Helmets Helmet Question - Joe Rocket RKT 101 and HJC FS-15

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nybryan

What are the thoughts about these helmets?

Joe rocket rkt 101

hjc fs-15


Both are on closeout and I could use another full face helmet
 
Re: helmet question

Can't answer about the Rocket, but I have an HJC FS-15. Good helmet, relatively quiet w/earplugs. All day comfortable. I just bought a Shoei Multitec because I didn't like the HJC visor not having enough detents to be able to crack the visor open. You can have it slightly open, but no actual detent, its just not completely closed. Tried a pinlock visor, but still didn't stop all the fogging.
 
Re: helmet question

I recently purchased an HJC FS-15 Carbon and like it very much. Not too noisey, light and comfortable.
This is compared to an HJC Symax flip-up helmet.
 
Re: helmet question

I just ordered an FS-15, and currently have a Symax II flip up.

My gripes with the Symax are that it's NOISY and the ventilation is not that good. Reading reviews at Webbikeworld on the FS-15, it should be less noisy and have better ventilation. I think they mentioned it does have a detent for 'defogging' with the screen slightly up. They are also now standardizing the screens, so it will be easier to get replacements.

I've also read about a company making photochromatic screens that has plans for making them for HJC helmets. That would be PERFECT for me since I ride to work at night, and home when the sun comes up.

I'll post a review/comparison once I get the new lid.

(thought this was in the clothing/helmets subforum. Please move)
 
Re: helmet question

I know nothing about the Joe Rocket, but I've had HJCs and they are very good bang for the buck. I've also had occasion to sample their customer service and it was great. One word of caution, when buying a closeout helmet, get however many face shields as you think you may need before they all disappear from the market. I'm currently using a HJC CS-Air (discontinued about 4 years ago?) that really needs a new shield but I can't find one anywhere.
 
Re: helmet question

Viggo, HJC has standardized face screens, so I've read... hopefully they will stick with it for the long term. I'm considering getting a tinted screen once I get my new HJC for longer day trips.

And if that company comes out with the photochromatic screen, I SO want one of those!
 
Re: helmet question

FrayAdjacent said:
Viggo, HJC has standardized face screens, so I've read... hopefully they will stick with it for the long term. I'm considering getting a tinted screen once I get my new HJC for longer day trips.

And if that company comes out with the photochromatic screen, I SO want one of those!
Click to expand...



Th flip-face for the IS Max is different from the others. I believe the majority of the HJC's use the same one though. I think I've had 9 HJC's over the years. They fit my head comfortably and are a great value.
 
Re: helmet question

chuckM said:
Th flip-face for the IS Max is different from the others. I believe the majority of the HJC's use the same one though. I think I've had 9 HJC's over the years. They fit my head comfortably and are a great value.
Click to expand...

Well, the SyMax II has a different screen than the FS-15... but I've read that most of the newer full-face HJCs are using the same screen and system.

I should have mine in a few days! The SyMax fits my head well. I ordered the same size in the FS-15, so I expect it should fit well. I have a big***** head, so I take an XXL.
 
Re: helmet question

FrayAdjacent said:
Well, the SyMax II has a different screen than the FS-15... but I've read that most of the newer full-face HJCs are using the same screen and system.

I should have mine in a few days! The SyMax fits my head well. I ordered the same size in the FS-15, so I expect it should fit well. I have a big***** head, so I take an XXL.
Click to expand...


I think you're right that they made most of them interchangeable now...I was a little disappointed to learn that I couldn't swap screens between the helmets I have. The internal visor on the IS Max could stand to be a shade darker and I was looking to swap the dark one off my other FF. No go.
 
I have a RKT101 and really like it! My other 2 helmets are both HJC's A CL -Max Element and a CL-12 so I'm fairly familiar with both brands plus the RKT is an HJC. The Rocket is nicely finished inside it could be a little quieter but I use earplugs so it's not an issue for me. Marty
 
Re: helmet question

Viggo said:
I know nothing about the Joe Rocket, but I've had HJCs and they are very good bang for the buck. I've also had occasion to sample their customer service and it was great. One word of caution, when buying a closeout helmet, get however many face shields as you think you may need before they all disappear from the market. I'm currently using a HJC CS-Air (discontinued about 4 years ago?) that really needs a new shield but I can't find one anywhere.
Click to expand...

