Arai or Shoei?

[norcoastal]

I just got my new monster (well used 2009 but new to me) and I need a helmet.

I'm looking at either an Arai Vector-2 or a Shoei RF 1100.

Does anyone know if there are any real big advantages or disadvantages of either of these?

[jjj0923]

For me personally it depends on the shape of your head. Most of riding friend agree that Shoei's fit rounder heads/face better and Arai's for thinner heads /people with thinner faces.

Can't comment on the exact models you're looking at since I've always worn an Arai RX7

[norcoastal]

Thanks. I'm looking at an RX-Q also.

I think I like the lines better on the Arai, I was just wondering if there are many differences.

[eric z]

+1 on comfort. Buy the one that feels better on your noggin. All modern helmets have good ventilation and more importantly, safety!

Its kinda like choosing a bullet proof vest. Its gonna potentially save you. So just buy one that you like.

[Steve L]

i have the RF 1100 and love it.

[kineda 696]

I bought the Arai RX-Q for myself, a Shoei Qwest for the girlfriend. As others have echoed, the most important factor is fit. The RX-Q fit perfect and snug for me, whereas the Shoei fit my girlfriend better. If you've got a Ducati in matte black, the Arai 'black frost' is a perfect match.

[timeforpoptarts]

I haven't been able to find a place yet that stocks the 3X Shoei helmets around here for a fitting. I am hoping to get an RF-1100 as long as it fits my melon.

[kineda 696]

Make sure to have someone properly fit a lid for you... when I first started riding 10 years ago, I thought I was an Arai 'XL' and wore that for years (I'm usually at the last 1-2 holes in an average baseball cap...) However, when I went into a store to buy a new lid this year, I was shocked to find that the Arai rep could squeeze my head into an 'M'... snug and tight, cheeks slightly puffed which is how a lid should properly fit.

The Arai rep said that most people (including myself up until that day) are guilty of wearing a helmet 1-2 sizes too big... not a big deal until a crash which is when you want your lid to be as tight to your head as possible... according to the rep, any space in-between your head and lid will result in additional impact.

[Ohm3d]

I have a Shoei RF-1100 and a Shoei Qwest... Qwest is great for touring and such, because its quieter, rf-1100 is a great helmet too, other than the noise

[mgrisham]

Buy the one that fits. See webbikeworld.com for a catalog of head shapes.