It’s that time of year when lots of manufacturers start dropping their 2024 new products. First up for us in the flesh was the preview of the 2024 UK Arai collection.
The event was held at the Derbyshire headquarters of multi-brand manufacturer and distributor, MotoDirect. We’ll be showing some of their new RST, AGV, Bell, Motul and Arai range over the next week or two. First up though is my helmet brand of choice, Arai.
You can see a quick 360º tour in the video above.
Why Arai?
All new Arai helmets conform to (or exceed) the latest ECE helmet safety standards – 22.06. They’re handmade in Japan and it takes around two weeks to make one complete helmet. The company is still owned and run by the Arai family and they take safety very seriously. That’s why they’ve never brought out a flip front, or helmet with an internal sun visor. They believe the integrity of the helmet design is compromised. They also believe in a shell that will “Glance off” objects and is free from bulky protrusions that can cause added injuries during a crash (all Arai vents etc. will come off on impact).
Fits any head
What you get with an Arai is a helmet crafted to fit, especially with many of the new lids coming with the wider fitting “Easy-on” aperture, as first introduced on the excellent Profile-V (the image above was taken during the launch of it at Donington Park). That helmet is still my favourite Arai, sadly discontinued now but I’ll be trying a Quantic to replace it. Arai also have customisable interiors for the perfect fit, so the old “Arai or Shoei head” argument isn’t really valid any more.
New for 2023 Tour-X5
I’ve had the Tour X-3 and Tour X-4 Arais in the past and love them. They’re primarily an adventure-style lid, as made famous in The Long Way Down with Charlie and Ewan. The good thing about the Tour-X is that you can remove the peak and it becomes a mean-looking full-face lid. Or you can wear it with goggles rather than a visor.
For 2024 there’s a new Tour X5, it’s not an update, the whole helmet is brand new. Whilst utilising the styling of the X-4 it’s been redesigned and improved with a simple one-button visor release – much quicker and easier than the old screw arrangement. It also has better venting (200% more efficient according to Arai), including a 3D Arai front vent. The X5 is also compatible with the Arai-specific Sena intercom which you can hardly even notice when fitted (it’s shown in the video).
Available from January: Plain colours £599.99, graphics 699.99.
Tour X-4
The Tour X-4 (pictured left) is still available in a variety of colours, its likely you’ll get a good price once the X5 starts arriving in dealers.
Concept XE
The Concept XE was called Rapide in the UK but has now been rebranded to fit in with the rest of Europe. It’s a slightly different shape to most Arais and looks quite mean. I’ve had a Rapide for a few years and love the styling. The Concept comes in various colours, including Overland Khaki (special order) and React Blue (pictured above). The new Temu Blue and Green will be available from April 2024. RRP is £549.99.
Quantic
This model was the first helmet in the world to gain the new ECE 22.06 rating. It uses the wider “Easy on, easy off” aperture and has 3D cheek pads for extra comfort. This helmet is also comms-ready for the very discreet Sena ACS10 intercom. Quantic comes in lots of plain and graphic finishes with prices ranging from £499.99 for plain colours to £599.99 for graphics. Pictured is the lovely Quantic Robotic Black. Some of the latest colours won’t be available until March 2024 but existing colours are in stock now.
RX-7V Evo
Top of the Arai range is the RX-7V Evo, it’s the helmet worn by multiple champions and world-class racers. As you’d imagine, there are a host of replica paint jobs from Schwantz to Nakagami and the Maverick pictured above. If you’re not into flashy graphics there are plain colours available. Prices start at £699.99 through to £799.99. Most styles are in stock with others arriving Jan-March 2024.
Further info on the Arai range can be found at Why Arai?
