HJC RAPHA 91 £499.99 ‘Was good for a 10-hour day’
Tested by Alison Silcox for three months
I’ve been a fan of HJC helmets for ages and was keen to try the latest flip-front offering. I’m happy to say I’ve not been disappointed with the quality, comfort and fit. It’s been great and is now my go-to helmet.
I like the styling, design and ease of use. Vents are well placed and offer enough draught to be comfortable even on the warmest day. The visor aperture is large and the visor easy to open/close with the largerthan-average tab.
I headed out on a 1600-mile round trip for the first wear of this lid, that is the confidence I had in the brand, and I wasn’t disappointed. Padding is soft and plush, it shows no signs of wear plus it’s retained the new helmet smell, even after I was stuck in torrential rain and riding for ten hours in one day.
One thing I have learned in recent times is that I have to wear a medium lid, my previous HJC helmets were always in size small but since the change to ECE 22.06 they seem a little more snug. One slight criticism at 1700g it is heavier than most lids I’ve worn of late but the weight doesn’t make it uncomfortable.
Flip-front lids are great for touring, and I’ve worn loads over the years. This one has all the practical elements that I’ve come to expect. The drop-down sun visor is easy to operate, via a lever on the left underside of the helmet and the visor is sufficiently tinted to be of use. There’s a Pinlock anti-fog insert, which is essential for year-round riding. The clear visor is quick release and it’s incredibly easy to open, even with a gloved hands, as there’s a large tab to grab hold of.
Vents are easy to operate and provide sufficient air to keep cool on the hottest of days. If you are a glasses wearer, there are grooves to accommodate the arms and the helmet also comes ready to accept an intercom (purchased separately).
The placement of vents and spoilers give the HJC a sporty feel and where quite often flip-front lids can look dull, this one doesn’t. It is pricey at close to £500, but in my opinion it’s worth the investment as it’s comfortable, has plenty of quality touches… and can you put a price on safety?
Quality Value www.oxfordproducts.com