https://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/motogp/2019/june/top-riders-forced-to-use-rival-helmet-brands/ https://www.rideapart.com/features/410085/fim-helmet-safety-standards-certification-superior/
At the end of the day, when it comes to helmets, fitment means just as much as anything. Many people wear helmets that are one size too big, or they just don’t fit properly. I was one of those people till Van showed me exactly how a helmet is supposed to fit. I’ve worn Arai, Bell, and SHOEI. Personally, I like Bell the best. They fit my head better and I think they have the best ventilation of any of them. Is Arai worth twice as much? IMO, not a chance in hell.
Oh, and when I first saw this thread, my initial thought was “Anal will probably cost a little more”.
At racing speeds my Bell feels more secure on my head than my Arai Corsair V. Especially if I turn my head and the winds hits the helmet. The Bell doesn't move at all. The Arai sort of feels like it wants to twist but doesn't. Both helmets fit very snug. I learned helmet shapes and proper helmet fitment from the Arai guy at Daytona a looong time ago. Time well spent getting educated about that.
Exactly. But I've bought my last one at these prices. At least I can replace the internals, repaint, probably even replace the date strap if needed. Doesn't make much sense getting a new helmet anyway because the wife throws them out of the house when she gets mad about anything.
Big fan of Arai since they fit my head the best. Tried AGVs and just doesnt work. I ordered directly from Japan Arai X Hayden (New) and it was only $500 ish...I was skeptical at first but it arrived. This was few years ago like in 2020. I am not sure if they still ship it to USA.
My AGV Corsa fits me like a custom made glove!!! But I noticed the higher end AGV helmets are definitely creeping up in price too!
And to add more another point, so ( insert favorite brand here ) shows $1000 + msrp for a helmet(s) in a catalog, does anyone on the planet actually pay RETAIL ?
John Ulrich may be able to jump in here. If I remember correctly, Chris Ulrich used to wear Shoei. I believe he crashed and had the effects from a concussion for approximately a year. I believe Chris switched to Arai. I think the helmet issue, at the time, was that some helmets transferred too much energy to your brain during a crash…
I don't believe that's true on the X14...but I only had one for a day or two fitting it. The little silver winglets break off, but there are features are molded into the shell and create a force concentration point.
Here's an interesting Jonathan Rea video with Arai. (currently wearing a shoei, have had hjc - cheap, fogged, ok helmet, bell - heavier, large shell, arai - may go back to arai with the rear wing, too much lift without for me)
It’s worth twice as much when they have a shape that fits my egg head. To me money isn’t the favor, fit is.
Personally to me yes the Arai is worth the extra money. I trust them, Shoei, Bell and the newer HJC stuff. Obviously I don't think the others are necessarily dangerous in any way or they'd be illegal ratings be damned but what I'm willing to trust my head to is those I listed. As many others have said, fit is HUGE. Properly fit also won't necessarily be the most comfy when you put it on.
