Post date: Jun 23, 2020 2:23:02 PM
Today we're going to do a product review on the HJC CL 17 full-face helmet. Pricing starts at $139.99 for solid CL 17s, and then for some of the graphics like the rubble were showing you here, the prices are going to go up just a little bit.
Sizing
Sizing will span from extra small, all the way to three XL. This helmet is Snell certified and in size large weighs about 3.9 pounds on our digital shipping scale.
I measure 58 centimeters on the money. In a size medium, I get a good snug fit, which is what I look for I would say the sizing is appropriate, perhaps just a tickle to the snug side, so bear that in mind.
If you're in between sizes, you may want to lean towards that larger size if you like a more comfortable fit.
Snell and DOT certified. We have a polycarbonate composite shell, and it's an affordable product. What I look for in helmets of this price point, of course, first we want to see a proper certification, we have that here with Snell.
If you have snell ECE, either one, I feel terrific about it. DOT is not bad either, but the other two certs are more premium.
I'm going to look for a good comfortable fit, which this one offers, and then build quality for me is where I see a lot of the value. And when I look at the HJC, I would say that I see build quality that exceeds expectations, which is a good thing.
There is an intake vent at the chin, and this is going to serve to demist on the shield. It is a pin lock ready shield, and the insert is sold separately. We have a venturi style vent, the air drags over and pulls out the heat and humidity and moves it away from the rider.
On top of the helmet, we have two switchable intake vents. The action on those is not bad; feels good actually. Diffuser exhaust vent in the back This will accept a chin curtain, breath box, other accessories and can be used as a snow helmet.
HJC has a ton of accessories that are compatible within their helmet range, of course, we have a double D-ring retention system. Another intake vent at the brow that is switchable, with that horizontal vent. Hence, we have a sound ventilation system built into this, especially considering the price point, and it is useful.
The shield has multiple detents; the shield crack there would be your position, so if you need to be demisted, that would be your first crack position. It also has a lock, which is a nice feature. Unlock to remove the shield.
Pull back on the trigger, hold onto the shield, pull back on the other trigger off it comes. To reinstall the shield, you're going to have these tanks; you want to hold it in the upward most position, dip it into the channel, put a little bit of inward pressure, and feel it clip right into place.
Of course, before you go out and ride, you want to go up and down a couple of times to make sure everything's copacetic, good to go. End of the day, it's an effective mechanism.
Inside the helmet, the interior is removable, washable, and replaceable. If you're going to wash it, you're going to want to use real mild detergent, hand wash, and just let it air dry do not throw it in a dryer.
To remove it you want to reach in between the shell and the back of the cheek pad and release the snaps gently; there are three. You can see them right here, good sound quality.
We're going to do the same thing on the other side; remove the top pad we have two snaps here at the back we're going to grab on to that plastic tab that slides into the channel, and we're going to release the snaps.
There is our top pad inside the helmet. You can have a look at the EPS; there's some channeling, you can see the holes for the ventilation system. There are no really provided cutouts to install a communicator system, and you can still get it in here if you choose to do so there is adequate room within that area.
It's not as easy as it would be on some of the higher-end helmets, even within the HJC range that offers those cutouts. Still, you would be able to install it if you choose to do so.
All in all, what do I think?
When I look at this, I'm looking at it's a real value piece, but it is a good quality helmet. I like the quality of the interior, the snaps in and out, the shield, and the adequate mechanism. I mean, it's nothing to write home about, but at the end of the day, I think it's good enough that it's going to stand up to that everyday use.
If there are any failures replacement parts, they are readily available, which is excellent. At the end of the day, if you are a rider that needs a full face with a good quality certificate, a reasonable ventilation scheme you want to keep it in that sub $150 price point, this is a great option.