Gear guide
Best HJC motorcycle helmets: RPHA, F and i-series compared
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Top picks at a glance
Compare all picks
Closest match for the job
HJC RPHA 91: carbon hybrid modular, 5 intakes
Carbon and carbon-glass hybrid fiber shell, per the listing
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Most for the money on paper
HJC RPHA 11 Carbon: track carbon shell, dark visor
At about $324, it is the cheapest carbon fiber shell in this guide.
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Most complete listing
HJC RPHA 71: carbon matrix touring full face
HJ-40 shield is Pinlock ready with a 99% UV and anti-scratch claim
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
HJC sells helmets at almost every price, and the model names are not obvious. The RPHA line is the premium tier, with carbon or fiber composite shells. The F71 sits in the middle with a fiberglass composite shell. The i-series is the value tier, built on polycarbonate composite shells. All eight helmets here list DOT FMVSS 218, and most come with a Pinlock-ready shield and readiness for HJC's own Smart 21B or 50B intercoms, sold separately. What changes as you spend more is the shell material, the vent count and whether a sun visor is built in. This guide keeps to HJC models listed at $150 and up and compares them using only what each Amazon listing says. None of the listings give a weight, so the table marks it not stated. Sizes shown are the size on that specific listing; HJC sells most models in a wider range.
Compare the picks
- HJC RPHA 91: carbon hybrid modular, 5 intakes
- Certification
- DOT FMVSS 218
- Shell material
- Carbon and carbon-glass hybrid fiber
- Weight
- Not stated
- Sizes
- Large (this listing)
- HJC RPHA 11 Carbon: track carbon shell, dark visor
- Certification
- DOT FMVSS 218
- Shell material
- Carbon fiber
- Weight
- Not stated
- Sizes
- XX-Large (this listing)
- HJC RPHA 71: carbon matrix touring full face
- Certification
- DOT FMVSS 218
- Shell material
- Premium Integrated Matrix EVO Carbon
- Weight
- Not stated
- Sizes
- Large (this listing)
HJC RPHA 60: adventure full face with peak- Certification
- DOT FMVSS 218
- Shell material
- P.I.M. shell
- Weight
- Not stated
- Sizes
- X-Large (this listing)
HJC F71: fiberglass mid-tier full face- Certification
- DOT FMVSS 218
- Shell material
- Fiberglass composite
- Weight
- Not stated
- Sizes
- Medium (this listing)
HJC RPHA 12: carbon-aramid sport shell, $228- Certification
- DOT FMVSS 218
- Shell material
- P.I.M. EVO carbon-aramid and natural fibers
- Weight
- Not stated
- Sizes
- XX-Large (this listing)
HJC i91: value modular with sun visor- Certification
- DOT FMVSS 218
- Shell material
- Polycarbonate composite
- Weight
- Not stated
- Sizes
- Large (this listing)
HJC i71: value full face with sun visor- Certification
- DOT FMVSS 218
- Shell material
- Polycarbonate composite
- Weight
- Not stated
- Sizes
- Large (this listing)
| Pick | Certification | Shell material | Weight | Sizes | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HJC RPHA 91: carbon hybrid modular, 5 intakes | DOT FMVSS 218 | Carbon and carbon-glass hybrid fiber | Not stated | Large (this listing) | - | Amazon |
| HJC RPHA 11 Carbon: track carbon shell, dark visor | DOT FMVSS 218 | Carbon fiber | Not stated | XX-Large (this listing) | - | Amazon |
| HJC RPHA 71: carbon matrix touring full face | DOT FMVSS 218 | Premium Integrated Matrix EVO Carbon | Not stated | Large (this listing) | - | Amazon |
| HJC RPHA 60: adventure full face with peak | DOT FMVSS 218 | P.I.M. shell | Not stated | X-Large (this listing) | - | Amazon |
| HJC F71: fiberglass mid-tier full face | DOT FMVSS 218 | Fiberglass composite | Not stated | Medium (this listing) | - | Amazon |
| HJC RPHA 12: carbon-aramid sport shell, $228 | DOT FMVSS 218 | P.I.M. EVO carbon-aramid and natural fibers | Not stated | XX-Large (this listing) | - | Amazon |
| HJC i91: value modular with sun visor | DOT FMVSS 218 | Polycarbonate composite | Not stated | Large (this listing) | - | Amazon |
| HJC i71: value full face with sun visor | DOT FMVSS 218 | Polycarbonate composite | Not stated | Large (this listing) | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · HJC
HJC RPHA 91: carbon hybrid modular, 5 intakes
See price on AmazonHJC's premium modular, with a carbon and carbon-glass hybrid shell, 5 intakes and 7 exhausts, and a 3-step sun visor. Best HJC for touring riders who want a flip-up chin bar.
