Shoei vs. Arai

[windsorgreen1]

Hi . My name is Martin and I have a large skull (rest of forum- "Hi Martin")

Anywho the Shoei 3X RF-1000 and the 3X Arai Profile seem to be the only helmets that fit me correctly. I have avoided these in the past because of the cost ($350-$550), but have decided that my tax return this year will go towards a new noggin protector.

Other than cost what are the benfits of one over the other ?

Thanks,
Martin

[fasterbusa]

It is all subjective and it up to you.
Many people find that the 2 helmets fit different types of head shapes differently.
I find that the Arai's fit my head shape better and more comfortably that the Shoei helmet does.
One of my riding friends prefers the Shoei as it fits his head shape better than the Arai.  Very odd, but it is just up to you.
Look online after you have used a "real" store to get the right size.  I got my $800 Arai for $335 online some time ago.

[Ken]

For the most part, don't the Shoei's tend to fit round heads better, and Arai's fit oval heads better. I have more of a round head and Shoei's fit me well/better.

[hobbes]

I dont care how people "deal" with the Arai helmet locking mechanism, but extra pieces that can snap off and cause it to take longer to take on/off a shield makes the Shoei look like a better design.

The Shoei shield mechanism is amazing, best on the market IMHO. Maybe not a reason to not buy an Arai, but defenitely a demerit with all other things equal in my book.

[kendenton]

I dont care how people "deal" with the Arai helmet locking mechanism, but extra pieces that can snap off and cause it to take longer to take on/off a shield makes the Shoei look like a better design.

The Shoei shield mechanism is amazing, best on the market IMHO. Maybe not a reason to not buy an Arai, but defenitely a demerit with all other things equal in my book.

Just curious - how often are you folks changing your shields?  Daily?  I keep the smoke shield on 99% of the time, and only if I'm riding after dark do I switch to the clear.  I doubt I change my shield 20 times a year.  No biggie to me if the mechanism is a little trickier.

That said, I've owned both Arai and Shoei lids, and the Arai shield mechanism is far worse, but you do get the hang of it.

[1KPerDay]

I have both Arai and Shoei helmets. I won't buy another Arai until they fix their stupid, fiddly, fragile shield-changing mechanism. Shoei's rulz.

[crispiegee1]

I wish somebody besides Arai would make a helmet for oval-shaped people with big noses.  

So far, the most comfortable helmet I've ever tried was an Arai, but I like the quiet interior of my Shoei.  I'd like to buy one of those pre-wired Baehr helmets (made by FM in Italy), but they are round in shape.  

[MDHCO]

Can't say anything about Arai other than I've not found one that fits my noggin.  

My current Shoei RF900, is a bit noisy, but has superior ventilation to the old brain bucket, which was also a Shoei.  

Getting close to needing a new helmet.   Will check various models, but chances are, it'll be another Shoei.

[Fast Blue]

Arai Helmets come in 3 noggin shapes-

 1. LONG OVAL
(very long front-to-back, very narrow side-to-side). On this end of the scale, we have the new Profile model, offering additional forehead room for those who find that most helmets have pressure points in the forehead.

2. INTERMEDIATE OVAL
(a little shorter front-to-back and a little wider side-to-side than the Long Oval). This next fit package comes in our RX-7 Corsair model, which begins the shift from oblong towards round.

3. ROUND OVAL
(even a little shorter front-to-back and a little widerside-to-side). This next fit package is represented by both our Quantum-2 and our Astral-X models.

The Astral-X has a slightly more "relaxed" fit - a bit more room in the forehead area - mainly because the Astral has a non-removable liner.

The Quantum-2's liner, on the other hand, is fully-removable, which makes it feel a bit more "round". Be sure to try both on to determine which feelsbetter on your head.

Check out www.araiamaericas.com for full read - under sizing / interior shapes.
I have the Arai Van Den Bosch model ( Astral) It is holding up well.

Check your head size and confirm at a Bike shop the helmet you want - then check out ebay for good deals

[ZED]

I have the Shoei RF-1000 and my wife has the Arai Quantum-2.  We bought those because that's what we found to fit our heads the best.  Our feelings are that the Shoei has higher wind noise.  

I won't get into the shield issues of the Shoei.  I seem to recall an entire thread on that topic somewhere around here.

