Author Topic: Not Another Arai for Me: Grrrrrrrrrr... (Read 3530 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.

burmashave · « **Reply #25 on:** May 15, 2009, 02:01:16 PM »

I'm gonna contact Arai and see what they say. There isn't really a good way to epoxy the cover on, and it seems that there's a chance that the prob lies in the base component that holds the cover on. The base has an interesting capture mechanism for one of the cover tabs. I've never seen anything quite like it.

Thanks for all the good suggestions, though. I will prolly be in the market for a new one next season.

Ecosse · « **Reply #26 on:** May 15, 2009, 02:55:11 PM »

just had to add my surprise about the mixed views of the arai. always figured they were the top deal. i do know as far as fit is concerned that it's an individual thing. for the money arai charges i would think even after 7 years (no excuses) it would at least hold together.

i had a shoei, the next to top model but since superseded, and loved it. but being a medium it gave headaches after an hour.

got an hjc ac-12. great price and fit. doesn't fog and is light enough for me. i thought about the version with the sun visor but couldn't get one to try. only thing i hate is that i look like a darn bobble head. freakin snell standards!

andy750 · « **Reply #27 on:** May 15, 2009, 05:17:54 PM »

Quote from: Ecosse on May 15, 2009, 02:55:11 PM

i had a shoei, the next to top model but since superseded, and loved it. but being a medium it gave headaches after an hour.

I dont think that the fault of the helmet...

..a larger size will fix your problem..then again maybe not

Ecosse · « **Reply #28 on:** May 15, 2009, 05:49:41 PM »

Quote from: andy750 on May 15, 2009, 05:17:54 PM

Quote from: Ecosse on May 15, 2009, 02:55:11 PM

i had a shoei, the next to top model but since superseded, and loved it. but being a medium it gave headaches after an hour.

I dont think that the fault of the helmet... ..a larger size will fix your problem..then again maybe not

yeah, for once in my life i was disappointed by my big brain. i woulda bought another shoei but this hjc came at a good price. my old one was a nice plain white and a perfect place for my '59' sticker. my new one is a tad flashy.

DarkRider · « **Reply #29 on:** May 17, 2009, 08:43:43 PM »

at least the FS-10 can be gotten in flat black lol

burmashave · « **Reply #30 on:** May 20, 2009, 08:33:28 AM »

I had to track down a customer service number for Arai because the number isn't on the site, and their electronic registration system does not work. I talked to a very helpful customer service rep, and he believes that I need to replace the side covers. He said that the attachment tabs on the covers may look intact; however, when they break off, they can break off cleanly making appear that they are O.K.

So, I ordered a pair of covers for $15 plus $3 for shipping. That's not bad; however, I'm concerned about color matching. He said they had a slew of colors in the grey/silver category. I think we narrowed it down to the right one, but we'll see.

I'll repost when I get them.

heffay · « **Reply #31 on:** May 20, 2009, 08:36:06 AM »

Quote from: burmashave on May 20, 2009, 08:33:28 AM

I had to track down a customer service number for Arai because the number isn't on the site, and their electronic registration system does not work. I talked to a very helpful customer service rep, and he believes that I need to replace the side covers. He said that the attachment tabs on the covers may look intact; however, when they break off, they can break off cleanly making appear that they are O.K.

he is precisely right. one tab on one side of mine broke cleanly and un-noticeably. it still hangs on just fine, so far... but yes, +1

burmashave · « **Reply #32 on:** May 30, 2009, 04:48:20 AM »

My joy is not complete. :-( So I ordered new (external) side panels. I know it was the side panels I ordered because the rep. and I had a long discussion about what color my helmet is--Arai made the Quantum F in 3-4 shades of grey. The sales guy didn't think I'd need the inside brackets at all.

Well, a couple of days ago I received a package from Arai, and lo and behold, what should I find inside? A pair of the inner brackets that hold the side panels but no side panels. At least the billing shows that they billed me correctly.

I popped the panels off, and inspecting them, I think the tabs may well be O.K. I mounted the new brackets, which seem a bit cosmetically different from the old ones. All seemed well; however, while riding, I discovered that the shields (either of my two) would not latch down--not good for highway speed. The new brackets seem to flex the bottom of the shield out just a bit.

