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To Arai or not to Arai?

John James said:
When I said the helmet had hit its born on date, I was referring to this:

http://www.smf.org/helmetfaq#aWhyReplace
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Some say Snell testing is flawed. DOT as well.

Motorcyclist published an article in '05 that pissed off a lot of helmet manufacturers who allegedly threatened the magazine that they would pull advertizing if they didn't get rid of the article.

"The Snell sticker," continued Newman, "has become a marketing gimmick. By spending 60 cents [paid to the Snell foundation], a manufacturer puts that sticker in his helmet and he can increase the price by $30 or $40. Or even $60 or $100."

It's hard to find the article now, but here it is:

http://www.westcoastweasels.com/archives/PDF/Blowing_the_Lid_Off.pdf

BTW, changing visors on an Arai is not difficult, but it's more difficult than it has to be. I've had lots of parts on my Arai Helmets fail. I simply want more for money.
 
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I've had a handful of Arai's and never ever had a hard time removing/installing the shield or broke anything. If you're breaking parts, you're doing something wrong......lol
 
If thousands of riders are breaking the same part to do something that should be really simple, then it's a shit design. I've got close to $1,400 worth of arai helmets and I keep an extra pod mount for each side on hand at all times. The reason I have 2 arai helmets is because the first time I broke a pod mount it was going to take a week to get another one as they were all sold out. The lady at the bike shop said they sell tons of them. Stupid me wanted to ride so bad I bought another arai so that I would always have a backup. Broke one changing visors, one broke when my helmet fell off my mirror ( I don't put it on the mirror any more) and one broke when my helmet rolled across the back seat of my truck on the way to a track day.
 
I've tried on Arai helmets and I've tried on other helmets.

The Arais fit me fine, but so does Shoei.

I figure if $400 isn't saving my head, there isn't much more $800 could do.
I have an Icon that fit me perfectly when I bought it. Got it on clearance for $130 but of course over the year I've had it, it's shown its cheapness in how the padding has already worn down to the point where it presses uncomfortably on my forehead. It's also noisy and a vent piece fell off it.

I really feel like after a certain point, all you're paying for is things like better quality fabrics and paddings and shields and airflow and even the name. An Arai likely lasts longer stock than something cheaper but I wouldn't say it would protect better than anything mid-line.
 
wait! I know a guy, who knows a guy who has access to a few new,but out of box corsairs. and rxq's with born on dates around 2012 but never used, boring, ho-hum colors, no access until Tuesday . if you can wait, text me at 559-288-1490 and I'll see what kind of deal.
BTW, Arai is the only helmet maker that says their helmets are good to go for 10 years unless they have been crashed or the liners have been trashed by abuse.
 
Thoughts on AGV? I tried on a couple today at Cycle Gear. I'm tempted...but somehow, I just know I'll get a Shoei again.
 
Deftone said:
Been waiting for this thread....

I've used nothing but Arai for the last 20+ years, nothing but the top end, racer replica Arai models. I started getting irritated with the broken parts and difficulty changing visors, removing internal pads, etc.. And the price just kept going up. No matter how many nice helmets were out there, Arai just kept on raising prices. $800+ for a helmet?!

So I just bought an HJC RPHA-10, it's tits. Better than my RX7 Corsair V in every way, IMHO, and it was only about $350 new.




BTW, Arai RX7 Corsair V Hopkins/Monster for sale, size med. Mint cond. PM me.

You should buy it. It's an Arai, they're the best you know.
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+1

The RPHA-10 is hands down the best helmet i have worn and i have 7 helmets including Icon, AGV and Shoei. Lightweight and vents really well. I can't wait to try it on track.:thumbup
 
Fit is why I wear Arai (Profile). I do it in spite of the faceshield attachment system. Maybe they've improved it? Their newer lids seem to use a different faceshield.
 
While I still have my Arai, I've been favoring the Shoei's for the past couple of years.
 
I have an RX-Q. It's a decent helmet, comfortable, but I'll never buy an Arai again. Why? Too expensive, heavy, and way too noisy, even with ear plugs. And today I noticed that the plastic beneath the chin vent is cracked.

I also have an AGV GP-Tech, which is way better in almost every category. And the AGV is super light...
 
vato_loco said:
I also have an AGV GP-Tech, which is way better in almost every category. And the AGV is super light...
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Is the AGV Snell?

I've had heavier, but it seems that there are a lot of Helmets lighter than my Profile. I think some of the weight is due to being Snell (2010). I'd take an DOT & ECE rated helmet in a heartbeat over DOT & Snell if it saved weight. I'd probably take it anyway, all things being equal.
 
Arai is one of those companies whose products are at once very good, and highly overrated.

I've only ever worn Sharks, and I think they're terrific. My brother has an Icon Variant that feels solid as a rock, too.
 
davidji said:
Fit is why I wear Arai (Profile). I do it in spite of the faceshield attachment system. Maybe they've improved it? Their newer lids seem to use a different faceshield.
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This. The side pods are goofy and the visor system is ridiculous compared to most other helmets on the market. They are also ridiculously overpriced. However, I have an RX-Q because it is the only helmet that fit my head. I tried all the major brands and they were all wither the wrong shape, or I was "in between" sizes, despite trying different size pads. I had no intention of buying an Arai (because of the price), but out of desperation I grabbed one off the shelf, put in on and BAM, perfect fit. I was both happy and upset at the same time.
 
Dr. Evil said:
Arai is one of those companies whose products are at once very good, and highly overrated.

I've only ever worn Sharks, and I think they're terrific. My brother has an Icon Variant that feels solid as a rock, too.
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A perfect barf post. You have never used the product, but it is overrated.
:rofl
 
clutchslip said:
A perfect barf post. You have never used the product, but it is overrated.
:rofl
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I've handled them plenty; brother #1 has an Arai (brother #2 has the Icon, brother #3 doesn't ride). They didn't impress me as being exceptionally well-built. They're like Apple. Well-built, well thought-out, and well-overpriced.

And, the fact is, most people never use their helmets, thank God. :)
 
Dr. Evil said:
I've handled them plenty; brother #1 has an Arai (brother #2 has the Icon, brother #3 doesn't ride). They didn't impress me as being exceptionally well-built. They're like Apple. Well-built, well thought-out, and well-overpriced.

And, the fact is, most people never use their helmets, thank God. :)
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Interesting, I found my Arai to be well built compared to similarly priced Shoeis, not exceedingly, but on par at least.

I'm also a bit intrigued how your impression is that they aren't "exceptionally we'll built" but then, in the next sentence, you say they are well built.

Anyway, people are going to use what works for them and what they like. Be it a Bell, Icon, Shoei or Sumoy.
 
Bell Star carbon is my next lid. I tried one on and was duly impressed by the fit and features. :thumbup

bell_star_matte_carbon_helmet_detail.jpg
 
Triple R said:
I've had a handful of Arai's and never ever had a hard time removing/installing the shield or broke anything. If you're breaking parts, you're doing something wrong......lol
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Yea, I was using them every day. Apparently, that was wrong. :twofinger

Vin246 said:
+1

The RPHA-10 is hands down the best helmet i have worn and i have 7 helmets including Icon, AGV and Shoei. Lightweight and vents really well. I can't wait to try it on track.:thumbup
Click to expand...

Agreed. I'm totally impressed with the RPHA-10. It's solid. Very well built, functions well, very light and even fits better than my Corsair V.

I was just hoping for a comparable helmet for less, I got a better helmet for less than half the $.

YMMV
 
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