...and this is why I reckon Arai are the best in the business...

[northwind]

3 years ago I bought a discounted Condor, second cheapest lid in the Arai range. I wore it pretty much daily for that whole time, except when I was off the bike with my hip, and I never looked after it well. Crashed in it about 4 times, dropped it, oh, loads of times... Sent it back to Arai for checking once ages ago and it was still fine- and at this point, I'd probably already have presumed a cheaper lid was unsafe and binned it. Then crashed and dropped it a couple more times and abused it for another year

Eventually after all this abuse the lining came loose around the non-removable cheek pads. Well done Arai, I thought, this is one of their budget lids and it's outlasted my old HJC by about 3-1 while still being in wearable condition. It was still comfy, still fitted perfectly, (the HJC by comparison had compressed badly and felt like wearing a plastic bucket by this time) but the lining thing became really annoying so I bought myself an Astro-R. Once again Arai got brownie points as the visors were compatible.

I got the lid at the London show, and popped by the Arai stall to get it fitted- again, an Arai advantage, I've never seen any other company do this. They played about with it a bit, think they put in a thicker top pad, and immediately it fitted as well as my old friend the Condor. Top marks. I mentioned that I'd had a Condor but that it had fallen to bits. "How old is it?" "About 3 years" "Send it in to us then and we'll sort it" Even though it's not one of the lids with replacable linings etc.

So last week I did, through my local Hein Gericke and I got a phone call on friday that it was back in! I'd assumed it'd take ages. Well, tell the truth, I thought it was for the crusher! Went and picked it up, and it's been checked over and confirmed safe again, thoroughly cleaned (I never cleaned it once, it was orrible), had the chips in the paint touched up, had the strap replaced, and both cheek pads removed- new ones glued in. It's still obviously an old lid but it feels as good as new and looks not bad at all.

Consider me amazed :) I'm almost sorry I bought the Astro R!


:smt040 :smt040 :smt040 :smt040 :smt040

[fizzwheel]

Now thats customer service :cool:

[hovis]

how much did it cost?

[northwind]

Ah, yes, i forgot to mention that. Totally free :cheers: Or, if you prefer, subsidised by the fact that the helmets are a bit expensive ;)

[hovis]

did you not even have to pay postage?

:cheers:

im off to HG on monday[-o<

[K]

Their reputation was the reason I had Arai as my first choice - like you my Condor is still going strong (not that I do that many miles mind you).

And since it was an Arai that saved Hammond's head I'm even more pleased to have one! ;)

[kwak zzr]

treat yourself hovis you've only got one banana i mean head :)

[northwind]

did you not even have to pay postage?


Nah, they just sent it back through their distribution network. Can't guarantee it'll be the same everywhere o'course.

[rictus01]

Indeed given the damage to the windscreen and padding of the helmet, I'm convinced yours truely won't be around had I been wearing any "lesser" helmet.

Nice one Andy, had two helmets go in for a "service", just feels quality.

Cheers Mark

[ASM-Forever]

Have to third what Northwind/Rictus have said...My Arai took a battering in my off and my head was the part most pinned under the van. I will be replacing with another Arai for sure:)

[danf1234]

I love my Shoei, but I have to admit this has got me thinking. I'd pay extra for that sort of Customer Service.

[hovis]

treat yourself hovis you've only got one banana i mean head :)

i plan to, in a few weeks £500 is a lot of money (for me) & as you can tell by my bike only the best is good enough;)

if i send my old arai off now to be serviced, i will have to wear a moto-x or open face trials helmet.............which should be fun

[on yer bike]

my arai is in bad shape, I'm afriad of sending it back to them as It will probably be deemed unsafe, lol..

Its top air vents have came off, been glued back on, then came off again (after being dropped a load of times onto the road). It has little dents all over for the same reason. Its tinted visor (that came with it) is broken at the side fitting bit after being removed and re-fitted too many times. And yes, I'll still go for an Arai every time.

[hovis]

mines nad a bit of a battering too[-o<

[Tiger 55]

Well I'm a Shoei man and terrible, terrible brand loyal.

