lid talk arai etc
Discussion
so today i went to try on some helmets - instantly i was drawn to arai for obvious reasons... the guy in the store then proceeded to tell me that arai might not be the best for me because i only had one finger between my chin and the helmet and that something like a shoei which is more pronounced around the chin area would suit me better. I wanted to ask you guys you're thoughts on this? is he talking rubbish?
Edited by thegraveltrap on Saturday 10th August 22:29
No he's not talking rubbish he's pointing out that different helmets suit different folk so it is best to try on different makes. I find the same with Arais great helmets but the chin bar is very close to my chin. Shoei fits me better so I wear them, Saying that The X-lite 803 fits me really but I couldn't find a pattern I liked.
HJCs are also very good helmets, I have a few friends who wear them and love them but I find them uncomfortable.
So in short try on lots of helmets and buy the one that fits YOU best.
HJCs are also very good helmets, I have a few friends who wear them and love them but I find them uncomfortable.
So in short try on lots of helmets and buy the one that fits YOU best.
Cylon2007 said:
No he's not talking rubbish he's pointing out that different helmets suit different folk so it is best to try on different makes. I find the same with Arais great helmets but the chin bar is very close to my chin. Shoei fits me better so I wear them, Saying that The X-lite 803 fits me really but I couldn't find a pattern I liked.
HJCs are also very good helmets, I have a few friends who wear them and love them but I find them uncomfortable.
So in short try on lots of helmets and buy the one that fits YOU best.
Oh yeah absolutely i know that each design/brand etc will fit different and every head shape is different - i just wanted to follow up and see if the advice was concurrent with other people. HJCs are also very good helmets, I have a few friends who wear them and love them but I find them uncomfortable.
So in short try on lots of helmets and buy the one that fits YOU best.
The Arai felt very comfortable when on along with shoei/agv/hjc and shark. I could tell a big difference between these brands and the much cheaper brands, i tried about a 100 lids on!
I still use my Arai that I bought 10 years ago.
I don't subscribe to the get rid after a couple of years especially if it hadn't been knocked and also when it cost me £300 odd quid even back in 2008.
Yep, they are so pricy now that my last 3 helmets have been inferior in fit and comfort cos I can't afford a new Arai.
I don't subscribe to the get rid after a couple of years especially if it hadn't been knocked and also when it cost me £300 odd quid even back in 2008.
Yep, they are so pricy now that my last 3 helmets have been inferior in fit and comfort cos I can't afford a new Arai.
croyde said:
I still use my Arai that I bought 10 years ago.
I don't subscribe to the get rid after a couple of years especially if it hadn't been knocked and also when it cost me £300 odd quid even back in 2008.
Yep, they are so pricy now that my last 3 helmets have been inferior in fit and comfort cos I can't afford a new Arai.
but surely the material degrades over time hence the suggestion of replace every so an so?I don't subscribe to the get rid after a couple of years especially if it hadn't been knocked and also when it cost me £300 odd quid even back in 2008.
Yep, they are so pricy now that my last 3 helmets have been inferior in fit and comfort cos I can't afford a new Arai.
you only get one head man lol
I'm just not convinced that the material degrades. After all it's the polystyrene liner that absorbs the energy of the collision and are we not told constantly that this evil stuff lasts 1000s of years and never breaks down 
And to add to that my 3 later helmets were all polycarbonate which is also an evil forever lasting plastic.
The Save the World lot can't have it both ways
And to add to that my 3 later helmets were all polycarbonate which is also an evil forever lasting plastic.
The Save the World lot can't have it both ways
My HJC RPHA 10 is well worn after eight years, the vent plastics have cracked and needed replacement and I have bought two new visors because the plastic cracks around the catch. Not very impressed, wished I'd bought a Japanese lid.
My fault for believing the tosser in Hein Gericke (now defunct). Why are people who work in bike shops usually such bellends?
My fault for believing the tosser in Hein Gericke (now defunct). Why are people who work in bike shops usually such bellends?
You cant beat trying on helmets, and taking some advice on which helmets in manufacturer ranges are designed for which purpose e.g. race vs touring. Some places like sportsbikeshop are even doing helmet test rides so you can wear it for a few hours or more before deciding. I had in the past a favourite helmet that would start to give me headache after 90mins of so due to pressure point on the forehead. Not apparent trying on in the shop.
