HJC is a well-known helmet manufacturer with great customer service. Their latest innovation, the RPHA 11 Pro, is a ventilated road-racing helmet that has been engineered to have the feel and comfort of a much more expensive model.
We have put together the features and benefits of this helmet to help you understand why this is one of the very best helmets on the market.
But is it really worth it? Does it have the build quality, quietness, visibility features, ventilation and more we all want in a motorcycle helmet? Check out our full review to see for yourself!
Ratings
Comfort:
Visibility:
Coolness:
Ventilation:
Quietness:
Overall rating:
Specifications
Outer shell material : Composite shell
Shell size : XS – XL
Liner : Removable and washable, moisture wicking, quick drying, antibacterial
Weight : 3.2 lbs
Pinlock : Pinlock Ready Shield
Strap System : D-ring Fastener
Safety Ratings
DOT : Yes
ECE : Yes
SNELL : No
SHARP : Yes
93% of impacts the faceguard remained fully locked
Shape and materials
The HJC RPHA 11 is made with both a ballistic nylon shell and a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) shell. Each has their benefits and drawbacks.
The bonded laminated construction allows for better impact absorption due to the multiple layers of materials bonding together. The fiber reinforced polymer shell protects your head during crashes and impact.
HJC uses an impact sensor on the front of the helmet that measures your impact severity to help you know when to replace the shell. The foam liner in the helmet can be easily removed and replaced as needed.
As far as the design, all we can really say is that the helmet is one sexy beast. It looks like a high end sports car, especially with the built-in spoiler at the rear.
This helmet comes in several different color options to help you personalize your look. Each helmet is available in a five-year warranty.
The liner is anti-microbial and can easily be removed for washing/disinfecting. The helmet also contains plenty of room for your speakers, thanks to the cutouts.
The inner shell has a thick EPS (Enhanced Protection) layer to keep your head protected against impacts and provides protection from rear and side impacts.
Things I liked
Things I don’t like
The upper shell features a ventilation channel that creates more airflow over the top of your head to keep you cool in hotter weather conditions.
There is also a neck protection liner which provides impact protection from accidents while protecting your neck in the event of a crash.
Overall comfort
If you are like us, it is all about comfort. If you feel comfortable you can ride without notice if you need to. You can focus on the road and riding, not your head.
The HJC RPHA 11 Pro is designed to offer great ventilation and comfort. The padding of the helmet is minimal and blends in so that the helmet doesn't move around while you are riding.
We would compare it to a more padded and soft case for your cell phone. However, the padding isn't as soft and it has the look and feel of a hard shell.
This shell is actually a super-light composite material, and it is very high quality material. It is also extremely quiet and ventilated. The foam is also multi-directional, designed to help improve coverage and comfort in every direction.
The fit is a bit snug which is expected for a helmet of this design. We like that it’s not too tight, it is more of a “just right” fit.
Visibility
HJC offers a comfortable ProGlide polymer, impact absorbent shell to protect your noggin, together with open air vents on the back and side for airflow. There are a few design differences compared to the previous version, which HJC calls the RPHA 10, like the repositioning of the fastening on the shell in addition to the design of the visor and material used for the chin guard.
Additionally, HJC has enhanced the Eye Guard, which not only protects your eyes from debris but also helps to reduce wind turbulence by sweeping away air in front of your face and ears.
If you experience any problems with the visor, HJC offers a specialized feature where the visor can be removed easily without losing any part of the visor’s power.
Quietness
Here is a question that many may not know the answer to: What makes a motorcycle helmet loud? The RPHA 11 Pro Motorcycle Helmet uses a side breathing system, while most motorcycle helmets use a full face shield.
When you compare the internal volume of the two helmets side by side, the RPHA 11 Pro will sound twice as loud. And the quietness of the RPHA 11 Pro has an even larger impact on how it is built. The low density foam combined with the high density nylon liner has kept this
Ventilation
This is a very important feature when buying a motorcycle helmet, you want to know that you have an adequately large amount of air circulating around your head to help keep you cool. The HJC RPHA 11 Pro is a medium helmet, it has an 85mm breather system that works well for 95% of riders, this can be expanded up to a max 100mm.
The added comfort of the ventilated rider interface allows you to open the breather flap anytime you want and when you do it will seal tightly around your head, preventing wind from blowing on your ears.
Wind tunnel testing showed that the RPHA 11 Pro does indeed have a very effective breather system. A lot of other helmet manufacturers suffer from a lack of airflow and overall comfort.
The helmet is ventilated in the back and bottom. HJC includes two foam ear plugs that fit into the top vents and create very comfortable, high-end noise reduction in noisy environments.
The goal of the ventilation system in the HJC RPHA 11 Pro is to keep the rider cooler and the helmet cleaner than many more expensive helmets. Here are some great benefits of having a ventilated helmet:
- Increased comfort because the helmet is much quieter in all conditions
- Increased safety because the rider is less likely to be distracted and lose control of their vehicle
- With the RPHA 11 Pro, you’ll be much more likely to see other traffic during a stressful maneuver Increased rider comfort and better visibility
- Reduction of dirt and debris entering the interior of the helmet due to less air flow The new vents make the helmet much cooler and more comfortable than any other HJC helmet.
Safety
The HJC RPHA 11 Pro has been designed and constructed for race track or road use for optimum safety and riding. The HJC RPHA 11 Pro features a fully ventilated EPS liner for superior levels of protection against impacts and particle inhalation, and a foam EVA (Expanded Polystyrene) inner liner for maximum comfort and impact protection.
The HJC RPHA 11 Pro also features adjustable venting for increased comfort, and minimal visible obstructions to the air flow and airflow inside the helmet. The HJC RPHA 11 Pro has been designed for the unique demands of the track with multiple settings for helmet ventilation and protection, and the optimal level of protection the rider desires.
As far as safety ratings, the helmet is DOT, ECE and SHARP certified.
What is SHARP certification?
SHARP stands for Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme. This rating was first established in 2007 by the United Kingdom government to certify helmets for the UK roads.
Another safety plus are the emergency quick release cheek pads function, which uses just a couple of tabs. This is a real timesaver for emergency crews.
Conclusion
The HJC RPHA 11 Pro motorcycle helmet is a great option for a ventilated helmet, and we feel the brand's choice of materials and the quality of workmanship make it a helmet that everyone should consider.
The helmet offers all the features of a top of the line shell, with the consistency and price of a lower end model, which makes it the perfect choice for those who don't necessarily need the top of the line features that most helmets offer.
In some respects the price of this helmet seems like a bit of a gimmick, but it's well worth the money for the comfort and performance it provides, which is perfect for long distance riding.
Motorcycle Helmet We understand that not everyone wants to spend their entire budget on a new helmet, but we also know that this helmet will make it safer for you when you are on the track or the road.
Where to buy this helmet :