Another Rant ... Arai

[SKurj]

I had my first bikes when I was 18-20 and always had used or handme down helmets, at least they were Shoei's. Back then I always drooled over the Arai helmets, but could never afford one.
Well.. now I have a little more income, I just got back on a bike, and thought I would finally treat myself to that Arai helmet I always wanted.
I bought a Vector, and it is awesome, it really is, comfortable looks great, i could go on and on.... until
Yesterday my new shield arrived, what a :ranting:^&%^&%$(*O_ job that is to replace the shield. And in the process one of the little tabs on the left sidecover broke. SO now here I am with a new bike, and my only helmet is broken and unuseable.

No doubt I am not the first to encounter this, I'd almost wonder if they are designed to break so they can sell parts. I'd be willing to bet the shop will not have sidecovers in stock, at least not in my colour.. though if they have black I'll take'm. This should be a warranty replacement as well, helmet less than 3 weeks old and cost me $400+. I found a place in the US that sells the sidecovers for $24 pr, likely end up being $54 pr here in Canaduh eh.

1st and last Arai I ever buy, back to Shoei's

[zx92027xz]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GwT-DHzXW5g

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2YTHFTwwark

i actually just took the visor off my arai the other day... and i definitely broke the plastic things too. but its old, and i stunt with it, so i didnt really care. but you shoulda done some research about how to do the swap. its actually the coolest system ive ever seen.

maybe youll reconsider after those vids.

[SKurj]

I did do research... the helmet comes with 2 sets of instructions and a video on how to do it.

[SVBART]

Buhuu. What a load of bull, only helmet with bladibla... I could replace the shield on my HJC without taking the helmet off, it is so easy. ARAI are so full of themselves...

[schmidt314]

Arai shields are really easy to change, you just have to know how to do it. I change shields all the time and usually in less than about 10 seconds. I have only broken a few on my race helmets and it was likely due to the hundreds of shield changes it has gone through or just wear and tear. I have to show all my friends how to do it correctly, but once you know how to do it it is a sanp. Ever seen any of the Isle of Mann films where the Shoei guys have to change helmets and the Arai guys just change shield in flash.

-MS

[zx92027xz]

it certainly didnt look too hard in that video... lol

youtube is the new google, man. i look there for anything i wanna learn to do.

[PEZ]

LOL! Arai sends out a freaking VIDEO to teach you how to change their shields?? I'll stick with my "cheapo" Scorpion 700...

[zx92027xz]

LOL! Arai sends out a freaking VIDEO to teach you how to change their shields??

seeing as how myself and skurj broke part of our helmets doing this... its a good thing they do... lol

[rjk]

I just love the sound it makes when you SNAP out the shield. Really sounds like you are breaking the darn thing.

I broke a side cover (my fault...I hit it) and at the Motorcycle show went to their booth and they had the exact cover, and my lid is a much older model. The part was fairly cheap and they installed it in a jiffy.

Expensive yes but service is good. And NOTHING else fits my head as well.

[SKurj]

Update:

Went to the store I bought it from, they gave me a loaner side plate, not the right colour but at least I can ride.
The replacement parts will cost me $37+taxes....

I'll be ordering spares... of course with my luck I will only ever break the one side...

[Dazza2910]

Shame you're way over in Canada. I'm a trained Arai technician and have dealt with them for a number of years now. The first time I ever changed one, before I was ever in the bike trade, I was convinced it was going to break with the noises it was making. But once you've done it a few times, it's a piece of piss. And given I've changed and fitted/adjusted squillions now, it really is simple. In 5 years I can count on one hand how many broken side pods I've seen. Doesn't happen very often at all.

Used to deal with Shoei's too. Good lids, but still think the Arai system is better. Not going to go into the who's and why's unless people want to know, but from the number of crashers I've spoken to and testing I've been to, Arai is all I'll wear. Have experienced offs with them myself and never had so much as a headache.

If anyone ever needs some advice on lids, especially on Arai's which is where most of my knowledge is, just drop me a line. My MSN link is in my profile or PM me.

[mrgenius]

you can borrow my shoei x-11 if you want.

[retrogeordy]

The biggest problem with Bikers and helmets is we do not ask. We go to shows and stores buy a helmet, Buy a dark visor, get home and struggle to do what inevitably is a simple job. Moral of the story ask for a demo so you get to see the right way, the easy way!

