Not sure how often you’re supposed to replace helmets during normal use, but I’ve dropped mine several times over the past few years so I think it’s time. I have a fat head and need a 3XL. Not many options for the cabeza gordo, so I ordered up another HJC CL-Max modular. Probably not the greatest, certainly not the worst, but it fits my head and I’ve had my old one apart to replace bits and pieces (and once the entire chin assembly), so I’m familiar with it on that level. And I can reuse my smoke tint face shield. My original reasoning on the color still stands. I know white is supposed to be the most visible, but I just can’t do white. So silver is my compromise. It will go with any other colors involved in the equation, but it’s gotta be more visible than black.

Last year I was considering an open face helmet for summer riding, until I saw John Halpop crash with an open face and tear up his face a bit in the spots that would’ve been protected by the chin bar. Who knows, maybe it would’ve been worse with a full face but I have a hard time believing that.

Disclaimer: I never criticize those who choose not to wear a helmet and wear a “beenie” helmet when they have to. I’m firmly in the “let those who ride decide” camp. But it goes both ways, I don’t tolerate those who criticize me for wearing a helmet. Thankfully those are few and far between (at least the vocal ones are).

Disclaimer 2: I’m mostly posting this so I can remember when I bought this thing a few years from now. I can’t remember how long I’ve had my current helmet. I think I had my original full-face (fixed) HJC for 2-3 years, which means I’ve had this helmet for 5-6 years. Definitely time for a replacement, drops notwithstanding.