So after nearly 35 years of motorcycling I've finally bought a premier-class helmet. Don't get me wrong - I've always tried to buy quality (on a budget), after getting my first full-face helmet for $10 at a second-hand store in Brandon, Manitoba (true story but not recommended)...
My first decent helmet was an FM (remember them?) bought from a bike shop on Dundas St. W. in Toronto back in the early '90s. Scott Russell had one and I liked the brand. Since then I've owned HJCs and a pair of really sharp Icons, one of which was originally owned by moto-journalist and Hawk-lister "Double-A-Ron" Aaron Frank. That one was in the memorable "Technicolor Puke" colourway, was given to Aaron by Icon and worn at the launch of the Kawasaki ZX-10R in Malaysia. I said at the time that the helmet will have gone faster on Aaron's head than it ever would on mine...
Anyway I've always been partial to the Arai brand. I think you're either a Shoei person or an Arai person and Arai has always been my favourite - Kevin Schwantz, Mick Doohan and "yer maun" Joey Dunlop wore them and that just about convinced me. So after all these years and miles I finally decided to buy one last year. This is the Regent-X, the entry-level Arai and one positioned by the company as most suitable for "western" (i.e. white guy) head shapes. But even though it's an entry-level helmet it benefits from all of the hand-finishing and quality work that goes into all Arais (have a Google if you want more info about their helmet construction processes).
I've taken a medium in every helmet I've owned and the Arai is no exception (fortunately I was able to try one for size at a local shop) but I bought it online as said local shop couldn't bring in this colourway for me. It's the "Rock Multi" and I love the colours - so bright. Plus you get all kinds of cool Japanese goodies in the box, including some Arai stickers and lubricant for the shield mechanism.
I'm really pleased with the helmet. The paint quality is sublime, the interior materials are luxurious and comfortable - it's just a great helmet. It's reasonably quiet on the road and the fit is pretty much perfect. The only thing I need to get used to is opening and closing the shield - it has a funky lever mechanism that takes a little getting used to. But I'm so glad I bought it.
The first long ride I took in the Arai was on the Hawk GT along my usual 50km route south of the city, with a stop for photos at the usual spot,
What a lovely machine and I'm so happy with how it's come together, The paint looks great and the bike moves along very nicely for a 650cc twin. The last thing I've got planned is installing the CBR900RR shock, the main benefit of which will be to increase the rear ride height a bit. It's needed for sure, as even a person of "average height" like me (!) finds the seat to peg distance pretty tight. But raising the rear will lift the seat and increase that distance a bit, which will be great.
