We haven't seen any super exciting high-end racing helmets enter the market, bar Alpinestars' Supertech R10, but that's not to say there hasn't been a stir elsewhere. Arai made waves with its latest XD5, which is marketed as a dual-sport helmet, but I feel it's more appropriate to call it a dual or multi-purpose helmet, considering it covers off-road, adventure, and on-road riding.
Now, HJC has joined the party with the RPHA 60.
The RPHA 60 is designed for both off-road trails and cross-country rides. You can remove the peaked visor without the use of any tools, which turns this adventure helmet into a sleek-looking on-road lid. As you'd expect from a new top-tier helmet, it meets the latest DOT safety standards and is ECE 22.06 approved.
Whether you choose to ride with the peaked visor or not, the RPHA 60 should provide a relatively turbulent-free ride as it was developed to be aerodynamic in both forms.
The Premium Integrated Matrix EVO (PIM EVO) shell is made of high-strength resin and woven fiber fabric to achieve a balance between optimal performance and lightweight properties. But the most innovative aspect of the RPHA 60 is arguably its new sun visor mechanism.
The Dynamic Multi-Step Sun-Visor is smoke-tinted, has an anti-fog coating, and you can drop it easily via the bottom-positioned operating system—but that's not the innovative part. There's a multi-step adjustment function, which enables you to position the sun visor 5-10mm closer to your face. Anyone who's ridden during dawn and/or dusk will appreciate the ability to tilt the visor closer to your cheeks, as this is when light can creep in and impair your vision.
You can also fit the SMART HJC 2nd generation Bluetooth communication system, which was co-developed with Sena, and uses an all-in-one design, meaning no messy wires to thread through the helmet's liner. Even with all this hardware inside the helmet, comfort shouldn't be a problem. This model features 3D contour cheek pads that are interchangeable, for a custom fit. All cheek pads have an emergency pull tab for quick removal during an emergency.
The RPHA 60 in solid colors starts at $499.99, while the Dakar color schemes cost $579.99. It's not an insignificant sum, but relative to competitors like Arai's XD5, it's a bargain. And it comes with a warranty that covers manufacturer defects for up to five years from the date of purchase, or seven years from the date of manufacturing.
