Helmet - alternatives to Arai

[singlesman]

Another HJC convert after many RX7 Arai’s.
Better fit and quieter. (RPHA-11.)
Wish I switched ages ago but too much of a helmet snob!!!

Are they sized similar to Arai. Is a medium in HJC same as an Arai medium?

Certainly came up the same size for me.

[lostboy]

Another HJC convert after many RX7 Arai’s.
Better fit and quieter. (RPHA-11.)
Wish I switched ages ago but too much of a helmet snob!!!

Are they sized similar to Arai. Is a medium in HJC same as an Arai medium?

Certainly came up the same size for me.

Did for my son. L was the same size/fit in both.

[Hot_Air]

I guess we all vary: I can fit Arai but not Shark.

However, do different Shark models vary in shape?

[Bigyin]

I guess we all vary: I can fit Arai but not Shark.

However, do different Shark models vary in shape?

Last Shark lid i had the padding seemed to compress really quickly and was almost loose on my head after about 6-8 months but it was lower end of their range at the time. The wife has a Shark S800 we bought many years ago and still fits her fine although its barely been worn for the past 5 or 6 years but i would guess the newer stuff is completely different shells looking at the designs

[Druid]

I have used low end Arais ( Astros & Chasers) for the last 20 years. I also have a Shark which fits well but is nowhere near the quality of the Arais but it's half the price...

[wheelnut]

Another one with an Arai shaped head here. The other brand that seems to work for me is Shark.

[Supermofo]

I guess we all vary: I can fit Arai but not Shark.

However, do different Shark models vary in shape?

Dunno I went from Arai to Shark and wouldn't go back due to the cost. The shark is almost as good, cheaper, quieter, bigger visor so more vision, drop down visor which Arai won't do. The quality of the Arai was a bit higher all round but not worth the price diff imo.

I did try on a cheaper Shark and it was pretty horrible. But the 300 quid ish mark ones I like. Last one did me about 6-7 years with 2-3k miles a year.

I near bought a Shoei this time around and again its slightly better than the Shark but the strap felt like it was strangling me and they made coms difficult by fitting a housing on the side that only fits the matching unit which bumps the price by 200 quid odd.

Think I'm odd head wise (or maybe it's you lot that are odd) but I've had Arai, Shoei, Shark, AGV and Soumi and all fit well

[Supermofo]

In about 1996 I bought a Foggy rep Shark. Fuck it was loud

Took it back next day and demanded a refund as it was not "Fit for purpose "
I stuck by my guns and got a refund.

My Dad had that lid and it fit like a bucket. Other than the paint job it was horrible. Put me off Shark until 2014 or so

[weeksy]

Arai did for me when they changed the shape. They now don't fit my head at all.

Shoei have always been awesome for me, the NXR and X-Spirit3 are just superb.

AGV feel cramped, but they're very much a racer helmet

HJC i like and fit nice... They're also a decent price for many of the models.

[Mr. Dazzle]

My last two were HJC. I'd say they were pretty comfortable, I certainly had no complaints.

I've currently got an Arai Rapide, it's deffo way more noticable than my HJCs were. By that I mean I feel like I'm wearing a helmet, whereas I didn't really with the HJCs if that makes sense. On the flipside though, the Arai feels way more secure too. It's definitely a lot sturdier feeling than the HJCs.

Arai is way louder without plugs, but I always wear earplugs for anything longer than a 15min pop to the shops anyway so don't really notice.

[Cousin Jack]

I have mostly had Caberg helmets, I did buy an HJC that felt ok in the shop but it was far too tight across my forehead, and after an hour I had to stop and take it off for a bit. My head is obviously not Arai/HJC shaped. Caberg are budget, and probably wont last like an Arai, but they do well in SHARP tests.

[Rockburner]

I've had several Arai, mostly Qantums and Astros (mid-range?), but ended up with a Shoei recently because I needed a new lid and the Arai Quantic wasn't quite out yet.

It's ok.

I keep trying on the Shark Evo lids (I like the idea of flip-lid where the chinbar integrates 'cleanly' into the shell at the back), but each time I do they just feel like they're made of seriously cheap tacky plastic.

[Skub]

Arai did for me when they changed the shape. They now don't fit my head at all.

Did they change?

I know they have different shell shapes for different markets. Maybe you tried an import?

[Yorick]

Arai did for me when they changed the shape. They now don't fit my head at all.

Did they change?

I know they have different shell shapes for different markets. Maybe you tried an import?

I bought a new one 3 years ago and it had changed. Not as comfy as my previous ones. The missus's Arai is super comfy.
Bought smaller cheek pads and now it's OK.

[weeksy]

Arai did for me when they changed the shape. They now don't fit my head at all.

Did they change?

I know they have different shell shapes for different markets. Maybe you tried an import?

Was from sportsbike shop. Multiple helmets

[Skub]

I bought a new one 3 years ago and it had changed. Not as comfy as my previous ones. The missus's Arai is super comfy.
Bought smaller cheek pads and now it's OK.

Maybe too many variables now and it may require a custom fit like new cheek pads,whereas before you could have bought a lid off the shelf that fitted straight off.

[Yorick]

I bought a new one 3 years ago and it had changed. Not as comfy as my previous ones. The missus's Arai is super comfy.
Bought smaller cheek pads and now it's OK.

Maybe too many variables now and it may require a custom fit like new cheek pads,whereas before you could have bought a lid off the shelf that fitted straight off.

Can't try them on here, so had this one posted over.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I changed my Arai using a thinner liner (7mm down to 5 IIRC) and also slightly slimmer cheek pads. That is one good thing I've noticed about Arai, they do seem to have more available spares.

[The Spin Doctor]

But don't the alternative liners and pads costs an arm and a leg? (Perhaps that should be jowl and ear)

[Mr. Dazzle]

Yes, added about £100 to the overall price!

Visors aren't cheap either. My last couple of lids have had the integrated sunglasses bit, the Arai doesn't. I was gonna get a dark visor but baulked at the cost

I have nothing but praise for the way the visor seals and the double glazed insert (pinlock i think?). It's the first I've ever had which doesn't have a slight breeze onto my eyes and which never ever fogs up. I have absurdly sensitive eyes to the point where I can't ride in winter alot of the time cause the gentle waft of cold air onto my eyes make them burn like I've rubbed chilli into them. This Arai actually seals with a solid click though, then the double glazed visor stays clear every time.