Arai

[rwl1955]

I was reading the latest edition of Motorcyclist mag and in the letters to the editors section a few readers wrote in that a certain helmet manufacturer had pulled their ads from the mag because of the helmet article motorcyclist ran last year. The letter stated it was all over internet chatrooms.

I noticed that Arai didn`t have any ads in Motorcyclist, but had ads for their new helmet in Rider and Cycle World.

Anybody know anything about this. I was considering Arai`s new helmet, the profile, but if this is true I wouldn`t be purchasing any more of their helmets.

[nisbeam]

mmm... if what's true and what article ?

All I can say is I sold my Arai only because of the NOISE!!!! :eek: It was clearly a high quality build, and with a beautiful paint job, but was so noisy it had to go after just a few weeks. Cost me £400 over here & sold on eBay for £150 to a happy buyer. I don't want to be deaf in a few years time !
:03biker:




what was that you said ???????????


sorry if there are any spelling mistake, I can't hear too well !

[Medicine Bear]

mmm... if what's true and what article ?

All I can say is I sold my Arai only because of the NOISE!!!! :eek: It was clearly a high quality build, and with a beautiful paint job, but was so noisy it had to go after just a few weeks. Cost me £400 over here & sold on eBay for £150 to a happy buyer. I don't want to be deaf in a few years time !
:03biker:




what was that you said ???????????


sorry if there are any spelling mistake, I can't hear too well !

What did you replace it with that is quieter? I'm still trying to find a local Nolan N-102 dealer as I hear they're quiet (the helmet, not the dealer) but even Nolan can't tell me where one is!

Fred :03biker:

[Firehawk]

I've had many helmets over the past 20 years. By far my Arai is the best & most comfortable. My experience, any helmet that lets air flow through is noisy.

[STeve1300]

I'm still trying to find a local Nolan N-102 dealer as I hear they're quiet (the helmet, not the dealer) but even Nolan can't tell me where one is!

Fred :03biker:

Fred, for what its worth, I tried on a Nolan N-102 "Medium" at the Chicago show and it fit PERFECTLY. Just like my HJC AC-3 Medium does. In other helmets medium is too small. (Nolan N-101 Med was also too small) I'm sure your local dealer has HJCs and if you are a gambling man, you might try your luck on-line with the comparable size.

Another note on the Nolan... no D ring. It has a ratcheting buckle like some boots do. Convenient to snap, impossible to hang on a helmet holder, a little noticable on the chin. If I buy a flip helmet...I will get the Nolan.

[Medicine Bear]

Fred, for what its worth, I tried on a Nolan N-102 "Medium" at the Chicago show and it fit PERFECTLY. Just like my HJC AC-3 Medium does. In other helmets medium is too small. (Nolan N-101 Med was also too small) I'm sure your local dealer has HJCs and if you are a gambling man, you might try your luck on-line with the comparable size.

Another note on the Nolan... no D ring. It has a ratcheting buckle like some boots do. Convenient to snap, impossible to hang on a helmet holder, a little noticeable on the chin. If I buy a flip helmet...I will get the Nolan.

Thanks a bunch, Steve! As a matter of fact, I have an HJC that came with the bike and it (a large) fits fine. I bought an Arai Quantum-2 (XL) and it fits fine too. I just would like a flip helmet and I really like the looks of the N-102. The problem I've had so far is that the on line dealers aren't very generous in exchanging the helmet for another size without penalty.

Fred :03biker:

[nisbeam]

Hi Medicine Bear, I bought a Roof. Black & silver to match the bike. It is easily the quietest helmet I have ever owned & I bought after recommendations form others - they were right ! No only that, but it has an anti mist visor - I dont know if it is double glazed, but it does not mist up except in extreem circumstances, e.g. yesterday after over an hour at about 4C in torrential rain. Visor down all the way and it took that long before it started to mist up at all. The visor also has a slight tint which looks good and works to eliminate glare. Have a look at http://www.designerhelmets.com/
The one I have is the R010 Le Mans Silver / Anthracite stripes :03biker:

[rwl1955]

Arai has a new model coming out, the Profile, that will replace the Signet for us w/long oval heads.
I have an Arai now but I don`t think I want to spend $500.0 on a new one.

If Arai pulled their ads from Motorcyclist because of their article on helmets I wouldn`t buy their helmets anyways. They pissed me off a few years ago when the refused to allow their helmets to be sold over the internet.

[racer1735]

I wore an Aria for years, but last summer I purchased a Suomy. I find it to be very comparable, very similar fit and not quite as expensive.

[jeffmiller]

The report ran in a motorcycle magazine that showed that Arai, Shoei, Nolan and the like were matched in safety tests by helmet manufacturers that cost in many cases 1/4 of what their higher priced cousins cost.

HJC and others had exceptional safety numbers, and the conlcusion of the report was that the big names with the big price tags don't offer any significant protection over the lower cost competitors.

That report caused the big four to pull all their advertising from this Motorcyclist as well as the "other" publication.

Hope that adds some clarity,

Jeff

[vossman]

I read it a while back too. Said the standards (DOT and Snell) are not even close to what happens during a motorcycle crash. The tests they do are point specific impact tests on helmets where an actual crash is more of a bouncing impact. It was kind of eye opening but you have to take everything you read with a grain of salt.

[Pred8tor]

I've got an Arai - I think it's worth extra because it's very comfortable to me. I have my head in there a lot, and a little extra comfort goes a long way.

I don't like the idea of helmet manufacturers putting pressure on magazine reviewers, though. That stinks.