2009 Gmax GM68S white motorcycle helmet review
I own a 2008 Gmax GM68S helmet (original ADV thread, my personal review, and Web Bike World’s write-up). It is an inexpensive, DOT-only helmet with two main product highlights: a ton of vents and an LED light system in the back.
I fell for the vent hype and thought the LED system was bogus, but the opposite turned out to be true. I have fogging problems with the GM68S, but the LEDs can be seen from far away in the middle of a rainstorm. Funny how expectations work out that way.
Anyway, my major gripe with the helmet (venting aside) is that it was only available in flat, “rubatone” black or various patterns like a snake, a dragon, or a cross. I’m not an old fogey yet, but I’m not an 18 year old squid either. I had to settle for black, even though I was giving up visibility from my silver helmet predecessor.
This year the GM68S has some improvements, and they were convincing enough for me to order one.
1) A new breath guard (supposedly). I don’t know if this is true or not, or if it is more effective than the current one.
2) A nifty flip-down visor shade. I am unsure if this comes with the helmet, or must be purchased separately. I have only found the visor for sale in one place — eBay, for about $50. The product shots all show the visor in place, and the 2008 GM68S shipped with a second tinted visor, so maybe I’ll luck out.
3) A much, much wider assortment of colors! I bought white this time, but they have a solid silver as well as a bunch of bright patterns. I considered a silver-and-dark-gray scheme, but figured if I was spending extra money to get a higher visibility helmet I would get the highest visibility offered.
This is the product shot shown on the Iron Pony Web site (and just about everywhere else):
I put my order in and started to play the waiting game. I really wanted that flip-down visor. 🙂
My white 2009 helmet arrived from Iron Pony on Wednesday. I would have posted this comparison sooner, but I was too busy riding. 🙂 Price was $121 shipped and as usual Iron Pony’s order processing was super fast and accurate.
I was a little disappointed that the half-visor wasn’t included per the stock photos, but I was prepared for it. Gmax still includes the tinted visor (with case) for free. Since I am selling my black helmet, I put my old visor on my new helmet so the new visors will go when the helmet sells. The visors from 08 and 09 appear to be interchangeable and I had no problems putting the old visor on the new helmet.
Despite the Internet rumor, the breath guard is identical to the 08 model. Padding seemed a little thicker on the 09 helmet, but that is probably because the padding hasn’t molded to my ugly face yet.
The LEDs work just like the originals. I was curious to find that the batteries were already installed in the helmet. If I recall, the batteries were shrink-wrapped when I bought my black helmet. I wonder if this was a return.
Even though the 2/3 shade was absent and the breath guard is the same I am very happy with my purchase. I love the look of my 08 helmet, but felt goofy wearing hi-viz gear and then pinning a black helmet on top.
The other colors offered this year look great online, and having more choices is great. I highly recommend the Gmax GM68s helmet, and Iron Pony.
Highly Recommended.
You do not have an ugly face 🙂
I’ve got the flip up chin helmet by Gmax, it’s been an excellent helmet.
Thats right Doc, your face has… character. And personality. Lots and lots of lovely personality.
FYI, you can buy that flip tint visor from your local Wester Power Sports dealer for about $25 list.
http://www.wps-inc.com/WPSCatalogs/ST2009/ST2009-0015.jpg
They fucked you all 2009 ship with flip down visor. This was old stock.