Arai lids. Worth the extra £££ or not?
Arai lids. Worth the extra £££ or not?
Author
Discussion

RabD

Original Poster:

222 posts

227 months

Friday 6th June 2008
quotequote all
I'm looking for a new lid to replace my very cheap and very cheerful Nitro one. I tried a Shoei Raid II first but it didn't quite fit right; then the guy suggested I try an Arai. Fitted perfectly. No wobble at all and the plush lining made it feel like getting a gentle head massage from a beautiful woman. Only one problem: the £320 price tag. Worth it or not? Anyone here own one and care to comment?

blackburnbmw

2,339 posts

229 months

Friday 6th June 2008
quotequote all
YES!!!!!

How much is your head worth? More than £320?...

absolutely

3,168 posts

223 months

Friday 6th June 2008
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You only have one head, look after it!

Rach81

8,824 posts

247 months

Friday 6th June 2008
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I have a Box lid, I bought to get through my test (all the school lids smelt of Joop, bloody vile stuff!)
Now it feels loose, loads of wind gets in and squashes my eyelashes, its heavy and I don't feel confident in it even with the UK standard stuff.
I cant wait to buy my first "proper" lid and I'm budgeting at least £350 for it.
You can't put a price on having the best and your safety!

Sossige

3,176 posts

294 months

Friday 6th June 2008
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I paid £500 for my Shoei lid - just wanted to buy the best I could afford.

Super comfortable and I really love it. Just feel that it was the right decision to make and at the end of the day, it's the one bit of kit that might save your life.

Each to their own though, but I'm happy with my decision.

R5GTTgaz

7,897 posts

251 months

Friday 6th June 2008
quotequote all
A lot of people say you either have a Shoei shaped head or an Arai one, I have a Roberts Rep Quantum F and its fantastic, I would have nothing else.

RabD

Original Poster:

222 posts

227 months

Friday 6th June 2008
quotequote all
R5GTTgaz said:
A lot of people say you either have a Shoei shaped head or an Arai one, I have a Roberts Rep Quantum F and its fantastic, I would have nothing else.
Heard that one today. Apparently I have an Arai shaped head. smile

R5GTTgaz

7,897 posts

251 months

Friday 6th June 2008
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Plus Arai have D ring fastener which is better that the seatbelt buckle type.

black-k1

12,809 posts

260 months

Friday 6th June 2008
quotequote all
If the helmet fits and is comfortable then it’s the helmet to buy.

Do note that, RIDE magazine did some controlled tests on a number of different priced helmets and found that for their test group, price was definitely NOT and indication of level of safety. The RIDE magazine tests were significantly more scientific than “if it costs more, it MUST be better”!

Rach81

8,824 posts

247 months

Friday 6th June 2008
quotequote all
black-k1 said:
If the helmet fits and is comfortable then it’s the helmet to buy.

Do note that, RIDE magazine did some controlled tests on a number of different priced helmets and found that for their test group, price was definitely NOT and indication of level of safety. The RIDE magazine tests were significantly more scientific than “if it costs more, it MUST be better”!
What were the results? Just read the back protector guide, I'm quite astonished at the variation in safety they provided.

RabD

Original Poster:

222 posts

227 months

Friday 6th June 2008
quotequote all
Rach81 said:
black-k1 said:
If the helmet fits and is comfortable then it’s the helmet to buy.

Do note that, RIDE magazine did some controlled tests on a number of different priced helmets and found that for their test group, price was definitely NOT and indication of level of safety. The RIDE magazine tests were significantly more scientific than “if it costs more, it MUST be better”!
What were the results? Just read the back protector guide, I'm quite astonished at the variation in safety they provided.
Online here:

http://www.ridetriangles.com/nav?page=ridetriangle...

