BlackFlag94
13-07-12, 02:25 PM
This helmet is one of 2 helmets I've ever tried on and didn't want to take off. It fits my head shape perfectly. Going from a £40 Nitro Helmet to this £379.99 Arai means that I was initially overwhelmed by the plushness of the Arai but now i've gotten over the noveltly and new factor here's my verdict.
Ventilation:
- The vents are great and you quickly discover that you don't want them open in the winter. To stop fogging simply have the nose vent open halfway and the vents on the visor open and keep all others shut (if cold). The vent at the rear of the top section of the helmet makes you feel as if there is a draught (may just be because of my short hair) but it very adequate for cooling, and the front top vent forces more air in. Whilst these vents are great they have limitations; in the very hot few days we've had this year they were just adequate on the move but below 30 they make no effect and I found that I was having to open the visor to get any cooling effect.
Noise:
- It is a reasonably quiet helmet, no difference whether vents are open or not. For long distances you will still want earplugs as the wind noise at (my) motorway speed is pretty loud, but i'd imagine it's roughly the same with all helmets. My mate has an RX-7 helmet and we swapped for a short stretch (bristol-stroud) and I couldn't wait to get mine back and when I did it was awesomely quiet in comparison.
Safety:
- Thankfully I cannot report on how well it holds up in a crash, only things I can say is that the same technology is used in racing and those guys hold up well....
Quality/Finish:
- Unlike my Nitro helmet nothing has fallen off or snapped. Only thing that has broken as such is the protection in the nose from where I've been holding the helmet where I carry it around (my fault not the helmet as I did read afterwards they recommend you carry the helmet by the strap not the chin bar)
- The paintwork is fantastic. I personally haven't seen any helmets with as good a finish as Arai helmets. The metallic looking paint is brilliant and the choice of designs is pretty extensive too.
Unless I find a helmet that fits even better I will be buying another Arai Chaser when this one is at the end of its life. :salut:
Ventilation:
- The vents are great and you quickly discover that you don't want them open in the winter. To stop fogging simply have the nose vent open halfway and the vents on the visor open and keep all others shut (if cold). The vent at the rear of the top section of the helmet makes you feel as if there is a draught (may just be because of my short hair) but it very adequate for cooling, and the front top vent forces more air in. Whilst these vents are great they have limitations; in the very hot few days we've had this year they were just adequate on the move but below 30 they make no effect and I found that I was having to open the visor to get any cooling effect.
Noise:
- It is a reasonably quiet helmet, no difference whether vents are open or not. For long distances you will still want earplugs as the wind noise at (my) motorway speed is pretty loud, but i'd imagine it's roughly the same with all helmets. My mate has an RX-7 helmet and we swapped for a short stretch (bristol-stroud) and I couldn't wait to get mine back and when I did it was awesomely quiet in comparison.
Safety:
- Thankfully I cannot report on how well it holds up in a crash, only things I can say is that the same technology is used in racing and those guys hold up well....
Quality/Finish:
- Unlike my Nitro helmet nothing has fallen off or snapped. Only thing that has broken as such is the protection in the nose from where I've been holding the helmet where I carry it around (my fault not the helmet as I did read afterwards they recommend you carry the helmet by the strap not the chin bar)
- The paintwork is fantastic. I personally haven't seen any helmets with as good a finish as Arai helmets. The metallic looking paint is brilliant and the choice of designs is pretty extensive too.
Unless I find a helmet that fits even better I will be buying another Arai Chaser when this one is at the end of its life. :salut: