HJC RPHA 72 Carbon Review

Sport touring helmets today need to embody versatile prowess. They should be lightweight, not cause fatigue on long rides, remain stable at high speeds, accommodate modern communication systems, and maintain a modern, sleek design. It's within this challenging balance that HJC positions the new RPHA 72 Carbon.

This new helmet replaces the well-known RPHA 71 and indirectly succeeds the popular RPHA 70. Many touring riders resisted switching from the ultra-light RPHA 70 to the RPHA 71, as the latter became noticeably heavier and bulkier due to the stricter ECE 22.06 testing standards. With the RPHA 72 shedding significant weight, it precisely fills the gap left by its predecessor.

Right out of the box, the compact design of the new HJC RPHA 72 Carbon is immediately noticeable. The helmet looks modern and surprisingly sporty. Especially when compared directly to the RPHA 71, you can instantly see the sleeker and more aggressive lines. The ventilation elements are more harmoniously integrated, and the overall shape is more aerodynamic.

Overall, the RPHA 72 resembles a very sporty full-face helmet with high long-distance capability, rather than a classic touring helmet. The carbon structure under the clear coat is finely crafted and neatly painted. Gaps, visor mechanics, and meticulous design features are clearly in the premium segment despite the affordable price.

The interior lining stands out positively. The padding feels more premium than many competitors in this price range. Particularly, the side and rear padding attachments leave an excellent impression. Everything clicks firmly into place, and nothing shifts when putting on or taking off the helmet.

Frequent riders know the issue well: cheek pads tend to come loose during hectic rides, or the interior shifts. With the RPHA 72, everything stays exactly in place even after frequent donning and doffing.

The lightweight design is one of the greatest strengths of the new helmet. Compared to the RPHA 71, the new RPHA 72 sheds approximately 150 grams. While that may not sound dramatic on paper, it's immediately noticeable in practice.

On long tours, the reduced weight significantly lessens the strain on your neck and shoulders. This is particularly evident during sporty riding or extended highway stretches. On the move, the helmet feels even lighter than the scale would suggest. It also remains pleasantly neutral during shoulder checks, causing minimal drag.

The fit is also a notable improvement over its predecessor. The helmet sits snug and stable on the head without any uncomfortable pressure. Particularly around the cheeks, the shape is much more harmoniously balanced than in the RPHA 70.

The new aerodynamic skirts at the bottom effectively seal the helmet against incoming wind, creating a calmer airflow inside the helmet.

However, these skirts do have a minor drawback. On the first wear, the helmet feels unusually tight. The inner lining needs to be deliberately adjusted outward with the straps during donning, otherwise, the skirts can be a bit irritating or tight, especially when new. After a short adjustment period, this becomes a non-issue, but it's worth mentioning.

The helmet's compatibility with glasses is particularly noteworthy. Glasses' arms can be inserted without any trouble, provided the helmet's fit generally matches the wearer's head shape.

On country roads, the helmet feels extremely stable and neutral. Even at swift speeds, there are hardly any disruptive movements. Only from around 200 km/h does the helmet start to feel slightly lighter and pull minimally at the strap. However, this behavior is expected of a sporty touring helmet with a sun visor.

More important than sheer high-speed stability is the calm airflow in everyday riding. And this is where the HJC excels. Particularly impressive is the minimal amount of unpleasant air turbulence around the ears. Some other helmets might be objectively quieter but produce annoying frequencies or pressure fluctuations. The RPHA 72 effectively avoids these issues.

The topic of noise levels is always a widely debated topic with touring helmets. The new HJC RPHA 72 Carbon is not the quietest helmet in its class. Especially when compared to the older RPHA 70, it seems subjectively a bit louder.

This is likely due to the less bulky carbon construction: a smaller shape, thinner outer shell, less weight, and consequently a bit more sound permeability. However, the noise level should not be dramatized.

What's crucial is not just the raw decibel count, but the type of noise. And this is where the RPHA 72 excels. There are hardly any disruptive turbulences, no annoying whistling, and no unpleasant pressure frequencies. The riding sounds are even and minimally stressful.

For a sporty touring helmet, the overall noise insulation is at a very good level.

The integrated sun visor is one of the helmet's standout features. It extends far down and covers an impressively large field of view. Even riders with larger noses or mustaches won't have any issues. At the same time, it maintains enough distance to prevent fogging.

Operating the sun visor is reliable but requires a bit more effort. The mechanism clicks into place securely, though the sound when deploying and retracting feels somewhat clunky ("plasticky"), which doesn't quite match the otherwise premium function of the system.

In contrast, the main visor is entirely convincing. The mechanism operates precisely and smoothly. The visor clicks firmly into place, conveying a high-quality feel. Initially, opening the visor requires some practice as the latch is relatively firm. However, once secured, the visor remains absolutely stable during rides.

The Pinlock system is also a highlight of the helmet. Installation is easy and straightforward, and its effectiveness is excellent.

The HJC RPHA 72 offers a pleasantly wide field of view. Especially during shoulder checks or sporty riding, the helmet provides a comprehensive sense of security. We detected no distortions in the peripheral areas.

