Since 1971 HJC has done one thing only, make solid helmets at a price that doesn’t break the bank. Five years into their RPHA line (pronounced Ar-fah) they’ve advanced to the 90. The RPHA-90 is HJC’s top-end modular design for the sport touring market and it has quickly become this rider’s go-to helmet for a number of reasons.

The first thing you’ll notice is how easily it slips on. Described as an intermediate oval shape, it should welcome most U.S. riders’ head shapes. With the front open, it glides onto a rider’s dome with a gentle flex, and it does so easily over any eyeglasses. I tested this with a variety of glasses, including vintage AO safety glasses with side shields and cable arms. It easily accommodated them all.

Once on, a rider will notice what’s missing: weight. With a well-balanced composite shell of carbon, fiberglass and aramid, it weighs just under 3.5 lb., making it one of the lighter modulars on the market, and perhaps the lightest in its price range.

Though light, the 90 retains a solid feel thanks to what HJC calls it’s Premium Integrated Matrix (PIM) construction and its metal latch system keeping the front secure. Six hours of riding left no feeling of fatigue, and made previous helmets feel like bowling balls.

Its expansive view also helps limit rider strain by making helmet edges barely visible, only on the extreme periphery, and minimizing the need for side-to-side head movements. Another nice touch is the reflective material around the front opening.

The visor is optically excellent, no waves here, and it’s Pinlock-ready. When raising the visor there are five click stops, and they’re well placed and sturdy. It stayed put at every click stop through 70 mph. Equally excellent is the integrated sun visor that covers nearly the entire field of view, leaving just a sliver of space down low. Operated by a left-side, bottom-edge slider that locks in the retracted position, its placement may limit spots for a comm system, but only a bit, as the slider is only about 1.5 inches long. The sun shield is a neutral color and dark enough for you to keep your shades in your pocket. It also fits fine over your specs or sunglasses if you want to double up in especially bright sun.

Another nice touch, HJC includes the Pinlock anti-fog visor insert. This performs flawlessly, adding only a tiny bit of glare at night from oncoming headlights. It installs easily with a two-pin insert and was fog-free to single-digit temperatures.

Release latches for the flip and visor are centered and easy to find, and they operate with one hand, even in thick winter gloves. The modular release latch feels solid and smooth and is a quick natural flick to release, up and out. Its click-lock into position is crisp and a bit loud but lets you know for sure it’s secure. It’s an easy effort both up and down and there is very little play up, and none while down. For someone new to modulars it should put any fear of chin guard failure to rest, it’s that solid.

The interior is comfy, soft in fact. It’s MultiCool liner is easily removable, washable, anti-bacterial and comes without any annoying pressure points on your head. The front and top vents are generous, with slides that are easy to find and operate and actually do allow significant air movement through grooves in the interior’s top, but also keep things quiet when closed. While this was tested in winter, there is reason to be optimistic moving into summer heat. The front especially takes care of keeping an already fog-resistant shield clearer as the rear vent pulls moisture out pretty well. Other nice touches include the hook and loop-lined speaker recesses that welcome comm systems. It’s no sweat bucket.

Perhaps the most surprising part of the RPHA-90 is how quiet it is. The rubber seal for the shield, the streamlined exterior and extended neck flaps make this one very quiet, well insulated and comfortable helmet. It is fast becoming my favorite.

MSRP: Solid Black—$459.99 | White—$469.99 | Semi-Flat Black or Titanium—$469.99 | Graphics—$499.99

Sizes: XS−2XL (add $5 for the 2XL)

HJChelmets.com

PROS:

• Lightweight, quiet and comfortable
• Integrated sun shield, fits almost any glasses
• Pinlock anti-fog shield included

CONS:

• Speaker recess could be deeper for thicker units
• Shield release button does obscure view in middle visor positions
• Sun shield slider limits comm unit placement

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