As a motorcyclist, you know the importance of the right gear. You need head and eye protection, and clothing that protects you from the elements when you’re riding at high speeds. The most important item, however, is the helmet.
If you get in a crash, a good helmet could save your life. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that helmets save the lives of about 1,630 riders annually. If every motorcyclist wore a helmet, it could prevent another 715 deaths annually.
If you’re like many avid cyclists, you’ve probably got your eye on Arai helmets. This brand is one of the most trusted in the industry, but their gear does not come cheap. Their models cost between $800 and $900 a piece. So is it worth it?
You get what you pay for
Arai doesn’t just inflate their prices, as if you’re paying for the brand name only. In this case, a knock-off helmet won’t add the same value to your ride as a true Arai helmet. The helmet’s designers invest in quality with excellent engineering, construction, painting, etc. And it does show in the final product.
They’re made in Japan with technology that’s unrivaled. They’re lighter and designed to fit your head perfectly. It’s comfortable enough that you’ll barely know it’s there once you get used to it. Most Arai helmet owners admit that the expense is hard to handle, but it’s well worth every penny. An average review goes something like this, according to one motorcyclist’s thoughts on Adventure Rider:
“You get what you pay for, essentially. Personally, I got tired of foam falling apart after a year of owning it. Pressure spots that would not go away, or ‘crush down’ over time. Gaskets that leaked, or rubber that started breaking down. The Arai I have fits like a glove, is light enough, does not buffet my head, and looks almost brand new in the 3+ years I’ve owned it. Looking at a new helmet, I will have no hesitations in buying another Arai.”
The expense of ensuring safety
More importantly, however, these helmets are engineered and tested to provide the ultimate protection in the event of a crash. Their prototypes are put through a series of strict tests to ensure that they’re road-ready, which contributes to the extra cost of the helmet. Additionally, Arai believes that the best way to protect the head during an impact is with the design of a smooth, rounded shell. This allows the helmet to glance off obstacles with less rotation force, meaning that your brain and neck will be less jarred during an impact. It reduces the risk of a concussion, whiplash, and other serious injuries.
These helmets are designed with the knowledge that real-world impacts can come from any direction, including the front. Many helmet manufacturers only test certain points of the helmet in the race to make more inexpensive helmets, which doesn’t give them a complete picture of protection. Arai tests every side, and the rounded shell shape is integral for successfully protecting your head.
Professional racers use Arai
Arai is one of the most popular helmets among professional racers. “If you follow AMA racing, MotoGP, F1, or NASCAR, you’re bound to see the Arai badge emblazoned across a lot of helmets,” according to BikeBandit. “In fact, when you look across the grid at any top-level motorsports race, you’ll see Arai time and time again. It’s no secret; the people who use the very best protective gear available, in the most demanding situations, very frequently choose Arai.”
Professionals trust that Arai helmets provide them with the protection they need if they’re in an automobile or motorcycle crash during a race. Since these racers are going at speeds much faster than the typical roadway, you know that it can protect you from much less. So again, you get what you pay for when you splurge on an Arai helmet.