But between Northy and Hammond I think I could be a convert. Hmm.

[fizzwheel]

I've just changed from a Shoei to an Arai. I have to say the difference in comfort and fit is bigger than I first though it was. Lighter, more comfortable and vents that actually work.

The only thing I dont like is how much noiser the Arai is and that the visor change is more fiddly to do compared to the shoei.

[Islandboy]

I saw the Arai service stand at the TT last year. I never thought any company would provide service like that. I was totally amazed. When i get a new lid, Ill be getting one.

[northwind]

The only thing I dont like is how much noiser the Arai is and that the visor change is more fiddly to do compared to the shoei.

Yep, I'd say that the Astro R I just got is basically too noisy, I was really surprised by it... Wearing the Condor today really brought that home too, it's not exactly silent but above 10... Eh, I mean at exactly 69mph, it's far quieter. I used to sometimes wear earplugs for motorways, now I always do and even wear them for some short range riding.

I get on OK with the visor system (the main trick is, don't ever push the levers down into the pods or you've got a fight on your hands) but it's the vents that I really don't like... Wee fiddly things that are fine for bare hands but in winter gloves? The daft wee thing on the front of the visor just irritates me, and the eyebrow vents just get in the way. My HJC's basically inferior in every way but it had 2 big vents that worked, far better. Too clever for their own good.

Still, this doesn't take away from my overall fanboyism, I just like to add some minor complaints so that it looks like I'm not totally biased.

[fizzwheel]

now I always do and even wear them for some short range riding.

Yep me to.

I'm getting the knack with the visor change. I can do it quite quickly now. You're right about the little levers though. Total PIA when they drop down like that.

[Steelman]

I'm a total convert to Arai having recently purchased a Condor silver job; it may be their budget lid but it's great - really comfortable and feels like it would protect my second favourite organ should I (heaven forbid [-o< ) need it to :smt040

[adamfool]

i've got an Astro-R too, and i've always experienced the same fantastic service. one of the vents broke on the top of the lid, and Arai sent me a fresh one within 2 days! And again, that was free of charge.
not only that, but it just fits me so perfectly. I wouldnt wear another brand now:)

[Paws]

If you guys ever need advice on a arai, pm me, i work for hg Northampton :)

We sell more arais then anything else, and highly recommend them, my partner has one (Astro J) and im looking at replacing my shoei x-sprit with a arai rx7 this year

[lucky strike]

.....one of the vents broke on the top of the lid, and Arai sent me a fresh one within 2 days! And again, that was free of charge.....


Whaaaa?!?! I went throught the hassle of getting a mate to buy some spare genuine parts from the U.S via e-bay when my locking pin mechanism broke on my visor :rolleyes:

Also, while we're on the subject; Can one purchase a new plain/clear visor from Arai direct? As HG in Stockwell want about 45 odd pounds for a new one. Is this about right or overpriced? It's for a Condor model btw.

[northwind]

You need an L-type, they're expensive because of the abovementioned irritating eyebrow vent though. Visorshop can do them for £38. When you consider you can get a whole Arai helmet with the same visor for under £200 (in fact, you can get a Condor in plain for £200) that's quite pricey. I'm guessing Arai must kill anyone making pattern ones...

Edit- Ebay! Some good prices, make sure you get an L in the Arai packaging though

[Paws]

Whaaaa?!?! I went throught the hassle of getting a mate to buy some spare genuine parts from the U.S via e-bay when my locking pin mechanism broke on my visor :rolleyes:

Also, while we're on the subject; Can one purchase a new plain/clear visor from Arai direct? As HG in Stockwell want about 45 odd pounds for a new one. Is this about right or overpriced? It's for a Condor model btw.

Thats the correct price huni im afraid.

[hovis]

3 years ago I bought a discounted Condor.......
:smt040

did you buy the helmet@ HG ? & did you need to show a recipt?

[SoulKiss]

my arai is in bad shape, I'm afriad of sending it back to them as It will probably be deemed unsafe, lol..