[PEZ]

Or you might read the owner's material packed with the lid... :whistle:

[rider1260]

I'm sure Arai is a fine lid just does not fit me at all X-11 Shoei for me X-9 before that!!!

[nigel]

I bought a new arai when i bought my 996 was very happy with it but boy was it noisy!!! and I replaced many of the vents etc due to stones breaking them or whatever. I still have it and have replaced it with a Shark which is much more aerodynamic at speed , more comfortable , and quieter.
However the point I wish to make is this, the uk gov. has instigated a new test system (something like snell) and the helmet that we all believed is one of the best did not do that well at all (only 3 stars) There is still quite a controversy about this as some real happy shopper chinese helmets have received higher marks.
The new test maintains that the padding and shell is too stiff and transfers too much energy to the head.
Made me think of opsman (on this site) who had an off when racing last year and although his helmet had hardly a mark on it he nonetheless suffered a fractured skull so maybe there is something in it after all?

[smooth operator]

My dial-up was taking forever to download the video. But Your not alone. I have the side plates,one or the other pop off,most of the time. I've had the tabs break sometimes I've had to replace the side covers on each side.I've swore at that thing so many times! Then I watch the beginning of the vedio and the guy doesn't even take his lid off.
I had a bee fly up under my helmet last week, quick opened my sheild and the side plate flew off in the road.Luckily I found it befor it got ran over. But I just have a hell of a time getting it on w/o busting a tab. I was on the side of the road for 20 min! SCRIPPIN" SCRAPPIN"#@&%^! I changed it w no problems the other day and I was so proud you'd think I accomplished some great feat1 And it only took me about 8minutes!
I'm due for a new Helmet. And I havn't been considering Aria. Evebn thoughI ove the helmet when its onmy head.

[tzk321]

One thing I've noticed about arai owners: they either think their helmets are the greatest or they think their helmets suck.

Personally I like HJC. They fit my head nicely, they are light weight, and they have similar features to much more expensive lids.

btw, I read that helmets with the new Snell standard will be available this October

[smooth operator]

New update! I went to take the Sv out today. It finnaly stopped raining for awhile! And the sun even came out. So I figured after watching the begining of the video (dial up) I'd try changing the lid while on my head. Well that didn't work! So I just put the helmet on the counter where I could get the tabs up and see what I was doing.Left side came out.. Yaaa. Right side came out... Yaaa. Smoke shield was clean and ready to install.Left side went in... Yaaa Right side.. wait -a min.Try moving the shield a litle bit, a lttle push..POOP! the %$#@*&^% side cover came off. Thats alright,stay calm, wife came out to see what I was doing and thought she'd try to help.(more patience). I said,'Wait! you have to have the side cover on 1st!" Ended up busting the tap off the bottom of the side cover. I ended up with tape on the bottom of the side cover to make sure I didn't loose it! CAN YOU SENCE ANY HINT OF FRUSTRATION HERE! I've must of had purchased at least 4-5 of those things since I had the helmetI might still have 1 in stock on the shelf at my buddy's shop. 50% chance thats it the right side. I'm ready to just get a helmet tommorow onmy credit card. Maybe a Shoie,HJC,a Bell,anythig but a Aria!

[SKurj]

New update! I went to take the Sv out today. It finnaly stopped raining for awhile! And the sun even came out. So I figured after watching the begining of the video (dial up) I'd try changing the lid while on my head. Well that didn't work! So I just put the helmet on the counter where I could get the tabs up and see what I was doing.Left side came out.. Yaaa. Right side came out... Yaaa. Smoke shield was clean and ready to install.Left side went in... Yaaa Right side.. wait -a min.Try moving the shield a litle bit, a lttle push..POOP! the %$#@*&^% side cover came off. Thats alright,stay calm, wife came out to see what I was doing and thought she'd try to help.(more patience). I said,'Wait! you have to have the side cover on 1st!" Ended up busting the tap off the bottom of the side cover. I ended up with tape on the bottom of the side cover to make sure I didn't loose it! CAN YOU SENCE ANY HINT OF FRUSTRATION HERE! I've must of had purchased at least 4-5 of those things since I had the helmetI might still have 1 in stock on the shelf at my buddy's shop. 50% chance thats it the right side. I'm ready to just get a helmet tommorow onmy credit card. Maybe a Shoie,HJC,a Bell,anythig but a Aria!

hehe, well I am almost with ya... Arai gets another chance, though the next tab I break you can bet the arai will be filed as secondary helmet.

