HJC Helmets Forum

A few months ago HJC released their new IS (Interior Sunshield) series. Before reviewing an item I like to give it some time on the market to get some feedback.

These new helmets include the IS-33, the IS-Max, and the IS-16. Both the IS-Max and IS-16 are full-face helmets, while the IS-33 is a half helmet.

Besides offering the standard HJC safety and comfort features, this line of helmets offers a mechanism to open and close an interior sunshield. Rather than having to change visors or remove your sunglasses, simply push a button to change between a clear shield and a smoke sun shield, even while riding!

Unfortunately, some riders have found that the sun shield in the IS line is not dark enough to really help, and the mechanics make it a little complicated. I would definitely suggest trying this helmet on before purchasing, definitely during the daytime when you can get a good feel for the sun shield.

Overall, the IS line is moderately priced between $140-$200 depending on the style and color. All of the three helmets in this line are made from a polycarbonate shell and all are DOT approved. In addition, all include the Silver Cool liner, sure to keep you cool even on the warmest of days.

To buy the new HJC IS line check out rockheadbikes.

-Julie

If you’re like most motorcycle enthusiasts, you have probably got a good amount of money invested in your motorcycle. Keeping your motorcycle safe, secure, and yours, is very important. With motorcycle thefts occurring every day, it’s important to take some precautions to prevent your bike from being stolen.

Simple common sense can go a long way. Obvious as it may seem, don’t leave your keys in the ignition. Not only does this encourage thefts, but also makes your bike incredibly easy to steal and makes you look silly. Leaving your bike running while stopping at the local convenience store isn’t exactly the smartest idea either. Take the extra 5 seconds to turn the bike off.

Bike locks and alarms are relatively inexpensive ways to ensure your bike doesn’t disappear. A simple bike lock will keep your bike exactly where you left it. A bike alarm will not only immobilize your bike, making it a hard steal, but it should also make enough noise to deafen anyone within a mile radius.

In the event that your motorcycle does get stolen, having a GPS or some other type of tracking system will help to get your bike recovered quickly. LoJack boasts being one of the top players in the stolen vehicle recovery market, and each year releases an article on top motorcycle recoveries due to tracking systems.

Finally, don’t forget about securing your accessories and gear. If you’ve got a fancy alarm system and GPS, then leave your helmet and accessories out for the taking, half the purpose of the alarm system is defeated! You’ve invested in gear, saddle bags, helmets and other accessories, so why not keep them locked as well.

Though motorcycle security can add up, it’s certainly worth having some of these features. It’s much smarter to drop a few hundred dollars to keep your bike safe, rather than lose sleep chasing down the bad guys who stole it.

-Julie

Below are some great tips I found at motorcyclecruiser.com for how to be a good passenger. As a passenger it’s normal to be nervous, but by taking the proper precautions, your ride will be smooth and memorable.

• Make sure you completely trust the person you’re riding with. During the ride, your life is in their hands. If you're not sure, ask questions: How long have you been riding? How long riding this particular bike? Have you ridden with a passenger before?
• Wear proper gear. This includes boots, jeans (or a heavier fabric pant), good-fitting helmet, gloves and a protective jacket.
• Make sure you and your partner are on the same page about what is expected during the ride. Where are you going? How long will you be riding? What does the route consist of?
• Know how to mount the bike, where to place your feet, how to hold on and how to communicate with your partner.
• Relax on the road. It’s important for you to be in tune with the driver and the bike. During turns, keep your body in line with the bike and don’t make any abrupt moves.
• Never put your feet down at stops.
• Don’t make yourself uncomfortable. If you are, tell your partner how you are feeling so that adjustments can be made.

Remember the safety of you and your partner is of utmost importance. Communication is key to having a great, safe ride.

-Julie

Assume Drivers Can't See You:
You should always be aware of what is going on around you. Most of the time, drivers either can’t see you or aren’t paying attention to you.

Maintain Safe Spacing:
This means between cars in front of you, and also cars on each side of you.

Anticipate Trouble:
Again, being aware of what is going on around you can make you more prepared for troublesome situations including traffic.

Beware of Oncoming Left Turners:
Watch for motorists making left turns in front of you at intersections. Make sure to stay visible to the car turning. Slow down before entering intersections, and be prepared for the possibility of them not seeing you.

Ride Your Own Ride:
Ride at your experience level. Don’t try to keep up with friends. Do only what you feel comfortable doing.

