Best HJC Helmets 2026: i10 vs i71 vs CS-R3 vs RPHA 11 Pro (Which Should You Buy?)

The best HJC helmet for most street riders is the i71. It has a polycarbonate shell, a built-in sun visor, a Pinlock insert in the box, and support for Smart HJC Bluetooth. If you'd rather spend less, the i10 and CS-R3 cover the basics. If you want a lighter fiberglass shell, look at the F70. If you ride track days or push a sportbike hard, the RPHA 11 Pro is the race-bred pick.

Perf-Moto's current sale pricing shakes up the usual ladder, though. At the time of writing, the F70 Solid is listed for less than the i71 Solid, and the RPHA 11 Pro Toothless sits far below its list price. This guide compares all five on the things that change how a helmet actually rides: shell material, sun visor, shield and fog control, Bluetooth, certifications, fit, and cost.

You can browse the full lineup in Perf-Moto's helmet collection.

Quick Comparison: HJC i10 vs i71 vs CS-R3 vs F70 vs RPHA 11 Pro

Helmet	Best for	Shell	Sun visor	Perf-Moto sale price*
HJC i10 Rank	Budget daily riding	Polycarbonate	No	$69.43
HJC i71 Solid	Commuting and sport-touring	Polycarbonate	Yes, 3-position	$259.99 to $269.99
HJC CS-R3 Space	Lowest cost full-face	Polycarbonate	None listed	$70.67
HJC F70 Solid	Best value step-up	Fiberglass composite	Yes, 3-position	$142.20 to $166.42
HJC RPHA 11 Pro Toothless	Sport and track	PIM Plus (carbon and fiberglass blend)	None listed	$381.45

*Prices and sizes at the time of writing. Perf-Moto's stock moves fast, so confirm on each product page.

Which HJC Should You Buy?

Match the helmet to how you ride, and the choice gets simple.

• Commuting on a budget: HJC i10
• Daily riding with a sun visor and Pinlock in the box: HJC i71
• Occasional rides, lowest price: HJC CS-R3
• Lighter fiberglass shell and a sun visor without paying i71 money: HJC F70
• Track days and aggressive sport riding: HJC RPHA 11 Pro

Shell Materials: Polycarbonate vs Fiberglass vs Carbon Blends

The shell is the main reason HJC helmets land at different prices.

Polycarbonate is injected plastic. It keeps costs down and is used on the i10, i71, and CS-R3. HJC calls it an Advanced Polycarbonate Composite shell and builds it to be light with a close fit.

Fiberglass composite is used on the F70. It costs more to make, and it lets HJC tune the shell for weight and strength. Don't expect a dramatic weight gap, though. HJC lists the F70 at about 3.47 lbs, and Rider Magazine weighed a size small i10 at about 3 lbs 9 oz. Fit and ventilation matter just as much as shell weight.

PIM Plus is HJC's premium shell on the RPHA 11 Pro. Perf-Moto's listing says the reinforcement materials include carbon and carbon-glass hybrid fabric. That makes it a blend, not a full carbon shell.

Certifications: DOT, ECE 22.06, and Snell

DOT FMVSS 218 is the legal minimum for helmets in the US. ECE 22.06 is the current European standard, and it adds more impact points, rotational impact testing, and visor testing. Snell is a voluntary standard that riders often look for on race-leaning helmets.

Listings don't always agree, so read the one for your exact helmet:

• Perf-Moto's i10 Robust listing cites DOT FMVSS 218 and Snell M2020.
• The CS-R3 Space listing cites DOT 218.
• Perf-Moto's i71 Solid listing cites ECE 22.06, while HJC's US i71 page lists DOT. If the standard matters to you, confirm which one applies before you order.
• Check the product page for the standard on the F70 and RPHA 11 Pro you choose.

HJC i10: Best Budget HJC for Daily Riding

The HJC i10 is the simplest way into HJC's modern lineup. HJC built it to replace the CL-17, one of its best sellers, with a compact polycarbonate shell, better ventilation, and simple snap-on top vents that are easy to swap.

The features are solid for the money:

• ACS ventilation with a chin bar intake that moves air across the shield to fight fogging
• HJ-31 anti-fog lens-prepared shield with 95% UV protection
• RapidFire tool-less shield removal
• SuperCool moisture-wicking interior with removable, washable pads
• Glasses grooves and a D-ring strap
• Smart HJC Bluetooth-compatible (communicator sold separately)

The tradeoff is the sun visor. Rider's Reviewer missed the built-in drop-down visor and pointed to the i70 as a step up.