[rjk]

Here's an Arai idea. Buy the lid on eBay as you can get a much better deal. When it's time to get a new faceshield take it to a dealer and have THEM change it so if it breaks they will replace for free. :niceone:

[PEZ]

I'm quite fond of the shield system on my spare helmet, a KBC VR2. Easy sleezy 1-2-3- but really more like 1-2. My Scorpion is nearly as easy- must be a party compared to Arai...

[Jaffa]

I have a Shoei X-11 and it takes no time at all to change the shield the only draw back is the front vent it is very difficult to open and close, to much London grime I guess.

When I got mine I was given a demo and he compared it to an number of others and it was by far the easiest. Also removing liners so you can wash them replacements available so feels like an new lid.

The advice was only buy it if it fits properly and enjoy the extras if you can!

[kenbarcon]

I am on my third Arai,and have to say that it is the worst one i have ever had,i have had to replace the chin vent,visor vent,top vent x 2 and had four yes four left hand side visor cover pieces. I love the fit but hate the fact that all the parts keep falling off or breaking.

[christianmoses]

I've had my Scorpion EXO-700 for like 3 years now, and nothing has broken or gone wrong with it. Just thought I'd throw that out there... :nutkick:

[Joe S.]

I'm on my second Arai Quantum over a period of about 6 years. I've never managed to break anything on it. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Buy a helmet you like and fits, thats why they have all those different makers.

[Mad Cow]

I was always a Bell fan as they seemed to fit me perfectly but rarer than rocking horse poo this side of the pond now. Visor was simply to change, just use an allen key :D

Only Arai I have had in the past was an open face MX Pro, lovely helmet, very comfy.

When I got back into biking with my R1200GS, two years ago I bought a Shoei Synchrotec II. Figured a flip front would fit the "GS Image" be better for commuting and after so many years of trail / adventure bikes and open face lids, proper full faces seemed very claustrophobic. Again a very comfy helmet if a bit noisy and the visor was quite simple to change (same as on the full face lids) but the mechanism is exposed and so looks distinctly unfinished.

Last wednesday I got a call from a friend. "Could I get Thursday off work?" It seems he and some friends were booked on a track day at Mallory Park and one of them couldn't make it. Well what do you think?

Getting a day off was no problem, of course I wasn't due to pick my SV up until Friday and sadly there was no time to get to the dealers in time after work - I leave work at 4.30; couldn't get their until about 5.40 and of course they shut at 5.30 . Also to ride on the track I needed a full face as a flip front would not be allowed. :argh:

Managed to get to my local clothing place as they are only an hour from work and stay open to 6.00.

I had previously tried Suomy at the dealers but didn't feel comfy. Tried on Shoei, AGV and finally Arai (An Astro R). The Shoei XR1000 was OK but not as comfy as my Syncrotech, fit of the AGV wasn't right so onto the Arai.

Well I have to say the fit of the Arai was just spot on, also got £70 off as the Astro is being replaced and I got a demo of how to change the visor (but yes it is a bit of a fiddle).

Thursday I borrowed my wife's Kawasaki ER6-F, rode the 100 miles to Mallory. Had a great day and rode back again with no comfort problems at all. The day was suported by BMW so as well as a couple of sessions on the little kwak, I got to play with a few demo bikes - F800ST, K1200S, R1200GS but the fastest thing all day?


The new F800GS!

Absolute hooligan bike! you could scrape the pegs (on Bridgestone Battle Wings) and I put the noses out of joint of the riders of some much faster bikes. Best moment was powering up the inside of a Yam R6 on a right hander. Haven't grinned so much in ages.

Sorry to wander off subject for a while :D

The only criticism of the Arai was it was noisy but that's only because I forgot my earplugs!

Picked up the SV on Friday afternoon when I poured with rain, so rode it straight home and put it in the garage. I was then away all weekend so haven't had a chance to have a proper play yet :crybaby:

[smooth operator]

I finally fixed my Aria!I just ordered a Shoei RF1000 in Anthracite.I liked some of the graffics,but I like my $ as well. My Aria did fit me well,I hope the Shoiei fits as well. The Aria was 4 yrs old anyway,and I didn't want any problems next Monday when I head to the track for open practice.(providing I get a master bath done I'm working on) So now I'll have a spare.

[rjk]

I hope the Shoiei fits as well.

