New Lid Time

[MOzZereLLa]

My Arai is now 11 yrs old.

I'm thinking Shoei as well as Arai as they have changed their shell shape in recent years and they now appear to fit me of the couple of new ones I've tried on. 

Who wears a Shoei? Which model? Any recommendations? Budget of about £400.

[Alzo]

Only tried a GT Air in recent times...felt hollow inside...didn't touch the parts I wanted touching.
HJC head here...fit and finish is up there imo.

[Neio79]

A red one to fo with the new track bike 

[PJ]

I can't comment as my Shoei is a flip front. But I can confirm that they seem to have changed their shape, mine fits just as well as my Arai RX7 GP does.

[MOzZereLLa]

A red one to fo with the new track bike 

I'm not a shallow snowflake like you - no need for colour co-ord. Function over form every time.

[7550]

Have worn Arai lids for years. And I have always been able to wear one off the shelf. Best lid out there IMO. Although I think they are taking the piss with their prices these days. Get an Arai and get it tailored to fit. You know it makes sense.

[Neio79]

A red one to fo with the new track bike 

I'm not a shallow snowflake like you - no need for colour co-ord. Function over form every time.

There isn't a chance my lid matches my bike. I have AGV now, I like how they fit 

[Jarse]

From memory only the NXR is around but still above your budget.

Helmet prices for Arai and Shoei steadily increasing. Still the best in the market though.

If you keep it 11 years you can maybe stretch the budget a bit?

[MOzZereLLa]

Are there any other Shoei owners on here. Having pulled a GT Air on it felt much better than the equivalent Arai from a "comfort" point of view. Maybe that's the one.

I need to understand both Shoei and Arai's ranges now. They seem to have models I've never heard of.

[7550]

I had a Shoei x-spirit 2. It's a good helmet, lighter than the Arai too. The problem I had with it was due to me having speakers in my lid. It didn't bother me when wearing the helmet, but when I took the helmet off my ears would hurt/tingle for a minute or so. It must have been just squeezing my ears just that wee bit. I also made the mistake of getting a matte finish. Looks good when new, soon shows up marks though. I still think the Arai is a comfier/plusher interior but everybody's different and the most important thing when buying a helmet is fit. Arai also have speaker pockets in the lining to accommodate said speakers.   Go try on a few helmets. If you are keeping a helmet for 11 years you should be going for a top quality lid.

[MOzZereLLa]

My lid is 11 years old but I think I've only had it for about 8-9 of them. I got it at the NEC so it could have been old stock.

I'll try a few on and see what's what. Problem I have is finding a stockist of a good selection of lids near to me. I think J&S near Oulton would be the place to go?

[the invisible dog]

Still liking my NXR, which succeeded an XR1000
Light, quiet and stable

[MOzZereLLa]

Still liking my NXR, which succeeded an XR1000
Light, quiet and stable

The NXR looks the best option for me.

[David W]

I've got an X-Spirit III because the last RX7 I bought was so uncomfortable it gave me headaches.  The Shoei is awesome.  A lot more than £400 though.

[7550]

I've got an X-Spirit III because the last RX7 I bought was so uncomfortable it gave me headaches.  The Shoei is awesome.  A lot more than £400 though.

Did you try different cheek pads, skull pad ? How long were you having to wear it before you were getting headaches ?  RX7 is a great lid as is the X-spirit. I know folk who have had either Arai or Shoei custom fitted to get the right fit. Something that is not always an option on some helmets,cheaper Arai and Shoei too.