- Meets the new ECE22.06 safety standard
- Snug fit and good design makes for a quiet interior
- Comes with clear and smoke visors, Pinlock
It’s not got a catchy name, but the RPHA 12 is a premium helmet from Korean helmet manufacturer HJC. And we’re going to be wearing one this year…!
HJC has been producing motorcycle helmets since 1971, so as you can imagine, they know a thing or two about making decent lids. As one of very few motorcycle helmet manufacturers who are actually equipped with their own wind tunnel testing laboratory, it’s hardly surprising to see that the new RPHA 12 is as slippery as a bald guy running in a windstorm, leaving the wind wondering where all the drag went. With their helmets produced in one of two factories – Korea or Vietnam – it’s enabled HJC to produce excellent quality helmets while keeping the price point slightly more reasonable.
Saying that, opening the box of the RPHA 12 and I was blown away (unlike the bald guy…) by the quality, and that’s even before I’d unwrapped the helmet from the sleek helmet bag. For the $999 sticker price, you not only get a slick-looking lid but there’s a Pinlock inside as well as a smoke visor. Yep, there’s no internal drop-down stuff going on in this HJC, with the entire design instead focusing on producing a light yet strong helmet with excellent aerodynamic performance and serious impact protection.
The focus on drag not only reduces fatigue but should also make the helmet quieter when you’ve got your bonce strapped inside, with the curved visor and 2-way pivot ratchet system not only reducing drag but also cutting down on that pesky wind noise. And it’s great to see the RPHA 12 meets the new ECE22.06 standard, meaning that it’s been through the latest (and most demanding) testing process, and the PIM EVO composite shell has passed with flying colours.
Slipping the RPHA (oh, that stands for Revolutionary Performance Helmet Advanced…) 12 for the first time and the entry to the helmet is snug. But once in, the interior of the HJC feels seriously plush. The interior has an emergency removal system and is washable, while HJC’s advanced channelling ventilation system should help keep me cool in the summer months. With loads of vents at the front and a large one under the fin at the back, the system allows air to funnel through the helmet before exiting out the rear, so I’m looking forward to seeing if it works as well as it sounds.
The visor locks down with a thumb clip on the left, and both the clear and the smoke come with posts for racing tear-offs if that’s your thing. And while at 1600 grams it isn’t the lightest helmet you can buy, the overall quality and feel of the HJC appears to be top-notch. There is no denying this is a premium helmet.
Finally, there’s the colour, which I reckon is seriously sharp. Grey seems to be a popular colour nowadays, while the fluoro yellow was kind of a nod to visibility without becoming uncool. And the way it fades from yellow check to silver check at the rear is really smart.
On The Track
With my first ride wearing the new HJC at Hampton Downs for the launch of the Aprilia RS457, it was a great way to test the aero (cos I couldn’t really fit down beneath the screen…) and the noise (as I was riding at high speeds). And I was stoked at just how well the RPHA 12 performed.
Noise (or lack of) was the most noticeable, with the snug fit combined with a slippery profile seemingly enabling the HJC to cut through the air while producing less abuse to my eardrums. It really was noticeable just how quiet this helmet is.
I was a little concerned about the snug fit, especially as the launch was on a warm day while I was also producing plenty of my own heat. But it didn’t take long for the padding to settle down to produce a nice fit. And the ventilation is pretty impressive too.
Having the smoke visor means it looks cool in pictures, and the visor lock worked well to seal the big hole at the front.
Overall, the RPHA 12 is a pretty impressive helmet. I like that it’s ECE22.06, and even if that means the helmet is fractionally heavier, I’m okay with that for the added safety from meeting the new standard. The fit has now settled nicely (make sure you don’t buy it too big at the beginning as it loosens) and the lack of any viscous wind-noise inside makes it a dream for longer trips.
Check back for more reports after I’ve worn the new HJC for a few months.
For more details visit: www.motogear.co.nz
Video of the HJC RPHA 12 Features
Manufacturer’s Blurb
The RPHA 12 Helmet is a masterpiece of engineering, embodying the perfect balance of aerodynamics and comfort for motorcyclists. Built with the revolutionary Premium Integrated Matrix EVO (PIM EVO) construction, it offers a lightweight yet robust structure. The helmet’s design prioritizes aerodynamic performance, featuring an optimized rear spoiler and shell shape that significantly reduces lift and drag, enhancing stability at high speeds. The HJ-42 curved shield, coupled with a unique 2-way pivot ratchet system, not only reduces air drag and noise but also ensures a tighter seal against the elements.
For comfort, the interior is fully removable and features interchangeable cheek pads for a custom fit. The emergency pull tab is an added safety feature, allowing quick helmet removal in critical situations. Meeting ECE 22.06 standards, the RPHA 12 is an ideal choice for riders seeking a helmet that excels in both performance and safety.
- New PIM EVO composite shell: lightweight, superior fit and comfortable
- Wind tunnel tested aerodynamic shell structure: for extreme performance at maximum speeds, low noise and minimal buffeting
- Advanced Channeling Ventilation System (ACS): full front-back airflow flushes heat and humidity out of the helmet
- Pinlock-prepared anti-scratch visor: Clear and Smoke visors included
- Pinlock 70 MaxVision™ Included
- Emergency Kit (cheek pads): for safe and quick removal of helmet
- Double D-ring retention strap
- Advanced anti-bacterial fabric, and interchangeable/washable cheek pads
- ECE22.06
- 2023 HJC Visor & Pinlock