Yikes! Maybe it's just me but I like to try helmets on before I buy. I hope you get lucky and it fits right.....or else it might feel like :wallbash:

[Steve03]

When I bought mine the salesman showed me how to remove the shield and then made me do it, along with a big speech on how to clean and take care of the helmet.

[SKurj]

Well seeing as I have a loaner side plate I have been practicing and getting better. I do think a new helmet needs to be worked in abit though.

[Mad Cow]

Tried my new Arai without the pinlock thingy yesterday, I see what you mean about misting up :ranting:

Even with demister on the visor I had to ride with the visor just loose, vents didn't seem to make much difference.

Mind you it was cold (what happened to Summer)? and I had no problems in the evening riding home when it had warmed up a bit.

[mrgenius]

Tried my new Arai without the pinlock thingy yesterday, I see what you mean about misting up :ranting:

Even with demister on the visor I had to ride with the visor just loose, vents didn't seem to make much difference.

Mind you it was cold (what happened to Summer)? and I had no problems in the evening riding home when it had warmed up a bit.

you guys are really making these arai helmets sound like the ducatis of the motorcycle world: expensive and unreliable.

i can be pissed drunk, blind and missing an arm and i can still change my visor without removing my shoei X-11 helmet*.:wack:





*i haven't tried to change my visor while pissed, blind and missing an arm, i'm just saying. . .

[Joe S.]

you guys are really making these arai helmets sound like the ducatis of the motorcycle world: expensive and unreliable.

i can be pissed drunk, blind and missing an arm and i can still change my visor without removing my shoei X-11 helmet*.:wack:





*i haven't tried to change my visor while pissed, blind and missing an arm, i'm just saying. . .


Ya ever notice how if you look at comments on the internet about just about anything you can name it hardly ever comes out looking good. Probably if I only bought on internet recommendations I'd never buy anything.

[mrgenius]

Ya ever notice how if you look at comments on the internet about just about anything you can name it hardly ever comes out looking good. Probably if I only bought on internet recommendations I'd never buy anything.

yes, i have often noticed that.

[christianmoses]

It's more fun to bash something than to talk about how nice it is...

That said, it's reasonable to expect more from something that's more expensive. I think one of the reasons people bring up the Scorpions so much when people start baggin' on Arai, is that for $150, you don't actually expect THAT much. If you spend that little on a lid and the visor mechanism is flakey or hard to use you think, "Well, I guess that's why it's cheap..." When you spend $600 on a lid, it takes smaller imperfections to become more annoyed. You EXPECT a $600 lid to be lighter, safer, more reliable, better looking better venting and easier to use. If it's comparable to something 1/4 its cost, well that in itself is a legitimate reason to be disappointed.

[mrgenius]

It's more fun to bash something than to talk about how nice it is...

That said, it's reasonable to expect more from something that's more expensive. I think one of the reasons people bring up the Scorpions so much when people start baggin' on Arai, is that for $150, you don't actually expect THAT much. If you spend that little on a lid and the visor mechanism is flakey or hard to use you think, "Well, I guess that's why it's cheap..." When you spend $600 on a lid, it takes smaller imperfections to become more annoyed. You EXPECT a $600 lid to be lighter, safer, more reliable, better looking better venting and easier to use. If it's comparable to something 1/4 its cost, well that in itself is a legitimate reason to be disappointed.

yep, well said. i know with my X-11 the one thing that annoyed me was the chin curtain. the tabs that hold it in wear too quickly. but it still sounds like my experience has been a little better than the arai users of this thread.

[2WIN]

I've got an Arai Signet e and replace the visor all the time with no issues. Is it a PITA? HELL YEAH! I have a EXO-700 too and those visor changes are simple but the helmet weighs a lot more and doesn't fit my bean like the Arai does. I WILL buy another Arai.

Chris

[SKurj]

I've got an Arai Signet e and replace the visor all the time with no issues. Is it a PITA? HELL YEAH! I have a EXO-700 too and those visor changes are simple but the helmet weighs a lot more and doesn't fit my bean like the Arai does. I WILL buy another Arai.

