Helmets are always a bit of an enigma to buy as their main role is one you can’t judge particularly well when you buy. I’ve recently gone through the process myself and now Londonbikers.com has been offered the chance to review a couple of additional lids so I will give you my thoughts on them.
My helmet, bought during the summer, is an X-Lite X-602. Arai gave us a brand new Quantum and Shark have lent us a couple of their (revised for 2009) RSI models. Both the X-Lite and Shark retail at around the £220 mark while the Arai comes in nearer the £400 mark, notably more expensive it’s true, but all these models share one thing in common; they are likely to be the most popular models for each manufacturer. They feature many of the specifications from the range topping models combined with a good dose of practicality and affordability. I’ve also taken custody of two Scorpion helmets, but they are too new to feature here and a separate article will follow.
The X-Lite X-602
My choice was borne out of financial pressures, I simply can’t afford to spend £400+ on a helmet and rather than feel I was spending £200 on a bargain basement Arai or Shoei, I thought about a mid-level helmet from one of the smaller players in the market. I was about to start reading Jorge Lorenzo’s autobiography (he wears an X-802) and Lou has always had an X-Lite so when I saw them at my nearest Hein Gericke store, I ended up being impressed enough to buy one.
On the road this very light (1380grams) and sculpted helmet is very quiet and smooth when in the straight ahead position, but turning one’s head makes it significantly less aerodynamic – and so noise and drag increase more dramatically than on the smoother, more rounded Arai. I can’t comment on its crash performance, thankfully, but Lou’s old X-Lite was subject to a face-plant when a car u-turned on her, and it survived the impact well, as did she.
It has marginally the narrowest (top to bottom) visor opening of the three (the Arai has the widest) although I can’t say it’s bothered me on the road even after swapping the lids around.
The X-602 has the usual array of ventilation holes with a chin vent operated by a very simple push-button which is easy to use with gloved hands, and does actually produce a noticeable through-flow of air. Mid-way up the brow there are the usual twin vents to move air around the top of your head, I can only assume they work as I’ve never felt a strong draught from these vents on any helmet I’ve worn. Apparently most helmets’ ventilation system works by drawing the hot humid air away from your head rather than directing cool air onto it, so don’t go expecting too much. On rides in the hot summer I always felt adequately ventilated although inevitably the visor was cracked open around town. The lining, though fully removable and washable, hasn’t been washed yet and despite many hours spent cushioning my sweaty head it doesn’t appear to smell of anything but that ‘new helmet’ aroma which is impressive. The ‘breathable’ microfiber clearly does its job and despite being initially less tactile than the plush Shark or high-tech feel of the Arai, once on the lining feels pleasant, clean (i.e. clinical, sterile) and simply fades from my attention – which is a good thing.
An important feature for me is the construction of the vents - I don’t want them breaking due to normal use but I would want them to break off should I end up sliding on my head. Both the X-Lite and Arai employ ‘blister’ type top vents which clearly would snap off leaving a hole flush with the main helmet surface and thus nothing to dig in to the road surface with potentially serious consequences.
The fit of the X-Lite is perfect for me but helmet fit is simply too subjective, too personal, for me to say one helmet is overall ‘better’ than another. I was told years ago that a helmet should be tight enough to mean bitten cheeks when chewing gum, but that no one area should feel more pressure than the rest. What I can say is that the X-Lite comes in 6 different sizes (the others have 5 sizes although Arai do offer various sizes of cheek pads to fine tune the fit) using 3 different sizes of outer shell and that the helmet ‘shape’, so crucial to the fit, sits between the very round Arai and the more pointy Shark – it also has the same width (ear to ear direction) as the Shark. The Arai is very clearly a rounder helmet shape (see images) and is wider than the cheaper pair.
This shape difference seems to be a deliberate move by the manufacturers, I don’t know of any make which has radically varying shapes within its range, perhaps it’s something manufacturers do deliberately to carve a niche for themselves?
Visor changing is pretty straightforward on my X-602, with its push button lock, as it is on the Shark - engineering simplicity - the visors clip in and out cleanly and accurately. X-Lite employ a switch on the left hand side (the ‘Double Action’ button) to either lock the visor shut by increasing the pressure on the release mechanism (no more accidental openings while head turning at speed); or to create a gap at the base of the visor when it’s pushed shut. The X-Lite comes with a double glazing element for the clear visor which hasn’t been fully tested in the depths of a cold winter but I see little reason why it shouldn’t be as effective as other similar types.
The finish of the X-Lite is very classy, the badges feel as if they are printed or painted on to the shell so there’s no feeling of budget decals being stuck on over the paint. A thick coat of lacquer covers all the markings so it’s very smooth and hopefully will look this good in a few years’ time. The Shark is, however, the smoothest shelled helmet here. The Arai is solid black so I can’t comment on the patterned version, but the Arai badge on the front is ridged and defined, presumably indicating a thick paint. On the Shark both the badges and the dubious flame artwork have no discernable edges leaving the entire shell beautifully smooth - no wind-catching edges to whistle and be subjected to friction.
The Shark RSI
Marseille based Shark has been making helmets since 1975 and according to their website one of their helmets is sold every 2 minutes world-wide. The RSI sits just below their range topping RSR2 and (perhaps in all but this lairy Fireshark scheme) it is a modern, handsome helmet. The lining looks and feels plush, the visor swapping is simple and accurate, and when talking to many riders at our weekly meet Shark seems to be the first choice for those riders with a more elliptical head shape as it is the most pointed of the three lids here. Weight-wise it comes in at 1400grams making it slightly heavier than the X-Lite but lighter than the Arai.
