My first ever "Arai" helmet.

[Ericthejet]

I will never look at a "Bell" helmet again...sorry Bell.
When I bought it a few years back it did a good job and yes, I was aware that many brands are on the market and each one has pros and cons. My bell was inexpensive but build quality of this model ranks about a 5.5
This is a "new to me" helmet, purchased for a "song" from a friend this weekend.

I think it's a Corsa2. It is brightly colored for high visability.
It has a front chin vent, two vents at the top of the visor, inlet and exhaust vents on the helmet top as well. The visor "clicks" to lock shut which I like.
It is very bright and quite light.
The interior is as close to new as they come due in large part to my friends switch from a ZX-10 to a GL1500 (lower back issues) and the typical switch in headgear.

Overall the things I notice the most,

Nice and light,
I can see clearly through the nicer visor, (LOL)
very quiet inside,
waaay more comfortable,
less head movement above 120kph,
much greater "bling" or curb appeal due to it's fancy paintjob.

Overall it was not a monumental task for any replacement helmet to be an improvement over the old Bell but I fear I may have just been converted to this brand. After a solid 7 hours ride home I have to say I'm convinced this is a great helmet.
I will post a picture shortly.

I also purchased a "new to me " jacket as well. It was a song as well for the same reason, making the jump from sport bike to touring rig, no need for this style.
It's a smidge big but very comfy and a removable liner.

http://assets0.revzilla.com/product_...ack_detail.jpg

[Pigman]

I am totally sold for EVER on Arai......my RX-7 is SICK

[scubasteveRR]

I hope to getting a Arai soon too! got to save up some dough though!

[FriskyDingo]

Overall the things I notice the most,

Nice and light,
I can see clearly through the nicer visor, (LOL)
very quiet inside,
waaay more comfortable,
less head movement above 120kph,
much greater "bling" or curb appeal due to it's fancy paintjob.

I will post a picture shortly.

, protect head is #1, the list above is the reason to spend a little more on a top quality helmet as opposed to just a DOT/SNELL approved lid.

time for a new avatar pic

[jcc152]

After years of wanting one, I bought my first Arai this season too, and I'll never wear anything else- just like their ads say. Sure, it was expensive but it's light, comfortable and the vents actually work. No more riding with the visor open to get air inside! A huge upgrade over other helmets I've had (HJC, Fulmer, Bieffe, Nolan).

[brendanp]

I got a quantum II and luv it

[virtualbong]

The last time I tried on some Arais they just did not fit well with my head shape. I am now a die hard Suomy customer.

[toocrazy2yoo]

Arai must have something, seems like the racers all have em. I had a Shoei RF700 for years, but with the new bike, I went for another Shoei called a TZ-R. It's got a roof-vent in it that brings air through the hat, no chin vent required. The graphics just drive me batshit, though. I tried on an Arai, liked it, went through their catalog, and the Arai that fit me couldn't even be ordered in solids, so I went with the Shoei in a solid Cobaly blue to match the bike. I suppose whatever brand you buy, you REALLY get what you pay for. In the $400.00 range you get a good usable hat. But dammed if they didn't have Arais, Shoeis and another brand as high as 7 or 8 hundred. Those must be the Cadillacs.

[Ericthejet]

:
time for a new avatar pic

Yes it will be.
My wife just upgraded her Canon to something with a bizzallion mega thingies
so, new pic on the way soon.

[RandyO]

in recent years, I'v'e had

Bell M2 ( quietest helmet I've ever owned, but also heaviest)
Arai Signet e (my favorite of them all caust of the ease of shield change)
Fulmer Modulus (snowmobile helmet for winter riding)
HJC Symax (sucks, worse helmet of all of em)
Shoei TZR ((slightly restricted field of view compared to the Arai and shield doesn't change as easy)