Replacing My Old Helmet (sorta NGC)

[Sheepdog]

My 13 year old Arai Quantum is way too old to trust in an accident and my open faced helmets are too noisy. When MotorcycleGear.com put their HJC CL-17 Victory helmets (in red, white, and green, no less) on sale for $65, I couldn't resist giving it a try. Much to my surprise, it was well-made, has a removable liner, is pretty quiet, is well-ventilated, and has a Pinlock visor. It's even DOT/Snell certified. However, I found that though it fit great around my forehead (actually, my receding hairline makes it more of a fivehead), the cheek pads were just too tight. Well, I looked around the MotorcycleGear.com website a little more and found HJC cheek pads were available in thicker and thinner versions and they snap right in. I bought the next size thinner (by 5mm) and my helmet now fits perfectly. Considering how little I paid for this lid, the $25 for the alternate pads were a steal. Further investigation of the site revealed that visors were equally affordable...even the fancy mirrored ones start at $31 and plain visors are just $22. I'm really happy with this helmet and thought I'd share this great resource. Even at full price, these helmets start at only $140 for solids. A screaming deal...highly recommended. The page for the sale helmet is attached below. The HJC accessories are listed toward the bottom of the page.

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/helmets/hjc/cl_17_victory_helmet.html

[Steph]

I'm not up to date with helmets and their classifications.
 But the description in the link says polycarbonate, I thought those couldn't pass SNELL tests due to fire requirements?

[Sheepdog]

I'm not up to date with helmets and their classifications.
 But the description in the link says polycarbonate, I thought those couldn't pass SNELL tests due to fire requirements?

I'm afraid I'm not that well informed about the Snell testing protocols, so I looked them up on the Snell Foundation site:

FLAME TEST
The flame resistance test applies to special application racing helmets only. The test is conducted using a propane flame of approximately 790 degrees centigrade. The flame is applied to the shell, trim, chin strap and face shield for a specified number of seconds, and any resulting fire must self extinguish within a specified time after flame removal. During the whole process the temperature of the interior lining of the helmet must not exceed 70 degrees centigrade.

I suppose that this model is not considered a "special application racing helmet." I'm guessing that this part is aimed at auto racing. The HJC literature does state that the Snell certification does not apply to helmets that are larger than 2XL, however.

http://www.smf.org/testing

[rodekyll]

Good tip on the cheek pieces.  I have a Nolan that is a little tight.  I read your post, went up to the Nolan site and found that they also have different cheek pieces.  That's good to know.  Thanks.   

[charlie b]

I like HJC stuff.  Had a 3/4 and modular that both worked will.  I would not have hesitated to buy another, except.....I found out my head shape is perfect for Schuberth.

[lti_57]

From that web site:
Meets or Exceeds SNELL & D.O.T. Standards Note: Sizes 3XL – 5XL only available in select styles. Sizes 3XL-5XL D.O.T. approved only.

Smoking Price  and looks great

[danomar]

Much to my surprise, it was well-made, has a removable liner, is pretty quiet, is well-ventilated, and has a Pinlock visor. It's even DOT/Snell certified.

Would you classify your head shape as round or oval? I stuck with Arai for years because they were one of the few manufacturers which made a long-oval shape helmet. Most other helmets do not fit me well, but the Shoei GT Air put me back in Camp Shoei for now. It would be nice to have less expensive alternatives.

[Sheepdog]

With Arai, I have to go up a size to get it to fit...on my Quantum, anyway. I normally wear a Shoei or HJC XL, but my Arai is a XXL. I'm guessing that my head is dead in between round and oval, as LidPicker lists Shoei's and HJCs as just on the round side of average.

[kirkemon]

I've never had an HJC but IMHO it's a step down from your Arai Q

Sure you'll save some $ but I always remember the old saying"if you've got a $50 head, wear a $50 helmet".

[Sheepdog]

I've never had an HJC but IMHO it's a step down from your Arai Q

Sure you'll save some $ but I always remember the old saying"if you've got a $50 head, wear a $50 helmet".

The quality of the CL17 is close enough to the Arai that the ability to affordably replace it every 3 years makes it a safer choice overall. Check one out; they compare well...especially if they fit.

[charlie b]

I agree.  I liked the Symax III I had.  Got it cheap from someone in here and used it hard.  Finally dropped it one too many times.

