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Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 9:57 am
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.
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 9:59 am
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?
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:04 am
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

The Debut is a bit "council house" for £230, I want a removable liner.
I've got a large head (no surprises there)
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:05 am
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!
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:10 am
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.
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:13 am
by Numnut
HJC are good lids, with removable inners. Not sure how they fit compared to Arai, I've only had AGV or HJC.
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:15 am
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.
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:18 am
by ChrisW
Another vote for HJC - before I only ever used to have Arai or Bell (off road).
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:27 am
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.

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:36 am
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.

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!
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 10:40 am
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.
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 11:05 am
by Le_Fromage_Grande
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 11:08 am
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.
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 11:20 am
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

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 11:21 am
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

Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 11:21 am
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.
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 11:22 am
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
Somebody who raced at the TT put Premier stickers on an Arai, can't remember who.
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 11:29 am
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).
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 11:29 am
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?
Re: Helmet - alternatives to Arai
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 11:33 am
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.