ARAI HELMETS... advice/info needed

[Toaster]

I have an ARAI head.... the bit above my shoulders. The old helmet is a bit battered.

Is anyone able to give me feedback on new ARAI helmets? The few places I have been able to find them for sale are pretty hopeless and just want you to buy one. I am interested in hearing what the RX7 helmet is like after a period of use (especially given that they are so dang expensive!)

http://www.phoenixnw.co.uk/arai_rx7.html

These profile helmets sound like a better design, but don't seem to be sold in NZ. Anyone know if there is anywhere in NZ selling these?

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...101&division=1

Any feedback is helpful thanks!

[Squeak the Rat]

Hi Toaster,

I've gone through a similar exercise recently. From what I've been able to work out (sorry for the word count):

The Arai Rx7 is the top of the line helmet designed for racing. I've heard reviews that it can be a bit noisy, but it's light and comfortable.

The Astro-R and the Viper are the next models down, both with a different head shape fit. Arai have decided to put out some different shape fits, which is good news if you don't have a traditional Arai head but a little confusing if you do. And it seems we've inhereted the UK naming convention, but I believe Viper = Profile and Astro = Quantum II. Try a uk site like http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/moto.../content_cat/2

Having tried on the Astro-R and the Viper, I thought that the Astro has the "traditiona"l Arai fit, well at least from previously having owned a Quantum F. The Viper felt to me like a Shoei, especially around the cheek fit - though it is a different head shape too, so you'll want to try one on of each.

Then there's the Condor and Chaser. I've not had any experience with these but I recall some members having these models and they may have some views.

None of the reviews that I've read reveal Arais as being tops in the quiet stakes, but the're not the worst either. I just find them superbly comfortable and I love having a chin spoiler.

I have an Astro-R being delivered next week

Hope some of this helps. Remember what I've said is based on my subjective investigations - getting a good fit is most important!

[Toaster]

Hi Toaster,

Thanks for that, most appreciated.

[boomer]

it fits my head, others didn't or rather didn't seem to fit so snug. Its light, bright, airated but noisey. had mine for 2 years and still going strong. innards are removable, so you can wash and clean. i have a smoked lense too which took 2 or 3 attempts to realise how it worked. by which time i'd snapped the side cover off. $20 to replace which i was grateful cos i thought i'd wrecked a $1500 helmet. It has plenty of air vents and a pull down kneck piece ( air/noise or whatever thingy-a-whatsit )

no complaints from me other than a tad noisy but i use earplugs anyway.

see my profile for my lid

[Squeak the Rat]

Haha, yeah the visor system is a bit antiquated.

PS - Motohaus seemed to have a good selection of Arai's in Auckland, and they are clean unlike in some other bike shops.....

Check the latest couple of issues of KiwiRider that has a full page ad for the Arai models and colours available in NZ.

[Mort]

I have an Arai Astro R (Shwantz Replica).... Before that I had a Quantum E (Doohan rep). No question in my mind that you buy a helmet a) to save your life, b) to be comfortable and look good and c) to last 5 years or so before you should replace it. Arai score on all those counts and are worth every penny spent.

However, be careful how you clean them. Only use mild soap and water. Anything with a solvent in and they fall apart as my Shwantz lid did... I sent it to Pheonix UK and they tested it for solvents, gave a written report on their findings and why I shouldn't use solvents etc... and then fixed the helmet for cost price.....

Which leads me to ... d) Arai after sales service. Superb.

Have no doubts - buy one.

[Lou Girardin]

I'm not impressed with Arai's value for money. I prefer Shoei, XLite and Schuberth.

[The_Dover]

you'll want a flip face or an open face on that 109 mate.

with skulls painted on it.

and tassles, to match your chaps.

[Bob]

I've 'only' got an Arai RV - but I love it to bits. Three years on and it is still as snug as ever and still does the job.

I had a quick trawl to see if I could come up with some RX7 reviews - hope these help (they range from MCN - take with a pinch of salt - to someone just submitting to a review site):

http://www.ciao.co.uk/ARAI_RX7XX__77955

http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com/...php?prodID=774

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/nav?pa...urceId=1344021

[Fat Tony]

Wouldn't stick my head in anything else - nothing else fits my head as well for starters. Had my last RX7 for five years, loved it until the day I replaced it with another (RX7 McCoy Corsair) and sold the old one for a third of the price I'd paid for it five years earlier

I love the visor system, it's increbibly quick to switch visors once you've got the hang of it. A few years ago Arai introduced a couple of levers, which pop up when you have the visor fully open, to aid removal of the visor.

Yes, they're expensive, but I don't regret a single penny of the spend. Quality kit.

People say that they're quite a noisy lid but I can't say I notice any more noise in that than in my wife's AGV lid.

[Grumpy]

Had my RX7 for a few years now. Went to a shop that was able to supply some extra cheek pads etc.. and made sure I had it fitted perfect before I paid over the money. Can wear the thing all day not a problem. If it fits your head shape, nothing better. Don't worry about the noise. Ear plugs are cheap.

[RM125king]

i have an Arai rx7 helmet as well and i tried heaps of different helmets before i brought this one and they all seemed to be too tight in one place or another then i picked up the arai and WOW i couldnt believe the difference. it was just so light and so comfortable you could wear it all day no problems at all.

highly recommended.

The only problem is the NZ supplier is slack cunt. the only decent place i found them was a suzuki place near k road in auckland.

[Squeak the Rat]

iThe only problem is the NZ supplier is slack cunt. the only decent place i found them was a suzuki place near k road in auckland.

Are you sure that's a supplier issue, not a shop issue? A lot of shops probably aren't comfortable having 10 RX7's sitting on a shelf - about $15 grands worth of stock right there.

I've dealt with the NZ distributor on issues with other products and found them very helpful (ie couriering a complete set of screws for a rack when I found one missing).

There's a list of dealers in the latest kiwirider mag with all the models and colour schemes (obviously limited choice in NZ). If the shop doesn't have the colour you like either ask for a discount on one of the stocked ones or ask them to order one in.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I have an ARAI head.... the bit above my shoulders. The old helmet is a bit battered.

Is anyone able to give me feedback on new ARAI helmets? The few places I have been able to find them for sale are pretty hopeless and just want you to buy one. I am interested in hearing what the RX7 helmet is like after a period of use (especially given that they are so dang expensive!)



Any feedback is helpful thanks!

Seeing as (like me) you have an 'Arai head'....you simply cannot go past the protection offered by Arai helmets.
I would be surprised if ANYONE here has bounced on their head more often than I have....and I won't wear anything else.
Quiet in the back seats please....

[RM125king]

Are you sure that's a supplier issue, not a shop issue? A lot of shops probably aren't comfortable having 10 RX7's sitting on a shelf - about $15 grands worth of stock right there.

I've dealt with the NZ distributor on issues with other products and found them very helpful (ie couriering a complete set of screws for a rack when I found one missing).

There's a list of dealers in the latest kiwirider mag with all the models and colour schemes (obviously limited choice in NZ). If the shop doesn't have the colour you like either ask for a discount on one of the stocked ones or ask them to order one in.

yeah i was dealing through a shop and i looked through the book and said i want this one. they ordered it in front of me and something turns up a week later similar but not the same. ok i will try a diferent one and the same thing happened again. but i have heard this is pretty common.