Are higher end motorcycle helmets really worth the extra money?
In this edition of EV Rider, I’m doing a comparison between mid-range and high-end HJC helmets.
I’ve been riding with primarily HJC helmets for decades. I’m not here to tell you whether they’re better than other brands but I can give you some perspective on how mid-range and high-end HJCs compare.
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My latest lid is the HJC RPHA 70 Carbon Helmet. At the time of this review, they could be found online for just under $500.
I picked it for two primary reasons: noise isolation and lower weight.
My last helmet was HJC’s IS-17, which has since been replaced by the C70. The C70 was going for about $150 at the time of this story’s posting.
A quick note about both helmets: you may notice a brake light on them in some shots in the above video. That’s an aftermarket accessory called Brake Free. Here’s that review as well:
I find wind noise tiring, even with earplugs, so I wanted something quieter.
The RPHA 70 Carbon ended up providing a modest improvement. It has a better visor seal than the old IS-17.
The noise reduction is noticeable but it’s not dramatically better. You’ll still need earplugs.
Next up is weight. Yes, the RPHA 70 Carbon is lighter, but in my experience the difference isn’t big enough to be noticeable when riding. The RPHA 70 Carbon weighs in at 3.2 pounds while the IS-17 tipped the scales at just over 3.7 pounds.
As you would expect, the materials also feel just a bit better on the RPHA 70 Carbon.
The visor action is smoother and the sun visor is easier to move up or down while riding thanks to the better positioning and easier action of the up/down lever. The lever has been moved from the top rear to the bottom left of the helmet, which I’ve found to be a more natural position to access when riding.
The upper vent on the RPHA 70 Carbon does do a good job of moving air through the helmet.
Surprisingly, the lower-end IS-17 is better in some respects.
First, the RPHA’s sun visor droops down just a bit when in the up position, meaning your peripheral vision can see a sliver of it when riding.
Next – and this is the biggest downfall of the RPHA – the main visor’s cracked open position doesn’t let in nearly as much air as the IS-17. To make matters worse, if you open the RPHA’s visor a bit more, it’s designed to automatically snap back down into the lowest position above speeds of about 20 or so miles per hour.
That means despite the slightly better vent airflow, you’ll end up with a hotter ride in the summer with the visor cracked as compared to the IS-17.
If you are considering one of the RPHA series helmets you’ll also need to keep sizing in mind. They’re shaped differently. If you wore a medium-sized helmet from HJC’s regular series, you’ll need to order either a large or maybe even an extra-large from the RPHA series.
Be sure to carefully measure the circumference of your head if you can’t try out the helmet in a store first.
Both helmets came with the Pin Lock system and cutouts to accommodate riders like me that wear glasses.
The cheek pads in my estimation are just as good on the lower end HJC helmet. While the pads may be equal in comfort and materials, the new higher-end pads do offer one important safety improvement. They are brightly marked with pull tabs for emergency personnel in the event of an accident.
The RPHA series is designed to accommodate a custom-designed SENA Bluetooth system for HJC that’s a bit more sleek than the universal SENAs. The HJC SENA 20B includes LED lighting for a bit of pop.
My universal-fit SENA 20S EVO fit both helmets just fine. As best I can tell, the HJC SENA 20B doesn’t have any features that set it apart in terms of sound quality or functionality. It also lacks SENA’s jog wheel, which in my opinion is a step backwards.
If you’re interested in the custom HJC SENA, it’s one advantage is the upper-range 20B model does contain a rear light to make you a little more visible at night.
The bottom line is I’m not as impressed by the RPHA 70 Carbon as I had hoped to be. For price conscious riders that are considering an HJC, I’d say stick to the mid-range helmets.
The weight, noise and comfort differences are minimal.
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