...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!

[fizzwheel]

Now thats customer service

how much did it cost?

[northwind]

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

did you not even have to pay postage?



im off to HG on monday

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!

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

[northwind]

Originally Posted by hovis

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

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