Interior Shapes
One major reason for Arai's legendary reputation for unmatched comfort
and fit is our belief that the shape of a rider's head (the
relationship between its length and width) is as important as head size
in getting the best helmet fit. That's why we go to the considerable
time, effort - and expense - to create more than one interior shell
shape. (Arai was the first and only helmet manufacturer to acknowledge
and address the fact that not all heads are shaped the same.)
Shown are the two basic head shapes: the far left is a Round Oval (the
front-to-back and side-to-side dimensions are very close); near left is
the Long Oval (front-to-back dimension is greater than side-to-side).
Both shapes illustrated are the same dimensional size, but obviously
different shapes.
The Arai QUANTUM-2 model employs the Round Oval shape. (The Long-Oval shape is used in our Profile model.)
Shell Construction
These days, there are almost as many "revolutionary"
shell-construction materials as there are new helmet brands. Arai's
decades of experience, research, testing, comparison and evaluation has
led us to conclude that fiberglass-based construction is best at
performing a motorcycle-helmet shell's main job - spreading and
dissipating impact energy through strength, structural integrity and
impact-flexibility. The XD's clc (Complex Laminate Construction) shell
utilizes Arai's proprietary aerospace fiberglass technology to achieve a
strong, flexible shell in a lightweight package.
One-Piece Liner
Arai's EPS liner is like no other, comprised of several material
densities molded into a single piece. Arai pioneered this technology
more than 20 years ago and is still, to our knowledge, the only helmet
offering a single-piece hybrid liner and its unique benefit: the
direct-fused contact area that each EPS cell shares with it neighboring
cells creates a mutual support - as one is crushed under impact, the
surrounding cells assist with the energy absorption. (Liner pieces that
are simply fitted or glued together cannot rely on such a high-level
support bond.)
Ventilation
Arai's quality is so singularly advanced that it reaches
the world's highest level of racing, a place so technical, so
demanding, that most other helmet makers can't even imagine it, let
alone compete in it. We're talking about Formula One auto racing.
(Arais are actually chosen by more than half of the F-1 grid! Including
the new 2006 world champion and three of the top-five drivers.) One of
the benefits of Arai's F-1 involvement - 200+ mph! - is that we
learned the best way to ventilate a helmet is to pull the hot stale air
out, rather than trying to push new air in. (This led Arai to
introduce the world's first diffuser-mounted motorcycle helmet, the
RX-7 series, one of our most-copied features ever.) The Quantum-2's
ventilation employs these principles, creating a flow-thru system of
exceptional cooling throughout the helmet. The top vents are recessed
into the shell to reduce drag and wind turbulence over the shell's
flowing-area. Again, as always, the Arai Way costs more to produce. But
the Arai Way is about "better," not "cheaper."
Ventilation-Exclusive Free-Flow System
The FFS FreeFlow System combines a number of the helmet's components
(cheekpads, neckroll and extended pull-down chin spoiler) to further
reduce wind noise and turbulence while increasing the exhaust of hot
air from the face area for more rider comfort.
Ventilation-Patented Dual-Pivot Chin Vent
First introduced on the RX-7 Corsair, Arai's patented
Dual-Pivot® chin vent is a two-position dual-pivot hinge mechanism that
allows for increased airflow capacity to two areas. The first vent
position directs air directly to face, through a carbon-coated foam
filter; the second position directs air to shield to aid occasional
de-fogging.
Ventilation-Exclusive Brow Vent Faceshield
Our exclusive brown vent faceshield brings fresh
air in through the shield and directs it into the forehead area. Arai
prefers this method rather than punching extra holes in the critical
forehead area which reduces both outer shell and inner EPS liner
material where it's needed most.
LRS Shield-Removal
Arai's LRS tool-less shield-removal system has to be one of the
most misunderstood shield systems on the planet. But watch racers Nicky
Hayden and Kenny Roberts, Jr. swap Arai faceshields on video while
wearing the helmet and you see for yourself how really easy it is.
Riders ask us why Arai continues to use side pods when others
have gone pod-less? After all, pod-less systems are easier to make,
requiring a simple flat surface beneath the pivot point. Yet Arai's
experience says that flat spots in the curved shell shape diminish
shell integrity, whereas continuing the shell's three-dimensional curve
beneath the shield pivot-points (that nobody sees) maintains shells
integrity.
Our way is complicated and costly, requires a significant
commitment of R&D resources, and is possible only with the
experience and talent capable of creating a system of pod components
that must incorporate extremely difficult compound curves in order to
work with the shell's "natural" curvature.
But the Arai Way is about building motorcycle helmets the best way
humanly possible. If it were easy, everyone would do it.
Organic Shell Shape
Arai's "organic" shell design not only looks smaller and more
natural (instead of big and round), but by design it helps the Profile
fit the human head shape more closely. This organic design also moves
through the wind more easily while maximizing air intake via five
strategically-placed vent areas on the frontal surface alone.
Arai's unique FFS (Free Flow System) design works with the new
Organic shell shape to help further reduce wind noise and turbulence by
eliminating bulky shell elements.
Removable Liner
First introduced by Arai in the late '80s, removable liners have
evolved into extremely-comfortable and convenient features.The
Profile's fully removable, washable, and replaceable interior
comfort-liner components also permit micro-fitting of a helmet in
between-size scenarios.