arai

Sometimes it doesn't pay to be nice! I had just filled up with petrol and was at the first pump. There was a car waiting behind me, and the car in front had left. So, trying to be courteous, I decided to wheel the bike forward so the car behind could get to the pump while I went in and paid. Now, I usually hang my helmet on the handlebar. Yes, I know you shouldn't, but it's actually quite safe; the lip on the end of the twist-grip stops it falling off. Well, it does until you straighten the bike up to wheel it forward; with the handlebar now pointing downwards. Result was the helmet fell off onto the concrete. The helmet itself wasn't damaged (see the item about "Buying A Helmet" under "Comments" for the truth about the myth of having to replace your helmet if you drop it), but the visor was scratched.

I went in to buy another visor, but they were out of stock. After placing an order they informed me that there would be a 6-week delay before they got it in. The helmet was a bit under 4 years old, and that got me thinking about replacing it. I suppose it would need replacing in another year or so anyway, but the main thing was that when I had a good look at it, I realised it had got a bit loose. So I started looking at helmets.

I was still wearing the same model THH helmet, and that would have been quite okay, except apparently they aren't making that anymore. And I was thinking of moving up-market a bit more anyway. So I went to local bike shops and tried a lot of different brands and models. There is a huge choice really, although I found local bike shops only carried a fairly limited range. I was able to try a lot more at one of the large Accessory Supermarket places.

There was a lot of choice, but I was having trouble finding one that I found comfortable. (Maybe I have a funny-shaped head!). The other thing I didn't like was the shape of some helmets. Call me old-fashioned (well, I suppose I am!), but I like to have the helmet the same shape as my head. The ones with pointy bits and squared-off sections on the back look a bit strange to me!

I hadn't intended buying an Arai, because they are very expensive, but I did try one on, and found it immediately very comfortable. I also tried Shoei, and found those good too. Brands that I tried and liked were Shoei, Suomy, Nitro and AGV. And, as I've mentioned, Arai. But not all models of those. Nitro are very good value (even their cheapest model is fibreglass), but I found the more up-market models (like the NV1000) more to my liking. Bear in mind though, that these were my personal choices, I'm not saying they are better than other brands. Your choice might be different to those, but just as good. There was though, a noticeable difference between the cheaper helmets and the more expensive ones. Well, you'd expect there to be, wouldn't you! The more expensive helmets were more plush inside and just seemed a better product. Other differences I noticed between different brands and models were the ventilation methods and how the various levers to operate them worked.

Eventually I decided to go with one of the "big two" - Arai or Shoei. Both ended up being about the same price - around $650 for the graphics models. (You can save about $100 if you buy a plain one). Both were quite comfortable, and obviously good quality. Fit was the decider. According to the size-guide, my head should fit into an "L" size. But they all felt uncomfortably tight; with the exception perhaps of Shoei. It was tight too, but would have been bearable; perhaps even comfortable when the padding had compressed a bit. The XL was definitely too big. But the XL in the Arai felt very comfortable and a good fit. So I went with the Arai.

The one I got was the cheapest model in the Corsair range, the Condor. No-one had my choice of size and graphics in stock, so I had one of the local shops order it in. I was pleased with that though, because it meant that I got a brand-new-in-the-box one, rather than one that had been sitting on the shelf and tried on by who knows how many others.

Although I was quite satisfied with the THH, it was good to get back into an Arai again. There is an obvious difference in quality, and the manufacturing process seems to be of a higher standard too (if you believe all their claims on their web-site!). More variations in ventilation (including "eye-brow" vents in the visor), and quick removal of the visor were more pluses.

At the time of writing this, I've only used it a couple of times, but it has been very comfortable. For me, I'm happy with Arai. But as I said, there are many other choices that are probably just as good. Especially Shoei. This is just the helmet I got.