Perf-Moto lists the HJC i10 Rank at $69.43 (list $179.99) in Black/Orange and Black/Hi-Vis, sizes XS to 3XL.

Choose it if: you commute, ride a few times a month, and want a dependable helmet without extras.

HJC i71: Best All-Around HJC for Sport-Touring

The HJC i71 is the one most riders should look at first. It adds the features that make long rides easier, without jumping to premium prices.

Here's what you get, according to Perf-Moto's listing:

• Polycarbonate shell built in three shell sizes across six helmet sizes, to keep weight and fit in check
• HJ-38 Pinlock-ready shield with a push-and-eject lock that's easy to work with gloves on
• HJ-V12 sun visor with three positions, adjustable forward up to 10 mm
• Pinlock insert included
• Larger top vent and mouth vents for more airflow
• Double D-ring closure
• Smart HJC 2nd generation Bluetooth support for the 50B and 21B (sold separately)

The HJC i71 Solid is listed at $259.99 to $269.99 in Semi Flat Black, Titanium, Semi Flat Anthracite, Nardo Gray, Black, and White, in sizes XS to XXL.

Choose it if: you ride most weeks, commute through changing light, or want fog control without buying an insert later.

HJC CS-R3: Lowest-Cost Full-Face HJC

The HJC CS-R3 is the budget pick for riders who want a real full-face shell and a tool-less shield without spending much. It uses an Advanced Polycarbonate Composite shell with a large eye port for better visibility.

Perf-Moto's listing highlights:

• DOT 218 approval
• Adjustable forehead and chin vents, plus two rear exhaust vents
• A chin bar vent to help reduce shield fogging
• HJ-09 anti-fog, scratch-resistant shield with 95% UV protection
• RapidFire shield replacement
• Plush Nylex interior that's removable and washable
• Built-in communication speaker pockets

There's no sun visor, and the listing doesn't mention a Pinlock insert. The HJC CS-R3 Space is $70.67 on sale (list $119.99), but at the time of writing it's down to an XL in Matte Black/Orange. Check sizes first, or call before you plan around it.

Choose it if: you ride occasionally and want the lowest price into a full-face HJC.

HJC F70: Best Value Step Up

The HJC F70 is the quiet value play. For less than the i71 at current sale pricing, you get a fiberglass composite shell and a built-in sun visor.

What stands out on the product page:

• Advanced fiberglass composite shell
• HJ-V9 sun visor with wider vision, one-touch deployment, and three positions
• HJ-32 anti-fog lens-prepared shield with 95% UV protection
• ACS ventilation with a scoop top vent, rear exits, and a chin bar vent
• MultiCool moisture-wicking interior
• Emergency quick-release cheek pads
• Double D-ring strap, plus breath deflector and chin curtain included
• Speaker pockets ready for Bluetooth

The HJC F70 Solid is listed at $142.20 to $166.42 (list $299.99 to $314.99) in Stone Gray, Black, White, Semi-Flat Black, and Semi-Flat Titanium, sizes XS to XXL.

Choose it if: you want a sun visor and a fiberglass shell, and you don't need the i71's Pinlock insert included.

HJC RPHA 11 Pro: Race-Bred Protection for Sport Riders

HJC built the RPHA 11 Pro for the racetrack, with an aerodynamic shell and an enlarged eye port for better vision in a tucked position. The shell uses PIM Plus construction with carbon and carbon-glass hybrid reinforcement, and the shield is the HJ-26.

Standouts from the listing:

• Anti-fog insert lens and a dark smoke shield included
• Max airflow top vent and ACS ventilation
• Emergency cheek pad removal kit
• Reflective patches on the rear neck area
• RapidFire shield replacement and communication speaker pockets
• Breath deflector and chin curtain included

The HJC RPHA 11 Pro Toothless is $381.45 on sale (list $629.99) in Black/Green, sizes S to XXL. One honest note: HJC's newer flagship is the RPHA 12, so the 11 Pro is a previous-generation helmet. That helps explain the price, and it's still a serious track helmet.

Choose it if: you do track days or ride a sportbike in a tucked position. Skip it if you want a sun visor or a relaxed touring fit.

HJC i10 vs i71: Which Is Better?

The i71 is better equipped, and the i10 is much cheaper.

	HJC i10	HJC i71
Shell	Polycarbonate	Polycarbonate, 3 shells across 6 sizes
Sun visor	No	Yes, 3-position HJ-V12
Shield	HJ-31, anti-fog lens-prepared	HJ-38, Pinlock-ready, push and eject lock
Pinlock insert	Not listed	Included
Bluetooth	Smart HJC compatible	Smart HJC 2nd gen (50B, 21B)
Perf-Moto price	Rank: $69.43 (list $179.99)	Solid: $259.99 to $269.99

If you'll use the sun visor and want fog control out of the box, the i71 is worth the extra. If not, the i10 is hard to beat.