What the listing offers
- Carbon and carbon-glass hybrid fiber shell, per the listing
- 5 intake and 7 exhaust vents, the most listed on any HJC here
- Pinlock comes standard with the HJ-37 shield, according to the listing
Limits to know
- The most expensive HJC in this guide at about $560
- Listing does not state a weight, which matters more on a modular
Pick 2 · HJC
HJC RPHA 11 Carbon: track carbon shell, dark visor
See price on AmazonA carbon fiber sport full face at about $324 that ships with a dark smoke visor and Pinlock lens. It suits riders who want a carbon shell at the entry price and ride mostly in daylight.
What the listing offers
- At about $324, it is the cheapest carbon fiber shell in this guide.
- The listing says it comes with a 2D dark smoke visor and the Pinlock lens.
- Interchangeable cheek pads across sizes and SMART HJC Bluetooth readiness are listed.
Limits to know
- No weight is published, so the carbon benefit cannot be compared in grams.
- This listing is size XX-Large only; other sizes may be priced differently.
Pick 3 · HJC
HJC RPHA 71: carbon matrix touring full face
See price on AmazonHJC's touring full face with a carbon matrix shell, a 3-step internal sun shield and Smart HJC 21B and 50B intercom readiness. A mid-priced option with premium shell materials.
What the listing offers
- HJ-40 shield is Pinlock ready with a 99% UV and anti-scratch claim
- 3-step internal sun shield handles changing light without a shield swap
- Ready for SMART HJC 21B and 50B Bluetooth units (sold separately)
Limits to know
- Only 2 intakes and 2 exhausts are listed, fewer vents than the RPHA 91
- The listing does not state a weight for any size
Pick 4 · HJC
HJC RPHA 60: adventure full face with peak
See price on AmazonHJC's adventure helmet with a wind-tunnel tested peak visor, a P.I.M. shell, 3 intakes and 4 exhausts, and readiness for Smart HJC 11B, 21B and 50B units.
What the listing offers
- Peak visor shape is described as wind tunnel tested using CFD programs
- 3 intakes and 4 exhausts for front-to-back airflow
- Works with Smart HJC 11B, 21B and 50B Bluetooth units
Limits to know
- The peak adds wind load on fast highway rides
- Shell is described only as P.I.M. advanced materials, with no fiber detail
Pick 5 · HJC
HJC F71: fiberglass mid-tier full face
See price on AmazonThe step between the i-series and RPHA, with a fiberglass composite shell, wider eye port, multi-step sun shield and a Pinlock, chin curtain and breath deflector included.
What the listing offers
- Fiberglass composite shell instead of the polycarbonate in the i-series
- Pinlock, chin curtain and breath deflector are included, per the listing
- Wider eye port and dual-lock visor system are listed
Limits to know
- At about $350 it costs as much as the carbon RPHA 71
- The listing does not state how many intakes or exhausts it has
Pick 6 · HJC
HJC RPHA 12: carbon-aramid sport shell, $228
See price on AmazonA sport full face with a carbon-aramid hybrid shell and an emergency cheek pad kit. This listing is unusually low priced for an RPHA, but it is an XX-Large only.
What the listing offers
- Carbon-aramid hybrid and natural fiber shell at about $228 on this listing
- Two-way pivot ratchet is described as improving the shield seal
- Emergency Kit cheek pads allow quick removal by rescuers
Limits to know
- This price is for XX-Large; other sizes may cost much more
- No internal sun visor is listed, unlike the touring RPHA models
Pick 7 · HJC
HJC i91: value modular with sun visor
See price on AmazonA value modular with a polycarbonate composite shell, multi-step sun visor and glasses grooves. Fits riders who want a flip-up for about half the price of the RPHA 91.
What the listing offers
- About $255, roughly half the price of the RPHA 91 modular
- Glasses grooves and interchangeable cheek pads are listed
- Ready for SMART HJC 21B and 50B Bluetooth units
Limits to know
- Polycarbonate composite shell rather than carbon or fiberglass
- Vent count is not stated, only a channeling ventilation system
Pick 8 · HJC
HJC i71: value full face with sun visor
See price on AmazonThe value street full face with a polycarbonate composite shell, 3-step sun visor and Smart HJC readiness. For new riders who want the HJC features without RPHA pricing.
What the listing offers
- About $260 with a 3-step internal sun visor
- Same HJ-38 Pinlock-ready shield family as the F71
- Smart HJC ready for the 21B and 50B Bluetooth units
Limits to know
- Polycarbonate composite shell, the basic tier in the HJC range
- The Pinlock insert itself is not listed as included
Read before you buy
- Long oval, intermediate and round oval headsHow to tell if you have a long oval, intermediate oval or round oval head, and which helmet brands and models are commonly built for each shape.
- How to replace a motorcycle helmet visorHow to remove and fit a motorcycle helmet visor, with the general method for Shoei, Arai, HJC and Bell shield mechanisms and tips to avoid breaking the pivot.
More gear: Helmet brands and models
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