To Arai or not to Arai?

[Deftone]

If the Corsair V racer replicas were $500, I'd probably still be buying them.

 

[Archimedes]

Literacy is really hitting the shitter, isn't it? Did you READ the WORDS? I said they weren't exceptional. That is to say, they are not any different than many other helmets, which YOU YOURSELF JUST SAID.

Seriously, your argument is based on whether 'exceptionally well built' should be interpreted as 'the best' rather than 'one of the best'...

Shoei and Arai are better designed and constructed than the 'other reputable brands'. Doesn't mean that they're safer helmets or that everyone needs that to get a good helmet, or that they're right for everyone.

And I'm impressed that you were able to gather so much information just by looking at the helmets...

 

[rothmans]

If the Corsair V racer replicas were $500, I'd probably still be buying them.

Thats what I paid for mine...nib but that was a bit of a deal.

 

[kcederwall08]

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.

Just picked up an RPHA-10 as well, and can confirm it is the tits. By far the best helmet ive owned, although I didnt come from an arai.

 

[originalsturge]

Good to know! I've bought a 4-5 of them over the years. They're only like $9 but the shop is probably getting them for free.

nope. shops still pay for them as well. or maybe i should say my shop does.

just got my first arai recently after wearing a scorpion exo-700 for a few years and goddamn is it nice, ill be buying a defiance soon as well for the other bike too. arais customer service is awesome, got refitted by an arai america rep and hes sending me some liner stuff to micro adjust the helmet to get it to fit me even better. you dont always get that kind of support from companies anymore, for what its worth the only other helmet manufacturer that ive had awesome customer service from is scorpion.

 

[clutchslip]

you dont always get that kind of support from companies anymore, for what its worth the only other helmet manufacturer that ive had awesome customer service from is scorpion.

I have had excellent service from AGV, Arai, and Shoei. And I would buy any one of those manufacturers' top-of-the-line helmets in a nanosecond, because I only spend a lot when it comes to protecting my limited brain cells.

 

[davidji]

This is normal I think, some people have an Arai head,

At least a couple of years ago pretty much everyone had an Arai head-they had a really broad range of shapes, and I think given the right model, the right pads and the right size they had a helmet for nearly every rider.

They don't have as many different shapes now, but they still may have the broadest range in the business. If you fit one Arai model it doesn't mean you'll fit a different one, because it may be shaped for a different head.

The chart here isn't up to date, but it might still help:
http://www.revzilla.com/arai-helmet-shape-guide

 

[6172crew]

I hit the service pavilion and my head is shaped like the RXQ line, so that is the helmet I went with. The SP will exchange the pads to fit your head if you buy from them.

 

[scotinexcile]

I got my new Arai at the Service Pavillion at MotoGP. Most expensive helmet I have EVER bought. Got the Signet Q and am amazed at how well it fits. The staff took a great deal of time when they were all really busy, getting me the right helmet, check pads, tear off's ect. Have worn the helmet for 2 race weekends now and dont even miss my ear plugs
Next stop the Isle of Man for the ManxGP

 

[Oh My Sack!]

TSP folks are ON IT! It's amazing when you work with someone that understands how to properly fit a helmet and that has the means to do it right.

 

[ridin_dirty]

I've got a Corsair V and I am in the new helmet market as well. I'm in the mood to try something new. The Corsair V fits me fine, I just find it kinda dull and lacking in some important areas so I want something different. I'm looking for better air flow, less noise, less lift, and a wider field of vision. I also prefer a different visor lock, pinlock compatibility, and a tool-free visor system.

In trying on different brands, I found that Shoeis are torture devices. The Shark Race R Carbon tried to eat my head off. And AGV fits great. I'm waiting for the Pista GP or the cheaper brother to that, the Corsa.

I don't have yellow in anything I own so that aspect of the Project 46 turns me off but in all other ways, it's the lid for me.

 

[Gixxergirl1000]

My HJC RPHA-10 is super easy to R&R the visor, I switch them daily. Super easy to remove interior parts for washing as well, replacement parts are half of what Arai charges and better quality all around than any of my Arai's that cost more than double.

I'm getting an HJC RPHA-X for dirt. Done with Arai.

I'm currently wearing an Arai Profile. The other styles of Arai don't fit nearly as well... will that HJC have similar fitment? Or do they have other styles to fit different head shapes?
As an example, I can't wear Shoei's... they just don't fit right.
I'm due for a new helmet for racing- I want one just for the track, and I've got a couple more years at least on my current Arai, so that'll be just street.
Guess it's time to start trying on helmets...