Its top air vents have came off, been glued back on, then came off again (after being dropped a load of times onto the road). It has little dents all over for the same reason. Its tinted visor (that came with it) is broken at the side fitting bit after being removed and re-fitted too many times. And yes, I'll still go for an Arai every time.

Obligatory Princess Leia quote *points at lid* "You came in that thing - you're braver than I thought".

Seriously tho, you doubt it will pass a manufacturers safety test, yet you still wear it?

Hmmmm Leia's use of bravery may not be the correct word.

[northwind]

did you buy the helmet@ HG ? & did you need to show a recipt?

Nope and nope... Bought it from a now closed shop in Edinburgh. They never asked, but to be fair they know me there and they've had a fair bit of business off me so I can't guarantee everyone else would get the same service... The guy from Arai pretty much took it for granted that any Arai dealer would take care of it as part of the whole dealer service.

[on yer bike]

Obligatory Princess Leia quote *points at lid* "You came in that thing - you're braver than I thought".

Seriously tho, you doubt it will pass a manufacturers safety test, yet you still wear it?

Hmmmm Leia's use of bravery may not be the correct word.

I think it probably would, I'm just worried that it wouldn't, lol.

[lucky strike]

Thats the correct price huni im afraid.

Oh ok, I was just wondering that the helmet itself cost £200 two and a half years ago, I may just buy a new one soon. Thanks for the reply!

[Captain Nemo]

yet more praise for arai..........

i bought a haslam rep astro r from the nec last november,

first time i wore it i put it on a counter at a nameless kawasaki dealer in askern, near doncaster..........

didnt notice for another 40 mins , but id put it on some battery acid, it ate through the neck roll, butning a damn great hole in it, shop denied reponsibility,
i rang pheonix, (arai distributor) and asked what i had to do to get it repaired, now this is clearly not a warrenty issue, how can arai be responsible for this, but they had me take it to my local gerrick, lid not from them , but i know them quite well , and gerrickes sent it back to arai, droppped it off monday morning, lid is back with gerricke by wednesday, no charge for labour, no charge for parts no charge for carriage............
fantastic ,
and thats why arai have such a good rep, and why you pay a little more....usually,
my lid cost me £209 genuine uk spec, and the best lid ive had, i didnt even have the receipt or even know which shop id bought it from.........

quality service like that is worth a little extra, and thats not just arai , but hein gerricke as well in my experience they have great service too, and dont argue the toss if theyre stuff develops a fault..........

top marks to both companies

[rictus01]

Having had a three helmets go back to Arai for checks, I think the telling thing is they won't condem a lid for no reason and I believe that, so when they said my old Quantum f was knackered, I sort of knew it was, and likewise if they say it's good, I have no worries, that's trust.

Cheers Mark.

[Dave The Rave]

well, i am looking for a new lid and wanted Shoei one but after reading this I am more or less convinced I will get Arai.

[hovis]

off wrc

Just took my Arai in to have a new strap fitted.

Be warned that Arai no longer offer this service for free. They currently charge £15.

I will report on the quality of the repair.

[northwind]

Hmm, that's odd, they did it on mine for free...

[I'm_a_Newbie]

Ah, yes, i forgot to mention that. Totally free :cheers: Or, if you prefer, subsidised by the fact that the helmets are a bit expensive ;)

Arai guarantee their helmets for 5 years. It's written on the chin strap of my Condor.

[northwind]

Yup, but guarantees generally don't cover accidental damage.

[hovis]

:smt017 my mates not happy now cos you did not have to pay & he did

[northwind]

Odd one that. Maybe they just don't like him ;)

[hovis]

maybe PAWS can shed some light on this?

[Paws]

Is it the first time hes had the strap replaced?? If not, arai WILL charge for a second time etc as they say its user fault.

[Paws]

off wrc

Just took my Arai in to have a new strap fitted.

Be warned that Arai no longer offer this service for free. They currently charge £15.

I will report on the quality of the repair.


They DO offer it for free but only ONCE!, if you damage your strap a second time-you have to pay.