Yes, it is not a Schuberth, but, I never felt less protected and would not feel bad about buying another.

[Skyguyz]

After doing an exhaustive research I bought a Shoei Neotec. Possible the finest helmet currently made.

http://www.shoei-helmets.com/neotec-features-summary

[Lannis]

After doing an exhaustive research I bought a Shoei Neotec. Possible the finest helmet currently made.

http://www.shoei-helmets.com/neotec-features-summary

My local shop has those Shoei Neotecs; I was just trying them on yesterday.   Seem to be real nice helmets.

Fay's and my helmets are 6 years old this year, still clean and functional, but it's probably getting to be that time .... !   

Lannis

[Triple Jim]

Sheepdog, I started buying HJC helmets for the same reason as you, about nine years ago, when motorcyclegear.com had the CL-15 on sale for $59.99.  I like everything about mine, except maybe it could be a little quieter, but that's true of most helmets.  I can't see that a $600 helmet is even worth twice the price, let alone ten times as much.

I understand not everyone will agree, and I respect the decisions of those who don't agree!

[wavedog]

I have an HJC FG-17 and while it is a good helmet in terms of fit, finish, comfort, visibility, protection etc, I was very disappointed in how noisy it is (I wear earplugs) and how little ventilation it has. Read the reviews before I got it and after wearing it I was wondering if they were talking about the same helmet. It is quieter with the faceshield open than closed. Cooler also. My old ZOX was quieter with better ventilation and more comfortable but the interior was not the quality of the HJC and it wore out fast. It was certified to road race standards. So, I use the HJC most of the time and am fairly happy with it. I like the security of a full face helmet, but when it is hot - yuk. When it gets hot and humid I wear my open face helmet which is quieter than any full face helmet that I have worn. My brother has a CL-17 and really likes it, but he lives in a cooler climate. Not knocking HJC as a company, as I have had their helmets in the past and will probably buy another one in the future, just not this model.

[charlie b]

I don't care for modular because I like to remove the helmet when ever I stop. Also I find them too heavy for riding with clip-on's.

For those of us who wear glasses, that's why a modular is perfect.  Can remove and put on helmet without removing glasses.  The Schuberth was lighter than my Shoei FF.  But, many modulars are heavier and some weigh a 'ton'.

[Scud]

I just bought an Arai RX-Q on closeout for $330 (instead of $700 list). The fit is great for me, but it's noisier than the Bell I am replacing (which was not a great fit). I've had mostly Arai helmets, but I don't remember any being as noisy as the RX-Q - thinking of returning it, which is bummer, because it is so comfortable.

[Steph]

I just bought an Arai RX-Q on closeout for $330 (instead of $700 list). The fit is great for me, but it's noisier than the Bell I am replacing (which was not a great fit). I've had mostly Arai helmets, but I don't remember any being as noisy as the RX-Q - thinking of returning it, which is bummer, because it is so comfortable.

I have an old arai quantum that has similar vents to the RX-Q & did this test: was riding on the motorway, lifted my left hand slightly in front of the top part of my helmet and noticed how quieter and peaceful it suddenly became. Figured out the that those little top vents created a lot of roaring wind noises. Went home carefully unglued them with a knife without damaging the paint put on a couple of layers of black tape ( my helmet is black anyway) and now have a very quiet Arai. Btw I wear earplugs too.
It's rarely hot (or even warm) here so I'm not missing those vents.

[Sheepdog]

Until recently, I've been pretty unimpressed with helmet vents. Most of them let very little air through at all and as Steph said, contribute more noise than anything else. However, the newer helmets have gone to larger, rectangular intake ports and exhaust ports that actually use the Venturi Effect to pull air across the crown of one's head or across the inside of the visor (to prevent fogging). Vent covers are now smoother and less likely to cause excessive wind resistance or noise. Even my lowly HJC CL17 has these vastly improved vents. It also has a Pinlock-ready visor for preventing fogging when the vents are closed and though the detents for the visor are limited to three, it can also be closed without engaging the seal to do a quick de-fog when it is cold out. My HJC isn't super light and it doesn't have a built-in sunshade, but apart from that is fully up-to-date. I'm going to add a Sena 10R Bluetooth (+/- $270) unit next and I'll still only have $390 in the the total helmet system.