Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Gear => Topic started by: DexterMorgan on December 26, 2013, 08:03:29 PM

Title: Arai Defiant, awesome gift!
Post by: DexterMorgan on December 26, 2013, 08:03:29 PM
I knew what I was getting for xmas this year (surprises seem to not exist the older you get).  Anyways, this thing fits like a glove.  I did remove the 5mm cheek pads for the Arai "perfect fit".  I can't wait to test this thing out.  Also got the dark smoke shield.    Graphic is loud but i love me some green!  What do you guys think?

(http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o688/Dextermorgan10/FD17C54E-60B0-4EB5-8FD6-3A419473F8B4_zpsymuojuqm.jpg) (http://s1338.photobucket.com/user/Dextermorgan10/media/FD17C54E-60B0-4EB5-8FD6-3A419473F8B4_zpsymuojuqm.jpg.html)

(http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o688/Dextermorgan10/4D4E06E2-84E3-4DFC-BF17-5289C1DC2E7A_zps8g3egmsy.jpg) (http://s1338.photobucket.com/user/Dextermorgan10/media/4D4E06E2-84E3-4DFC-BF17-5289C1DC2E7A_zps8g3egmsy.jpg.html)

(http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o688/Dextermorgan10/7153A54C-EA10-4978-A1DB-4A081A6BC48B_zpsr75qu4fq.jpg) (http://s1338.photobucket.com/user/Dextermorgan10/media/7153A54C-EA10-4978-A1DB-4A081A6BC48B_zpsr75qu4fq.jpg.html)

(http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o688/Dextermorgan10/03288442-4079-4A48-BCF4-93BC2759FDDF_zpswtgrwful.jpg) (http://s1338.photobucket.com/user/Dextermorgan10/media/03288442-4079-4A48-BCF4-93BC2759FDDF_zpswtgrwful.jpg.html)

Will post a review when i test it out.
Title: Re: Arai Defiant, awesome gift!
Post by: SpikeC on December 27, 2013, 11:55:12 AM
 My current helmet is an Arai RX Q and I love it. I once always wore Shoei but when I tried an Arai that was it. I prefer a black one, butt your new one looks great!
Title: Re: Arai Defiant, awesome gift!
Post by: Skybarney on December 27, 2013, 06:13:44 PM
I may not buy another Arai.  I took the cheek pads out to fit some speakers and they do not go back together right.  I have spent a couple of hours trying to make them right.  For $1000.00 I had expected better, a lot better.

After mucking with it again today I am ready to send it back to ARAI with a nasty note......
Title: Re: Arai Defiant, awesome gift!
Post by: Speeddog on December 27, 2013, 06:27:20 PM
Quote from: Skybarney on December 27, 2013, 06:13:44 PM
I may not buy another Arai.  I took the cheek pads out to fit some speakers and they do not go back together right.  I have spent a couple of hours trying to make them right.  For $1000.00 I had expected better, a lot better.

After mucking with it again today I am ready to send it back to ARAI with a nasty note......

Have you called Arai and asked if there's maybe a bit of a trick to getting them back in?

Or talked to your local Moto Shop that sells Arai helmets?
Title: Re: Arai Defiant, awesome gift!
Post by: DexterMorgan on December 27, 2013, 07:55:11 PM
Quote from: Skybarney on December 27, 2013, 06:13:44 PM
I may not buy another Arai.  I took the cheek pads out to fit some speakers and they do not go back together right.  I have spent a couple of hours trying to make them right.  For $1000.00 I had expected better, a lot better.

After mucking with it again today I am ready to send it back to ARAI with a nasty note......

I had a little issue with getting them back together as well. I just had to finagle them. Def not worth trading this bad boy in...that's for sure.    ;)  sky, did you get the corsair-v?
Title: Re: Arai Defiant, awesome gift!
Post by: thought on December 27, 2013, 08:14:55 PM
I went from a Shoei RF1000 to a Arai RX-Q and you're right... the Arai is pretty amazing.  Then I got a Schuberth SR1 and a S2 and I have to say that those two blow the RX-Q away.  I was pretty surprised at how much better the Schuberths were... I would def give them a try if you ever get a chance.
Title: Re: Arai Defiant, awesome gift!
Post by: DexterMorgan on December 27, 2013, 08:33:43 PM
How so?  Comfort? Noise? Weight? Ventilation?

