Arai or Shoei - the myth, the legend - head shapes...
Discussion
SO - Ever heard "your either shoei or arai" - how true is that these days really?
Granted some lids might fit your head slightly differently but surely the interior cushioning will form to the shape of your head after a bit of use? or am i totally wrong here? I always fancied an Arai but got put onto Shoei by a J&S instore rep who told me i was a "shoei head" but iv tried plenty of Arai on, the fit felt fine no pressure points and comfortable but its always stuck with me. I just wondered how many other people are of the same store assistant opinion or if its an old myth?
cheers.
Granted some lids might fit your head slightly differently but surely the interior cushioning will form to the shape of your head after a bit of use? or am i totally wrong here? I always fancied an Arai but got put onto Shoei by a J&S instore rep who told me i was a "shoei head" but iv tried plenty of Arai on, the fit felt fine no pressure points and comfortable but its always stuck with me. I just wondered how many other people are of the same store assistant opinion or if its an old myth?
cheers.
I think all the manufacturers made helmets in their ranges to suit different head shapes over the years. Different helmets in the Arai range may suit one head shape more than another, I think you have to try them on. Just because one model fits get does not mean another does in my experience.
Some of the more comprehensive review websites note the shape see here
https://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmet-rev...
Some of the more comprehensive review websites note the shape see here
https://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmet-rev...
itcaptainslow said:
For me it’s definitely a “thing”-I’ve found every Shoei I’ve tried uncomfortable. They’re either too big or create uncomfortable pressure points.
On the flip side, I’ve had three Arai’s and they’ve all been wonderfully comfortable.
I have exactly the opposite. I prefer the Arai design and colour schemes but just can't get comfortable, always get a pressure point on my forehead. With Shoei I can wear any of their helmets all day so I would say it's definitely still a 'thing'. On the flip side, I’ve had three Arai’s and they’ve all been wonderfully comfortable.
mach1 said:
itcaptainslow said:
For me it’s definitely a “thing”-I’ve found every Shoei I’ve tried uncomfortable. They’re either too big or create uncomfortable pressure points.
On the flip side, I’ve had three Arai’s and they’ve all been wonderfully comfortable.
I have exactly the opposite. I prefer the Arai design and colour schemes but just can't get comfortable, always get a pressure point on my forehead. With Shoei I can wear any of their helmets all day so I would say it's definitely still a 'thing'. On the flip side, I’ve had three Arai’s and they’ve all been wonderfully comfortable.
I last tried on an Arai 10yrs ago mind. I've found HTC doesn't fit me properly more recently.
ks... MrGman said:
PorkInsider said:
If it really is the case, how do sponsored riders manage when they move between brands?
Probably by changing the pads? Shoei have lots of different pad options I believe. At the end of the day it’s only the pads that define how it fits your head.
However, I like the designs of the Arai’s I’ve bought, they feel well made (apart from the stupid visor change mechanism on the Rebel) and they always fit me well in Medium, so I’ll stick with them.
Was always a Arai man until last year, my first one was a Spencer rep in the 80s so being a big fan of the brand for quite some time.
I really wanted the convenience of an integral dark visor on my newest lid ,which Arai dont offer , tried a few lids on and ended up with a Shoei as offered the best fit, delighted with the quality and the price .
I really wanted the convenience of an integral dark visor on my newest lid ,which Arai dont offer , tried a few lids on and ended up with a Shoei as offered the best fit, delighted with the quality and the price .
Arai do different shell shapes; discussed half way down this thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Shoei easier to change cheek and centre pads, but they still won't fit everyone.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Shoei easier to change cheek and centre pads, but they still won't fit everyone.
I had the first Shoei which had the fancy visor with no sideplates (1993 I think it was) and that pressed on the forehead crazily. Twenty two years later and having worn Arai all that time I tried on a Shoei Spirit III and it was comfortable. It would be good if the manufacturers did say what shaped head the models were - I'd always thought that the head shapes were same across a given manufacturers range and that Shoei had changed theirs about ten years ago to be more narrow.
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