Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Anything you like about motorbikes
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11234
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4124 times

Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

I would like a new helmet (fnarr, fnarr)
I've got an Arai shaped head, I'm not sure if I've got an Arai shaped wallet, what alternatives are there that have similar fit to Arais
Anyone suggesting AGV or Shoei will be ignored as these are very uncomfortable for me.
Honda Owner
User avatar
KungFooBob
Posts: 14219
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:04 pm
Location: The content of this post is not AI generated.
Has thanked: 539 times
Been thanked: 7536 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by KungFooBob »

You can pick up a pain Arai Debut for under £230.

I thought you had more money than you knew what to do with?

EDIT:

Ok so it's only the weird sizes I can find cheap (XS), what size head you got?
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11234
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4124 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

KungFooBob wrote: Thu Jun 09, 2022 9:59 am You can pick up a pain Arai Debut for under £230.

I thought you had more money than you knew what to do with?
There's a reason why I've got plenty of money, I'm not spending it :D
The Debut is a bit "council house" for £230, I want a removable liner.

I've got a large head (no surprises there)
Honda Owner
Demannu
Posts: 1882
Joined: Sat May 08, 2021 5:14 pm
Location: Another day without using algebra
Has thanked: 65 times
Been thanked: 1235 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Demannu »

I too have an arai shaped head, but am now using a Scorpion.
If it's good enough for Quatararo, then they should be ok for the likes of you and me!
User avatar
Yorick
Posts: 16750
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:20 pm
Location: Paradise
Has thanked: 10272 times
Been thanked: 6888 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Yorick »

Demannu wrote: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:05 am I too have an arai shaped head, but am now using a Scorpion.
If it's good enough for Quatararo, then they should be ok for the likes of you and me!
I'd imagine the top riders get hand made bespoke lids. Not one off the shelf.
Numnut
Posts: 355
Joined: Wed Aug 26, 2020 2:15 pm
Location: Essex
Has thanked: 85 times
Been thanked: 205 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Numnut »

HJC are good lids, with removable inners. Not sure how they fit compared to Arai, I've only had AGV or HJC.
User avatar
Skub
Posts: 12172
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:32 pm
Location: Norn Iron
Has thanked: 9835 times
Been thanked: 10148 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Skub »

I've wondered about this too.

A selection of Arais have been on my head since my first in the mid 80s. After the previous rubbish of the 70s such as Owens and Premier,Arai were a revelation,pure head luxury.

My last few have been the RX7 variety,so I'm kinda spoiled when it comes to other lids,plus there are few places over here to try out a lid and there is always the risk it may feel ok in the shop,then not ok on a day's ride.

All that has cooled my jets,because I can buy another Arai online and know it will fit as well as the last.

The trouble is,outside of offers,my choice is now north of 700 quid. Fuck my old boots. :(

A mate recently strayed from Arai to AGV and says it's ok,but they are in the same price range anyway,so....

I also have one of the entry level Arais which I used for work. I have to say it felt good,not as noisy as the RX7 because it has less vents,but no removable liners,if that's a must have.
Last edited by Skub on Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
User avatar
ChrisW
Posts: 2724
Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2022 8:46 pm
Has thanked: 2915 times
Been thanked: 2060 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by ChrisW »

Another vote for HJC - before I only ever used to have Arai or Bell (off road).
slowsider
Posts: 3189
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:45 pm
Location: RoI
Has thanked: 1264 times
Been thanked: 1188 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by slowsider »

Skub wrote: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:15 am. After the previous rubbish of the 70s such as Owens ...
That's a blast from the past. I had a Haltstone, late 70s/ early 80s. It seemed like 60s technology at the time. :eh:
User avatar
Skub
Posts: 12172
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:32 pm
Location: Norn Iron
Has thanked: 9835 times
Been thanked: 10148 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Skub »

slowsider wrote: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:27 am
Skub wrote: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:15 am. After the previous rubbish of the 70s such as Owens ...
That's a blast from the past. I had a Haltstone, late 70s/ early 80s. It seemed like 60s technology at the time. :eh:
:lol: I hadn't a clue about fit or anything either,so I managed to buy one that was too big. It used to try to lift off my head at any sort of speed. I was throttled by the neck strap!
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11234
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4124 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

In the early 80s nearly everyone I knew had Centurions, not sure if this was just a local thing because they were made in Thetford.
Honda Owner
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11234
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4124 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

Honda Owner
User avatar
Skub
Posts: 12172
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:32 pm
Location: Norn Iron
Has thanked: 9835 times
Been thanked: 10148 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Skub »

I always liked the look of Simpson lids,but even their fans will tell you they aren't the most comfy. A mate had one and it was like a rock on your head! Maybe that's changed over time.
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
Hairybiker84
Posts: 225
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2021 2:06 pm
Has thanked: 70 times
Been thanked: 108 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Hairybiker84 »

Once I tore myself away from Griffin, I've been pretty much only Arai. Changed to Schuberth, not as much ventilation but similar to Arai fit, latching the visor down is the only pain in the arse, takes 2 hands, now I know what cruise control is for :D
User avatar
Yorick
Posts: 16750
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:20 pm
Location: Paradise
Has thanked: 10272 times
Been thanked: 6888 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Yorick »

IIRC, John Kocinski loved Bell helmets. But another helmet Co. offered him mega bucks to wear theirs.
So he put their label on a Bell helmet :obscene-birdiedoublered:
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11234
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4124 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

Skub wrote: Thu Jun 09, 2022 11:08 am I always liked the look of Simpson lids,but even their fans will tell you they aren't the most comfy. A mate had one and it was like a rock on your head! Maybe that's changed over time.
I borrowed a Simpson Bandit in 1990 for a short ride, it was horrible.
Honda Owner
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11234
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4124 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

Yorick wrote: Thu Jun 09, 2022 11:21 am IIRC, John Kocinski loved Bell helmets. But another helmet Co. offered him mega bucks to wear theirs.
So he put their label on a Bell helmet :obscene-birdiedoublered:
Somebody who raced at the TT put Premier stickers on an Arai, can't remember who.
Honda Owner
lostboy
Posts: 840
Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2020 3:03 pm
Has thanked: 2156 times
Been thanked: 426 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by lostboy »

My son, who is an Arai shaped head, moved onto HJC. He's always said that his current HJC (bought from J&S in a sale) is lighter, quieter and far nicer to use than his Arai.

Being a Shoei head I can't comment! (Went from Suomy, who I really like, to Shoei when Suomy distro was shit in the UK - it appears to be back on again though).
User avatar
Taipan
Posts: 13951
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:48 pm
Location: Essex Riviera!
Has thanked: 15965 times
Been thanked: 10249 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Taipan »

I used to have Arais but in recent years I switched to HJC which are equally as comfy, but the fit does change slightly between models, so deffo try before you buy.

The one thing I dislike about HJC is the visors seem proper pony in the rain? Maybe that's just me, but they never seem to hold a bit of polish like the Arais did, or used to? I've even been thinking about getting another Arai before winter because of this?
Supermofo
Posts: 5002
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
Has thanked: 4362 times
Been thanked: 2853 times

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai

Post by Supermofo »

I have had Arai's in the past and now use Shark, I find them nice and comfy. I have the Spartan GT but the new version is the Spartan RS I think. Very good lids IMO.