Author Topic: Not Another Arai for Me: Grrrrrrrrrr... (Read 3518 times)

burmashave · « **on:** May 12, 2009, 08:15:25 PM »

I've never been terrifically fond of my Arai, but it has started falling apart, which is pretty lame for a piece of safety equipment that's seen no more than 8,000 easy miles. Last summer, the rubber molding on the bottom fell off. I epoxied that back on. Also last summer, when I would go to change the visor, the plastic side panel would completely fall off and require a few hits from the palm to pop it back in.

Well, I knew it would happen, and today it did. I lifted the visor up as I stop at an intersection, and ker-sproing, the plastic side panel shot off and left the visor swinging. Fortunately, I was able to retrieve the panel before it got run over.

I'll prolly epoxy the side panel on just to make sure the visor won't come off if my head happens to impact something. Arai's don't come cheap. I'd like to replace it, but I don't have the funds now.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #1 on:** May 12, 2009, 08:40:14 PM »

I don't know what kinda helmet you had before, but I have only good things to say about my HJC IS-33.

tsflstb · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2009, 09:07:38 PM »

I went from a $500 Arai helmet to a $75 Scorpion helmet. I never liked Arai's visor system, always felt like I was about to break something. The scorpion is maybe an ounce or two heavier, but is quiet and fits the same to me. I still use both - the Arai vents a little better, but the Scorpion is nice and quiet on the freeway. Another plus is the removable liner and pads for cleaning. The helmet tests Motorcyclist magazine did a while back showed the impact protection from a plastic shell is the same or maybe better than a composite shell, so I don't feel like I've compromised much at all.

DammitDan · « **Reply #3 on:** May 12, 2009, 11:40:32 PM »

Nolan makes a nice helmet, though the modulars that I have are pretty heavy and can tend to be noisy (I wear earplugs anyway though, so the noise doesn't bother me... I got sensitive audio engineer ears!

)

tramp · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2009, 03:24:50 AM »

i am surprised because arai has a good name

azuredesign · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2009, 03:59:00 AM »

I had the same moulding problem you noted with my Quantum, but I've had that problem with every helmet, I've every had.
I had lost a vent cover on my helmet as well, but was able to buy a replacement part from a shop near me, the Moto Market.
You might look to see if you can't purchase the replacement visor piece you need locally.

super pasty white guy · « **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2009, 04:54:05 AM »

I'll preface this by saying mine gets a lot of use- I commute nearly year round, but I try to treat my 3 year old Profile like it might someday save my life. I bring it inside instead of leaving it on the bike, etc).

The moulding on mine is just fine, though I had to glue on the chin and rear vents after they fell off, the detents on the chin vent don't detent, and the visor side panel covers are starting to develop what looks like stress cracks.

I kinda agree that given their reputation and the price, I expected something a bit more robust. But then, I went to the motorcycle show and tried on probably a dozen different helmets and the Profile was the only one that really fit (the Nolan was a close second).

spwg

Otto · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2009, 05:16:04 AM »

Had similar issues with my Arai. Sent it back to Arai, the replaced everything at no charge! No epoxy that is available would hold on the trim.. I guess it's a Special epoxy... But, their warranty service was impeccible. Turn around was fast.. and it was covered uner their warranty.

I have a Scrpion 3/4 helmet that has a tinted drop down visor. I like it a lot. Except for, no matter how much I tighten the chin strap, at highway speeds, it just wants to pull upward... Make me taller $:-\$ , have to slow down. I only use it around town....

Try Arai warranty... you may be surprized! I was.

bc

hopterfixer · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2009, 06:01:30 AM »

I have had an Arai Astral for three years and ridden 23,000 miles worth. I had that same black trim piece fall of shortly after I started wearing it, but reattached it with gorilla glue and it has not budged. Other than a few small stress cracks around the pivot holes in the visor that I stop drilled, the helmet has been awesome. The reason I bought it is because it FITS. The Astral headform is an intermediate oval that wraps nicely around my noggin. I wanted a helmet that gave me no excuse not to wear it, and it hasn't.

burmashave · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2009, 06:07:31 AM »

I purchased it mebbe 7 years back (when I got my bike, but long before it was a rider), so I really doubt any warranty would apply. If this is normal type of wear for a helmet, then oh well, I'll fix it up and move on. The side panel and visors are all O.K., so it'll be an easy fix to epoxy the side panel back on. So far, the epoxy is holding the rubber molding. I used 3M DP-100 5-minute epoxy, and I cleaned the old adhesive residue before epoxying the molding back on. (I'm guessing you prolly did the same, Otto.)

By the way, the helmet is an Arai Quantuum. The helmet is still good if I can keep the visor attached. I just needed to vent a bit.

alltherightpills · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2009, 06:08:54 AM »

I've got a Scorpion EXO-700 that I paid 140 bucks for. It fit better and was more comfortable than any of the helmets I tried on in the three stores I went to. The silky smooth lining felt really good on my face, and the liner is removable for washing. All the reviews I read for it said that it was an awesome deal for the money, so I bought it and haven't had any complaints about it. Contrary to tsflstb, I think it's a little noisy, but this is the first helmet I've ever bought or worn, so I don't have a whole lot to compare it to.

333 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2009, 06:53:27 AM »

Jeez, where do I start? This could turn out like an oil thread.

