BMW System 5 Failure

[snoopy]

My helmet failed today right before the easter

One of the cables for the quick release mechanism snapped. BMW parts not open till tomorrow. Luckily it failed when helmet was off or it would have been a trip to the fire brigade.

If you have a system 5 be sure to WD40 the cables. Mine lasted 16 month from new.

 

[Backmarker]

BMW helmets never fitted me well. So off I went a few years ago to try to buy a different make flip up. Guy in the shop really, really, really didn't want to sell one to me. Something about failure rates. Under pressure he recommended a Shoei Syncrotec, muttered something about it at least had a chance of lasting past the 2 year mark.........

 

[snoopy]

Dealer said it's either £12 (I choked) or £100 !!!!!! to fix. Apparently they dont do parts for the System 5 just the whole front or the whole rear. Fookin' great that is.

 

[The Stimulator]

Snoopy,

Any chance of a photo so those of us with System V helmets can see which bit to check?



Iain

 

[Packer]

Dealer said it's either £12 (I choked) or £100 !!!!!! to fix. Apparently they dont do parts for the System 5 just the whole front or the whole rear. Fookin' great that is.

If mine fails and they want £100 I will impolitely tell them where to shove it and buy something else by another manufaturer. That is nonsense. Even the mechanism on my crappy Caberg lasted over 3 years. It was only the leaking and misting that made me swap to a "Quality" BMW item.

Just a thought, I wonder if the mechanism/part is available from Schuberth?

 

[Pukmeister]

muttered something about it at least had a chance of lasting past the 2 year mark.........

BMW kit comes with a 2 year warranty doesn't it ???

If so, why the above comment ? If it fails within 2 years, give it back to the dealers and get another, problem solved.

 

[Neil W]

I had problems with the interior of my System 5 and OUR local dealer was a total pain in the A*** despite the two year warranty. Even going as far as to saying there is no problem with the straps tearing the interior and blaming rider abuse.
Get in touch with BMW UK and voice your complaint mentioning the sale of goods act, ie merchantable quality of goods and health and safety, for example what would happen if I had a spill and this happened ,how could the emergency services remove the helmet without killing or crippling me.
I'm sure if you mention the small claims court you'll get a free replacement, a repair or a refund.
As helmets are recommended to be replaced every 5 or so years they should last that long.
As an aside I will not be keeping my System 5 for that length of time and WILL NOT be replacing it with another BMW lid.

 

[conncarr]

BMW Dealer Service

There seems to be good dealers and bad dealers out there. We (me & the strife) have bought A LOT of BMW clothing and general bits of luggage etc., etc. over the past 6 years. Admittedly, there have been minor problems (and one or two major problems) with some of the bits of kit. HOWEVER our dealer (Rainbow Rotherham) has ALWAYS sorted it out for us. BMW has its quality control problems the same as any manufacturer but the big difference is how they deal with it. I will happily buy BMW gear if I think it's the best solution because i KNOW that if there are ANY problems they will be sorted out or I will get my money refunded.

The moral of the story.....Go to a good dealer.

(Sorry about all the capitalised words, had a couple of shandies)

 

[~Stef~]

Just been thinking of replacing my aging HJC SY-Max. One of the contenders was the System 5 not so sure now after reading this thread. Looks like its either the Shoei Multitec or the new HJC FS-Max

 

[snoopy]

Local BMW dealer "forgot" to order spare part so I'm open face for another week.

Here is a picture of the problem.

I'm not an engineer but the problem is obvious - when fitted the cable grinds against the plastic part of catch. They should have designed the catch so that the cable was not bent when fitted. Design flaw if ever there was one.

Although I was lucky, had I have been wearing the helmet when it failed then I'd have had to have the helmet destroyed to get it off. Nice.

I bought the system 5 when they first came out. A bit of lube should postpone the inevitable but it would be good of others could check the catch for a threadbare cable.

To do this, use a torx screw (same one from Garmin holders) and a small star driver on the two plastic parts then pull the middle bit off.

Andrew