Re helmet wear in "years" is different if you are a daily commuter or weekend fair weather rider. 1 year of daily wear and you need to clean you helmet interior regularly compared with just a few weeks wear total over a year. Its not surprising some people can wear a helmet for a few weeks total per year and after 5 years its still in great condition
Removable washable liners are great too to increase longevity, or you can replace the liner completely which is a cheaper option than a new helmet to get that new helmet feel.
Re helmet wear in "years" is different if you are a daily commuter or weekend fair weather rider. 1 year of daily wear and you need to clean you helmet interior regularly compared with just a few weeks wear total over a year. Its not surprising some people can wear a helmet for a few weeks total per year and after 5 years its still in great condition
Removable washable liners are great too to increase longevity, or you can replace the liner completely which is a cheaper option than a new helmet to get that new helmet feel.
Plenty of people riding in well old lids some older than me. Even when they’re falling apart the people that wear them say they’re fine because whatever it is cost a lot of money. It cost a lot of money isn’t a reason not to replace a helmet. They’re usually rancid inside too.
I think it’s basic common sense that helmet materials do degrade. I’m sure if you left polystyrene outside and occasionally soaked it in rain water, sweat, oils from your skin and dirt it wouldn’t be the same as it was on the first day. Anyone that thinks that a helmet will be just the same as it was when it was new or used a reasonable amount is an idiot.
As for the OP, whether the Arai is the right helmet for you is something only you can decide. They may have a point about the chin bar being close but as long as you don’t find that an issue then it’s never been something specifically mentioned by helmet manufacturers. If it fits properly and is comfortable then it sounds alright.
I think it’s basic common sense that helmet materials do degrade. I’m sure if you left polystyrene outside and occasionally soaked it in rain water, sweat, oils from your skin and dirt it wouldn’t be the same as it was on the first day. Anyone that thinks that a helmet will be just the same as it was when it was new or used a reasonable amount is an idiot.
As for the OP, whether the Arai is the right helmet for you is something only you can decide. They may have a point about the chin bar being close but as long as you don’t find that an issue then it’s never been something specifically mentioned by helmet manufacturers. If it fits properly and is comfortable then it sounds alright.
Regarding degradation of materials, I had a pair of ski boots made from a polycarbonate type of material similar I would think to crash helmet construction. As I had paid a small fortune for them and they were very comfortable I kept them for a good few years. I was doing a little practice on a ski slopes when whilst negotiating a turn the boots proceeded to do what I can only describe as 'explode'. I was left with small inch sized pieces of boot and a rubber sole. This must surely transfer to helmets
thegraveltrap said:
so today i went to try on some helmets - instantly i was drawn to arai for obvious reasons... the guy in the store then proceeded to tell me that arai might not be the best for me because i only had one finger between my chin and the helmet and that something like a shoei which is more pronounced around the chin area would suit me better. I wanted to ask you guys you're thoughts on this? is he talking rubbish?
Number one consideration when buying a helmet is fit. I don’t know what these ‘obvious’ other reasons are that would fix you on a particular brand before you’ve tried any on?
You have soft tissue on your face and soft padding in the helmet, that fingers width between your chin and the hard shell is soon gone in any kind of front impact at which point the helmet isn’t really protecting anymore.
thegraveltrap said:
Material DOES degrade over time - its not even an argument worth having, it just does.
I just find it strange if a company like Arai only make a helmet that suits one head shape.
Shape varies, sometimes an older model may suit better, you just need to understand the range and buy accordingly(where a dealer may advise)I just find it strange if a company like Arai only make a helmet that suits one head shape.
Here's a question:
Is a £299 Arai full face as well built and as safe as a £700 odd quid one?
I know the most expensive ones tend to be race helmet replicas with the paint job of your fav Moto GP star, but if I go for boring grey £299 (My current is a boring matt black Arai), am I still getting quality?
Is a £299 Arai full face as well built and as safe as a £700 odd quid one?
I know the most expensive ones tend to be race helmet replicas with the paint job of your fav Moto GP star, but if I go for boring grey £299 (My current is a boring matt black Arai), am I still getting quality?
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