Watch Out for Curves:
Beware of curves in front of you. There could be traffic or a parked car around that bend

Don't Give In to Road Rage:
This really goes for everyone, not just motorcyclists, but for the sake of being safe, please stay out of these dangerous situations.

Don't allow Tailgating:
Similar to allow safe spacing, but this takes into account the person who is tailgating you. For obvious reasons, don’t let people tailgate you. Either speed up slightly to allow more space between them and you, or pull over and let them get around you.

Don't Be Blinded by Sunglare:
Be careful when driving in extremely sunny conditions. Always wear sunglasses or a sunshield to avoid sunglare.

Avoid Riding at Night:
It’s hard enough when drivers can’t see you during the day, but at night is much harder. Especially avoid weekends and holidays when drunk drivers are out.

By remembering and practicing these 10 tips, you will be a safe, more informed rider. All it takes is one slight mistake to cost a life. We certainly don’t want that to be yours.

While doing some research, I came across this article from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

While the majority of the article focuses on the legal drinking age, the third paragraph emphasizes how the number of motorcycle related deaths has decreased due to the use of helmets.

The NHTSA is estimating that 7,502 lives were saved over the 5 year period ending in 2007. How this number is determined is beyond me, but nevertheless, its still good news. It just goes to show that wearing your helmet while riding really can make a difference.

No matter what type of helmet you choose to wear, clearly just the practice of wearing one is good news!

-Julie

As mentioned in the previous post, all Speed & Strength Jackets contain CE-approved armor. So what is CE approval??

A CE approval means that the armor in the gear (this can be jacket, pants, gloves, etc) has been lab tested and meets European standards for impact absorption. The armor is designed to provide padding and extra protection in the event of an accident. Though the approval process can be expensive, all European protective gear must be CE-approved in order to be placed on the market.

Very few brands in the United States include CE-approved armor. In fact, there are no standards on protective gear in the United States, meaning that my line of cardboard and tape jackets can be placed in stores tomorrow if I choose.

Though CE-approved armor does meet certain standards, it is important to remember that this is not the be-all and end-all. There are certainly brands selling on the market without CE-approved armor that are indeed, more protective than the gear with CE-approved armor.

-Julie

IMPORTANT NOTE: HJC has decided to discontinue the AC-12 line and replace it with the ALL NEW HJC FS-15

Personally, I think the quick answer is yes.

While a helmet is one of the most important pieces of riding, a proper visor can be just as important. Though many people like to feel the wind blowing by as they ride, helmet visors help protect your face and eyes from harmful elements including dust, dirt, rain, bugs and other roadside debris.

For bikes that have built in windshields, the rider may only need goggles or a small visor to protect the eyes. For bikes without windshields, riders should be sure to wear a full face visor for maximum protection. In addition to the color, a visor that is treated with an anti-fog solution will be best.

While visors don’t need to be of the same brand as the helmet you typically ride with, it’s best to take your helmet with you when purchasing a new visor to ensure proper fit and safety.

-Julie

I wanted to take a moment to discuss one other helmet certification, ECE 22.05. This helmet certification comes from the Economic Commission for Europe and is one of the most common certifications in the world. An ECE certification is required by over 50 countries.

ECE testing is similar to our DOT testing, though ECE requires helmets to be tested at higher velocities than DOT. Therefore, all ECE helmets will be DOT certified, but all DOT helmets will not be ECE certified. In addition, ECE requires that a random batch of all helmet productions are tested PRIOR to being released to dealers for sale. This is much different from DOT who performs random testing after helmets are released.

ECE helmets are approved for competitve motorcycle events and are even the preferred certification by most professionals.

When purchasing a helmet that is ECE 22.05 certified, you can be assured that you are getting a safe, quality, high tested helmet.

Anyone have an ECE 22.05 certified helmet? Do you prefer an ECE certification on your helmets?

-Julie

Related: Shark helmets

I just came across an article called Motorcycle Helmet Performance: Blowing the Lid Off courtesy of Motorcyclist Online.

The article discussed the debate about how strong and stiff a helmet should be to provide riders the best protection. The writer goes into a lot of detail about the brain, helmet construction, testing, and more. A letter from Snell is also included.

Though the article was rather long, it got me to thinking. Just how much do helmets protect? Obviously I wouldn't want to ride without one, but if I were to get in an accident, would it really keep me safe?

If you haven't already, take a few minutes to read the article and discuss. Let us know what your thoughts are on the Great Helmet Debate.

-Julie