The ventilation performance is also impressive in everyday use, as the temperature inside the helmet closely matches the outside temperature. The two front air intakes are intuitive and comfortable to operate. Crucially, the airflow is managed effectively without creating unpleasant drafts inside the helmet.

The preparation for the HJC Smart System is, in our opinion, one of the best solutions on the market. Many helmets feel incomplete without an integrated intercom or have speakers that press uncomfortably against the ears. Not so with the RPHA 72. Everything is neatly integrated and practically designed.

Additionally, the helmet offers ample space between the mouth and chin guard. This is a real advantage for MotoVloggers. Even with a built-in microphone, there's ample room available. No annoying contact with the lips, no space issues with action cam mounts.

A motorcycle helmet can only fully deliver its protective effect if size, fit, and head shape align optimally. The outer shell distributes impact energy, while the EPS inner lining absorbs shocks and reduces rotational forces. If the helmet is too loose, it can shift or, in the worst case, even come off. Conversely, if it's too tight, pressure points, headaches, and concentration issues can arise during longer rides.

Particularly important is the individual head shape, as not every head conforms to the classic intermediate oval standard. NoPain's head shape falls between intermediate and long oval, which is why a different head pad (7 mm instead of 12 mm) was tested with the HJC RPHA 72 in size M. Unlike with the HJC RPHA 70, this swap was more of a "nice-to-have" rather than an absolute necessity this time. The helmet would likely have worked fine with the standard padding since the basic fit was already significantly better.

High-quality helmets like the HJC RPHA 72 offer an easy way to customize the fit with different padding thicknesses, without requiring major modifications.

In direct comparison to its predecessor, the RPHA 71, the new RPHA 72 boasts numerous detailed enhancements. HJC has consistently developed the popular sport tourer further, optimizing it in key areas.

Key innovations at a glance:

• Reduced Weight: Noticeably lighter for maximum comfort on long rides.
• Sleeker Build: Overall volume reduced by approximately 4%.
• Modern Design: Fresh, dynamic lines with an aerodynamically optimized front section.
• Enhanced Aerodynamics: Air resistance reduced by 19.7%, lift by 6.2%.
• Improved Fit: The helmet wraps around the head more ergonomically.
• Premium Interior: The lining feels premium and pleasant on the skin.
• Effective Weather Protection: Improved wind sealing at the bottom minimizes drafts.

HJC's shift from four to three outer shells with the RPHA 72 is the result of a fundamental redesign. To ensure a perfect fit and maximum safety for every head despite fewer shell sizes, the interior has been significantly upgraded. The helmet now uses five separate EPS cushioning cores (polystyrene inner shells) with varying densities. Thus, precise size adjustment is achieved more efficiently through the high-tech interior rather than the outer dimension. The result: A slimmer silhouette with excellent, stable fit and high ride stability.

Riders still using the RPHA 70 will notice a massive difference in overall ride feel when switching to the RPHA 72. The new model feels remarkably stable in the wind, appears more premium in all aspects, and is aerodynamically more refined. The only notable difference is in acoustics: subjectively, the RPHA 72 is somewhat louder than the 70. However, this is offset by a much more pleasant sound profile and the absence of disruptive turbulence or whistling.

The new HJC RPHA 72 Carbon excels in everyday scenarios as a modern sport touring helmet with a very wide range of applications. It combines lightweight design, sporty aerodynamics, and high-quality craftsmanship with practical features like an integrated sun visor, communication readiness, and excellent long-distance suitability.

The combination of good aerodynamics, a stable fit, and high-quality interior creates a notably positive impact. The helmet fits snugly on the head without any uncomfortable pressure, provides excellent wind sealing, and delivers a stable and secure riding experience even at higher speeds. Additionally, it features precise visor mechanics, an excellently functioning Pinlock system, and a pleasantly wide field of view without annoying distortions.

The preparation for communication systems is equally well-executed, not standing out negatively in terms of aesthetics or ergonomics in everyday use.

Compared to the RPHA 71 and the popular RPHA 70, the new RPHA 72 appears more modern, compact, and aerodynamically refined. The significantly reduced weight is immediately noticeable on longer rides, markedly reducing the strain on the neck and shoulders.

As a minor downside, the noise level is more on the sporty side rather than at a maximum quiet touring level. Additionally, the aero skirts require some getting used to when putting on the helmet, and the sun visor demands a bit more effort to operate compared to some competing systems.

Nevertheless, the HJC RPHA 72 Carbon delivers an exceptionally cohesive package, coming across as refined and balanced in nearly every aspect. For those seeking a modern sport touring helmet with low weight, high-quality craftsmanship, excellent everyday usability, and a sporty orientation, the HJC RPHA 72 Carbon should definitely be on your shortlist.

Plus

• Very low weight
• High-quality interior
• Excellent fit
• Effective wind sealing
• Wide field of view
• Precise visor mechanics
• Very good Pinlock system
• Ample space for microphones and intercom
• Modern, sleek appearance

Minus

• Not the quietest touring helmet
• Sun visor requires some effort
• Aero skirts need some initial adjustment time