Gmax GM54S Opinions

[EladioGomes]

Hi Everybody,

I ready to purchase this helmet, I tried at a local store and it fits pretty well! I know it's a modular and some of you don't really like them, but it has some neat features, lots of vents, has a shade and a very clever LED on the back the can be set to on, blinking slow and blinking fast. It also has a kit that make this LED work with your brakes, turning it into a break light on the back of your head! 

The local store charges 170 and the breaklight kit is another 35! I found both at this website for $152.90. 

http://www.jazzmotorsports.com/gmax-gm54-modular-black-p-317053.html

I'd really like feedback of either the helmet or the webstore!

Thanks!

[talespin]

Well, I can't give you feedback on either...

However, I've owned two Gmax helmets, the GM68 and the GM48. I thought that both were well-made and excellent values for the money.

That price is for that helmet is excellent.

Let us know what you decide and how it works for you...

[JB1290]

I don't have any experience with the helmet but, I'd like to offer a suggestion...

I understand looking for the best possible deal you can for gear and I frequently buy online but, if your local shop has something that you can get online cheaper, why not ask the local shop if they would meet the online price or at least cut you a better deal.

I try to support the local shops as much as I can because, if we buy everything online, our mom and pop shops suffer and end up going under.

Im not preaching here but, I bet if you ask the local shop, they would work with you.

On a side note, GMax makes some very nice looking helmets IMHO. Love the graffics they use. 

[talespin]

I understand looking for the best possible deal you can for gear and I frequently buy online but, if your local shop has something that you can get online cheaper, why not ask the local shop if they would meet the online price or at least cut you a better deal.

I try to support the local shops as much as I can because, if we buy everything online, our mom and pop shops suffer and end up going under.

Im not preaching here but, I bet if you ask the local shop, they would work with you.

That is a great idea! Wish I'd thought of that.

I see that jazzmotorsports.com has free shipping on purchases over $100, so that's not an issue here, but a shipping charge can make online purchases not as good as they initially seem.

Even if the local shop can't meet the online price, it's worth $20 extra to me to get something today from them, vs. waiting 10 - 14 days for FedEx to bring it to me.

[JB1290]

I have had a local shop come close to the online price on parts before. It was worth the few extra bucks I spent because not only did I help a local business but like talespin said, I got the parts right away instead of waiting for FedEx, UPS or the USPS to finally deliver it to me.

[talespin]

By the way, Eladio - which Locust Grove do you live in?

[EladioGomes]

Guys, trust me, I know better than just buy on-line because it's cheaper, I am an amateur photographer and it's pretty hard for local stores to compete with online stores, and I actually buy a lot from them instead of online.

What happens is that I am new to this MC world and I couldn't get a store to call my place to go, I've been to probably around 10 stores so far and I got 2 that I might put my hopes on.

So far I'm still thinking they don't really care about me as a costumer, instead of I'd love to have you as a costumer! I stop by without the proper gear, without the proper vocabulary and with an old 93 NH! Some want to see it but most don't even look at me when they say "Oh your bike is tooo old, I got nothing for it in my catalogs!!"

Anyway, the price difference is not small, we're talking more than 50 bucks and shipping was 20 dollars, so I'm still 30 dollars good! As for time none of the stores I've been had the helmet I wanted in stock, they needed to order, and on average I had to wait 3 days!

Well, I decided on buying, I will let you know how it went through with both helmet and webstore!

Thanks

[EladioGomes]

By the way, Eladio - which Locust Grove do you live in?

Hey, I'm in Virginia, between Culpeper and Fredericksburg, zip 22508

[talespin]

By the way, Eladio - which Locust Grove do you live in?

Hey, I'm in Virginia, between Culpeper and Fredericksburg, zip 22508

I grew up in Alexandria and Annandale, went to college in Charlottesville, and my sister went to college in Fredericksburg, so I'm familiar with that area. Virginia is really beautiful country, I wish I'd been into motorcycles when I lived there.

Glad you made a decision on the helmet that works for you. I'm interested in your thoughts on the helmet when you have some experience with it.

[EladioGomes]

By the way, Eladio - which Locust Grove do you live in?

Hey, I'm in Virginia, between Culpeper and Fredericksburg, zip 22508

I grew up in Alexandria and Annandale, went to college in Charlottesville, and my sister went to college in Fredericksburg, so I'm familiar with that area. Virginia is really beautiful country, I wish I'd been into motorcycles when I lived there.

Glad you made a decision on the helmet that works for you. I'm interested in your thoughts on the helmet when you have some experience with it.

