HJC Helmets CL-33 Helmet

While in general I like this helmet, and would rate it 5 stars, because it is:Very well priced without any apparent shortcuts, comfortable to wear and lightweight, there are 2 issues that keep me from giving it 5 stars.First is it being not very pleasant riding with visor open/up - it creates a VERY annoying and persistent whistle tone. Only closing visor will remedy this.Second - and knowing fully well this is a sample of one - somehow the right side connector of the visor failed; somehow a small part of the QD mechanism snapped off, rendering the visor unusable.Again - a sample of one. and possible due to me being somewhat too hard on my gear. Being honest.Which leads me to the 5 star part.This was an Amazon Prime purchase.Contacting Amazon with the issue I had a return label within minutes.And a new helmet on my doorstep 2 days later.While i had yet to return the 'old' helmet.Top Notch Service. Exemplary!Another reminder why Amazon Prime really is the ONLY way to go.Having received a replacement I will revisit this review in a few months, and change my rating if it is apparent the QD was indeed just a rare random fail.Well, here's the update.Visor functiones flawless - not a single issue.Easy to remove/replace, solid overall.Upgraded rating from 3 to 5 stars.

Received this today and found it to be great. The fit is great, and it looks good. I had tried on other brands of open face helmets, and found most of them to be very tight over the cheek and jaw area. This one did not squeeze my face at all. I do have chubby cheeks. The lens is extremely clear, although it it brand new right now, not sure if it will stay that way in the long run. When you look at yourself in the mirror, it does create a mushroom head look, but it's the sacrifice you need to make for safety and comfort. The vents in the front and sides provide a good air flow to your head, even though it looks as if it wouldn't. You can also purchase the tinted lens for $19.99, but it is just as easy to wear your shades and save some money. I forgot to mention that it is very light too. HJC makes great helmets.Also the seller shipped this item out super quickly. I was very impressed with the time it took to receive it from the time I ordered it. This has got to be the fastest turnaround yet.

Overall this is a good, well priced helmet. I'll give it a 7 out of 10.First, the helmet runs small. I usually take a Large and have several helmets in that size and all are comfortable. I originally ordered a Large and could not believe how snug it was. I didn't even take a ride with it but returned it and ordered an XL. That one fit well.Second, the optical clearness of the face shield is incredible. With the face shield down, it doesn't even seem to be there. No distortion anywhere! The face shield is very easy to flip up at a spot light for ventilation. Very good points here.Finally, and the reason it didn't score higher, is that the helmet lets in a LOT more air than you think it would at highway speed. The wind seems to come in around the sides and hit you on the side of the face. It doesn't come in your eyes, they seem out of the wind. I was very surprised given the design, how much air came in around the helmet at 65 - 70 mph. It wasn't enough to be unsafe, but definitely too much for touring, like 100 mlle rides or more. It seems to be more of an around town helmet. This is a bit puzzling as you'd think with the somewhat spherical design of the face shield, that nearly all the air would be off your face. The amount of wind the shield lets in, even when down and locked is the only reason it didn't score higher.Overall it does seem to be a comfortable, well made and priced helmet. If you were an around-town scooter rider, it would probably be nearly perfect.

I've been using this helmet for about 10 months now, so I can say that I have just one problem with it. The straps are too short and very difficult to connect. Being female with skin too sensitive to allow the straps to touch skin more than once without subsequently developing bad acne wherever it is touched again by the strap, I wear a thin triangular piece of cloth or a scarf under the helmet so I can secure it without any part of it touching my skin. This also provides a wind break on those winter days of coooold scooter riding.The strap with the D ring clamps needs to be a good inch or two longer so the other strap can easily be slipped between the rings and cinched. As it is, I have to fumble with it for a long time before I can make the connection, and then a lot of times the rings seem to have reversed themselves and won't let the straps cinch properly. I was able to get them worked back to the right position once, but never again. I can usually get them to work but not always.Otherwise, I like the helmet. It is snug enough and comfortable. The lining can be removed and washed which is great idea. I love that you can lift the wind screen and replace it as needed. I'd give it 5 stars if it weren't for the straps.

I've had problems wearing glasses with helmets. They would always fog over. I had begun to wear a bicycle helmet when atv'ing and when I had a fall last year cracking that little helmet across the top - I figured I had used up one lucky break (no punt intended) and didn't want to chance going without a 'real' helmet anymore. So I went online and decided to get a good one - I read the reviews for this one and having had it for a few months now - I would agree with everyone else who rated this one - I give it all the stars possible. Very comfortable, no fogging my glasses, great fit (I measured my head and ordered accordingly), good looking and easy to take on and off.I know I should be wearing a full face helmet to more fully protect my face, so now that I know that these helmets are what they say they are (and not expensive, to boot) I will check HJC's out!