Review – HJC HX-11 Carbon Fiber Helmet
Helmets are one of the most overlooked items for track fans. If you’re only going to try out a track day or it’s one of your first couple times, by all means rent an open-face helmet or buy a cheap unit. But if you end up going more than once or, more likely, get hooked, buy a decent unit.
Safety should be your number one priority if going to track days and since a helmet is the most common sole requirement for entry, you shouldn’t skimp on it. How much is your skull worth?
The HJC Motorsports HX-11 isn’t the cheapest helmet for sale; at $1099.99, not by a long shot. But it is decently priced for a carbon fiber unit and is a very good helmet. The first thing you’ll notice when picking up the HX-11 is the weight. If you’re used to standard fiberglass helmets, get ready for a big surprise with the HJC. Weighing in at just a few pounds, the HX-11 is so light, it wouldn’t register at all on our scale.
We weighed it at about 2lbs on another scale but we can’t guarantee its accuracy. We’ve used open-face helmets before in the past and are a huge fan of full-face helemts, even for closed cockpit production car use. Versus WRC rally cars, there isn’t usually a whole lot of talking going on during track days and we appreciate the extra chin and lower face protection provided by a full-face helmet.
Carbon fiber has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of all commonly used automotive materials and its usage in a helmet makes perfect sense. Its construction is very strong to aid with impact protection (a huge obvious plus for your noggin) and its low weight can really make a difference when driving long stints. Even during a standard 20-minute track day or HPDE session, the helmet weight becomes invisible, negating all neck strain and allowing closer focus on driving.
The HJC HX-11 is also fully HANS device compatible for all you road racers out there. It’s Snell SA2005 rated for auto use and has a Nomex interior for fire protection. We’ve haven’t been able to test the helmet’s aero sculpting or intakes, we don’t drive an open wheel car, but the helmet itself has proven to breathe well with good ventilation. Through foggy winter weather and blazing summer weather, the HJC has proven to be resistant to fogging during cold (airflow through the helmet prevents it) and keeps cool during the summer.
The latch and “double D-ring retention system” on the visor can prove to be too tight for opening if the attachment screws are tightened all the way. Loosen them up a little bit to about halfway installed and the visor will open and close with ease (the screws will not fall out). We sprung for the optional HJC R.S.T. face shield in reflective silver and couldn’t be happier with its ability to resist glare. Swapping it out required a few simple bolts and we added a set of 4mil Racing Optics helmet shield protectors to keep our $80 investment in pristine condition. We put a big scratch right through the center of our original shield and the protector goes a long way towards keeping our R.S.T. in one piece.
Lightweight, quality and packed with features, the HJC HX-11 is the helmet that has it all. With this one helmet you can ride a motorcycle, track a door slammer or race an open wheel car. If you can afford a high performance car that can do 1-1.5g in the corners on track, a lightweight helmet like this just might be in your future.
Source
HJC Motorsports
(562) 407-2186
www.hjc-motorsports.com
