Which helmet is best for you?

Outside of your choice of motorcycle, choosing the best helmet your budget allows is the most important purchasing decision you’ll make as a rider. And to get the best ‘bang for your buck’ means breaking down the type of riding you’re doing and what you expect from your helmet.

You may even end up with more than one helmet to tackle different riding environments; this is an outcome with which many riders will be familiar.

So, what are we looking for? As an example, let’s take a look at HJC. As a family-owned company since 1971, and with helmets used for everything from MotoGP through to fast-food delivery, this trusted helmet brand now has over 20 models in its range. HJC is unique in the fact it has such a diverse portfolio of helmets ranging from entry to premium with quality manufacturing and testing processes throughout the full range.

Within that range, you’ll find key groups such as track, sports, sportstouring, dirt and urban use. And within those, lots of interesting variants.

With so many options, just how do you start breaking it down? Let’s say you have two bikes in the shed: a track toy and something more easy-going for a bit of touring. Are you okay with a single helmet that’s a reasonable compromise, or do you go more specialised and get one for each purpose? There’s no right (or wrong) answer here – either path is valid.

The easiest way to decide is to follow how the helmets are designed and then determine what features work best for you.

Looking at the construction of a helmet will give you some idea of the enormous effort that can go into getting it right. For example, HJC’s premium RPHA series employs a hand-made composite shell, with six layers used in the construction in four different shell sizes.

Why so many shell sizes? This gives the best opportunities for a proper fit regardless of size. So instead of trying to make a shell work with excessive padding, the basic construction is fit for purpose from the start, offering comfort, a light weight, and enhanced protection.

That shell is the first line of defence in an impact and it meets the latest ECE22.06 standard. The composite construction also means it’s as light as possible, which means less strain on your neck over long rides.

Within that premium range, there are four main models aimed at racing, sports riding, and sportstouring, plus a modular design for those who want or need the flexibility offered by a hinged chin piece.

Here’s a quick rundown…

This is a race-oriented product that’s certified by the international controlling body for motorcycle sport, the FIM. It’s used in MotoGP by the likes of the spectacular Fabio Quartararo and Brad Binder.

Its design places a lot of emphasis on aerodynamics, as noted by the aggressive rear spoiler and sharper chin bar. This is for cutting through the air in a typical race-crouch position and is tested by HJC’s very own wind tunnel.

This is a serious sports helmet. Whilst this design is highly aerodynamic and also tested in HJC’s wind tunnel, it has an increased focus on ventilation and comfort over the race-dedicated RPHA 1. There are seven vents built into the shell and it comes with a bonus dark visor.

This is a premium sportstouring helmet. The design takes into account the fact you may be spending longer hours in the saddle and need something with a little more versatility built in. For example, it runs an internal sunshield with multi-step positioning to adjust the visor up to 10mm further from your face, cutting out glare, allowing greater comfort and offering greater UV coverage. It comes ready to accept the HJC communications system and runs 3D contoured cheek pads for comfort and noise reduction.

Modular helmets with an opening chin piece have become popular and this model is a premium example. It too offers an internal multi-step tinted visor, plus the facility to fit the HJC comms system. The chin bar can be locked open and the helmet has been certified to be used in that configuration.

The visors for these helmets are tough and go through a brutal anti-shatter testing process. They feature an anti-scratch coating and feature 99 per cent UV protection.

If you have some strong personal preferences when it comes to the finish of your visor, there are six offerings, including clear, tint and multiple iridium coloured options. And of course, HJC accommodates the fitment of a pinlock-style anti-fog system.

There you have the basics, but there are also a few subtleties to consider. For example, the premium range runs washable antibacterial liners. There is also a range of cheek-pad sizes available that enables you to get that custom fit just right. This is where talking to an experienced retailer can be of huge benefit, as you work through the various options.

So, knowing all that, you’re now in a good position to think through what you need in a helmet. What type of riding are you doing, how often and for how long? If you’re spending big hours out on the road, it makes sense to have something with a close fit and premium lining materials that wick away moisture and can be washed when required.

Then again, if the racetrack is your thing, a helmet that’s light and running properly researched and designed aerodynamics starts to make a whole lot of sense.

Those premium helmets are backed by a five-year warranty. Oh, and if you fancy a little extra luxury there are spectacular carbon-fibre finishes available in the RPHA 12, 71 and 91.

Beyond the RPHA series, HJC offers a myriad of options in full-face helmets, modular designs, open-face helmets and off-road helmets.

There are a range of materials used, including fiberglass and polycarbonate, which enable you to explore some alternatives when it comes to finding a helmet that fulfills your needs while meeting your budget.

For example, there are seven models in the full-face range and a further five in the open-face catalogue.

If, for example, you’re looking for a sportstouring helmet, there are two options in this area: the F71 with fiberglass shell and the i71 with polycarbonate.

Each has three shell sizes to cover the subtleties of fitting different riders, with the F71 providing additional comfort with the aid of the premium 3D cheek pads. Both feature a multi-step internal sun visor and both are ready to take the HJC communications system.

So, while you may be watching the budget a little more closely, you still have an excellent range of features to walk through to ensure what you ride away with is perfect for the task.

The sheer breadth and variety of the HJC range makes it worth your while to nut out what your priorities may be in a helmet when it comes to materials, style, linings, visors plus additional features such as ventilation and whether or not you want to run a comms system.

While there is a bit to take in, the pay-off is you end up with a helmet that’s comfortable and supports what you’re doing in the saddle. And we all want that, don’t we?

As we mentioned at the start of this article, HJC is a family-owned business that has been based in South Korea since 1971. Those 50-plus years have seen the company become the number one manufacturer in the world and reach a point where it is making two million helmets a year across cars, motorcycles, bicycles and skiing.

One thing you’ll notice as you cruise the company’s catalogues is the huge variety of graphics on offer. Some of the wilder designs incorporate characters across Marvel Comics, DC Comics and Universal Studios, plus of course some spectacular race-replicas from MotoGP and WSBK. In fact, its co-lab game is so strong, HJC is the only company in the world able to sell Red Bull graphics on helmets.

It’s worth keeping an eye on what the creators are up to, as you never know when they might release one of those must-have designs!

A final piece of advice: a helmet is the most important purchase you’ll make for your motorcycle. Know what you need to stay safe and comfortable for your style of riding and check out the full range of HJC helmets or – better yet – try them on in person at your nearest motorcycle dealer or accessories retailer.