gntbldr
09-22-2005, 08:36 PM
I just recently picked up an RF1000 to try it out.
The Shoei is a Large just like the Arai.
Fit:
Arai fits Perfect! it's a little hard getting on at first because the opening seems small but once it's on it does not jiggle what-so-ever.
This helmet stays put even at speeds of 185mph. (rode my friends g1k)
Shoei seems to have a larger opening and when it's on it doesn't fit snug. at all. So I bought some optional thicker cheek pads. That helped a bit but nothing tremendous.
At around 130 it starts to float and jostle big time.
Visor:
Arai's visor switching is a bit of a hassle for my likings. And it's easy to break the side panels.The lock on it sometimes locks on it's own but doesn't stop you from lifting the visor up in a jiffy in case a bee or something gets up in your lid. The seal isn't all the best. Rain will come in from the top and drip down on the inside.It also lets air in which when riding at low temps can be a nuisance.
When you turn your head while going fast the visor stays down without the lock.
Shoei's visor switching is a snap. Literally. This visor also does not raise when you turn your head at speeds. The sealing is nice. no rain or wind comes in whatsoever.
Air vents:
Both helmets have great air flow to cool your mellon
but,
the Arai's small vents on the top get full of bugs easily and when you go to close them sometimes you can't because a yellow jacket might be stuck in there..
haven't found anything like that happening with the Shoei
Chin vents:
the Arai's chin vent is easy to use as is the Shoei but when it's wide open and you have a hefty bug hit the lid right there the guts will splatter into you face/mouth. I'm all for free food but that's going too far.
Another thing is if you drop your lid the vent control might snap out like mine did and you may loose the filter that goes in there. If so then you Really get splatter.
Wind noise:
since the Shoei isn't as snug I get far more road noise with that lid
Fogging:
Here's where the Shoei shines. On cold nights I have to keep the Arai's visor cracked open and even then I have to aim my breath down and also regulate my breathing in slow traffic considerably. at stops? no breathing. if you lift the visor it will Really fog up if you think you can breath out normal.
with the Shoei you just switch the chin vent tab down and when riding (at any speed) the fog clears instantaneously. (loving the Shoei for this aspect) Also the Shoei comes with a breath deflector for the nose area and also an under the chin flap that you can install too.
Liners:
Arai has a removeable liner witch rocks.
Shoei only has removeable cheek pads...
all in all Both are Excellent lids but I just wish the Shoei fit a little more snug.
The Shoei is a Large just like the Arai.
Fit:
Arai fits Perfect! it's a little hard getting on at first because the opening seems small but once it's on it does not jiggle what-so-ever.
This helmet stays put even at speeds of 185mph. (rode my friends g1k)
Shoei seems to have a larger opening and when it's on it doesn't fit snug. at all. So I bought some optional thicker cheek pads. That helped a bit but nothing tremendous.
At around 130 it starts to float and jostle big time.
Visor:
Arai's visor switching is a bit of a hassle for my likings. And it's easy to break the side panels.The lock on it sometimes locks on it's own but doesn't stop you from lifting the visor up in a jiffy in case a bee or something gets up in your lid. The seal isn't all the best. Rain will come in from the top and drip down on the inside.It also lets air in which when riding at low temps can be a nuisance.
When you turn your head while going fast the visor stays down without the lock.
Shoei's visor switching is a snap. Literally. This visor also does not raise when you turn your head at speeds. The sealing is nice. no rain or wind comes in whatsoever.
Air vents:
Both helmets have great air flow to cool your mellon
but,
the Arai's small vents on the top get full of bugs easily and when you go to close them sometimes you can't because a yellow jacket might be stuck in there..
haven't found anything like that happening with the Shoei
Chin vents:
the Arai's chin vent is easy to use as is the Shoei but when it's wide open and you have a hefty bug hit the lid right there the guts will splatter into you face/mouth. I'm all for free food but that's going too far.
Another thing is if you drop your lid the vent control might snap out like mine did and you may loose the filter that goes in there. If so then you Really get splatter.
Wind noise:
since the Shoei isn't as snug I get far more road noise with that lid
Fogging:
Here's where the Shoei shines. On cold nights I have to keep the Arai's visor cracked open and even then I have to aim my breath down and also regulate my breathing in slow traffic considerably. at stops? no breathing. if you lift the visor it will Really fog up if you think you can breath out normal.
with the Shoei you just switch the chin vent tab down and when riding (at any speed) the fog clears instantaneously. (loving the Shoei for this aspect) Also the Shoei comes with a breath deflector for the nose area and also an under the chin flap that you can install too.
Liners:
Arai has a removeable liner witch rocks.
Shoei only has removeable cheek pads...
all in all Both are Excellent lids but I just wish the Shoei fit a little more snug.