The newenough.com website has 8 - 10 different HJC sheilds listed. I would think one of them would work for you. (They do list which sheild fits which helmet but you have to click on each individual sheild to see the list).
 
I received my FS-15 today!

Threw it on after I completed some brake work and went for a ride, probably 50 miles or so. Some highway/freeway and some surface streets.

I will be comparing to my previous lid, a SyMax II.

The FS-15 doesn't have the little tinted hideaway visor thing, but oh well. It's a bit quieter in almost all situations. At freeway speeds with moderate cross wind, it's still a bit boomy, but is a bit quieter than the SyMax. Below ~50mph, it's MUCH quieter.

The ventilation is great! You can really feel it on the front part of your noggin, especially if you've stopped and gotten a little damp. It's supposed to have three positions with one being closed, but the only real tactile detents are at fully open or fully closed.

The screen is easy to remove with HJC's newer standardized system. It's got little pins on the inside made to work with some anti fog dealio. Swapping screens would probably take less than a minute. It doesn't have any real noticeable detents for open positions, but does have a slight stop right before closing for anti-fog use.

The liner is nice, and has some channels and mesh above it for airflow. The only negative is the very back kinda presses against the base of my skull, and it got annoying after a while. I hope some break-in alleviates this.

The helmet also includes a snap-in breath guard and a small cloth panel that you can snap on under the chin for cold weather riding.

Overall, I think it's a nice helmet for the $141 I paid for it. The fit is good, but needs a little break in. Ventilation is very good and noise is mostly ok to good, being very good at lower speeds.
 
In the recent cooler weather at night (60-70 degrees), it was cool enough leaving work yesterday morning, so I closed the top vent... I could still occasionally feel a little bit of air coming in.

Not a bad deal, I can plug up the holes under the liner to counter that. And being in Texas where it gets HOT, I'd rather have too much ventilation than not enough!

Oh, and that back part pressing against my skull has subsided after a bit of break in. Now it's very comfortable!
 
Got a 'dark smoke' Pinlock insert yesterday and was able to use it on the way home from work in the morning. Definitely helped, as I head east, and the sun was coming up. You do have to take the screen off and flex it closer to flat to get the Pinlock insert installed. It's a pretty nice idea, and helped a lot with fogging, but wasn't absolutely perfect. I mostly bought it for the tinted properties, and it's cheaper than a full tinted screen replacement.

The bad thing is the Pinlock insert didn't include any kind of sleeve or storage solution. :( I just kept the cardboard packaging that it was in. I'm not sure that will keep it from getting scratched up - they do say the pinlock inserts are not as scratch resistant as the screens.

I think eventually, I'll pick up a tinted screen and just swap them out for clear/night and tinted/day riding. An extra screen should fit nicely in my tank bag.

Another note, I am still feeling air leaking in through the top vents even when they are closed. Going to see what I can do to plug the holes in cold weather.
 
That review was key in my decision to purchase. Key concerns were noise and ventilation.

The review is for the carbon fiber one... I got the cheaper one, of course!
 
This may go without saying, but be sure to try on whatever you're interested in before buying. Different helmets have different shapes, as do different heads. Not all helmets will fit equally well. If a helmet puts too much pressure on your forehead, you'll end up hating it no matter how great the reviews are. Ditto if it's too narrow, and won't go down far enough. A helmet that's too loose won't be comfortable when the wind starts pushing it around, and won't protect as well as a properly fitted one.

I tried an FS-15 the other day, and as much as I'd like to buy one (seems like a great deal), it just doesn't fit my head. The medium is too loose, and moves from side to side if I shake my head. The small is too tight, especially on my forehead, and was starting to hurt after just a couple of minutes in the store.

Even different helmets from the same manufacturer vary. The IS-16, also from HJC, fits much better. Not perfect, but close enough I could live with it. Unfortunately, it's not Snell approved, and I don't know if the slot cut into the top of it for the inner tinted visor compromises safety more than I'm willing to risk.

The best fitting helmet (for me) is the Arai Profile. Even the similar Arai Vector is different enough in shape that it puts pressure on my forehead.
 
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