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By: Brian Goley
HJC's AC-X3 & CL-X5 Helmets
A helmet is the most important riding
equipment one should reach for before operating
any ATV. Riding without a helmet or riding with
an old or damaged helmet may increase your risk
of serious injury or possible death in an
accident.
From all of the mainstream helmets for sale
at your local dealer, you will likely find a
selection from the Korean helmet manufacture HJC.
Some like to call these helmets starter or
beginner helmets based on the relatively low
price tag. The most popular HJC helmet lines,
the AC and CL Series, all meet or exceed the
DOT-218 and
SNELL M-2005 minimum safety performance
requirements. (Note: The only notable difference
is with the CL Series youth sizes. They are only
DOT-218 approved.) The HJC helmets, being
constructed with high quality materials and
receiving the DOT and SNELL stamp of approval,
provide solid inexpensive protection.
HJC offers one of the most complete product
lines in the industry; the largest size & price
ranges and widest variety of styles & graphics.
My helmet collection contains 2 HJCs from years
past and they have served me well during their
time. So, when HJC asked me to review 2 of their
current 2006 lineup offerings: The AC-X3 and the
CL-X5. I jumped to the chance. Besides, it was
about time for me to replace my current aging
brain bucket anyway.
The AC Series line is HJC's high-end series.
HJC puts their best materials and features into
the AC's, including exotic shell materials like
the advanced composite fiberglass & Spectra®
composite weave or full application carbon
fiber, Aquatrans® moisture wicking interior
material featuring open cell technology foam,
superior CAD developed fit and form, and their
ACS Advanced Channeling System for ventilation.
The CL Series has been the most popular
helmet series in North America for over a
decade. The styling and features available on
any CL Series model rivals helmets up to 3 times
the price. Features like SNELL approved advanced
polycarbonate composite shell construction,
Bioceramic Nylex® interior material, with odor
reduction properties, and the widest sizing and
styling range in the business.
Helmet's Info:
The top of the line helmet I selected was the
HJC AC-X3 Option MC-2 Blue. The new AC-X3
incorporates racer-tested features, such as the
Advanced Composite Material (ACM) shell and the
Advanced Channeling Ventilation System (ACS), to
provide one of the most technologically advanced
helmets in its class. You can find this helmet
in black or white solid colors or in a large
variety of colored graphics.
FEATURES
Super-Lightweight "ACM" Shell Design
- "ACM" (Advanced Composite Material)
Shell constructed using advanced fiberglass
& Spectra® composite weave
- I-beam chin-bar design
- Three shell sizes for a more comfortable
fit
Flow-Through "ACS" Advanced Channeling
Ventilation System
Removable AquaTrans® "Open Cell" Interior
Liner
- Easily removable liner and cheek pads
for cleaning or custom fitting
- AquaTrans ® interior material quickly
wicks moisture away from the skin
- Open Cell technology foam allows for
increased internal air circulation
- Padded chin strap design
Aerodynamic Visor Design
- Adjustable 3-screw "ram-air" visor with
machined aluminum side and plastic center
screws
- Integrated visor fins to reduce
high-speed lift
- Visor matches helmet graphics
Large Eyeport
- Large eye-port opening for greater
visibility
- Integrated non-slip goggle strap holders
on each side of the eye port
Nylon strap retention snap
- Neatly secures excess chin strap
Soft Helmet Storage
Bag Included
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
- Standards: Dot-218, Snell-M-2005
- Construction: (ACM) Fiberglass and
Spectra®
- Weight: 1570 grams or 3.46 lbs
(approximate based on size medium solid
color)
M.S.R.P.
- Solid: $189.99
- Option: $199.99
- Agent: $209.99
The CL Series helmet selected was HJC’s CL-X5
N8Dawg III MC-7FC Orange. The new CLX-5 is
offered in four different shell sizes in order
to properly fit a range of riders, from size
small youth to size triple extra large adults.
In addition to the excellent fit, the CL-X5
incorporates the latest innovations in design,
ventilation, and performance. You can find this
helmet in black or white solid colors or in a
large variety of colored graphics as well.
FEATURES
Injection-Molded Polycarbonate Composite
Shell Construction
- The lightweight injection-molded
Polycarbonate composite shell is the latest
advancement in Polycarbonate composite
technology
- I-beam chin bar design
- Four shell sizes provide a comfortable
fit from youths to adults
Flow-Through "ACS" Advanced Channeling
Ventilation System
Removable / washable
Bioceramic Nylex® Interior
- Anti-bacterial Bioceramic Nylex® liner
and cheek pads quickly wick moisture away
from the skin and eliminate odor causing
bacteria
- Padded chin strap design
Aerodynamic Vented Visor
- Adjustable 3-screw "ram-air" visor with
machined aluminum side and plastic center
screws
- Visor matches helmet graphics
Large Eyeport
- Large eye-port opening for greater
visibility
- Integrated non-slip goggle strap holders
on each side of the eye port
Nylon strap retention snap
- Neatly secures excess chin strap
Soft Helmet Storage
Bag Included
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
- Standards: Dot-218, Snell-M 2005 (Youth
sizes DOT-218 only)
- Construction: Polycarbonate Composite
- Weight: 1600 grams or 3.53 lbs
(approximate based on size medium solid
color)
M.S.R.P.
