HJC CL-14 and AC-11 Close Out, who has? Thoughts?

[Clair]

Okay, new enough has four HJC helmets on closeout sale right now, for good prices. Spefically they have the HJC CL-14 Switch ($85), CL-14 MB-II ($99), AC-11 Zeek ($139), and AC-11 Yikes ($139). I've been thinking of getting a second helmet. I already have an HJC so ... I was wondering if any of you have any experience with any of these helmets, or what your opinion would be.

Thanks

[MikeInSLC]

I have an AC-11 (been retired by a Shoei)...fine helmet...pretty comfortable, but it's definitely a budget helmet. A lot of wind noise...I didn't notice any real buffetting, until I put the Shoei on and realized how smooth it was in comparison. 139 is probably a pretty good deal.

[MikeInSLC]

Oh....if you are interested...I have a Suomy Gunwind that I bought online that was mislabeled...it's either a L or XL ... having troubles getting it exchanged...don't ask...ugh....so I'm gonna sell it.

pic below....since it's mislabled and I'm not sure what size it is, I'm going to have to sell it to someone who can try it on....If you or Todd would be interested.....120$

http://www.mindspring.com/~mikesax/suomyfront.jpg

[Clair]

Gonna be kinda hard to see out what with that big sheet of paper right in the way, not to mention all that writing ... ;-)

[MikeInSLC]

Yeah...for an extra 20$ I'll upgrade it to a model without all the words :)

[sanglant]

Okay, new enough has four HJC helmets on closeout sale right now, for good prices. Spefically they have the HJC CL-14 Switch ($85), CL-14 MB-II ($99), AC-11 Zeek ($139), and AC-11 Yikes ($139). I've been thinking of getting a second helmet. I already have an HJC so ... I was wondering if any of you have any experience with any of these helmets, or what your opinion would be.

Thanks


I've got a CL-14 and I like it. It's not the best helmet, but I use earplugs anyway. It's comfortable, but you need to buy the HJC's tight because the padding has a tendency to crush down fairly quickly. If you start just "snug" then it gets loose in about a month of riding. I also like my HJC CL-X4 (I think that's right) for dirt riding. Same complaint about the padding, though. For me, both currently fit will and have a lot of miles on them. I'm not a big fan of the new -14's shield release mechanism, though. With the clear shields its fine, but I can't see it with the tinted shield and I haven't acquired a good blind feel for it. I didn't have any trouble with my old helmets like that, but it could just be me.

[Dr.Zarkov]

I've been told that helmets have a shelf life of about 5 years before the composition of the internal structure begins to deteriorate. As such, I've been warned against buying "new helmets" from ebay since many have been sitting around for a long time. So while the price is attractive you could be selling yourself short in the safety-longevity department.

Perhaps I'm ultra-conservative but I would be a little circumspect about buying a helmet on a close-out for this reason.

joel

[Triumph]

I like my CL-14 just fine. I haven't used anything else, but given that helmets are disposable, and an Arai doesn't protect you any better than an HJC, I can't justify the Arai, for me at least. The best helmet is the one that fits you the best, and maybe the HJC is too uncomfortable. A full face that meets DOT and SNELL tests is going to be as good as the next one.

I wouldn't recommend buying a helmet without trying it on first, though. They're just too head-specific. I've thought about picking up a 2nd HJC because I know it fits.

[yossarian]

I have a CL14. It has a fair bit of wind noise, but it fits well and is comfortable. I don't think they have a lot of different outer shell sizes though, since I have an extra small but it appears disproportionally large. I've had the faceshield ratchet down on its own when I've kept it just a click or two up. All in all I like it.

[mediajackl]

I like my CL-14 just fine. I haven't used anything else, but given that helmets are disposable, and an Arai doesn't protect you any better than an HJC, I can't justify the Arai, for me at least...

Agree with Triumph sentiments, as CL-14 owner.
Gives me less neck pain than last HJC, so I assume its a bit lighter. Tried on a buncha different helmets -Shoei, Scorpion, others - but the old HJC fit the best. I got the blue metallic, and it seems to scuff awfully easy, but then, maybe I'm just hard on helmets. And at Tonker price (about $115 delivered), as Triumph said, I can change styles frequently.

It's been said that you don't own a $40,000 custom bike - it owns you, since you can never walk off and leave it parked.
I kinda feel the same about pricey helmets.

[HartClimbs]

I've got a CL14 and have been really happy with it.

I tried on the Shoei's and Arai's and found my head shape (think "great pumpkin") just wasn't a good fit. I tried on the HJC....and it fit snug but very comfortable.

Other than a visor fogging issue when it's really cold (but hey, what helmet doesn't experience a little fog) - I've been VERY happy with my HJC.

I'm not thinking Newenough is selling old stock either - I'd expect they're recently manufactured, just being discontinued. Newenough is a quality outfit - and I've never been disappointed ordering from them.

Just my 2 cents - good luck!

[Zack]

Clair:
If the majority of your riding is the city, you should purchase the HJC AC-11 because the eye opening (the eye slot) permits the most oberservation without turing your head. Where as HJC-14 you will have to turn your head every time to view traffic on the right or left of you. The AC-11 saved my butt many times as I owned the HJC-14 and got rid of it because of the visibilty issue.

[HartClimbs]

I tried on both HJC helmets and didn't see much of a difference in the viewport of the AC11 and the CL14. I liked the HJC's in general (the CL14 specifically) as it seemed the viewport was larger than most other closed face helmets.

As I said - can't go wrong either way - I was just confused as I didn't see any difference and even had checked the hjc site. www.hjchelmets.com

Maybe it depends on how the particular helmet fits any particular individual - but it's definitely smarter to go with any perceived advantage in visibility!

[AntiNazi]

i have a cl-14. its my first helmet so i dont really have anything to compare it too. in any case im happy with the purchase.

[Java]

As I said - can't go wrong either way - I was just confused as I didn't see any difference and even had checked the hjc site. www.hjchelmets.com


The big difference is that the CL14 has a polycarbonate shell, and the AC11 has a fiberglass composite shell. They both have Snell certs, so I've never bothered to learn what the difference means, but I know the more expensive helmets out here are always composites, and the less expensive ones are always polycarbonites. I do know that the composites are "harder", and don't bounce as high when you drop them. (where's that "rolling eyes" smiley, when you need it?)

[mudarra]

I like my CL-14. I have an HJC head. I couldn't find any higher end helmets that fit this good. The CL-14 is noisy, but I wear earplugs.
Newenough sells closeouts. There inventory usually isn't more than one season old. Great prices!

[GRYDE001]

The big difference is that the CL14 has a polycarbonate shell, and the AC11 has a fiberglass composite shell. They both have Snell certs, so I've never bothered to learn what the difference means, but I know the more expensive helmets out here are always composites, and the less expensive ones are always polycarbonites. I do know that the composites are "harder", and don't bounce as high when you drop them. (where's that "rolling eyes" smiley, when you need it?)

I think the composites are lighter, better technology almost always means higher price. My MSF instructer talked about this. I think he said the protection is about the same, but its just lighter, I guess lighter= more expensive. :werd: