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Review of the HJC RPHA 11 PRO full face sportsbike helmet
The RPHA 11 PRO is HJCs new top of the range sportsbike helmet and would presumably have been the one Jorge Lorenzo would’ve been wearing in 2016 had he not jumped ship to Shark helmets.
- Composite shelled racing helmet
- HJCs top of the range sports helmet
- Not Snell tested
- SHARP 3 star safety tested
- D-ring fastener
- Pinlock ready shield
- 5 year warranty
- Expect to pay from $400 (plain colors) upto $600 (specials)
RPHA 11 PRO ‘Oraiser’ design
Even though it’s HJCs top of the range crash helmet, it’s still a steal compared to other maker’s top helmets so represents great value. In line with HJCs stated goal of offering top quality products at a reasonable price, the price of even the most expensive models is very low in comparison to similar AGVs or Arais. And if you get an RPHA 11 PRO, you’re getting a decent amount of tech, development and innovation for your money.
So what can we expect with the RPHA 11 PRO?
Looking to buy an HJC RPHA 11 Pro?
Please click below to visit the HJC RPHA 11 Pro helmets pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).
Safety
Well, first off, the shell’s a composite, constructed from various layers including fiberglass, carbon fiber and aramid – what HJC call their premium integrated matrix or PIM – which should make for a strong shell (hopefully not too rigid though).
It’s also been wind tunnel tested with the end result being what looks like a fairly round, very slippery design along the same lines as recent Arais.
It hasn’t been Snell tested but has been SHARP safety tested and awarded 3 stars (out of 5) which isn’t the best score – especially when the last composite HJC to be tested back in 2013 scored full marks, as did the most recently tested; the FG-ST tested in 2016.
It’s worth pointing out that a good SHARP score is important – but not as important as getting a helmet that fits correctly in the first place.
Also, there’s other features which contribute to all round safety – to avoid an accident in the first place and post impact too.
A large shield aperture is important for good visibility and the RPHA 11 PRO, like many track-focused helmets has been designed to maximise visibility all round. Most owners seem to agree that the visibility in the RPHA 11 PRO feels nice and wide – that’s great for survival both on the track and the road.
They also like the way the supplied Pinlock keeps the shield clear – but a couple commented that it really needs it as low speed fogging can be an issue.
The RPHA 11 PRO also comes with an EQRS or emergency quick release system. That’s where you can pull on the red tabs at the bottom of the helmet to slide out the cheek pads to ease removal of the helmet after an accident. That’s a feature that’s becoming increasingly popular on helmets and good to see on the RPHA 11 PRO.
Helmet Noise
Well, the HJC RPHA 11 PRO is a sportsbike helmet and like lots of track focused helmets, it looks like noise suppression wasn’t a priority. A few owners commented that it’s about the same as their previous helmets – but that their previous helmets were noisy too! Another said that it’s noisy at anything above about 40mph.
Bottom line is that you should probably expect the RPHA 11 PRO to be quite noisy and plan to wear a decent pair of ear plugs each time you use it.
But that goes for most helmets right?
Ventilation
Airflow into the RPHA 11 PRO is in the form of a couple of chin vents and forehead vents with four exhaust vents to the rear. The forehead vents use a small wheel which HJC says is glove friendly and provides multiple positions.
Overall, owners reckon the RPHA 11 PRO vents really well, with lots of air making it into the helmet to keep the head cool.
It’s not quite so good with the lower vents though because not so much air seems to find its way onto the rear of the shield.
That’s not necessarily so much of a problem in normal temperatures or if you’re on the track and don’t like air in your face. But it can be a problem for keeping the shield mist-free and a few owners reckoned that there’s a reason HJC supplied a Pinlock free in the box with the RPHA11 PRO – because it needs it.
It seems to only be a problem at town speeds but be aware if you do lots of commuting especially when things start to cool down, then you’ll probably have to fit the Pinlock to keep things clear.