WOW, looks like you've been all around the area here! Let me know if you head this way, maybe we can ride together! :)

And I almost forgot, I'll post my thoughts when I get it! And yes, it's a nice area, I'm really excited to go for a ride on the Blue Ridge, but I've got no time to do it in the next few weeks! 

[EladioGomes]

Update 1:

So far I'm very happy with Jazz Motorsports. I called them today, they were busy and I couldn't get help over the phone and didn't want to leave a voice mail, for my surprise I received a phone call from them about 10 min later, I couldn't get to the phone but when i called back James ansewred the phone and was able to confirm delivery by Friday.

A few minutes later there was a box at my front door from them, it was the breaklight accessory. 

[EladioGomes]

Update 2:

I received the helmet today, I really liked it, however it came with a defect, the shade that slide from inside was loose and after playing around a little it actually got stuck. It was already after hours and when I called Jazz I got voicemail, I left a message, will report how it goes.

I don't mind when problems like this happen, of course I am not happy, but if the problem is resolved I will be satisfied and happy with both the store and helmet!

Anyway, I order together with my helmet another one just on a different size for my son, his arrived earlier than mine and with no issues at all! I understand mine got delayed because I wanted it white! Yesterday we installed his break light system, it work as supposed, I'd just add more LEDs if I could, it's not as bright as I'd like! BTW anyone know if it's possible to add LEDs?! There's only 2 LEDs and I'd like to add 2 or 4 to it, it's feeded by 2 AAA batteries! 

I'll keep this updated.

[talespin]

Yesterday we installed his break light system, it work as supposed, I'd just add more LEDs if I could, it's not as bright as I'd like! BTW anyone know if it's possible to add LEDs?! There's only 2 LEDs and I'd like to add 2 or 4 to it, it's feeded by 2 AAA batteries!

I've got the GM68S, and its built-in light has 6 LEDs. I didn't think it was particularly bright, but it's not the only light back there, so I didn't worry too much about it. It also runs off of two AAA batteries, and those things went dead so fast I finally gave up on the light and just put some white Scotchlite reflective tape behind the lens.

I've never seen the light on the 54S, so I don't know if you can add extra LEDs to it. The LEDs on the 68S are attached to a circuit board, and everything seems to be printed circuits rather than wires, and I have no idea how you could go about adding LEDs, or if there's even enough room in the 54S casing to hold additional ones.

Good luck. Sorry to hear your helmet was damaged, I've had a similar experience with a different brand and seller. Hope you're riding soon.

[EladioGomes]

Yesterday we installed his break light system, it work as supposed, I'd just add more LEDs if I could, it's not as bright as I'd like! BTW anyone know if it's possible to add LEDs?! There's only 2 LEDs and I'd like to add 2 or 4 to it, it's feeded by 2 AAA batteries!

I've got the GM68S, and its built-in light has 6 LEDs. I didn't think it was particularly bright, but it's not the only light back there, so I didn't worry too much about it. It also runs off of two AAA batteries, and those things went dead so fast I finally gave up on the light and just put some white Scotchlite reflective tape behind the lens.

I've never seen the light on the 54S, so I don't know if you can add extra LEDs to it. The LEDs on the 68S are attached to a circuit board, and everything seems to be printed circuits rather than wires, and I have no idea how you could go about adding LEDs, or if there's even enough room in the 54S casing to hold additional ones.

Good luck. Sorry to hear your helmet was damaged, I've had a similar experience with a different brand and seller. Hope you're riding soon.

Thanks for replying, I didn't get a chance to check how it is inside, if it's a board or wires, but I'll check and post back for others to know.

I called them and they immediately offered to replace it for me, I accepted but cut a deal with them so I could use this one until the replacement arrives, they charged me another one and will refund when i send this one back.

I'll get some pictures of the new one when it arrives and post here, in the mean time I am testing this one! Carefully, of course! 

[talespin]

Eladio, before you go about modifying the light, I suggest you use it for a while to see how it works for you in its original form.

Also, if you look at LED brake light conversions, the smallest number of LEDs I've seen them have is around a dozen. Anything less than that seems too dim to be effective. Regardless of what you do to yours, you may not get much improvement.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing your opinion of the helmet after you've worn it a while.

[EladioGomes]

I am actually going this route, I've been riding with my son on his NH 250 and at night it actually work OK, it isn't the brightest thing around but it does add light and call for attention! However during the day is completely useless... 

Thanks once again for your input! I wont do anything for now... :)

[Reese86]

Got my GM54s about 4 months ago and am very happy with it. the shade is great, vents are awesome (been riding in temps anywhere from 36 the 95), and the rear flashers are great after dark....already had several friends pick one up they like mine so much.....very reasonably priced compared to other brands that offer FAR fewer options.