Wisdom is a funny thing, but one piece of it rang true when it came to purchasing a new motorcycle helmet. That wise piece of advice; try before you buy. That’s how we landed ourselves with a HJC i71.
As a newbie to the motorbike scene, and a learner, getting a new helmet was an exciting, if not a little daunting, prospect. Not knowing what to look for in a good lid meant we asked those who had come before, the experience riders.
The response; go to a bike shop, try stuff on (that bit’s simple enough), walk around with it on your head while you sample clothing and boots and the like, so that you can get a feel for its weight, comfort and fit.
Feeling a little like we were off to rob a convenience store, the stroll around AMX Superstore at Glendale in Newcastle was amusing if nothing else. They were right though, those wise folks, as the exercise really did prove the i71 was the right choice.
Built using an advanced polycarbonate composite shell, the HJC is lightweight and offers a better fit and enhanced comfort (we can confirm – it was by far and away the most comfortable fitting choice of the seven different helmets we tried on).
It comes standard with an advanced channelling ventilation system that allows full front-to-back airflow to push heat and humidity out of the helmet (that’s providing you remember to open the front vent).
All that ventilation, which is great, and helps reduce buffeting a little, comes with a downside though. While it’s super quiet in the city, out on the open road, at speed, it lets in more noise than you might expect. It’s not hideous, but you can definitely hear the wind.
Fitted with a HJ-38 visor offering 99 per cent UV protection, there’s also a dark smoke sunshield to reduce glare. The latter was a handy feature during the long days at the end of summer, that’s for sure. There’s a pinlock in the box, which is simple and easy to fit.
The visor itself has a push release to open, which is easy enough to locate and open, even with gloves on. The interior lining provides excellent moisture wicking, and dries quickly, meaning you won’t feel like you’re putting your head in a damp space.
Both the crown and cheek pads can be removed and washed, which is great, especially if you sweat a lot. For the price, it’s a hard helmet to find fault with, but the i71 does have a few downsides.
For example, it’s fitted with a quick release (ratchet style) micrometric clasp, meaning you can’t use it at Australian motor racing circuits – in a nutshell, you’ll need a helmet with a traditional D-buckle for track days.
The only other thing we could fault, which is irrelevant, at least here in NSW, if you’re a learner or P-plater, is that while the helmet comes ready for you to install a comms unit, you can only use the Smart HJC 21B or 50B Bluetooth (sold separately).
The i71 is available in Australia in 25 different colour combinations. Ours, known as Etna features a predominantly orange and black scheme, but there’s a heap to choose from, including some cool retro designs.
The i71 complies with the most recent ECE R22.06 standard, with outstanding build quality, thanks to the fact each size matches to a single shell size. Priced from $429 (ours was $449), the HJC i71 is a great mid-tier lid to keep your melon protected.
You can find out more about the brand online, where you’ll also find a list of places you can purchase it from. Australian importer McLeod Accessories provides a catalogue of designs on their Connect website.
Our helmet was provided by McLeod Accessories for review purposes. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to test this product.
Pros – next level comfort; easy to get on and off; sun shield is a Godsend in Aussie glare; great range of colours and designs.
Cons – wind noise at highway speeds; strap/clasp isn’t track day friendly; comms compartment only suits Smart HJC units.
