Jamie visits the Arai factory

AKsuited · May 28, 2020

.

<iframe width="994" height="559" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sBLJHcIraiY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

They make good helmets. I bought one of their early helmets - it was marked "HA" rather than "Arai."

Harry

riderr1150gsadv · May 28, 2020

Thanks for the video! Amazing amount of access they had, filming in the factory. They do make great helmets IMHO.

AKsuited · May 28, 2020

Can't help but notice that photo of Hirotake Arai riding a motorcycle standing up. That's how Indian Larry met his untimely demise... Ironic that a daredevil like Hirotake turned out to be of such value to the cause of motorcycle safety.

BC1100S · May 28, 2020

I heard somewhere that their warranty sucks.

Not that I believe what I heard.

Omega Man · May 28, 2020

AKsuited said:
Can't help but notice that photo of Hirotake Arai riding a motorcycle standing up. That's how Indian Larry met his untimely demise... Ironic that a daredevil like Hirotake turned out to be of such value to the cause of motorcycle safety.

They way I heard it was Indian Larry was being cheered on by the crowd to repeat one of his signature “stunts” and the repeat performance had him forget to turn the gas back on.
The resulting “buck” of the motorcycle threw him off causing his injuries.
Can’t really picture any rider hasn’t ridden standing at some point.
OM

pglaves · May 28, 2020

Omega Man said:
OM

I have never ridden standing on the seat. YMMV

AKsuited · May 28, 2020

Omega Man said:
They way I heard it was Indian Larry was being cheered on by the crowd to repeat one of his signature “stunts” and the repeat performance had him forget to turn the gas back on.
The resulting “buck” of the motorcycle threw him off causing his injuries.
Can’t really picture any rider hasn’t ridden standing at some point.
OM

Agreed most of us have ridden standing up...but very few of us standing on the seat, which is what I should have written.

Harry

Omega Man · May 28, 2020

PGlaves said:
I have never ridden standing on the seat. YMMV

He just mentioned standing up.
OM

Anyname · May 28, 2020

And unlike Indian Larry, we are BMW ATGATT guys and even if we were standing on the seat, we would be wearing body armor and a full coverage helmet. Unlike the unfortunate Larry who was bare headed.

henzilla · May 28, 2020

When I was a newb lineman’s helper and rode to work on a HD, the older guys asked if I had met Bill... barely knew any of them yet. Nope, not yet and they said I would know when I did.

Well, several days later, I hear a V-twin (60’s Indian) entering the employee lot as we were standing on the adjacent dock. Here comes Bill... a 60 year old Journeyman... standing ON the saddle with his hands up and a cigarette in one of them. My jaw dropped.
What a character, a Vietnam Vet, wise knowledge passing lineman with all his limbs but maybe a screw loose. Rode with him a few times, but from a safe distance! He had been riding into the lot for years doing that stunt.

36654 · May 29, 2020

The helmets are great, but the shield attachment and lack of ratchet mechanism are truly dated design features.

rangerreece · May 29, 2020

One of the best motorcycle videos I've seen in a while. Entertaining and educational. Thank you for sharing.

pglaves · May 29, 2020

Omega Man said:
He just mentioned standing up.
OM

I just happened to remember that Indian Larry died after he hit his head when he fell off from standing on the seat.

Zwniana · May 29, 2020

Arai or Shoei

Great video thank you sharing. Aria or shoei? I have owned both and would love to hear your thoughts.

craigjv4 · May 29, 2020

epirusgr said:
Aria or shoei? I have owned both and would love to hear your thoughts.

I've only ever worn Arai so I have no comparison. What are your thoughts on either brand.

Unless you offer some brand specific pluses or minuses to make an informed decision, I'll stick with Arai.

BC1100S · May 29, 2020

epirusgr said:
Great video thank you sharing. Aria or shoei? I have owned both and would love to hear your thoughts.

Whichever one fits you best.

BC1100S · May 29, 2020

36654 said:
The helmets are great, but the shield attachment and lack of ratchet mechanism are truly dated design features.

But it works. I can change visors in about a minute or less. And I've never had an issue with positioning my visor wherever I want no matter which bike I'm riding so no need for an inferior ratchet system.

36654 · May 30, 2020

epirusgr said:
Great video thank you sharing. Aria or shoei? I have owned both and would love to hear your thoughts.

IMHO, the latest generation of Shoei helmets is sized a bit larger than prior generations. As a result, I've shifted to the intermediate oval Arai models. At similar prices, the quality is similar, but the Arai shield mechanism is an older, less user-friendly design.

powwow · May 30, 2020

craigjv4 said:
I've only ever worn Arai so I have no comparison. What are your thoughts on either brand.

Unless you offer some brand specific pluses or minuses to make an informed decision, I'll stick with Arai.

I've worn and been very happy with Arai for many, many years (I think my Arai Quantum set the standard for quiet). However, I got to the point where I really wanted a modular helmet, so I tested and bought a Schuberth C3 Pro a few years ago. The fit is very similar to the Arai and it is also remarkably quiet (although, I do wear ear plugs). I've been very pleased with it.

AKsuited · May 30, 2020

36654 said:
IMHO, the latest generation of Shoei helmets is sized a bit larger than prior generations. As a result, I've shifted to the intermediate oval Arai models. At similar prices, the quality is similar, but the Arai shield mechanism is an older, less user-friendly design.

Agreed that the Arai shield mechanisms were very finicky. But on my newest Arai helmet, the Signet X, the mechanism has been updated to make it more user friendly. I managed to remove and replace the shield shortly after purchasing the helmet to install the Pin Lock fog guard without wrecking the shield mechanism. I go with the Arai Signet X because it fits my long-oval head shape perfectly.

<iframe width="971" height="546" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iu16Vdh9EHo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Harry

Jamie visits the Arai factory

New member

Well-known member

New member

Left Coast Rider

Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat

#13338

New member

Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat

Active member

not so retired

New member

RangerReece

#13338

Member

New member

Left Coast Rider

Left Coast Rider

New member

Member

New member

Similar threads