I see alot of you dudes have Arai buckets...

I've got a Shoei, and I love it. I've never worn an Arai.

What's the attraction for you guys. Fit,Finish, Toys?

Some people seem to think that since they're the most expensive, they're the best. I've got a Shoei, too, and I love it.

Arai quantum fit like a glove, and the quality is all there. Too bad I won't buy another becuase of their no internet sales policy. I encourage all Arai users to boycott them until thye get their business heads screwed on straight.

shoei all the way i started with an x-9 had an arai for two weeks threw it in the garbage and bought an shoei xsp-II. arais are good hemets i just like the shoei a lot better

I've got an Arai and love it, but I think Shoei make great helmets. I've had a few in the past and would buy another. I managed a good deal on the KRJ replica (goes good with the TL) so I got it. Buy the sounds of Arai's new selling policies, it will probably be the last one I get.

Arai quantum/f haga rep...like sdiver, I like the fit, just like it was custom made for me, and I tried on every helmet that's made..that doesn't mean it's THE best helmet, get the helmet that fits YOU best..oh, one thing that I think Arai does have, thats the best interior, it's plush.. images/icons/grin.gif just my .02

[ 01-14-2002: Message edited by: Hammer 4 ]</p>

Why do I like arai???!! Read this...

Crash at ~60mph.. (http://www.gixxer.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=27&t=007129)

I've had Shoei, Bell, and Arai over the years and the Arai's seem to fit my head the best. If I find something that fits I buy it. My Quantum/e fits really well. If I have to replace it I'll get what fits. I'm not brand loyal.

What about Suomy helmets? Are they any good?

i like the arais simply becauseof their fit (like everyone else) it fits and feels superb!

I started out w/a shoei, but then switched to arai's after trying out one. The arai's seem to fit better, and have better graphics, my next helmet (on order)is an ogk which I heard is up there w/arai.

I had Shoeis before - great helmet. But the fit with the Arai is soooo comfortable. It fits my head shape just right, and that's what counts. Unfortunately, due to their questionable business practices of late, I may need to go with another brand with my next helmet.

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Jon - no 'h' ]</p>

Shoei for me!

i had (have, but don't wear) a Shoei RF800, but switched to an Arai Quantum /f. The Arai fit my head much better, it was way more comfortable, didn't look as big, felt lighter, has better ventilation (also noisier).

I'll consider Shoei's again when it's time for a new helmet, i'll just be looking into their higher end models, i just didn't care for the RF that much..

I love my Arai.....fits like a glove and its very quiet.... images/icons/grin.gif

love my suomy, plus there pretty unique, not many of them around, i think they have the craziest designs, cool lookin..you'll see my suomy in my sig.

I like my arai because....I really dig the Edwards replica...the weight is very light, which means no strain on my neck...the ventilation is top notch....it never gets hot inside my lid while I'm moving...the quality is top notch as well...

I am an Arai die-hard.
When I first started looking at bikes for the 1st time in 10 years, I looked at Suzuki, Honda, and Yami. Who had the best bike, that is the one I would buy.
As soon as I bought a bike I started looking for Arai. Never even looked at any other brand.

Go down to the local club races and see what the privateer experts are wearing (disregard guys who are sponsored w/ a helmet brand). 9 times out of 10 it's Arai.
When I bonk my noggin' at 100+, I know what I am going to be wearing!

Gotta agree w/ sdiver, it's bogus what Arai is doing.
I am gonna quite riding (again) after next summer, so I won't need another helmet. But if I was gonna ride for a few more years, it would be a tough call...boycott the best, or buy the best under duress. I dunno. I sure hope for everyones sake Arai changes it's policy, as it is the standard by which all others are judged. Remember, a kool paint-job/graphics ain't gonna protect your skull. Buck up and get the best! Period.

I've only worn HJC and Arai. Compared to my HJC, the Arai isn't even in the same category. The comfort level, the lower sound levels, neat features like quick, change shield...

I wore my old HJC once last summer and it letreally felt like I was putting an empty ice cream pail on my head compared to my Arai.

To be fair, the HJC model I bought was very cheap. I'm sure they make better helmets than the one that I bought.

That said, I will not buy another Arai helmet because I refuse to pay a $200 mark up.

I just got my first Arai helmet yesterday. As far as the comfort of it on the bike, I can't tell ya because I haven't worn it yet.

I had a hard time deciding between the Arai and a Shoei Suzuki helmet. Then, Arai didn't make it any easier with their new no internet decision. Right before I bougth, I went and looked at the Shoei helmets one last time. I just couldn't find a design I liked. To me, they are all ugly! I had been coveting the Arai Kenny Roberts Jr. Yellow for quite some time. I decided to buy off the internet before it was too late, because I was difinitely not buying it for full retail!!!

Arai Fits My head perfect, I have yet to put on a helmet that fits better, I've tried on some Shoei's but they just don't fit the same. I think it all depends on the shape of your head, just like shoe's you need to try them on and see how it feels!

The second I put my Arai on I knew it was the only helmet for me, fits like a glove images/icons/smile.gif

Fit, quality, and design is what won me over. images/icons/wink.gif

i'm moving this to the Riding Gear/Apparel forum. images/icons/wink.gif

Actually All the guys with the Arai's have too much money to burn. j/k
I hear they're like the cadillac of Helmets.
Lots of features and comfort.
I personally think they're too pricey. They don't seem to care about thier customers, but they do take care of thier local dealers.

