PRODUCT REVIEWSJust1 J34 Dual Sport Helmet
by James ElkinsWeather in the Hill Country around Austin, Texas, can
be unpredictable in the winter, so when a random 62°F
day forecast popped up on my radar, it was a perfect
opportunity to test my new J34 dual-sport helmet from
Just1 Racing, a company predominately known for their
excellent motocross helmets and sponsorship of numerous
racers around the world.
One of my favorite features of the J34 is how it looks.
While styling is generally unimportant, there’s no reason
you can’t be safe and ride in style, and the J34 helps you
do just that. Its aggressive lines resemble helmets worn by
world-class enduro racers. It looks sharp, generating lots
of compliments over the short time I’ve had it. As wine is
to food, a helmet is to a motorcycle and, aesthetically, the
J34 and my test bike, a 2019 SWM SM500R Supermoto, are a
perfect pairing.
The helmet slides on with ease and provides a firm grip
on my cheekbones. I’ve found the fit of the J34 helmet to be
consistent with most other manufacturers. It’s built for an
intermediate oval head shape (the most common in North
America). The J34 comes with a double D-ring retention
system, a standard feature for helmets at this price point.
While a ratchet or quick-release system would be more
convenient, a double D-ring system is arguably safer.
I found it a little odd that the front chin vent didn’t have
an exterior open/close switch. The top vents are fairly
easy to modulate on the fly, but I’d recommend setting
these before you ride, especially if you prefer the peak in
the lower position. Speaking of the peak, it adjusts with a
Phillips screwdriver (the plastic adjusting screws can’t be
turned with your fingers). Goggles also work perfectly with
the J34 and you can even shut the front visor over them if
you need more wind protection, or if you’re getting ready
for a splash. Unfortunately, the visor isn’t Pinlock-ready.I noticed the helmet allows moderate wind noise, but
provides great ventilation in return. As the single-cylinder
SWM built RPMs and speed increased, my head started
to feel pressure as the visor caught the wind turbulence
from vehicles ahead of me. Because of this, the J34 is not
a helmet I’d recommend for long-distance touring unless
you’ve got wind protection on your bike.
After a few miles I entered downtown Austin. The sounds
of construction boomed all around; however, the foam
padding suppresses the harsh tones. The wide, removable
windscreen gave me great peripheral vision while weaving
through city streets, and the slide-released, tinted sunscreen
provided enough wind protection for my eyes at low speeds.
Departing from the bitumen roadway, I ventured into
the Texas Hill Country to enjoy backroad twisties. The
helmet truly shined in technical riding situations where
its lightweight design allowed me to quickly avoid tree
overhangs and branches without a strain on my neck.
For a cost-effective helmet, the emergency removal
straps are a huge bonus. This is an uncommon feature for
helmets at this price point, but standard for “premium”
options. EMTs and paramedics are trained to look for
emergency tabs in the event of an accident. These tabs
separate the lining from the shell so the helmet can be
removed without applying unnecessary pressure on the
neck. I don’t think I need to stress how important this is, but
it’s a feature you should look for on any helmet you buy.
The helmet is designed for the enduro crowd but
performed great in urban and undeveloped areas during
my testing. The only pitfalls are inherent to the enduro style
of helmet, as the visor catches wind and the wind noise at
speed. Other than that, the J34 remains true to the brand
name and may be “Just1” helmet you need.
MSRP: $179.95 Just1USA.comPROS
Great peripheral vision
Well ventilated helmet—a must in Texas
The design is incredibly appealing to the
eye in any color
Lightweight design with top level safetyCONS
Wind buffeting at highway speeds due
to visor
Glasses had some issues fitting comfortably22 July/August 2019