Chris

As will I!! the loaner side plates take a little pressure off as I don't give a damn if I break one, now its a breeze to swap shields, 15 seconds and its done. Mebbe its practice mebbe its partially the helmet is better broken in I dunno.
I've always felt my noggin is worth a little more than a cheap helmet, I just couldn't bring myself to spend under $200 (cdn) for a helmet. I also feel similarly about non-full face helmets.... though no amount of money can solve that... feels like playing hockey without a cup...:bye2:

[tedium]

Well I recently replaced my accident damaged Arai Condor (big damage to the lid mild concussion for me) & replaced it straight away with another Arai, astro R this time (got a superb deal onit) this is the only time I've ever had two lids from the same maker - had FM, Vemar (absolute shite wouldn't have another) Dianese ( the very cool Ergon) Shark, Caberg flip up & Roof - Arai's the comfiest I had and as has been said the visor change is so simple once you've mastered it -

[kastoria-GREECE]

you can borrow my shoei x-11 if you want.

Thinking of buying one. Worth it??

[mrgenius]

Thinking of buying one. Worth it??

yep, super comfortable, light and well-ventilated.

[Mad Cow]

Getting the hang of the Arai after three weeks, found that if I remove the visor and make sure it is completely covered in demister, it's fine. And now I've sussed visor removal so no problems there. The demo I got at the shop was very useful.

Still might get a racing pinlock as I do find the top edge too low on the standard one and they are a bit higher aparently. Mind on my Shoei I used to look straight over the top of the pinlock, totally useless! And this was on an R 1200 GS so it wasn't the riding position.

And I have to say the Arai is definately the most comfortable helmet I have owned.

[Mad Cow]

Had to go to the Doctors to get my injured thumb checked out and my local gear shop (Bike Stop, Stevenage - well recommended) is just down the road, so popped in and got a racing pinlock for the Astro R.

Absolutely perfect, can't see the top edge at all, and no more misting.

When riding Mrs MC's bike (ER6-F) I had no trouble due to the higher riding position, so ever generous I fitted the original pinlock to her Arai Astro.

Now we can both see where we are going :niceone:

[SKurj]

Gonna have to look into these pinlock thingys

Anyways, my replacement sidecovers are still not in :argh:
However thanks to the shop I bought the helmet from I still have their loaner and I haven't broken it yet :cheers: I've probably changed the shield a dozen times since too.

[SKurj]

My opinion of Arai had improved once I had the old shield changin thing figured out... BUT here I am almost a month after breaking my side cover and the replacement still has not arrived :ranting:

I bought a solid colour helmet to match the bike.. its not like I bought something that would require a fancy paintjob... also the side cover fits other helmets in the Arai lineup...

No excuse for this sht.... If I wanted a matte black sidecover I would have bought a matte black helmet... (like everyone else)

If the dealer hadn't given me a loaner I would have bought another helmet before now...

[mrgenius]

sidecovers are so lame. if you had bought a shoei you'd be riding instead of going to seminars to learn how to wear your helmet.

[MidnightSV]

:rolleyes:ARAI is poop....

[SKurj]

Well... went on a bit of a rant in a support ticket on the Araiamericas webpage and pointed them to this thread. They say they are mailing me a set of side covers..

We'll see :pcplod:

[SKurj]

Arai finally came good... and my free set of side covers arrived today at last.:ph34r:

[SKurj]

Yet strangely enough... the Canadian distributor for Arai still hasn't received the side covers I ordered in early July... Well the shop gave me a free visor bag (padded cloth thingy for keeping the spare in) for the wait..

Hmm this isn't going too bad, a loaner, set of free side covers and the bag so far..

Least GPBikes in Ajax will be seeing alot more of my business. Seem to be a decent bunch.

[SKurj]

My sidecovers finally arrived, well actually nearly 2 weeks ago now...

[Andy.SP1]

Shame you're way over in Canada. I'm a trained Arai technician and have dealt with them for a number of years now. The first time I ever changed one, before I was ever in the bike trade, I was convinced it was going to break with the noises it was making. But once you've done it a few times, it's a piece of piss. And given I've changed and fitted/adjusted squillions now, it really is simple. In 5 years I can count on one hand how many broken side pods I've seen. Doesn't happen very often at all.

Used to deal with Shoei's too. Good lids, but still think the Arai system is better. Not going to go into the who's and why's unless people want to know, but from the number of crashers I've spoken to and testing I've been to, Arai is all I'll wear. Have experienced offs with them myself and never had so much as a headache.

If anyone ever needs some advice on lids, especially on Arai's which is where most of my knowledge is, just drop me a line. My MSN link is in my profile or PM me.

Email sent.......Hope you can help

[Dazza2910]

Email received.....glad I could help!!!