Which is chosen? Shoei or Arai?

Hi guys... been awhile since i been over here. Then again just warmed up past couple weeks here in the midwest.

Still got my 86' babyceptor vf500f (god i love her), but I just got a 2007 Triumph daytona 675....looking at some new helmets.

Ive only had cheapie $50-75 helmets till now,,,but i think its time to make a good investment in a quality helmet.

Which would you choose and why? Also is there any benefits of one over the other. Appreciate all/any feedback.

Arai Quantum II or Shoei RF-1000

O.. I forgot to mention...they are both the same price..so maybe that will help.

 

Purchase the one that fits you best. Proper fit is part in parcel of the helmets ability to protect you. Also the better the fit the more comfortable you will be in the helmet. Helmet mfgs use a particular shaped shells. Most mfgs only use one shape. Arai uses Three shapes and I "THINK" Shoie uses 2 shapes (not anywhere near positive) on that. The thought is that people have different shaped heads so why not make different shaped helmets. Arai quantum is a more rounded shell and the Shoie is a more oval shape. Arai has other helmets that offer oval shapes listed models are on the Arai web site.

For instance: Shoei while nice and a quality piece do not fit me properly. After a VERY short period of time they become uncomfortable to me. ON the other hand the Arai Quantum II fits me perfectly so much so that I can wear it all day 8 hours or more with no issues. My wife on the other hand has the Shoei RF-1000. It fit her just right. The Arai products did not work for her.

Both are quality helmets and your money will be well spent on either Shoie or Arai.

Good luck

 

Competition Accessories: Search

Shoei X-11, in Lawson colors, at a great price.

I fit best in a Shoei, and the X-11 is the best lid ever, IMHO.

Mac

 

Like Mr. B Pil says, you need to buy the one that fits you best. Any helmet, THAT IS NOT A NOVELTY HELMET, will protect your sputnik. If it is a novelty helmet, you must be informed of this at the time of purchase. Shoei & Arai obviously are not novelty helmets.

Just comparing those two, the Shoei is going to be a slightly better value. Some people might question me saying that since I've been wearing Arai helmets for nearly 20 years. I'm a patient man & willing to spend extra to get quality. Problem is, Arai raised the price of the Corsair to over $800. That's just plain silly. I've written Arai twice & they haven't responded. I don't expect them to, but as a consumer, I am entitled to contact any company that wants my business & explain to them what they need to do to make me spend my money with their company. Because of this cost increase, my next helmet is probably going to be the OGK FF5. I don't need one for about another 2.5 years so I have plenty of time to research.

To accurately decided what helmet might be right for you, I would suggest you click the following link. If you read the whole thing, you'll notice the little drawings about 2/3 down the page depicting head shapes.

Motorcycle Helmet FAQ - webBikeWorld

Then read this:

Motorcycle Helmet Weights - webBikeWorld

This page has a chart saying which helmets are which shape.

Now, that leaves me to deliver the same spiel I give to every person that asks me what helmet they should buy. Bring a disposable hair net so the parts guy doesn't freak. Follow closely here.

1) Go to the dealer in your area that carries the largest selection. As an example, in NJ, Extreme Powersports in Millstone has the far & away largest selection of lids. If the parts person knows helmets, they will be able to tell you how helmets should & shouldn't fit.

2) Try on EVERY lid they have in your approximate size & I do mean EVERY single one. This will be a multi-hour process. You looking for obvious discomfort & hot spots.

3) Narrow it down to the 3 that seem to fit the most.

4) Try those 3 on for AT LEAST 10 minutes each. Narrow it to the best 2.

5) Try those 2 on for AT LEAST 30 minutes each. Sit on a bike if you can, sit down & read a magazine if you need to.

6) Select the helmet that was the most comfortable. Remember that helmets are supposed to fit snug.

7) Now & only now discuss colors, graphics, price, etc... When it comes to your lid, paying extra to get some personalized service is well worth it to me.

8) Go riding.

The ultimate goal here is to find a helmet that seems to disappear once under way. If you hop off the bike after 3 hours & never noticed the helmet once, you chose wisely.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

bitterpil is right, fit is #1, and keep in mind the fit is around the crown of your head, not the cheek pads (those can be switch for thinner or thicker ones). Obviously, the helemet shouldnt be banging into your chin either.

I would say that Arai is better, and they have three different interior shapes, Long Oval (Arai profile), Intermediate Oval (Arai Corsair, Vector, and just about the rest of their lineup), and Round Oval (Quantum) so finding the same, or better fit than the Shoei is likely. Keep in mind the intermediate oval is the most common headshape.

Personally, im an intermediate oval and the arai corsair fit was amazing, great looks too imo; but at double the price of the shoei rf-1000...ive decided to go with the shoei. Arai is better, but I dont think its double the price better...

 

HJC OOPS thats wasnt a choice was it? lol

 

thanx for the quick replies guys, i really appreciate it. This community is sooo well informed and has allways helped soo much anytime I had a ?. :thumbsup: Im lookin at them online... So i may have to stop in the shop and try them both on 1st. I had no idea some of the companies sold different shaped helmets

The ride on the triumph daytona if you dunno is very track oriented the seat is very high and the bars are very low...ive never layed down this much ona bike b4..so its a new feeling for me. With my current helmet the head tilt creates alot of wind noise, buffeting, and makes the bottom part of the visor fog.... the signs of a cheap helmet.

heres my babies

 

Arai of corse!

 

As stated, try some on. Fit is of the utmost importance.
For some ideas, look here... http://vfrworld.com/forums/polls/16789-your-lid.html

This is a poll and showplace of members helmet choice. Happy hunting.

 

When I got my '97 I went and tried on every brand of helmet available in town. (Shoei, Arai, HJC, Icon, Scorpion, Bell etc.) The absolutely best fit was the Shoei TZR and Shoei X 11. $250 vs. $600. Guess which one I got. It doesn't ventilate all that great so guess which one I'm saving up for. Either one fits so good I forget they are on. :biggrin: