Copyright 2023, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By Michael Gougis
For a lot of, Arai defines the idea of premium helmet. Few manufacturers can boast of the corporate’s popularity for match, general consolation, and security. And whereas developments in helmets, in addition to corporations, have come and gone since Arai was based almost a century in the past, Arai has pursued a course of regular enchancment and incremental adjustments, at all times constructing on the progress it has made.
Arai says that has made main breakthroughs in helmet security increasingly more tough to perform. In recent times, refinement moderately than revolution has outlined Arai’s strategy to its latest fashions.
The brand new-for-2023 Arai Contour-X displays that design philosophy. As a substitute of beginning the dialog about its new helmet by speaking concerning the lid’s new options–of which there are a number of, and they’re helpful enhancements–the corporate emphasizes that the “Contour-X is constructed on the strong basis and confirmed efficiency of the helmets that got here earlier than it.”
Unveiled in Los Angeles late in 2022, the Contour-X is aimed on the highway rider and the sport-touring rider, notably the rider who likes to cowl lengthy distances at excessive pace, who values consolation however desires the efficiency options of the corporate’s racing helmets. I swear, it’s like they learn my thoughts…
The inspiration of the brand new helmet is its shell, which options Arai’s Peripherally Belted Complicated Laminate Development. New matting and resin leads to a major weight discount, the corporate says. The brand new form has a 5mm flare on the backside to ease pulling the helmet on and off. The Arai brand on the brow is now a raised vent. And the left aspect of the decrease shell has a flatter floor to make connecting communication gadgets simpler and safer. Arai says an additional layer of matting there and a redesigned ridge maintains rigidity in that space of the helmet.
Air flow on the helmet is supplied by no fewer than 13 openings, seven of which draw air into the helmet and 6 that take away it. The brand new three-dimensional brow brand vent, which feeds two 10mm intakes, is designed to be notably efficient at decrease speeds. The corporate says that at 30 mph, the emblem vent system flows a further 40% of air, and at 70 mph it’s nonetheless delivering an additional 7% p.c. In addition to the emblem consumption are two teardrop-shaped vents that have been impressed by Arai’s System One automotive helmet. The chin vent might be configured in closed, half-open or fully open, has been redesigned to make it simpler to make use of whereas sporting gloves and has a replaceable filter. The face protect has two eyebrow vents.
On the rear, a wing-shaped exhaust spoiler is designed to create stability and cut back turbulence, thus decreasing rider fatigue. Arai says the spoiler is much like the one on the Corsair-X however sits greater and extra ahead. Whereas it’s aimed on the sport-touring and highway rider, Arai says its testers evaluated the design (and presumably permitted its efficiency) at 180 mph at Suzuka Circuit.
A brand new brushed nylon liner materials provides larger odor resistance efficiency, and the inside and cheek pads are simply eliminated for cleansing or adjustment, the corporate says. The liner additionally incorporates a pocket to carry further wiring for the audio system and/or communication system. The Contour-X makes use of the identical VAS protect system, which is Pinlock-insert suitable, as the opposite full-face helmets at the moment within the Arai lineup.
A lot has been written recently about rotational forces and helmet options designed to scale back or decrease that drive on the rider’s head within the occasion of a crash. Arai’s philosophy is to attenuate the rotational forces by designing a clean, rounded shell to forestall rotational forces from being generated within the first place. Arai’s rounded shells are designed to look off of the bottom or some other object with out snagging or catching, thus minimizing the rotational forces created by that influence. And with solely a lot house that may be dedicated to influence absorption supplies, Arai says it “prioritizes the liner to soak up influence power, and is unwilling to remove any of that restricted materials to deal with points like making an attempt to handle rotational power or add options comparable to inside sunshades. Such designs diminish the helmets’ already restricted capability to soak up influence power.”
Arai equipped us with pattern helmets and led a pack of motojournalists, racers, and mates of Arai on a loop from downtown Los Angeles alongside Pacific Coast Freeway into Malibu. As quickly as we turned proper and headed up into the Santa Monica Mountains, the rain, which had paused after dumping down for 2 days, resumed. A lot particles washes onto these tight, slim roads that native authorities make use of snowplow-like automobiles to clear away the mud, branches and rocks, however with the rain truly falling, there was nothing to forestall the hazards from sliding again onto the pavement instantly after it had been cleared.
What I discovered throughout that journey was that the brand new air flow system provided loads of flexibility in configuration, essential for sketchy climate situations. I used to be in a position to regulate the vents in order that with a minimal of ahead movement, the face protect didn’t fog, and I didn’t get moist or chilly air speeding throughout my cranium. And driving with the helmet whereas doing an on-track analysis of a Kawasaki Ninja 650 confirmed that the helmet was steady and didn’t create buffeting at triple-digit speeds.
Massive enhancements could also be tougher and tougher to return by in a expertise as mature as fashionable motorbike helmet design. However small enhancements over time are equally welcome. Arai’s newest lid exceeds the corporate’s already excessive commonplace for consolation, is simpler to make use of and is useful at speeds its supposed person will expertise for lengthy durations of time.
Urged retail begins at $739.95 for the bottom strong colours, and the multi-color fashions begin at $889.95.
