Two face shields up for this helmet !! (CL-SP )
Written: Nov 14 '06 (Updated Dec 14 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Safety, Comfort, Style, Top Vents
Cons: Fogging (as expected), Face Shield Positioning Locks
The Bottom Line: This is an awesome helmet. For the price, you're unlikely to find a SNELL-certified helmet with such comfort and aerodynamics.
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| zorrothepiking's Full Review: HJC CL-15 Full-Face Helmet |
I have had generally good results with HJC CL-SP helmet. Having ridden in a wide range of conditions, I have come across some weaknesses that are noteworthy.
Padding and Buffeting -
I love the way this helmet feels on my head. It is secure, but not overly tight. The chin pads seem to share the load with the head pads, preventing any part from squeezing or pushing too hard. This, thought, may differ from person to person, so I highly recommend that you find a retailer and try one on.
Buffeting is the name of the vibrating/shaking/bumping that your helmet, and therefore head, experiences as you ride at high speeds. This is increased by air disturbance, which will occur when you ride behind large vehicles. It seems to me that this helmet provides you with pretty minimal buffeting. This is a function of the aerodynamics, and I'm told by others with more experience than myself that the buffeting on the HJC CL series is less than most competitor models.
Face Shield -
The Face Shield is designed such that it snaps into a few different positions and it is difficult or impossible to have it stop anywhere else. It is particularly difficult to crack open the mask from a Fully Closed position with only one hand, as the action tends to move the whole helmet instead of rotating the shield. The positions are as follows:
Fully Closed - Now detectable flow seeps in and the shield can be locked in this position
Cracked - There is about ½" of crack for air to circulate. You'll notice a difference.
Half Open - You can see through the shield by tilting your head down or under the shield by tilting your head up. This provides little eye protection
Fully Open - No eye protection and maximum air flow. Lower edge above line of sight.
The face shield is very easy to remove, clean, and reinstall. For a while I did this every evening, but I've grown somewhat accustomed to bug smears, and have stretched out to every week or so. :)
Vents and Flow -
As the temperature begins to climb or fall, you learn quickly how important good air flow actually is. The CL-SP has a venturi vent in the back, which is fed by two adjustable vents in the front. These vents can be shut, half opened, or fully opened. There is also an adjustable vent above the chin to help reduce fogging (closed or open), and two always-open side vents that are claimed to create a vacuum effect to suck away heat and moisture for cold riding conditions.
It is difficult to notice a major change between having the top vents open or closed on a hot day. The effect is not drastic, but it is there. The effects of those top vents are much more obvious when you forget to close them on a day when the temperature is in the 20s and you didn't get your hair completely dry! You'll never question again if they're working. They don't get a huge amount of flow, but it does seem like they get enough to keep the temperature bearable.
The mouth and side vents are intended to keep air circulating inside the mask. As temperature drops and humidity starts to rise, fogging becomes a major issue. Every brand touts its own fog protection, but I'm afraid they don't often deliver. The fact of the matter is that any face shield will fog in the right conditions. Unfortunately, the right conditions for this face shield are anything below about 40F with a humidity above about 50%. I've found that it helps a lot to keep the face shield cracked around town and then shut it only once I get on the highway/interstate. The higher speeds produce more flow and therefore more fog resistance. There are days, though, when it drops to the low 20s and I'm stuck riding with my face shield cracked or even half open just to see. Such behavior is not very conducive to a warm and comfortable ride.
Safety and Certifications -
One of the things that originally attracted me to this helmet was the SNELL and DOT certifications. All Street helmets should have a DOT certification, but SNELL is a second certification that a helmet can earn, for which it must undergo a second (and generally considered more stringent) series of independent testing. The construction is sturdy with a solid chin strap, with a moderately reflective finish (may differ with style).
Size Considerations -
When I first ordered my helmet, I ended up returning it for a larger size. I had tried on the size I ordered in a retail store, but I didn't keep it on for long. It turns out that it gave me a headache after just a couple minutes. Also, if you intend to ride in any cold weather, I recommend you try the helmet on with a winter hat, beanie, or ski mask. When it drops below 30F, I have to put on a ski mask to stay warm. With the added bulk, even the larger size is really snug.
A good fit is critical to safety, so be careful about buying a helmet that will accommodate a winter hat but is loose without one. The helmet should be comfortable, but should have little movement side to side (pushing and rotating) while on your head. A poorly fitting helmet can be just as dangerous as riding without one!
Options -
There are multiple intercoms that can be integrated into these helmets. Also, there are many options for combating fog besides riding with your mask up. I'm planning on buying a shield liner, which should provide a layer to which condensate will not cling. There are also surface treatments that I am considering trying (anti-fog sprays and other cleaners).
New vs Used -
I wanted to make quick note about buying or using a used helmet. These helmets are "single impact" helmets, meaning they aren't designed to protect the biker for more than one accident. Even if the rider has never wrecked, dropping the helmet can cause microscopic fractures throughout the helmet's structure. Such fractures would be completely invisible to you or me, but would greatly impair the helmet's ability to protect your head in case of sudden impact. Also, the padding in a helmet tends to mold to the wearer's head, so a used helmet is less likely to provide a safe and comfortable fit.
Please take the purchase of a helmet seriously. It is the single most important factor in determining whether or not you'll survive a motorcycle accident, and please realize that if you can't afford a safe helmet, you can't afford to ride. HJC is known for making great helmets, and I'm very pleased with my helmet. With a wide range of styles and designs to choose from, you're sure to be able to find a great helmet that meshes with your personal style, comfort needs, and budget. Enjoy!
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If you found this review helpful, consider checking out my reviews on my other gear.
Cortech GX Sport Jacket
Joe Rocket Ballistic 5.0 Textile Pant
Joe Rocket Blaster 4.0 Leather Gloves
Burton Toaster Glove
Marmot Randonee Glove
Under Armour Balaclava
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
zorrothepiking
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Member: Josh
Location: Cookeville, TN, USA
Reviews written: 59
Trusted by: 11 members
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