Shield
HJC designed the shield on the RPHA to be nice and wide for improved visibility in all directions, and they’ve used their decent RapidFire system to help with quick removal of the shield.
That’s all good – and so too is the fact that they include a Pinlock antifog insert in the box – though as we mentioned above, there’s method in their generosity.
They also include a tinted shield in the box which is handy, especially if you’re taking it on the track.
A final word on the shield is that there’s a nice and easy to use lock in the middle of the shield. That’s useful, especially if you’re taking your RPHA 11 PRO to the track where the last thing you want is your shield coming up when you’re tumbling through a gravel trap!
Comfort and Sizing
The HJC RPHA11 PRO uses their latest ‘Multicool’ interior which ticks all the right boxes when it comes to a helmet liner.
It’s fully removable and washable, moisture wicking, quick drying, antibacterial and antiodour too. There’s also glasses grooves in the lining, there to accept the stems of glasses and make them more comfortable when riding.
A few owners reckoned that the RPHA 11 PRO sizing does run a bit small though – so we’d recommend if you’re between sizes or a little unsure, go for a size larger (eg if you’re usually between an M and an L, go for the L).
Graphics
There’s a stinkload of designs available for the RPHA 11 PRO – probably as many if not more than we’ve seen for any helmet. Though, strangely, no hi-viz version. Odd that.
Anyhow, we’ve sprinkled a few of the more notable designs on the page – including the Spiderman, shy-and-retiring Venom, and the Bobba Fet Star Wars helmet. But there’s no way we can show them all here so head on over to either HJC US or one of our recommended retailers to see the latest designs and prices/discounts. You’ll find the links below.
Best places to buy an HJC RPHA 11 Pro?
Please click below to visit the HJC RPHA 11 Pro helmets pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).
Other Stuff – weight, fastener, warranty
The RPHA 11 PRO weighs just 2.9lbs (1.3Kgs) – way under the 1.48Kg average for a typical full face helmet and lighter than most other composites too. Many owners said it feels light on the road too.
It also has a double-d ring fastener. They can be fiddly and slower to do up than the newer micrometric fasteners, but they’re really safe if you diligently tighten them every time, and they’re a must if you take a helmet to the track.
Finally, the HJC RPHA11 PRO, like all other HJCs, come with a 5 year warranty. Hurrah.
Other features that show this could be a helmet package to beat at this price point:
- It features HJCs great rapid fire quick shield removal system
- Comes Pinlock ready but without a Pinlock
- It does come with both a clear and smoked shield though
- Available in sizes XS – XL (selected models include XXS & XXL)
- Glasses groove for glasses wearers
- Shield lock system for racers
The HJC RPHA 11 PRO looks like it could be a great deal. If you’re after a technology-packed racing helmet at a decent price, it’s well worth having a look at.
HJC RPHA 11 PRO Video
HJC RPHA 11 PRO Carbon
There’s also a full carbon fiber version of the RPHA 11 Pro. It has exactly the same features as the standard composite version even down to the same claimed weight of 2.9lbs, so other than the kudos of having a full carbon helmet, there’s arguably not much point in going for the carbon version – especially as it retails for about $100 more.
Alternatives to the HJC RPHA 11 PRO
You can always check all our sportsbike helmet reviews and read reviews on the sportsbike helmets from all the best-known makers.
Obviously, many of these are tons of cash, but if you’re after a lower priced helmet, we recommend you take a look at the latest basic Bell Star model – that’s a SHARP 5 star rated sports-focused composite fiber helmet that’s great value for money, though a bit more than the HJC.
For less than the RPHA 11 PRO is the LS2 FF323 Arrow. That was rated by SHARP at 4 stars and comes with an optically-correct shield.
You might also want to check out the Scorpion Exo-R2000. It hasn’t yet been SHARP safety tested but it’s a composite fiber helmet with Pinlock, EQRS and a 5 year warranty – for about the same price as the RPHA 11 PRO.
Looking to buy an HJC RPHA 11 Pro?
Please click below to visit the HJC RPHA 11 Pro helmets pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).
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