycle show next month.

I guess all that is left to do is try one on for fit.

 

HI, I'M REPLYING AS WHITEFANGS PASSENGER. I'VE USED MY SYNCROTEC FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. I SWITCHED TO THE FULL FACE HELMET BECAUSE MY THREE QUARTER HELMET WITH EYE SHEILD WAS CATCHING THE WIND AND MAKING MY RIDE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. I FOUGHT GETTING THE FULL FACE HELMET BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE CLAUSTROPHOBIC BUT I WAS WRONG. I LOVE IT. IT'S COMFORTABLE AND I DON'T GET A NECK ACHE FROM TRYING TO KEEP MY HEAD ON MY SHOULDERS. IT IS A BIT NOISY, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO BOTHER ME ON LONG RIDES. THANKS FOR THE TIP ON CHECKING THE SCREWS ON THE FLIP UP. MINE ARE OKAY, BUT WE'LL KEEP CHECKING. MV GREEN

 

It's not that SNELL will not certify a flip-up helmet. It's that none have ever been submitted to SNELL for certification. They have no problems testing the flip-ups, but someone has to submit one before they can. Check out the FAQ on the SNELL website and they address this question.

 

It's not that SNELL will not certify a flip-up helmet. It's that none have ever been submitted to SNELL for certification. They have no problems testing the flip-ups, but someone has to submit one before they can. Check out the FAQ on the SNELL website and they address this question.

From the Snell Website http://www.smf.org/ FAQ area:

Why won't Snell certify some types of helmets like flip up front designs?

Snell does not dismiss out of hand any helmet design that strays from the conventional. Snell does not point out any design specifications other than general requirements in our standards. We are however, always concerned with innovations and new designs that may effect the helmet's ability to protect the wearer, or in some cases the helmets potential to cause injury. At present the Foundation has not had the opportunity to test any of the flip up front type helmets for certification. We do not find any fault with these designs as long as they are used according to the manufacturers instructions and meet all of the requirements of the standard. We will also certify any size of helmet as long as it meets the same requirements as any other Snell certified helmet.

 

I stand corrected. What Sierra Electronics told me was that Shoei was working to get this helmet (Syncrotec) Snell Certified for next year.

 

Interesting article on Helmet standards:
http://motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/hatz/

 

I stand corrected. What Sierra Electronics told me was that Shoei was working to get this helmet (Syncrotec) Snell Certified for next year.

Well at least we know that even Fred can make a mistake, even if it wasn't his fault to begin with... :wink:

Still good news that Shoei is working on it! Might put as a lot folks mind at ease when buying a Flip.

 

Well at least we know that even Fred can make a mistake

Don't let my wife know.