HJC F70 vs RPHA 11 Pro: Sport-Touring or Race?

Both use the ACS vent system and include speaker pockets, but they're built for different riding.

	HJC F70	HJC RPHA 11 Pro
Shell	Fiberglass composite	PIM Plus (carbon and fiberglass blend)
Sun visor	Yes, 3-position HJ-V9	None listed
Shield	HJ-32, anti-fog lens-prepared	HJ-26, with anti-fog insert included
Built for	Sport-touring and street	Track and aggressive sport riding
Perf-Moto price	$142.20 to $166.42	$381.45

For daily riding and mixed light, the F70 is the better fit. The RPHA 11 Pro earns its price when you're riding hard and tucked in.

Smart HJC Bluetooth and Other Communicators

Smart HJC is HJC's own Bluetooth system, co-developed with Sena. Perf-Moto lists the i71 as compatible with the second-generation 50B and 21B, and the i10 as Smart HJC compatible. All Smart HJC units are sold separately.

Every helmet in this guide has speaker pockets or a Bluetooth-ready interior, so you can also run a universal headset. For a head-to-head on the two big brands, read our Sena vs Cardo intercom guide, or browse headsets and intercoms.

Shields, Pivot Kits, and Replacement Parts

Shields scratch, and pivot parts wear out. HJC helmets are easy to keep going.

• i10 and i70 shield: The HJC HJ-31 Pinlock-ready face shield is $38.75 to $58.99 in Clear, Light Smoke, Dark Smoke, Amber, Red, and mirror finishes.
• i71 shield: The i71 uses the HJ-38 Pinlock-ready shield with the push-and-eject lock.
• Pivot kits, gear plates, vents, and pads: Search Perf-Moto's helmet parts by your model name. If you can't find your part, contact Perf-Moto and ask.

A Pinlock insert is a small clear lens that sits inside the shield to stop fog. "Pinlock-ready" or "anti-fog lens-prepared" means the shield has the pins to hold one. The insert itself is only included where the listing says so, like the i71 and RPHA 11 Pro.

How HJC Helmets Fit

Retailers list the i71 and F70 as an intermediate oval shape. That fits many head shapes, but not all. Before you order:

1. Measure your head with a soft tape, just above your eyebrows and ears.
2. Choose the closest size. A helmet should fit snugly, with no pressure points.
3. Check for movement. The helmet shouldn't slide when you shake your head.
4. Plan for break-in. Foam compresses a little, so a very snug fit at first is normal.

Not sure between two sizes? Call or message Perf-Moto before you order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which HJC helmet is best for the money?

The HJC F70 offers the most for the money at current Perf-Moto pricing, with a fiberglass shell and a built-in sun visor for about $142 to $166. If you want a Pinlock insert included and Smart HJC support, the i71 is the better all-around pick.

HJC i10 vs i71, which should I buy?

Buy the i71 if you want a sun visor and a Pinlock insert in the box. Buy the i10 if you just need a dependable helmet at a lower price. Both use polycarbonate shells.

Is the HJC RPHA 11 Pro worth it?

Yes, if you ride track days or tucked sportbike miles. It has a PIM Plus shell, an enlarged eye port, and a race-style shield. It isn't the best choice for touring because it has no sun visor listed, and it's a previous-generation helmet now that HJC offers the RPHA 12.

Does the HJC i71 have a sun visor?

Yes. It has an integrated HJ-V12 sun visor with three positions, adjustable forward up to 10 mm.

Are HJC helmets Pinlock ready?

The i10, i71, F70, and RPHA 11 Pro list anti-fog lens-prepared or Pinlock-ready shields. The i71 and RPHA 11 Pro come with an insert. The CS-R3 uses an anti-fog hard-coated HJ-09 shield, and its listing doesn't mention an insert.

Do HJC helmets work with Bluetooth?

Yes. HJC's Smart HJC system is built for HJC helmets, and the helmets above also have speaker pockets for universal headsets from brands like Sena and Cardo.

Shop HJC Helmets at Perf-Moto

Pick the HJC that matches how you ride: the i10 or CS-R3 to keep costs down, the i71 for an everyday sport-touring helmet, the F70 for a lighter fiberglass shell with a visor, or the RPHA 11 Pro for the track.

Have a sizing question or can't find a part? Contact Perf-Moto or call (616) 494-0103, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm EST. Free shipping on all USA orders.