HJC FS-10 Helmet Review

The great folks at www.RidersDiscount.com provided me with the FS-10 helmet by HJC to review. I have been dying to try this helmet ever since I saw it online. It has features that few other helmets have and the price is lower than even the most inexpensive Shoei helmet.

Fit and Feel

When it comes to helmet fit it is very important to make sure you get the right sized helmet for your noggin. It even goes a step further since different brands cater to different head types. Shoei might design their helmets to fit a more egg shaped head while Arai or Scorpion might suit a more round head shape. For example my head fits perfectly into a medium Shoei helmet; However when I chose a medium HJC to review I found it to be too tight at the crown of my skull! I had to exchange it for a large which was pretty surprising, I didn't think I had THAT big of a head. Once I got the large helmet in the mail I tried it on and ran it through my various helmet tests. It passed all of them but now that the crown of my head was comfortable, the rest of the helmet was just a tiny bit looser than I would have liked. I'm positive this sizing issue is because of my head shape and not because of a helmet defect of any sort. After I found the right helmet size for the brand I was happy enough with the fit to go riding for a few hours.

One thing that stood out about this helmet is how large it is. Even the medium I originally received was slightly bigger than other helmets I was used to trying in that size. The helmet was also slightly heavier than my regular TR-Z that I usually ride with, especially near the top of the helmet. These aren't really complaints, just observations since I didn't notice any increased head or neck fatigue while wearing the FS-10. I think the added weight can be attributed to some of the cool features that makes this helmet stand out from the crowd.

Features

If you're like me and you find yourself riding during in the blazing sun as well as during the cold night then you have had to deal with differing light conditions. I have a clear visor and a dark smoke visor for my day to day helmet but recently I have found myself just leaving the dark smoke at home and wearing sunglasses instead. This is do to the fact that it is cumbersome to carry a spare visor with you, plus switching it out can be a chore even if it only takes 30 seconds. This problem is the main reason why I knew I had to get my hands on the FS-10.

The FS-10 has a flip down internal visor built into the helmet itself. No need to stop and take off the sunglasses or switch out visors, if I crest a hill and the sun is in my eyes it's super easy to just flip the internal SunShield down to protect my peepers. The SunShield locks firmly into place and once you enter a more dimly lit environment a simple button press retracts the shield instantly. I absolutely LOVE this feature. Let me say that again for emphasis: I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the SunShield!!! I honestly don't know why more helmets do not do this, I would be willing to pay $100 extra just for this mechanism alone.

Besides the flip down SunShield the other area where this helmet shines is in the Anti-Fog department. I have stated previously on BBM that, "All helmets fog up, but the better ones only do it when you are at a stop light." Well I am now going to have to amend that statement because this FS-10 just does NOT fog up! It comes with a fantastic breath guard that you can add or remove at your own leasure, but I recommend leaving it in place 24/7. With it installed my helmet didn't fog up once, even when I was at a stop light for over a minute in the cold morning. As an added bonus if you have the SunShield deployed and your fog guard installed you look more like a fighter pilot than a motorcycle rider. I am very eager to see how this helmet would perform in even colder temperatures, but I have no doubt that it would rise to the occasion.

The Kiss Test

The wind noise in this helmet is comparable to other helmets that cost 100-300 dollars more than the FS-10 which is pretty impressive. The vents on this helmet are practically useless and I couldn't tell a difference when they were open or closed. The great thing is the vents are not really needed because of the large amount of space between your mouth and the chin guard which lets tons of air cool your face. To illustrate this I'll give you an example that might sound a little weird. When I wear my TR-Z I can usually pucker my lips together and 'kiss' the inside of the chin guard on the helmet because it is so close. After I put on the FS-10 I noticed how much air was flowing from the bottom of the helmet and attempted to duplicate my 'kiss' test but failed! There was so much space between my lips and the helmet that I wasn't able to touch. Finally I had to step it up a notch; I ended up sticking my tongue out as far as it would go and it just barely hit the chin guard. Yes I am aware that it might seem strange that I'm kissing and tonging my helmets, but hey, I find my test to be more relevant then getting out a tape measure!

If you find that too much air is being let in the helmet also comes with a wind breaker that attaches to the bottom of the chin guard. This helps alleviate some of the wind, but so far I have kept it off of the helmet.

Conclusion

This helmet is a solid winner if you have a head shape that meshes well with it. The FS-10 is inexpensive and has features that you won't find even if you spend 2-3 times as much. I would wear this helmet every time I hopped on the bike if my head shape was just a little bit more inline with the way this helmet was built. I highly recommend new riders go check out HJC and this FS-10 before they go with something more expensive. By the way, did I mention that I LOVE that SunShield?

Pros:

• Flip down internal SunShield
• Helmet does NOT fog up
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Helmet looks kind of big

Specs:

• Advanced Fiberglass Composite Weave Shell: Lightweight, superior fit and comfort using advanced CAD technology.
• One-Touch Integrated SunShield: Smoke-tinted SunShield deploys quickly and easily.
• AccuSight™ Anti-fog Faceshield: Optically superior 3D design provides 95% UV protection and an anti-scratch coating.
• RapidFire™ Shield Replacement System: Quick, secure, tool-less removal and installation.
• “ACS” Advanced Channeling Ventilation System: Full front to back airflow flushes heat and humidity up and out.
• SilverCool™ Interior: Moisture-wicking and odor-free interior with advanced silver anti-bacterial fabric. Comfortable, removable and washable.
• DOT Approved
• SIZES: XS-XXL

M.S.R.P.

• Solid:$249.99
• Metallic:$254.99
• Fossil: $259.99

>Buy it now at www.RidersDiscount.com!