The V31 by HJC is a jet helmet like you see them in children’s drawings and cartoons. Sun visor, compact half-bucket with an attachment element for goggles in the back and a perfect round shape.
And yet: the V31 is actually a very modern, contemporary and very well-equipped jet helmet. With all its retro and vintage vibes, it complies for instance to the most recent ECE 22.06 criteria.
HJC provides two helmet shells to integrate all helmet sizes. That helmet shell is made of ‘Advanced Fiberglass Composite’, using CAD technology in function of a superior fit and comfort. Apart from a bulbous helmet shell, this results in a weight of only 1100 grams which is pretty good for a jet helmet with an integrated sun visor.
Indeed, just like its predecessor, the HJC V31 is equipped with a tinted sun visor that could be replaced. It can be dropped down in three separate steps onto adjustable ‘stubs’, which means that you’re never riding with an annoying sun visor that drops down too low. Very convenient, we think. You simply pull down the sun visor by grabbing one of both tabs, which aren’t hard to find, even with motorcycle gloves on.
The pushbuttons are back (contrary to its V30 antecedent), in threefold and they fit the tinted sun visor (available separately) and the retro style perfectly. The latter can be found all the way up to the leather attachment element for goggles in the back.
We can be short and sweet about the interior: wonderful. Moisture-regulating, antibacterial, finished with leather and suede – again: vintage! – removable and with washable elements and interchangeable cheek pads for that perfect fit. It’s going to be hard to top that. There are cut-outs to possibly fit speakers of a communication system or for your glasses.
The chin strap of the V31 is a double D (so no micrometric quick-release) which seems to fit the (retro) bill seamlessly. It’s also just very comfortable, pleasant and decent.
In some countries (e.g., France) it is compulsory to have reflective stickers on your helmet. The V31 is delivered without these reflective decals. Reflective sticker sets can be found here.
Maintenance tips:
- Do you cringe at disassembling the interior of your helmet in order to wash it? You can also clean the interior without removing it with S100 Helmet Interior Cleaner.
- The outside and the visor of your helmet should be cleaned with S100 Helmet and Visor Cleaner.
Safety above all! Never drive with a scratched or dull visor. Especially at night, scratches cause blinding reflections of street lights and headlights of oncoming vehicles. This effect is even more pronounced in rainy weather. It is best to replace a scratched or dull visor as soon as possible. Planning a long trip? Then don't forget to take a replacement visor with you. Never ride in the dark with a tinted visor.