[PhilBiker]

AGV  

[RickC1957]

I dont care how people "deal" with the Arai helmet locking mechanism, but extra pieces that can snap off and cause it to take longer to take on/off a shield makes the Shoei look like a better design.

The Shoei shield mechanism is amazing, best on the market IMHO. Maybe not a reason to not buy an Arai, but defenitely a demerit with all other things equal in my book.

  Please I have seen way too many chin vents on Arais just fall off when riding in the rain, side pods pop off, takes two riders to change a freaking shield. Arai even has a handy dandy streaming video on how to change a shield, how lame Shoei visor will take a newborn bay about two seconds to change out And did I mention Arai tested as poorly as HJC in their now infamous helmet test Yep great comfort and fit of Arai stops when you crash or have to change a visor

[windsorgreen1]

AGV  

Good helmets for little people  

[DogBoy]

  Please I have seen way too many chin vents on Arais just fall off when riding in the rain, side pods pop off, takes two riders to change a freaking shield. Arai even has a handy dandy streaming video on how to change a shield, how lame Shoei visor will take a newborn bay about two seconds to change out And did I mention Arai tested as poorly as HJC in their now infamous helmet test Yep great comfort and fit of Arai stops when you crash or have to change a visor

Read the instructions that come with the Arai and it will take you ten seconds to change visors. Three Arai helmets in fifteen years - seven years of daily use - and I never had a chin vent come lose or side pods fall off.

I bought a Shoei X-11 a few months ago and find it to be the same quality and comfort as an Arai. The vents are better than the Arai Quantums I had. The Shoei visor mechanism is better but I find it hard to see what the mechanism is doing when putting on a light tint or dark tint visor.

Pick a helmet based on fit and worry about features later. Too few people have helmets that fit correctly.

[tbzep]

It's sad that people have trouble changing the Arai visor and think it's complicated.  I reckon they must have trouble raising or lowering a toilet lid too.    Pull up two little levers and yank the visor out.  Slap the new visor in and close it.  You are done....  Wow...that's really hard.  I guess pulling up two little levers is way beyond most people's mechanical abilities.    

I have four Arai lids dating back from 1988 to present.  I've never had a vent to fall off or a shield mechanism fail.  In fact, I've even ground a brow vent and chin vent down in a crash and they both stayed solidly mounted.  

[ol Rocket]

Some people seem to be paid to bash Arai in these threads.  They fit my head the best so I will use them.  I paid 350.00 for a Shark and wanted it to fit sooo bad.  AGVs have some cool designs and the ROOF is pretty interesting, but in the end I come back to what fits ME the best.  Shoeis are nice helmets and I'd wear one if they were as comfortable.

Don't ask us.  Just go try on as many different lids as you can--then decide.

[Tritium]

It all comes down to what fits you best. I tried on at least 12 different helmets and an Arai fit me best (astral). I *HATE* Arai's shield mechanism, I hate how loud they are, and I hate how expensive they are. That's what fits me best though, and that's the most important thing.

[RickC1957]

Read the instructions that come with the Arai and it will take you ten seconds to change visors. Three Arai helmets in fifteen years - seven years of daily use - and I never had a chin vent come lose or side pods fall off.

I bought a Shoei X-11 a few months ago and find it to be the same quality and comfort as an Arai. The vents are better than the Arai Quantums I had. The Shoei visor mechanism is better but I find it hard to see what the mechanism is doing when putting on a light tint or dark tint visor.

Pick a helmet based on fit and worry about features later. Too few people have helmets that fit correctly.

Dog....I'm suspect of recent Arai quality...but I agree with you pick any helmet that fits and worry about features later.

[Ralf]

I bought the Kevin Schwantz replica helmet (can't remember the actual designation) from Arai in 1995. It fit my strange-shaped head like no other helmet has before or since.

Does anyone know what the successor model is called? It would be great to find a helmet with the same great fit again.

[windsorgreen1]

Thanks to everybody for the replys. I've never heard of Arai's falling apart as a couple people have described so that's not an issue.

Many suggested trying the helmets on before buying. I wish I could. The problem is that no one stocks anything larger than a 2X. So most likely I'll end up paying restocking fees on a a couple helmets until I find the right one.

Thanks,
Martin