For today's blog I thought I would shed some light on the lineup of Arai helmets. I am sure at some point some of us have had a look at the range of Arai helmets and thought “Why is this one more expensive than the last one I looked at?” In my opinion some of the Arai helmets do look alike with the only major visible differences being colours and designs, but there is a whole lot more between the models than what we see at first glance.
What is common between the helmets?
So let's start with what features are the same between most models of Arai helmet.
They have an
- Outer Shell - This is the first line of defence when the motorcycle helmet takes a blow, the outer shell of an Arai helmet is made from the materials which will provide the best protection against impacts. Outer shells vary between models.
- Inner Shell - The role of the inner shell is to provide protection for the head by absorbing the impact from the outer shell.
- Comfort Material - Used in the liners and cheek pads, made up of urethane foam it provides a comfortable and snug fit.
- Fastening Device - Secures the helmet on the head and prevents the helmet from lifting off the head in the event of an crash.
- Holders - Used on most Arai models with visors, the holders contain the Arai visor mechanism.
These features are common on most of the Arai helmets on a basic level, but this is where most of the similarities end.
What are the differences between models?
To explain I will categorize the difference between Arai models by shell composition.
Special Fibre Laminate (SFL) - This is Arai’s standard construction for most of their helmets. However this shell is by no means basic, SFL is many special fibre layers bonded by a unique Arai resin which they formulate themselves. Using this sort of a composition helps disperse impacts over the widest possible area on the helmet, preventing any major headaches! The following helmets are in this category,
Super Complex Laminate Construction (SCLC) - This shell is more complex than SFL, utilizing aerospace grade fibres in its composition. SCLC is 30% stronger than standard fibre glass compositions and also importantly has better flexibility which prevents the shell from cracking. However this type of construction is more expensive than SFL, which is why you tend to pay more for the following helmets which use SCLC,
- X-Tend
Peripherally Belted Structural Net Composite (PB-SNC) - The name is quite a handful, it doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but this is one of Arai’s most complex fibres. The structural net composite basically means the shell has a net between layers of fibres, this further improves the shells integrity. PB-SNC also has a strengthening band across the helmet just above the eyeport, this allows the EPS liner in this area to be thinner which enhances the field of view. PB-SNC is used on these helmets,
Carbon Fibre Composite (CFC) - This is Arai’s most advanced and expensive fibre. As the name suggests this type of construction uses carbon fibre instead of fiberglass. The only Arai motorcycle helmet which uses this type of shell is the RX-7 RC, however at £2499.99 this work of art is something most of us can’t afford!
Other Differences
Now hopefully the information on the different shells gives some insight into the price differences between the range, but wait there is more! Arai currently use 3 different type of liners in their helmets which is also a reason for the varying price between models. So are you sitting comfortably? Let me explain.
Brushed Nylon Liner - This is the basic liner which is used on the more entry level Arai helmets, this material is soft and plush yet offers fantastic durability. The helmets which have this liner are
Dry-Cool Liner - This liner is more effective at transferring heat and moisture away from the rider than the Brushed Nylon liner. I have found on hot days if your helmet gets a bit sweaty, the dry cool liner dries extremely quickly if you take the lining out and leave for a short while. The helmets which use this liner are the,
- X-Tend
Eco-pure Liner - The Eco-pure liner is the newest of the Arai liners and has anti microbial material, which enables the liner to stay fresher for longer. The following helmets have the all new Eco-pure liner,
There is even more variance between the models when you look at ventilation and features, but hopefully this blog has given you a basic oversight of the Arai range.
If you would like to find out more information about what I have mentioned in this blog, or would like to find out more about the different Arai models, please browse our range of Arai helmets available online or pop down to Bike Stop in Stevenage and talk to the team, or call them on 01438317038, they will be happy to help especially as they are one of only a handful of Arai “Technical Pro dealers” and carry more spare parts than pretty much any other shop!