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Speedballer347:

snip...Remember, a kool paint-job/graphics ain't gonna protect your skull. Buck up and get the best! Period.<hr></blockquote>

Amen to that.

My buddy has one, swears by it, and sez the guts can be removed, and has better ventilation than the Shoei.

I've been looking at them at my local dealer....Damn are they nuts: The less expensive start at CDN$400, and go to over CDN$1000.

I think I'll look a little close when its time to renew.

I too have had 2 Shoei's and can say that on my oval/triangular/peaky head they loossenned up alot faster that my 2 Arais. The Arais are the best IMHO, no doubt. They are quieter, more snug, better mechanism, awesome fit and finish too. Shoei's are great tooo but I prefer the Arais. HJC's I do not like at all. It seems that whenever I try one on the lower half of my face hangs out - like it's too short...weird.

Raced for a good number of years and must say that I have worn Shoei's, Arai's, AGV's and now Suomy's. I think Arai has got a great helmet, but they have a tendancy to charge a bit more for the same technology that companies like Suomy use and charge less for. Sure, they have three head shapes and a quick release shield, but Suomy has the same type of interior from Dupont, the same single layer fiberglass (but Suomy bag molds which removes any possible air pockets in the glass/resign to make the helmet as strong as possible), similar diffusor application and is almost as quiet.

What people may want to check out is their newest Spec1R helmet due to be released at the Indy dealer show. If you have a dealer that is going and are interested in the helmet, have them pick up some info. It will accomodate a second head shape (more oval) along with the Gunwind. It is absolutely at the level of an Arai RX7RR. But, unlike Arai, Suomy can price their product at a retail that is more acceptable to the motorcycle public. At $429 for solids and $479 for racer reps, they will cause some major concern at Arai. Check it out - it is going to be a killer helmet and has some new technology that even Arai doesn't have.

I have an HJC and am happy with its fit. It has a quick release visor feature and vents galore. I understand what you are saying kennyb, in Canada those nice Arai's are around $1000. If I could get one for $400 like the guys south I would consider based on how it fit, just because it is expensive does not make it better than one that fits good. I had my doubts too about HJC but saw I think it was Aaron Yates highside at a race and land on his head(HJC) from about 8ft in the air and he got up and walked away so they must be OK. I'm just glad to not be using my 16 year old Shoei.

It definently has to do alot with head shape and personal preference. I have tried both and the Shoei fits my head better. As far a fit and finish the Shoei was on par with the Arai in my opinion. images/icons/grin.gif

simply put....THE FIT....my RX7-RR4 fits better and ventilates better than any Shoei, AGV, KBC, HJC, or Suomy I have ever worn

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by sdiver:
Arai quantum fit like a glove, and the quality is all there. Too bad I won't buy another becuase of their no internet sales policy. I encourage all Arai users to boycott them until thye get their business heads screwed on straight.<hr></blockquote>

I would boycott them, however, my head is worth more then what the helmet costs. In theory I wont crash and I wont need a new one. If I do I'd be more then happy to pay full price. I've wrecked before and Thank god for that helmet.

-Leon

I don't have a problem with my AGV. Keeps my head in perfect condition, whatever beating it takes images/icons/wink.gif

[ 01-19-2002: Message edited by: 180mph ]</p>

I wear the Shoei x-sp-II Criville 2 because it fits my head best, but I also own an Arai Quantum/f Okada. I can tell you that wearing the one that fits best is most important. The shoei is however a little nicer in fit/finish, and it is definetely quieter. I personally prefer the Shoei for more reasons than just that it fits me a little better. It is worth noting that the Shoei is also more expensive though.

One more thing, I do not at all care for the shield attachment system of the Arai. The Shoei shield attachment is much, much better. The Arai adsys shield system is a pain in the butt, if you put the shield up all the way it gets stuck and won't come down, etc, etc. It does not have a ratchet action either, a place where the shoei really shines.

I am also going to boycott Arai for their recent decision not to sell on the internet. They want us to pay full retail value and that is going to even the prices out between arai and shoei, giving shoei what I think will be a major advantage.

Arai Quantum/f Okada, fits like a glove and they offer the best graphics. I use to wear a Shoei and the Arai felt smaller and lighter on my head. No matter what you buy, just make sure you wear it when you ride and make sure your on a Suzuki. images/icons/smile.gif

When I bought my arai I checked out shoei as well and found did not fit my head, bought In canada a 1100 dollar list ARAI Qf Agostini replica for 800 so if you have a good dealer they will help you out. this was last spring, this year will be buying again (no not to much money but insurance said that it is only allowed to save my head @ 60MPH once) and they have a new astral line wich is a great fit between the Q/f and the signet but they shaved a few MM (milimeters canadian for 1/16ths of an inch) off the side covers to reduce noise, where the shoies have the visor overlap the pivots to keep the noise down wich I believe to be better in that aspect, but would only trust my melon to ARAI or SHOEI

helmetshop.com offers the arai quantum/f with graphics for $379 and the shoei x-sp-II for $549... Also, shoei's new Z-II is very nice..