ARAI DEFECT !

[tonup]

Having a nice ride to Cabelas in Maine and flipped up my visor to adjust my sunglasses and POP! Right pod gone, shield just barely hangin in there. Called Arai, had to leave message Kathy called back about 45 minutes later. Turns out they have knowledge of the shield rubbing on the top "catch" on the pod causing it to wear out and snap. They are sending me new backing plates and pods due to the problem. The backing plates are made thicker in the problem area to stop the rubbing. For some reason they haven't sent out any owner notification or recall that I'm aware. If they did, I didn't recieve it. Just passing on the info if you haven't heard about it. Now riding around without the shield and taking big bugs to the forehead but at least I'm still riding

[newgixxerchic]

thats unfortunate... I'm glad you aren't having any problems with Arai replacing the parts though... good to know if I ever have problems with mine.

[DucDave]

I didnt know there was a Cabalas in Maine...!

[jodymac]

what model helmet??

[Degsy]

Interesting, my right pod flew off while looking backwards in turn 7 last tonys trackdays. The faceshield flew off also (l3uddha ran it over). I had to buy a new shield and pod from S&C.

[Kurlon]

I didnt know there was a Cabalas in Maine...!

Just opened.

[tonup]

what model helmet??

Astral X.

Degsy, I would call them and explain what happended, even if you already have new parts. The new parts MAY not be the newer thicker plastic the woman was speaking of.
Arai America # 610-837-4210
The only other way to contact them seems by slow warranty claims via email and setting up an account with arai. Turns out it is viewed by the woman I spoke with, Kathy, nice lady, and said its much quicker to call than do the email thing due to volume. The last time I had this problem, on the left, they wouldn't cover it under warranty, said I "must have been my error" with the install of the sheild. Inexpensive parts, but my first customer experience with arai sucked. Glad this one is better.


Cabelas Spent almost 2 hours just roaming around and couldn't leave empty handed. After shopping that long I think my mangina is starting to grow. Take rt.1 to Scarborough Me to Payne rd. and boom. Many other routes to get there of course.

[Evil_Weasel]

i had a suomy do the same thing. except when the side pod blew off a screw for the shield mechanism went with it. i lost the whole open closer thingy on the right side. when the shield started flapping around it popped off the other side pod. than snapped itself into pieces and flew away. this all happened in about .3 of a second while coasting down from a high speed run. (guess i shouldn't have poked my head out of the bubble so soon.

suomy offered no help other than to sell me new parts, so i chucked it in a dumpster and bought a schuthbert.

[Degsy]

Thanks so much for the heads up on the Arai contact info!~!

For now I'll probably just go to Motomarket where I bought it and ask them what I can do. I'm not worried. It cost me a new shield and a new side cover, but no biggie. I want to make sure it doesn't happen again though.

[klepsta]

Same thing happened to me, flipped up my shield at a light, and the small plastic tab at the top holding the pod in broke. Went to the dealer where I bought it, and they did all the leg work with Arai.

Thats the only gripe I have with Arai helmets, and why I like Shoei's shield system better.

[OreoGaborio]

I thought the Arai Pod problem was well known?

If i remember correctly, Arai fixed the issue on the production line, but was still sending new updated pods to anyone that came to them with a problem.

[GixerJockey]

boooo...get an agv

Yea... That's the answer... :slap:

[The Magician]

i got hit in the side of the head by a bird and broke off one of my plates... this was a while ago ... saw it coming and turned my head... bam. fun times.

[SVRACER01]

the only problem ive had with my arai is rust, and the molding on the chin is peeling off

[X-Triple]

I have the Quantum 2, when I bought it at the show in NYC the agent told me about this problem. That was two years ago.

[Evil_Weasel]

and the molding on the chin is peeling off

i had a 3 week old arai that was lossing it's chin molding. it kind of pissed me off. 400 bucks and you couldn't find better glue than that? in fact i was so pissed i smashed it into the ground that same week....probably should have taken my head out first though.

[tonup]

Got my new parts yesterday afternoon. sooner than she said so that was good but went for a ride, before parts showed up, to pick up moose meat for a cookout and got stuck in the rain with my full face/open face I forgot how much that sucks. Parts on now and seem good to go. I will say I had much better cust. service this go'round.

[G21forme]

You would think for the money people shell out for these they would be just about bullet proof.