JW   [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Arai Defiant, awesome gift!
Post by: Skybarney on December 27, 2013, 09:58:40 PM
Quote from: DexterMorgan on December 27, 2013, 07:55:11 PM
I had a little issue with getting them back together as well. I just had to finagle them. Def not worth trading this bad boy in...that's for sure.    ;)  sky, did you get the corsair-v?

Yup I got the Corsair-v and no I have not stopped by the shop to have it checked.  Makes me feel stupid....  One side I did just like the other and it is still not right.  Driving me nuts as there is really one way it can go back together.  Ever since I installed the headset it has been a pain.  My buddy bought a $54.00 Scorpion and it had cups in the ear pockets for the speakers.  Easy snaps to get it all in and out.  The Arai? Not so much.  Great riding helmet fits excellent, pretty quiet but not seeming to be worth the money to me.   
Title: Re: Arai Defiant, awesome gift!
Post by: thought on December 28, 2013, 12:45:21 AM
Quote from: DexterMorgan on December 27, 2013, 08:33:43 PM
How so?  Comfort? Noise? Weight? Ventilation?

JW   [thumbsup]

Pretty much all of the above.  The helmet is way quiter than the arai, fit and finish is the same if not better, and the venting is pretty amazing. I also think it's lighter but I would have the check a review of it to compare... Only major drawback is the price really. You can really tell that schuberth having their own wind tunnel really helped the development of the helmets

The s2 is just a pretty amazing overall helmet with a good average shspe,... The sr1 shape is a bit odd though. I get a hot spot on my forehead but it got better as the helmet broke in.
Title: Re: Arai Defiant, awesome gift!
Post by: WarrenJ on December 31, 2013, 06:02:37 PM
I went from a bargain basement HJC to an Arai RX-Q.  The Arai is massively quieter, but the airflow could be a bit better.  Its still orders of magnitude better than the HJC (which served its purpose admirably)  I think it just gets back to the fit to our very differently shaped melons.  If I don't get the Arai on just right, I get a high pitched dentist drill whine in my right ear.  If I'm going a long distance, I'll stop and re-install the lid.  The Arai is snug, but very comfortable on my big, square melon. 
Title: Re: Arai Defiant, awesome gift!
Post by: thought on January 02, 2014, 11:42:12 AM
Quote from: WarrenJ on December 31, 2013, 06:02:37 PM
I went from a bargain basement HJC to an Arai RX-Q.  The Arai is massively quieter, but the airflow could be a bit better.  Its still orders of magnitude better than the HJC (which served its purpose admirably)  I think it just gets back to the fit to our very differently shaped melons.  If I don't get the Arai on just right, I get a high pitched dentist drill whine in my right ear.  If I'm going a long distance, I'll stop and re-install the lid.  The Arai is snug, but very comfortable on my big, square melon. 

Maybe there is a fitment issue with your RXQ visor/seal?  I never had that sound come up... maybe you can contact Arai about it and see if they can do something about it.
Title: Re: Arai Defiant, awesome gift!
Post by: WarrenJ on January 02, 2014, 06:19:31 PM
It seems to be a subtle thing with how the fabric and padding slide into place behind my jaw.  It has to be a nightmare trying to design one thing to fit such a variable body part. 
Title: Re: Arai Defiant, awesome gift!
Post by: bob795 on January 07, 2014, 06:39:58 AM
Quote from: Skybarney on December 27, 2013, 09:58:40 PM
Yup I got the Corsair-v and no I have not stopped by the shop to have it checked.  Makes me feel stupid....  One side I did just like the other and it is still not right.  Driving me nuts as there is really one way it can go back together.  Ever since I installed the headset it has been a pain.  My buddy bought a $54.00 Scorpion and it had cups in the ear pockets for the speakers.  Easy snaps to get it all in and out.  The Arai? Not so much.  Great riding helmet fits excellent, pretty quiet but not seeming to be worth the money to me.   

Skybarney, check this video, it's a video on how to clean an arai helmet 
How to clean an Arai helmet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09KLu974Y8s#)

I have cleaned my Arai RX7 several times, IIRC 3 or 4 times now. I removed the liners and pads, washed them and put them back with no problem at all.

Title: Re: Arai Defiant, awesome gift!
Post by: Skybarney on January 07, 2014, 03:58:15 PM
Thanks for the video Bob.  [thumbsup]   the issue I am having is getting the neck roll to stay in place.  Driving me a bit nuts and making me feel stupid.