I'm gonna pop the covers again, which I really hate to do for fear I will damage the hold down tabs. Then, I'm going to try to adjust the brackets a bit. It seemed that the two screw holes on each bracket might allow for just a bit of play/adjustment.

If I had the funds, or if I weren't fond of highly protective headgear, I'd replace it. But hey, the bike never ran better. In the words of the greens keeper, "So, I got that goin' for me." :-)

RatBikeRandy · « **Reply #33 on:** May 30, 2009, 05:25:57 AM »

I always wanted an Arai since they are supposed to be one of the best helmets. I finally got one a few years back, but have been disappointed with it as well. I hate the vents in the face shield because they wont stay where you want them. I have to tape them closed in winter. The rubber moulding keeps coming off in the face area, the leather? strap attachments and the cushion on the bottom if you set it on a table look like crap after a few years. I always store it inside by the way.

For some reason I keep wearing it since it cost so much. I really prefer my old HJC for a fraction of the cost any day.
Just my 2 cents

burmashave · « **Reply #34 on:** May 30, 2009, 08:15:16 AM »

Quote from: RatBikeRandy on May 30, 2009, 05:25:57 AM

For some reason I keep wearing it since it cost so much. I really prefer my old HJC for a fraction of the cost any day.
Just my 2 cents

I hear ya. I somehow feel it's better for my head, so I put up with it, although I haven't (yet) hat the prob with the front vents.

burmashave · « **Reply #35 on:** May 30, 2009, 08:40:52 AM »

No, wait a minute. Let me have even more joy!

I tried to remove the side panels as before; however, the new brackets held them on tighter. As a result, I cracked one of the ephin' panels as it popped off. Grrrrrrrrrrrr. Unhappy. I was supposed to go on a group ride today.

It'll prolly take Arai at least a week to come up with side panels, and then, I have to hope that the color matches and pray that I can get the face shield to line up properly.

I had my heart set on a pair of Joe Rocket leather pants, but now, I may be in the market for another helmet.

burmashave · « **Reply #36 on:** May 30, 2009, 09:59:54 AM »

Quote from: heffay on May 30, 2009, 08:47:36 AM

there is a special way to pull the sides off (where to pull and where not to pull)... look for some instructions on that.
most 'good' merchandise people at a helmet shop have been trained to do it and can show you how, as well.

There were no instructions that I could find. Check out the Arai America website. It's heinous and sometimes random. The only way I could find a number for Arai (sales, no less) was to Google up a result that came from another forum. That member got the number from a friend at a bike shop. I would have been happy with an email address; however, I could find none. I wasted quite a bit of time trying to register and login to the parts area.

The new brackets came with no instructions. Had they included instructions stating that the brackets need to be adjusted prior to putting the side panels on, I might still have two side covers. The fact (if it is actually a fact) that the brackets need to be adjusted is completely non-intuitive. The only adjustment that can be made is that the screw holes on the bracket are slightly larger than the screw diameter.

I tried to pop the covers off in the most sensible way I could figgur. Prying anywhere but the top pulls the tab in, instead of out. I pried gently from the top, while making certain not to scratch the helmet.

I hear what you're saying Hefe; none of this is aimed at you. It's Arai that I'm not happy with. There's sometimes a fine line between failure from wear and tear versus premature mortality. For the price, we expect more. For example, if it is a prob that the front molding falls off, why rely solely on glue to hold it on? Why not use a groove and strip to provide friction fit? On a cheap helmet, I wouldn't expect this, but on a $450 helmet, I would figgur the engineers could figgur a simple way to keep the molding on.

burmashave · « **Reply #37 on:** May 30, 2009, 12:18:26 PM »

My theory is this. I made sure that the visor will close properly if I get a new side cover. I'm going to order a new side cover. Once I get it, I'll attach it. All will be well, and members won't feel compelled to listen to my moanings. ;-)

Perhaps I'll use PMS to color match the helmet. ;-)

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Author Topic: Not Another Arai for Me: Grrrrrrrrrr... (Read 3530 times)