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

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

Originally Posted by kwak zzr

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

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.

mines nad a bit of a battering too

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.

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]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

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]

Originally Posted by northwind

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.

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 ) need it to