The RPHA 12 helmet from HJC is the replacement for the RPHA 11 Pro helmet and slides in under HJC’s top tier, flagship RPHA 1N. The 12 is a premium full-faced helmet that HJC designed to prioritize aerodynamic performance, HJC achieved this goal by developing the RPHA 12 in a wind tunnel. Overall construction is a PIM EVO shell (PIM stands for premium integrated matrix) which is a combination of fiberglass, organic non-woven fabric, carbon fiber, carbon-aramid fiber, as well as linen fiber (in comparison the RPHA 11 Pro was PIM+). Some other changes over the 11pro are that the RPHA 12 has lift reduced by 2.66%, drag reduced by .81%, an enlarged lower (mouth) ventilation that improved air intake by 58% and the top (upper) vents increased air intake by upwards of 79%, lastly, the RPHA 11pro had wheel vent closures, the RPHA 12 has a simple open/close w/ bypass channels.
Moving to the interior the RPHA 12 has cheek pads that are interchangeable between sizes for a custom fit (they are also 3D contoured and feature a reflective material for extra safety), features emergency quick release pull tabs and features an eyeglass friendly design. The RPHA 12 is designed to accommodate all communications systems currently on the market, and includes both a clear and dark smoke HJ-42 curved Pinlock® ready shields with the Pinlock® lens included. A few things to note about the shields, the shield frame has been strengthened (1.75 mm) and increased by 9 mm in width and 3.5 mm in height over the RPHA 11 Pro, it utilizes a 2-way pivot and ratchet system (closes then draws in towards the rider’s face for tighter seal), the eye port gasket feature a small channel for warm air to escape, and the shield lift tab has been moved to the left hand side vs the RPAH 11 pro having a center locking tab.
Let’s talk sizes, available sizes range from 2XS to 2XL with a total of 4 shell sizes and 5 eps liners, for reference the 11 pro only had 3. The shell size breakdown is shell A covering 2XS to Small, shell B covering Medium alone, Shell C covering Large alone and lastly shell D covering XL-XXL. The RPHA 12 comes in a fairly wide price range of $479 to $650+ depending on the version and graphics you opt for, speaking of graphics, a ton of choices are available from solid gloss and matte colors to regular graphics to full on race designs. The RPHA 12 comes with a 5 year warranty.
Overall for the price range the RPHA 12 is a solid helmet but I do have some complaints, it is only DOT approved, not ECE, Snell or FIM, the helmet it replaces, the RPHA 11 was both DOT and ECE, so its disappointing to see that it didn’t also get ECE approved. Additionally many helmets in this price range and some even that cost less are both DOT and ECE approved so that doesn’t help its case. Lastly, price wise, some of the more advanced graphics get very close to RPHA 1N territory, and at that point I would give up the graphics and get a solid colored 1N as I think it is a superior helmet. The RPHA 12 is a solid helmet and one worth looking at, but I think if you consider the points I just highlighted, they may be a deal breaker for some. : Damir 8/15/24
