Modern Vespa

I bought a new full face helmet last week as winter is approaching and in general I just felt like it was a smart safe purchase for somene that is riding 70 miles a day. I spent some time looking around and trying helmets on and decided on the HJC Symax 2. It's a nice silver modular helmet and after riding with it for the last week I've noticed how much quieter my ride is to work. More than that though is I don't feel like I'm getting get blown all over the place anymore. I used to feel like I was constantly fighting the wind when I was in traffic. I never had any problems when I was on an open road with no cars/trucks around, but my commute to work in traffic was always a different story. If the air in front or beside me of was disrupted by a car/truck it really affected my ride. The new helmet is only thing I've change since last week. So I'm wondering did the air just come up under the 3/4 face helmet and toss my head around? Is there something else I'm missing? Am I moron that drinks too much coffee?

Helmets can make a huge difference to ride comfort, yes. Have another coffee.

If the avatar is your bike, you would also benefit from a windscreen. That helps alot as well.

It is amazing how much more comfortable it is not to be buffetted so badly at speed. Now, for riding under 40 mph, I don't think a windscreen is very helpful, but if you ride 70 miles/day, I suspect you are on the freeway or highway quite a bit.

Also, your ride may become MUCH more pleasant if you add earplugs to the ride. I had been so weary at times, and really uncomfortable in the seat during longer rides, but once I began wearing earplugs, the ride just became so much more enjoyable that I don't even complain much about the seat anymore! Go figure!

I need to update my avatar I guess, I took that picture the first day I got home from the dealer with it. I have a fabbri medium screen on it now and I do wear earplugs. While this helmet is much quieter and more comfortable in general it does nothing to negate the numbness in my keister when I first step off the scooter in the office parking lot.

Good choice. I have a Vega Summitt II and while it's ok there are a couple of things I dislike about it - noise being one. I tried on an HJC CLMax modular and was impressed by how smooth it opened and closed, the level of padding and the fit. I'll be ordering one this week. Where'd you get yours and what'd you pay? If I had to guess I'd say you got it at Sloans?

As with every other aspect of my life, the one that fit and was the most comfortable riding with, was the most expensive. I actually picked it up at a Honda dealer here in Cool Springs because they are across the street from my office and I haven't had the best experience for my money at the dealer where I purchased my scooter. The Symax 2 was $259.

I also have a Symax II. I quite like it, but the wind-noise is still an issue for me at times. I have a Givi med height windshield, and it really does help quite a bit. However, being 6 feet tall, it does not keep my head out of the wind. I may end up moving to a true full-face helmet and/or an adjustable windscreen.

bubbajon, i have the CLMax modular helmet and ride the 250 with fabbri medium windscreen and it still is a noisy helmet. if i am riding local i use the clx, but if i am riding longer distances i use the icon holigan helmet which cuts the CLMax modular helmet wind noise in half.....joe

I use the Arai full-face, and at freeway speed, the wind noise was noticeably quieter than the Scorpion EXO I used to wear. Probably due to the insulation Arai provided. As with all accessories, YMMV 8)

That's a damn good price for a B&M - especially knowing the Cool Springs/Brentwood price trends (expensive). Cheapest I've found on the 'net for metallic is $224. I'm still tossing on whether to get the Sy Max2 (internal sunshield) or the CL Max (cheaper by about $50).

So why not just wear the icon all the time - or does it have it's own set of vices?

I hear you on the dealer. I am in Spring Hill and had a horrific ordeal with them, so much that Piaggio gave me two free - 2 year extended warranties for both of our MP3 250's.

I'm looking to get my full face helmet here this week and was heading down to Cool Springs Honda to see what they have. Sure wish we had another Piaggio Dealer here. I've ordered a lot of things online.

joechi, it was listed as $279 but they gave me 10 percent off when when I asked it there was any room to come down on it. they were really nice although curious as to why I was shopping at the Honda Store. I didn't really tell them about my experience, but they were a lot more interested in my business than the dealer had been.

I think my future plan is to just plan my service trips and head down to murfreesboro. I've heard really good things about Sloans. If you get it in early Sat mornings they can get it done same day for most things. Bworth held onto mine for 2 weeks while they waited for an oil filter to come in.

[quote="BubbaJon I'm still tossing on whether to get the Sy Max2 (internal sunshield) or the CL Max (cheaper by about $50).[/quote]

I have a Symax II and like it but the one negative in the reviews is the light tint on the internal sunshield is not dark enough and I concur. Driving into the sun it is of little use. I did buy a Post Enterprise glare reducer at http://www.boxerworks.com/comng.php and installed it on the internal sunshield. It is a similar effect as pulling down the sunshade in a car that you look under except you can still see through it. Matched with the Symax I am satisfied. It was a low price add on and they only charged $1.00 shipping. I had to trim it slightly and it is easy to remove and reapply. I bought after reading a review in the October RoadBike magazine.

Does Sloans work on MP3's? I do need to have a tire put on her real soon.

i find the modular helmt easier to take on and off, plus i like being able to lift the modular at lights when the weather is warm. The other thing is i wear prescription oakley sunglasses and its easier to put on and adjust with the modular helmet......joe

Tried to get on a full face helmet and it wouldn't fit this head of mine which is my fear of ordering on line. I need a store with ample stock and sizes so I can try them on. Not all "L" fit the same and I too wear glasses.

The size XL helmet from Z1R fits me perfectly.

I tried an AGV XL at my local Vespa boutique and I couldn't even get it on.

Plus, not only are different helmet brands sized differently, they are made for differently shaped heads (round, long oval, etc.). So even if a helmet goes on OK, it won't necessarily fit right.

So, you are absolutely right about finding that store. Good luck.

P.S., I put my helmet on with my glasses removed, then put my glasses on through the front of the helmet. One more thing you need to try out to make sure it works.