HJC helmets

[pdedse]

The Torc T-1 "Iso-bars" arrived today... I was fully expecting it to be too large for me based on a number of reviews that said to order a size down as the Torc helmets run big. The 2 Shoeis I've owned were medium and the sizes for medium are the same between Shoei and Torc, so I couldn't imagine going down to a small.

First, the color looks great in person: the white is paper white and the thin yellow and thicker bronze and brown bars combine well together. Kinda like carmel sauce on vanilla ice cream. Yum.



My first impression on pulling it on was, ay, too tight right smack in the forehead. Shoot...do I return it? But the rest of it actually felt pretty good. A grab of the helmet and pulling left-right, up-down and it seemed pleasantly snug, except that forehead spot. No way would going down a size have worked for me. And going up to a large may ease the forehead tightness, but I'm pretty sure I'd lose the overall desired snug-ness.



Took off, put on several times and then left it on for a good 15minutes. The tight spot lessened and I think I've had that before where the fit is nicer once it gets worn some. Besides, it just looks beautiful, and I'm a sucker for form over function. Yet, I've always had boring helmets--solid silver, darker grey, black, maroon--all solid colors, so this time I wanted something elegantly splashy.



Of course, the real test will be when I ride with it on. Reviews have said there's a bit of wind noise, particularly over 65mph, but we'll see. I usually wear ear plugs to mitigate that anyway.

One aesthetics that I really like is the lack of overwhelming brand name stamped on the front...just a simple brassy "T" right dab in the middle.



The chin bar is so narrow! I think I can eat/dring with helmet on. If it feels nice enough tomorrow, I'll have to order a slightly darkened face shield.

[Lord Popgun]

Very nice!

I wear Shoei and you are right about the badging. Big one on the front and one on the back and if that isn’t enough they give you 2 decals in the box

Also, I wear a size small in Shoei and it is tight. If you wear medium I can’t see how you would get a small on. Good call on your sizing.

We had a laugh at work about how much one’s head is worth. A co-worker said his worth whatever helmet had a DOT and Snell rating, regardless of cost, cheap or expensive.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I like the retro look and colour scheme of the helmet pdedse. I hope it ultimately works for you.


What might this little hack be for? Softening the closure of the shield? I wonder if it affects how rain water plays around the top seam?

[Gone in 60]

Looks great, but when I tried it, the forehead pressure of the smaller size and the loose feeling of the next size up was the bugaboo. Curious to see what you think when you get some miles on it.

[pdedse]

Looks great, but when I tried it, the forehead pressure of the smaller size and the loose feeling of the next size up was the bugaboo. Curious to see what you think when you get some miles on it.

I think you've described exactly my try-on observation as well. Put it on several times the last few days for 5/10/15 minutes, wiggled it around, seeing if I could find a spot where I didn't notice any forehead burn. Was thinking of returning it, but this afternoon I just started pushing on the forehead area from the inside, used a metal spood and pressed into the burn area just to see if that would help...and I think it did.

Decided to ride with it on and see. I don't know the return policy once you ride with it, but I figured it it was close to feeling decent that I would keep it.

Put my sponge ear plugs in and took off for a 40 mile ride. Mainly through city streets at first, 30-40mph. Not too bad, turn head full left / right, just a little bit of air flow due to the way the chin strap funnels air to the left. It felt expectedly tight. Pushed down on helmet from top and that eased the tightness some.

The visor is very smooth to operate. I left it an inch open and at 35-45mph it didn't move at all. Pulled it off / back on numerous times--the more I rode, the more I think it will be ok. Got on the hiway and reached 90mph--felt solid. W/out ear plugs I'm sure it would be substantially noisy. Rode the last 5 miles home without ear plugs, and there is consistent air-rush--do-able for short distances, but anything longer than a 15 minute ride and I'm sure I'd pull over to insert ear plugs. Helmet looks good in the light, the view is very spacious, and the quality of interior materials / comfort is less than that of the Shoei...not too surprising.

So my ancient Shoei of 20 years is done...I was only using it as my commuter helmet for rainy days. My 7 year old Shoei will take over those duties and long trips and this Torc helmet will be my summer / fall helmet for half days or less, unles it conforms to my noggin' better than expected.

[1973cb750]

any of yall have a big ole oval head like my self i need a lid with more room been thinking of a open face maybe

[GoldOxide_imp]

Arai make some of the best (if not the best) 3/4 helmets that nicely fit oval-round and a few oval heads. Arai's 3/4 helmet offerings are incredibly quiet considering they are not full-face.

You get what you pay for. They are not cheap. I have been using Arai 3/4 for over 13 years and for me the other brands cannot compete in design for a 3/4.

3/4'ers are great in summer heat, and at slower speeds (e.g. an urban scooter) in cold winter time (with neck protection) and no visor fogging.

My Arai 3/4 is the only 3/4 I have owned (and over some full face helmets too) where at freeway speeds the visor is not caught by a wind gust and flips up. This has never happened.

[pdedse]

I like the retro look and colour scheme of the helmet pdedse. I hope it ultimately works for you.


What might this little hack be for? Softening the closure of the shield? I wonder if it affects how rain water plays around the top seam?

I think it does what you suggest. I'm sure I'll get caught in the rain at some point, but I'll use this helmet for fair weather riding.

[Nachodaddy]

I like the retro look and colour scheme of the helmet pdedse. I hope it ultimately works for you.


What might this little hack be for? Softening the closure of the shield? I wonder if it affects how rain water plays around the top seam?

GO, my guess is that it is where the ends of the chrome strip come together. It covers the gap and holds them in place.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I like the retro look and colour scheme of the helmet pdedse. I hope it ultimately works for you.


What might this little hack be for? Softening the closure of the shield? I wonder if it affects how rain water plays around the top seam?

GO, my guess is that it is where the ends of the chrome strip come together. It covers the gap and holds them in place.

GO, my guess is that it is where the ends of the chrome strip come together. It covers the gap and holds them in place.
Ah, smart thinking Nach. If true, that would still be, perhaps, unfortunate.