| Author | Message | ||
     Trevd |
Last weekend I went out and bought myself a new helmet. I'd had my previous helmet for about 6 years and figured it was time for a new one. After using Shoei for the past 20 years, I decided to give an Arai Vector a try since it was the first Arai I've ever tried on that seemed to fit my head. In fact, in the dealership it fit better than the Shoei's I tried. I really thought I was onto a winner helmet, and paid the extra $ to get the Arai. Now I think I may have made a mistake. The weather has been lousy here so I haven't ridden much lately, but when I did last Sunday, at the end of the day my temples were swollen, dry and red. I suspect that the helmet was irritating them. Yesterday I rode for about an hour, got home, temples a little red and irritated. It's been a long time since I bought a new helmet and don't remember any type of break-in time on my previous ones. I'm leaving for a 2 week trip in a week and am concerned that this helmet is going to kill my temples for the entire time. Is this just the helmet break-in period or should I be kicking myself for buying an Arai? | ||
| Jramsey |
1 size too small? | ||
| Trevd |
I think it's the right size... my head feels good when it's in the helmet - it's only when I take it off that I notice the irritated temples... | ||
| Prof_stack |
You might be able to adjust the foam a little. I've had an Arai Vector for a year now and make sure it is firmly fastened when I ride so it doesn't move around any in the wind. I think you and the helmet will adjust to each other soon. Good luck! | ||
| Skntpig |
I have used Arai's for 15 years. I could wear a Medium when they're new, but would break in to be too big. I buy Smalls and they are very snug for the first 4 or 5 rides...then perfect. I don't want the helmet to move much when I shake my head left and right. Hang in there. You can also check into getting different sized cheek pads to adjust the fit. I don't know if the Vector has adjustable top pads or crown pads too. I wear a corsa and everything is customizable. | ||
| Trevd |
Skntpig, I think you may be on to something... I've had the same experience with my Shoei's. Fit fine at first, then after a while were too loose. That's why I wanted a nice snug fit when I bought this one. After today's ride though, the irritation on my temples is quite minor, compared to how it has been... I suspect that a few more rides and I won't notice it at all. | ||
| Teddagreek |
What size is it? I know a L,XL,XXL corsair is the same helmet with different liners.. Sounds like you may need a rounder helmet.. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Teddagreek could be onto something. Shoei is a rounder fitting helmet than Arai. I know Arai has started making different shapes lately but I havn't seen anything that matches the roundness of the Shoei. But none the less, if you say the irritation is becoming less I would stick with it for a while longer. It just may be breaking in and conforming to your shape. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Good info on helmet shapes and sizing here: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/mot orcycle-helmet-faq.htm | ||
| Trevd |
Up until I put the Arai Vector on, I could never see myself owning an Arai, and I've always had a Shoei shaped head. But apparently the Vector is rounder than other Arais, which is why it felt the most comfortable in the store. I'm pretty sure I'll be OK with it now that either it's getting broken in a bit or my head is getting re-shaped. Worst case scenario is that it will bother me on my trip so much that I'll have to stop and buy a Shoei somewhere and ship my Arai home... | ||
| Spatten1 |
You can compress/crush the foam in the tight spots by rubbing with a blunt and hard metal object. I know it will be less safe if you hit in those exact spots. I've done it if the tight spots are small and unbearable. | ||
| Skntpig |
There are 3 different shapes you can choose when buying an Arai http://www.araiamericas.com/Support_faq.asp?page=s upport/faq_shapes.asp http://araiamericas.com/helmets/helmet_sizing.pdf |
