Arai RX7 Corsair SHARP testing

[The Rookie]

For the first time in a long time I decided to do something sensible and purchase the best helmet I could.

Having tried various AGV's etc I found all Arai helmets to fit really well. The dealer assured me there is no better helmet on the market and thus convinced me to place an order for a new RX7 corsair.

I am therefore rather dismayed to find an article in this weeks MCN that suggests the SHARP tests on this £500 rrp helmet only rate it at 3 out of 5 stars. There is some weak argument from Arai stating that the tests are in a region that would never hit anything as your shoulder would be in the way...

Do I cancel my order and buy something else? Arai have a great reputation but can you argue with a scientific test?

thoughts please,

Tim

[Ghost]

When you look at Nakanos crash with his Arai on it makes you realise what a good lid they are.

[Rob998]

Richard Hammond was wearing an Arai (albeit a car racing one) when he had his crash, he has gone on record as saying it saved his life.

If I had an "Arai head", I'd have one in a heartbeat.

[RodH]

IMO Lab Tests are only an indication of how a helmet performs in a Lab Test. I've had Arai's for the last 20+ years and mine have saved my countless times in accidents both on the road and the track. Even with sponsorship money, do you really think so many professional racers would use them if they were no good.

[Sorted]

I find an Arai shell purrfect!
Some people prefer the Shoei fit or maybe AGV, so I would say if it feels snug and cumfy get it!

As for the safety issue most reasonable priced helmets are as safe as each other and a hell of a lot of professional racers swear by Arai.
I would ignore the test findings cuz they are often biased and go for the best fit.
Arai also offer free servicing, interchangeable cheek pads if you want it a bit tighter or it gives a bit, removable liner for cleaning and easy change readily available visors.

3 Rules:
Fit
Fit
and Fit
Then style and budget!
The Arai Viper is in my opinion even more snug than the dearer Corsair (although marginally heavier it is quieter too), its a bit more like the Corsair's predecessor the RX7RR.
Make sure its very snug all over your head and almost tight on your cheeks, so when you open your mouth and close it again you almost bite the inside of them, it will give!

[Douglas]

Firstly I would wait and see what the SHARP tests actually say, because MCN are known for grabbing headlines, when a more balanced approach gives a different impression.

However if the SHARP tests do show a weakness, I wouldnt buy one. After all the SHARP people only have an interest in looking after our safety, whilst Arai obviously want to protect their market.

I have seen several different tests of leathers etc which have shown that the premium "fashion" brands do not neccessarily offer the best protection, so I am not convinced that more expensive is always best.

Pesonally I believe that properly thought out tests tell you a lot more about a product than random anecdotal evidence. The "I got up and walked away stories " dont only relate to the quality of the kit, but also to the circumstances of the accident, the fitness etc of the victim etc, as well as his luck on the day. Fortunately most accidents dont test helmets to the limit, but if I needed one when it did, I would prefer one that had passed scientific tests over one that had a premium brand price tag as evidence of its effectiveness.

[Paivi]

As usual, Douglas makes a lot of sense. People often buy the most expensive helmet they can, often as a result of recommendation by the salesperson or a mate, thinking it's the best there is, but a cheaper helmet might be just as good, if not better, just not have the funky name.

[Cess pit]

Arai's are tested well beyond the current EU/GB standard and have come top in independant tests via magazines, including MCN.
Look at Arai's website to see the tests for yourself.

I would take the view that this shows a flaw in the sharp test as oppossed to a failing in Arai helmets, until some more comprehensive evidence is provided I shall continue to use these excellent lids.

Someone mentioned that Sharp testing is simply in place for our benefit.
I personally would find that hard to believe, there must me some other, possibly hidden motive as the Gov would not expend money purely for the benefit of motorcyclists.
Look for the kickback.....it's there somewhere.

[Ghost]

If you have a $10 head get a $10 hat.

[Cess pit]

I believe that the Titanic not only met the safety legislation of the day...it exceeded it.
I don't trust the b*ggers

[Paivi]

Originally Posted by Ghost

If you have a $10 head get a $10 hat.

With respect, Phil, that's a rubbish argument.

A £500 Arai does not fit everybody, so to suggest or imply they'd be better off wearing one rather than a perfectly fitting £100 AGV is just lunacy and plays to the hand of Arai and other manufacturers, where you pay for extra comfort (having said that, compared to my Schuberth, Arai felt very uncomfortable, flimsy and noisy), name and design.

[JerryXt]

For me, the company that lives and breathes safety is the one I want to trust with my noggin. I'm lucky enough to have an Arai head and having crashed in one (and seen the 200mph crash vid), they get my money.

I don't know enough about the SHARP tests and I'm no test engineer, but I do know that Arai fits my head and they are very, very good.

[Kenoir]

I've got an RX7 corsair and it fits great, I love it. But a word of warning to all with Arai helmets...... DON'T USE CLEANING PRODUCTS ON THEM!!!
I had to send mine back because I stupidly didn't read the small print and used a very well known brand of visor cleaner and it degraded the plastic side pods to the point that they became brittle and broke.
Arai have serviced and replaced the parts for me (at a cost) but I would recommend only using soapy water. Especially on Arais.

Other than that, get the helmet that fits you best, as long as it has the gold sticker (and 2 black lines round the edge of the sticker) it'll be fine.

[Ghost]

Originally Posted by Paivi

With respect, Phil, that's a rubbish argument.

A £500 Arai does not fit everybody, so to suggest or imply they'd be better off wearing one rather than a perfectly fitting £100 AGV is just lunacy and plays to the hand of Arai and other manufacturers, where you pay for extra comfort (having said that, compared to my Schuberth, Arai felt very uncomfortable, flimsy and noisy), name and design.

You took that out of all context there are helmets in accesorie shops at £30. Would you buy and wear one. That was my point.

[NedLudd]

Originally Posted by The Rookie

I found all Arai helmets to fit really well.

Originally Posted by Rob998

If I had an "Arai head", I'd have one in a heartbeat.

Originally Posted by Sorted

I find an Arai shell purrfect!

I've mentioned this before but the Arai range does not come in one shell shape. Something the shops and websites don't do nearly enough to underline is that they come in either of two shapes, the 'slim' or long oval (more room for the forehead) and the 'round' oval (broader across the face). Arai call these respectively the L-type shell and the G-type shell ("rounder and may give more space around the face"):

Arai Helmet (Europe) B.V.

- and further model info here:

Arai UK - Helmets

It is true that the slim/L-type oval appears to be the norm on Arais - the RX7, Viper GT, and Condor are all slim-oval - and that's probably what people are referring to by an Arai-shape. But eg the Chaser is round-oval.

PS

Originally Posted by Sorted

The Arai Viper is in my opinion even more snug than the dearer Corsair (although marginally heavier it is quieter too)

I find my new Viper a great fit but appallingly noisy, and expect I'll soon defect to try a Schubert, which everyone seems to rate on that front.