I had that problem too and just took my dremel and some sand paper to the styrofoam to reshape that area. It worked fine and the helmut fits like a glove now.

DISCLAIMER: I didn't remove that much material and am confident the helmut will still do it's job the way it was intended to.

 

I have two HJC helmets an ac-x3 (looks same as cl-x5) and I just bought a cl-xs vapor dual sport with facesheid (also looks same as cl-x5). Havent had a chance to ride with the vapor yet, but when I first rode with the other helmet I was surprised at how well the venting system worked and that if it was any cooler out I would have to tape up the vents. I see your in SoCal so I don't expect that it was that cold out that the cold was making your head tingle. Fittment is I find a bit on the tight side if you go by the HJC charts they say a 55-56mm head is small well I'm 55.5mm and small is pretty snug but I've had no issues. Also HJC's are snell and DOT approved so safety is as good as anything out there. Was a test a couple of years back in one of the major bike mags where they tested everything from $80 Chinese knockoffs to the most expensive helmets, Guess what? the $80 knockoff meet or beat the expensive ones, caused quite an uproar amongst their helmet advertisers.

 

That magazine also showed the Snell standard was to stiff for real world evaluations that the dot rating was a more accurate measure.

 

That article is often quoted but, I feel it really doesn't tell the whole story. If your only criteria is Snell and DOT ratings then, a cheap helmet can be made that meets or beats the standard.

In terms of being too stiff or not stiff enough, it really depends on where you are riding - how fast, what kind of terrain, different obstacles, etc.

Comfort is very important. Let's face it, if a helmet isn't comfortable how often does it get left behind? A good DOT/Snell rated helmet does you no good if you don't wear it because it is hot, heavy, or uncomfortable.

All that being said, if all you can afford is an $80 helmet definitely buy it and wear it - as long as it is DOT/Snell rated and not a novelty helmet!

 

Not trying to say go out and buy a $80 helmet like you say fit and comfort are most important. I think the jist of the article was that helmet testing standards have to be improved upon, which is a good thing.

 

Good point. DOT and Snell tests don't really seem to be working for me off-road. For street use, they are the best we have right now. Does a standard exist for off-road helmets?

 

Sure, but it's a do it yourself deal. Come around a 90 degree righthander on a single track, hit a bad spot (you pick one, deep sand, loose gravel, wet leaves, slick clay, etc.). Front wheel washes out, back wheel pushes on, and you and your noggin exit, stage right, onto an 8" log lying next to the trail. If you can get up and walk away you have a good lid.

Problem is, we all try our damndest to avoid this test, for obvious reasons. That's why we rely on "scientific" evaluations to make our choices. I for one hope the pencil weenies know what they're doing. Also hope I never have to find out.

 

I measurement the melon.
~1" above the eye brow and around the head. I was unsure where to make the measurement around the back of my head, but as a point of reference I measured the back of the skull just before the diameter drops off the parietal bone.


My melon measure 24" = 61.0cm = 610mm
HJC CL-X5
http://www.hjchelmets.com/
- go to Helmet tech, and then sizing chart
The Sizing says 61.0 - 62.0 is an XL
So I should be well within the XL range.

I tried on a few $500, $250, and a new CL-X5N Helmet at Monclair Motorsports.
I still like mine.

I'll call it an anomoly and see if it happens agian.
If it does, I'll deal with it.
If not. Maybe it was too much Algebra

I bought the EVS Balistic Ultra, I pick it up Tuesday.
I'll ask about the Buy it, and Try it idea. I liked that one.

Thanks All!


Thanks, Chris have a size XL
HJC CL-X5