clothing and helmet » HJC RPHA 90s Helmet

HJC is bringing out a new line of helmets, so discounts are being offered on the old modes. As such, yesterday, I took delivery of their prior model year premium modular helmet. I will say the helmet looks impressive and well constructed. However, having owned prior HJC helmets, the fit of this helmet was unique. The crown of the helmet was tight, but the cheek pads were loose. The shape of the crown was Intermediate (medium) Oval, but overall smaller than found on a Shoei or Arai of the same size. In general, I would say the crown of this size XL HJC was similar to a size L Shoei. The cheek pads, on the other hand, could accommodate a rider with the jaws of a pit-bull. Compounding the loose fit of the cheek pads, the helmet strap attaches fairly low to the shell, limiting the possible tension on the bottom of the jaw.

I'll be sending it back.

I've been running their i71 since spring as has my better half (I'm L, she's M) it was a good snug fit ever so slightly tighter on the crown but after 8 months and 10k with them on they both adjusted to our heads neatly and we're very pleased with them.

Much happier with them over the previous LS Carbon and Suomi helmets we've had. Where after 2 years I had to swap the cheek pads due to becoming loose enough to fit my hand through.

It could be the info is out of date, but years ago HJC was billed as having a fit similar to Shoei. I had one of the old Symax modulars and later (2019 purchase) the economy version (CL Max?) which I used when teaching safety classes. The old Symax fit the same as my full-face Shoei helmets of the time. The cheaper CL Max was a bit tighter overall, but fine for my purposes. On a few occasions, the cheaper helmet has been drowned in thunderstorms and occasionally (not by plan) been a bucket.

But, now, I have to agree with Wessie. The current HJC headform shape is something unique.

I’ve used HJC for years. My latest lid is to accommodate a comms system. I’m quite happy with it, but I was having migraines after wearing it for an hour or so. Even though it was the correct size for me, the padding was thicker. I had to order a liner for a larger helmet, and that fixed the issue. The shell of a given size can accommodate different size liners as that’s what really changes between a size like large and extra large. I think it’s because the assume riders have lean faces.

Alternate thickness crown and cheek pads allow adjustment but cost ~$100 for both. In addition, I'm ok with adding padding, but I'm skeptical of opting for thinner pads.