RizzoTheRat

29,098 posts

223 months

Friday 6th June 2008
quotequote all
black-k1 said:
If the helmet fits and is comfortable then it’s the helmet to buy.
Wot he said! I'm a firm believer that a £200 lid that fits well is better than £500 lid that doesn't fit properly.

black-k1

12,809 posts

260 months

Friday 6th June 2008
quotequote all
Rach81 said:
black-k1 said:
If the helmet fits and is comfortable then it’s the helmet to buy.

Do note that, RIDE magazine did some controlled tests on a number of different priced helmets and found that for their test group, price was definitely NOT and indication of level of safety. The RIDE magazine tests were significantly more scientific than “if it costs more, it MUST be better”!
What were the results? Just read the back protector guide, I'm quite astonished at the variation in safety they provided.
Details here:

http://www.ridetriangles.com/pdf/643/221609.pdf

catso

16,539 posts

298 months

Friday 6th June 2008
quotequote all
RabD said:
Arai lids. Worth the extra £££ or not?
yes

beer

Graeme_Gman

353 posts

230 months

Friday 6th June 2008
quotequote all
I'll agree with the majority on here too. Arai is definitely worth the extra money. Had one when I got knocked off a few years back and certainly saved my head as the deep scuffing down one side proves! As it did the job, I went and bought another.

Rick448

1,708 posts

255 months

Saturday 7th June 2008
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What are peoples opinions based on here? Advertiser hype? Real tests or just the fact that more money means better? I have a Shoei X Spirit which cost me a lot of money, (i dont have an Arai head) I tried the top of the range but couldnt get a fit.. but in all honesty, who knows if the money is well spent?

Sossige

3,176 posts

294 months

Saturday 7th June 2008
quotequote all
Rick448 said:
What are peoples opinions based on here? Advertiser hype? Real tests or just the fact that more money means better? I have a Shoei X Spirit which cost me a lot of money, (i dont have an Arai head) I tried the top of the range but couldnt get a fit.. but in all honesty, who knows if the money is well spent?
Hi mate -

I've got a XSpirit as well, a Chris Vermeulen replica. Never had to test it's protection and hope that I never have to. It is really comfortable and I love it - did need to add some cheek pads to the lid though, just to make it that even better fit.

S

Rach81

8,824 posts

247 months

Saturday 7th June 2008
quotequote all
black-k1 said:
Rach81 said:
black-k1 said:
If the helmet fits and is comfortable then it’s the helmet to buy.

Do note that, RIDE magazine did some controlled tests on a number of different priced helmets and found that for their test group, price was definitely NOT and indication of level of safety. The RIDE magazine tests were significantly more scientific than “if it costs more, it MUST be better”!
What were the results? Just read the back protector guide, I'm quite astonished at the variation in safety they provided.
Details here:

http://www.ridetriangles.com/pdf/643/221609.pdf
Thanks for that, interesting read! Replacing all my kit at the mo' expensive do isn't it!
I didn't realise dark visors were illegal, I thought it was only if you were out after dark it was a problem, obviously durrrr!

paul_tim2000

60 posts

228 months

Saturday 7th June 2008
quotequote all
I've had Shoei lids for the last few years, always try on almost everything in the shop (or shops) just to get my own back on the wife for when she goes shoe shopping but never found anything that fits my head, and lets me get my glasses on, as well as the Shoei range.
Totally agree about getting one which fits well and is comfortable, a £500 helmet won't protect as well as a £200 one if it moves around a lot when you crash.

If price is an issue then have a look around for an Arai in last years colour schemes, they won't go off in storage in a shop or warehouse (well not a lot) and you can easily see 40% of rrp for old stock. Bought my current Shoei for £220 when this years colour scheme were £350 in the same shop.

Oilchange

9,738 posts

291 months

Saturday 7th June 2008
quotequote all
How much do I value my head? As much as a comfortably fitting helmet costs?

all the rest is marketing blurb, My head costs, erm well how much DOES my head cost....? Its priceless.

i would guess that the better fitting helmet would make more of a difference to the price. oh, and the fact you're wearing one...

Edited by Oilchange on Saturday 7th June 10:30