First, when did a magazine get the intense equipment to do a proper test of helmets? Plastic WILL NEVER absorb an impact, it will bounce. When I started working in the motorcycle business, we had a clear polycarbonate 3/4 helmet shell., Now, obviously we couldn't treat a composite shell like this, but we would drop the poly shell from chest level, and it would bounce back up almost all the way. A composite helmet is made to break up on impact. That is how it absorbs the impact. Less bouncing = less damage of grey matter. Give me a composite helmet any time.

But the downside of some of the composite helmets is the affect of UV. At least with the older fiberglass, UV tends to dry out and make the helmet brittle. Your Quantum is probably fiberglass. The industry used to say the life of a helmet is about 5 years, depending on UV exposure. My guess that accounts for people leaving a helmet on the bike, out in the sun. My Shoei sits in a closet, far away from the sun.

All that having been said, I miss the American made Bells. That terry interior was soooo comfy. I have heard that they are trying to make a comeback, But I've seen the product. It doesn't look any different than what else is out there today.

burmashave · « **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2009, 07:06:33 AM »

Blick. I forgot (or "misremembered" as a famous ex-baseball player would say) the 5-year rule. Like you, I rarely leave it on the bike, and it sits in a closet at home. Given the relatively light wear it's had, I'll keep it for the season. I'm thinking about buying a leather suit, and there's no way I could afford both.

tsflstb · « **Reply #13 on:** May 13, 2009, 09:27:12 AM »

Quote

First, when did a magazine get the intense equipment to do a proper test of helmets? Plastic WILL NEVER absorb an impact, it will bounce. When I started working in the motorcycle business, we had a clear polycarbonate 3/4 helmet shell., Now, obviously we couldn't treat a composite shell like this, but we would drop the poly shell from chest level, and it would bounce back up almost all the way. A composite helmet is made to break up on impact. That is how it absorbs the impact. Less bouncing = less damage of grey matter. Give me a composite helmet any time.

I can't say I know anything about helmet testing, but this seemed pretty scientific. Ruffled a lot of feathers in the industry a couple of years ago.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/index.html

I have the Scorpion EXO-400. Like I said the only gripe is maybe the venting. For 15% of the cost of the Arai, I'd say it's 95% as good.

heffay · « **Reply #14 on:** May 13, 2009, 09:37:17 AM »

two hand-me-down arais for me... only thing i don't like is on long rides, the cushion pushes on the bottom cartilage of my ear and makes it hurt pretty badly. I can probably get other cushions, but have yet to try.

by the way... there is a certain way to get the side pieces off w/out breaking tabs... if they are coming off accidentally they are broken and need to be replaced. as long as they aren't broken, i actually like their visor attachment setup. easy to change out.

DammitDan · « **Reply #15 on:** May 13, 2009, 10:41:48 AM »

Quote from: tsflstb on May 13, 2009, 09:27:12 AM

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/index.html

Wow... That sounds more like graduate thesis work than a magazine article!

texaninseattle · « **Reply #16 on:** May 13, 2009, 10:46:14 AM »

well, I love my Shark helmet.

french engineered with crumple zones to absorb more shock w/less head injury

JB_Pgh · « **Reply #17 on:** May 13, 2009, 11:58:33 AM »

That surprises me, I have an Arai Quantum F that has been excellent. Comfy, no visor issues and minimal noise.

I have a KBC VR-2 Repsol edition that is a nice helmet, much less expensive, but very noisy - it lets a LOT of air flow in with limited gates to open/close. Wife has an HJC that she likes.

I know plenty of people have contrary opinions, but I think you normally get what you pay for (aka Shoei and Arai) vs less expensive helmets. Sounds like Arai at least stood behind their product per another poster?

Hopefully I'll never have to test any helmet's structural integrity.

ajfriz · « **Reply #18 on:** May 14, 2009, 09:04:54 PM »

I have no complaints about my scorpion. It feels great and vents a lot better than other helmets I've had.

DarkRider · « **Reply #19 on:** May 15, 2009, 06:34:26 AM »

After the miles i have put on my HJC im convinced...the next helmet for me will probably be another HJC...and more then likely it will be an FS-10 with its internal sun glasses...

Frankenkit · « **Reply #20 on:** May 15, 2009, 07:13:22 AM »

dude, the IS-33 has the internal sun glasses but it's 3/4. reaaaally nice, though.

DarkRider · « **Reply #21 on:** May 15, 2009, 07:24:47 AM »

Quote from: Kit on May 15, 2009, 07:13:22 AM

dude, the IS-33 has the internal sun glasses but it's 3/4. reaaaally nice, though.

Yea it is a handy feature isnt it? and the FS-10 has it as well lol They only reach down to your nose in the FS though but thats probably due to it being a full face helmet.

http://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca/hjc-motorcycle-helmet-fs-35.html

One of these days i gotta get a pic of my battle scared FS lol

Frankenkit · « **Reply #22 on:** May 15, 2009, 09:52:28 AM »

The FS one was kind of an early v, so they don't have the 3 diff. settings the IS does... but it's handy as hell, isn't it?

DarkRider · « **Reply #23 on:** May 15, 2009, 10:28:52 AM »

Oh yea! It is..no having to carry sunglasses with me on the bike...just reach up and slide the lens down fighter pilot style and im good to go lol...

Chris Liston · « **Reply #24 on:** May 15, 2009, 01:17:19 PM »

I'm on my third Arai Quantum series helmet and have never had a single issue. Sorry to hear your having problems.

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Author Topic: Not Another Arai for Me: Grrrrrrrrrr... (Read 3518 times)