I love Arai

[acalliste]

I am on my third Arai helmet in 20 years, and I continue to be impressed. They have the best customer service ever.

When the trim around the bottom of the helmet came off my last Quantum 2, I sent it back to them & they fixed it & returned it to me under warranty. I don't think I even had to pay to ship it to them. They sent a pick up label. And at the time I had owned that helmet for about 4 or 5 years, and didn't even have my receipt to show them.

Then on Saturday, I was changing the shield on my current Quantum 2, from the smoke to the clear since I had to ride home at night, and a plastic tab broke off the left side pod as I was pulling the smoke shield off. I managed to get the shield in place and hold it there with duct tape so I could get home (150 mile highway ride, so there was no way I was riding without a shield, and it was 8PM Sat night, so no shops open).

Anyway, I called Arai this morning & they are mailing me a new color matched side pod. Again no proof of purchase was requested. Though because of the color it's obvious I've only had this helmet for about 3 years I suppose.

If you ever wonder why anyone pays so much for a helmet, it's not just the superior quality. It's for peace of mind and great customer service as well.

Oh, and a BIG thank you to my local Cycle Gear for letting me borrow (yes Borrow!) a side pod to use until Arai sends me one.

[BirdzIview]

Thats great they are that cool about it. I have only had to buy street gear once, and I am very happy with my Icon gear. I just couldnt fathom spending the big bucks on an Arai or Suomy. But maybe when its time for an upgrade I will go big......

[turbo-time]

Granted it is my head, which is a little important, and luckily I dont go as fast as you guys on a dirtbike. But I wouldnt spend 600 bucks on a helmet.

[acalliste]

I paid $375 for my Tattoo Blue Quantum 2 Arai (the one I have now). I paid about that for the last one, and then sold it after maybe 6 or 7 years for $100. Bought both of those new. My first Arai was used, and I paid $150 for it.

The cheap helmets are ok. They probably protect just as well, but they are way too uncomfortable and the fit & finish are not up to par. There are times when I just about live in my helmet, so it needs to be comfortable.

[jschmidt]

I'm sure they love you too. We all do. But everybody's trim fell off. ;-)

[UberGoober]

I've always been a Shoei person myself. Arais pinch my head.

[jschmidt]

I've had them all. Recently I picked up one of those Bell Stars that were on closeout and I'm really happy with it. The ventilation is remarkable and the fit and function are great. It's too loud but I'm convinced that's inherent in proportion to the quality of ventilation. But perfect fit for me and zero lift at 130

[UberGoober]

The helmet I use most nowdays is an HJC AC12 I got when I was in the states three years ago. I don't recall paying much for it, I wasn't even sure it was Snell rated until I looked at it a minute ago.

The inside isn't as nice as my Shoeis, but I really like the rubberized coating on the outside. I think I like the insides being less plush, by the way, its so hot here and I sweat so much a nice cloth liner would go bad pretty quick.

The head vents are small, but the vent on the front is huge so it flows pretty good.

Its a little big and will come up on me at speed if I don't have it screwed on right.

[TejasRider]

Does that rubberized finish make it any harder to get bug guts off?

[UberGoober]

Nope. I was kind of wondering how it would hold up when I got it, but its pretty good stuff, really. I haven't really babied it and after three years it isn't scratched or bunged it up at all. It still looks as good as the day I got it.

I usually clean it with those Clorox wet wipes and no had any problems with it.

[acalliste]

I had a Bell when I first started riding street bikes. It was ok, but it was HUGE. Even though the size was correct for me, the outer shell was enormous.

I had a Shoei for a little while between Arais, but it just wasn't the right shape for my head or something. My SO loves Shoei. He won't wear anything else.

Jim, I wasn't so much impressed that they replaced my trim as I am that they are so willing to address the few issues that have come up without me having to prove anything to them. I know the trim was a common issue, though it's only happened to one of my Arais.

[jschmidt]

I was just ribbing you, Tammy.

The new bell star is nothing like anything they've made in a couple of decades. It's a cut above.

The new AC-12 is the FS-15. AC-12s can be found for around $100, a great bargain.