HJC i71 helmet | A seriously impressive helmet for the money

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HJC’s latest sports touring helmet features an advanced polycarbonate shell with the firm’s ACS ventilation system, which channels air from front to back to reduce heat and humidity. It has an integral drop-down sunshield with a new three-position mechanism and an improved visor lock. It’s also rated to the latest ECE 22.06 standard. I’ve been using it for the last few weeks to see if these improvements are evident.

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How comfortable is the i71?

Out of the box the new i71 has a more premium feel than its price-tag would suggest. It’s also noticeably heavy, claiming 1700g for my medium size helmet. On the scales it’s actually 1790g – which is over 250g more than the helmet I was using previously. This is the second helmet I’ve tried meeting ECE 22.06 standards and for both I’ve needed to go up to a medium, having always worn a small, regardless of manufacturer or style.

The lining of the i71 is plush but firm with perfectly shaped cheek pads. The forehead lining sits low and although there is enough pressure to leave indentations in my skin, it’s over a five-hour, 250-mile round trip it was never uncomfortable, and I didn’t feel any need to either give it a pressure relieving wiggle on the move or to stop and take it off.

What’s the visor on the HJC i71 like?

Having a drop down sun visor, the i71 comes with a clear external visor that’s Pinlock ready. A Pinlock is included in the box and easily installed into the pre-moulded indent. Visor removal and relocation is easily done via a simple switch mechanism. The clear visor is thin compared to some, more expensive helmets but provides a wide field of view with little interference in your peripheral vision. There are limited ‘locking’ positions in the visor opening, offering either shut, open about an inch or fully open.

The drop down visor is one of the best I’ve used, with a direct switch mounted under the helmet’s collar. Made from a light smoke plastic, it has a perfect, neutral tint and provides almost full visor coverage. Unlike some I’ve used, it doesn’t sit on my nose, aggravate my eyeline by not coming down far enough and is easy to operate with gloves on. Like all drop downs though, it does fog up easily.

How good is the ventilation on the HJC i71?

Ventilation is simple and minimal, but effective. A large chin vent directs air straight towards my mouth and nose. A forehead vent provides a direct jet of air to the top of the head. Both are easy to operate with gloves on and the switches are easy to find. You have no real control over the flow of air with both only having fully open or fully closed positions. It’s not the best, but it definitely works.

Is the HJC i71 noisy?

Bar a couple of short commuting rides on my Honda CRF250L – on which everything is noisy – the bulk of this lid’s miles have been done on a Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+. The Tracer’s pooly designed screen gifts its rider with relentless turbulence and noise, but of the four helmets I’ve used while riding the Tracer, the i71 is the loudest. There’s very minimal buffeting from the smooth shell shape and given the weight I’d assume plenty of lining and padding, so it’s hard to pinpoint the cause. All the noise is around the top of the head, even with vents closed with no wind or noise seemingly getting in from around the collar.

Does it look good?

HJC are really nailing it in the graphics department with bold, striking geometric designs that are mature and classy. The i71’s shell shape is reminiscent of the first generation Shoei GT Air. It’s a smart looking lid that suits its sports touring design.

Is the i71 good quality?

Despite (or maybe because of?) its considerable heft, the i71 feels far more premium than its price tag suggests. Its reassuringly solid and the visor, and vent switches operate smoothly and cleanly. The caps that cover the Smart HJC intercom interfaces are a bit fiddly to remove and replace, but don’t feel as though they’ll beak easily. I like the integrated breath deflector that feels part of the helmet, rather than a push in accessory that falls out easily. Stitching is neat, and the materials feel good quality.

Is the HJC i71 good value for your money?

I’ll confess, when I started using the i71 I had no idea what its price was. When another rider asked me how much it is, I estimated around £300 based on the quality, comfort and features compared to other lids I’ve used. I was shocked to find out it’s actually £70 less, and under £200 if you get a plain colour. I’m not saying the i71 is amazing; there are lighter, better ventilated, more comfortable helmets out there. But everything about the i71 feels like a helmet from the next step in the pricing bracket.

So what’s the overall verdict?

The Pinlock visor isn’t the best and can fog up a bit – especially when it’s damp out and you’re stopped at the lights. Ventilation is minimal but effective, and at nearly 1800g for a medium it’s seriously heavy. True to its sports touring intentions it works best when you’re sitting upright – a sporty crouch, never mind a full tuck will have you staring straight at the low forehead lining. And the chin strap – especially the side with the D-rings – is annoyingly short, making removing the helmet and putting it back on at a petrol station or services with cold fingers clumsy and awkward. And until I ride in it on another bike or two with better screens (or none) than the Tracer, I’ve got a question mark over its quietness.

But I’m nit-picking. The i71 is seriously impressive for £230, with comfort enough for five-hour ride and beyond, an excellent drop down sun visor and quality construction.

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