- Solid: $129.99
- Tao and N8Dawg III: $ 184.99
- Arena: $149.99
Finish/Quality:
Upon first impression, the HJC helmets look
great and their finish and quality of materials
are outstanding. Looking at the helmet closely,
it is difficult to find any flaws within the
helmet’s material or its graphics/paint.
Comfort:
The comfort level of these helmets can vary
on a number of factors. As stated early, I’ve
owned 2 HJC helmets in the past and both have
provided an acceptable comfort level while
riding. It does take time for either helmet to
be broken in and the inner padding to conform to
your head’s shape. Since it is winter here in
the Midwest, I have not logged much saddle time
in the past couple of weeks, so I’ve been
wearing the helmets around the house to break
them in. One of the most notable qualities of a
helmet is how little you are aware of its
presence after riding for an extended length of
time. The lack of weight with their fiberglass
and polycarbonate composite shells helps make
the helmets significantly lighter than other
helmets I’ve owned. Anyone remember those heavy
helmets from years past that you couldn’t wait
to get it off your head? The AC-X3 weighs in at
1570 grams or 3.46 lbs and the CL-X5 weights in
at 1600 grams or 3.53 lbs.
Simulating an extended riding condition, I
wore each helmet for 2 + hours. I was surprised
to find that I really didn’t notice the helmet’s
weight or felt fatigued or uncomfortable even at
the end of the 2 hours. The advanced building
materials of today’s modern helmets really have
cut down on the weight. Both the AC and CL
helmets offer a solid but comfortable fit
without ever feeling heavy.
The
inner padding
or lining is comfortable and feels soft next to
your skin. The cheek padding was overly snug
when first worn, but has since broken in and
still provides a comfortable feel without being
too tight or making any hotspots or pressure
points around the face. The removable and
washable interior liners of each helmet does an
outstanding job of keeping sweat away from your
skin. Being able to remove the lining for
washing is truly a benefit. I have seen and
smelled some older helmets that would have
benefited from a good cleaning, inside and out.
The overall fit is good. The shell shape
seems to fit a wide range of head shapes and
most get a great fit.
Retention Strap:
The D-ring fastener has a little grab tab
which makes it easy to locate when strapping it
on. Buttoning the strap up while wearing riding
gloves is somewhat difficult, but it can be done
with effort. I tend to put on my helmet and
fasten the strap snap in place prior to putting
on my ridding gloves.
The retention system or chin strap should be
fastened as tight as possible under your jaw
without causing pain. There should be no slack
in the strap, and the strap must be snug up
against your jaw. If the retention system is not
tight, your helmet may become dislodged or
knocked off in an accident. Do not rely on the
snap to secure the helmet. The snap is provided
only to prevent the strap from flapping in the
air.
Ventilation:
To help with keeping your head cool, both
helmets feature forward facing vents on the
forehead,
inside
and outside of the helmet, and chin area for
fresh air circulation. The Venturi vent system
stretches across the top and around the rear of
the helmet where the exit vents are located. The
system not only facilitates air circulation
throughout the helmet, it also finishes off the
stylish and aggressive look.
Summary/Conclusion:
While I have not crash tested these helmets,
and hopefully never will before I retire them, I
am confident that they will provide a high level
of protection.
Both of the helmets offer good protection at
a very reasonable price. They will protect your
head in a crash and that is the most important
thing.
The removable washable liner is a great way
to keep your helmet from smelling like an old
sock and keeping the helmet looking newer
longer. I tend to sweat buckets while riding
hard & aggressive and having the option to
remove and wash the inner liner is key to
keeping my helmets smelling fresh and clean.
The helmets come with a very nice helmet
sack. This is a bonus feature and is a great way
to help the owner protect their helmet from
possible damage while storing it away or
transporting it.
This Korean helmet maker has a
well-established reputation for making solid
helmets at attractive prices. Both helmets are
comfy, light weight, built well and the graphics
look good. Both helmet lines offer many
different colors so that any rider should be
able to find one that matches their ATV or
riding apparel.
Although HJC Helmets are constructed with the
best materials available to offer a long-lasting
product, it will eventually need to be replaced.
Immediately replace your helmet if any of the
following apply:
- It has suffered an impact. Your helmet
is only designed for only ONE impact.
An impact may fracture the outer shell or
compress the impact absorbing liner. You may
not be able to detect this damage. Any
impact in a crash or a drop from as low as 4
feet is enough to damage your helmet.
- The shell, lining, or retention system
is damaged. The helmet shell, the impact
absorbing lining, and the retention system
must be in good condition to provide you
with the most protection.
Even if your helmet has never been damaged,
it needs to be replaced every 3 to 5 years
depending on how much you use it. Over time, UV
rays and adhesive and component aging will
damage your helmet. Wearing a damaged helmet may
increase your risk of serious injury or death in
an accident.
Contact Info:
HJC Helmets
16918 Edwards Ave.
Cerritos, CA 90703
Phone: (562) 407-2186
Fax: (562) 802-7706
Web Site:
http://www.hjchelmets.com
Email:
info@hjchelmets.com
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