I particularly liked the fit, perhaps my head is shaped a little towards the pointy, with the plump cheeks pads being the best on test and while the light coloured lining is nicer on the eye than the other two’s dark blue version (see images), I wonder whether it’ll stand up to a few years grime and sweat. As its pointy shape (see images) suggests there is plenty of room at the front of the helmet (down by the mouth I mean) when worn, at least for me, but has the downside of taking the built in nosepiece further from my nose, which must reduce its efficiency (i.e. keeping breath from the visor).
Due to a lack of an MOT and a replacement chain being organised in time I wasn’t able to do enough riding in the Shark so passed it to LB’s favourite uncle and Arai RX-7GP wearing PJ for a week’s trial. Here are his findings.
“Back when I started to ride a motorcycle the choices of helmet didn't seem as varied as they are today. Sure there were budget helmets and your top of the range lids, but the Shark name was not as common as it is now. Having passed my test in '94 I took the decision (as many have) to buy a reputable name for such a life saving accessory. I bought an Arai, and to this day I have replaced one after the other with the same brand. Now time and technology have moved on and this new Shark helmet has made me realise that there are definitely alternatives to the larger brands.
It fits superbly and hugs the face much better than my Arai. It is also much quieter. Its light weight structure sits well on the head and you have great visibility. Air flow is excellent and even at high speed there is minimal buffeting.
The only negative I could find with the helmet is the ventilation. On a nice warm summers day I feel that it would not be adequate enough to cool you down. But for the price of £200-250 it is worth every penny plus it comes in more designs than most, from subtle to a black version with flames, which could appeal to the street fighter in you.
Would I buy one? Yes definitely. I love the fit and if you look at the competition within the same price range the Shark stands head and shoulders above the rest."
So a glowing report from uncle PJ, who I can honestly report was stunned by just how good a helmet this is and more importantly how close to his £500 range-topper this half price one could come.
My only reservation with the Shark concerns it’s top vent which I would be concerned about digging in to the road surface on impact as it stands very proud on the top of the lid, sure the plastic finishing piece would likely detach but the preformed built-in vent chamber looks very much like part of the shell (see images) and I’d need convincing that it wouldn’t dig in should it end up road-surfing.
Arai Quantum
The most expensive helmet on test here, the Arai isn’t even on sale until December with some versions coming early 2010, but Arai’s UK distributors Phoenix let LB have one hot out of the factory and even gave us an afternoon at Donington Park to test the new Quantum out on track.
I was very keen to pull on this replacement to what was widely reckoned to be the most comfortable Arai ever made. I should know, I had one for 2 years.
I won’t harp on about the technical stuff and design features I outlined in the previous article, but suffice to say that this solid and reasonably heavy (up to 1550grams) helmet feels reassuring and expensive when you pick it up. It may not have the style of the X-Lite or Shark lids, in fact it almost feels utilitarian next to them in this plain (but sparkly) black but there is quality here. The Pinlock® type visor operates smoothly without the notching of the other two; not a major point but I can’t help thinking about Rolex watches and their smooth second-hands. Arai have changed the venting controls from previous models with the Quantum using a simple click-flap on the chin and positive, if maybe too small, switches on the head vent pods (see images). Their trade-mark eyebrow vents are present too; I’m not sold on them but can’t disprove their claims of increased ventilation. My main problem with them is their intrusion (see images) into the visor aperture, which is certainly wider than before (and these other two helmets) but to then have two black rectangles pretty much above each eye goes against those advances. No doubt you get used to them over time, but swapping between helmets makes them very apparent.
Once on the Quantum is comfortable and more spacious than its round design would suggest. I expected to feel the front of the helmet much closer to my face than the other two (being more pointy designs) yet that wasn’t the case. My guess is that the internal head space isn’t as round as the shell, and as one would expect the removable lining is fully washable and made from a breathable material to wick moisture away from your head. It fits me very well, and Arai can supply a variety of pads in different sizes to fine tune the fit if need be. I do except that some people just don’t have an ‘Arai’ shaped head, which is fair enough, and no amount of pad changing will help if your nose or chin is squashed against the chin bar.
On the road the Arai works as expected, and aside from the eyebrow vents intruding into my eye-line (most noticeable when tucking in), it was difficult to find issues to talk about. I can’t compare the effectiveness of the new aerodynamic ridge running around the base as my memory of my old Quantum isn’t that good, but I can say that I felt no unpleasant turbulence on the motorway and it was easier and more comfortable to turn against the wind-flow than my X-Lite. It might be the same with the Shark too as both those lids have ridged shells whereas the Quantum would present the same smooth profile to the wind at all angles. The wider aperture is really noticeable, particularly in the corner of your eyes giving increased notification of passing traffic plus enhanced vision when looking through corners.
It was designed to be worn all day (unlike the RX7-GP) and after an afternoon on the track followed immediately by the ride back to Central London from Donington I can’t say I was bothered by undue noise (through ear-plugs) or any discomfort or itching (despite a sweaty brow on track).
My one major criticism is the visor changing system. Yes it works and yes it works better the more you practice, but does it really need to sound and feel as if you are breaking things? For a helmet new to the market for 2010 it strikes me that having to twist, force, and hope a visor into position is just plain old-hat. Every other helmet manufacturer I can think of has a simple push-button lock system which sits pretty much (or completely in Shoei’s case) flush to the visor so sheer force of numbers suggests it’s time for Arai to get with the programme. Many people have encountered broken side pods (which cover where the visor attaches) as a result of visor changing, directly or surely as a consequence of the brutality involved. I used to be able to change my Shoei’s visor while wearing the helmet (useful when at the roadside when the weather changes), something I wouldn’t dream of trying with the Arai.
Summary
The main conclusion I have come to after spending time with these helmets is not about the amount of choice available for those shopping for a mid-price helmet, but it is about the quality of that choice. Both the Shark and X-Lite are quality helmets, and stand proudly against a helmet twice their price. Yes the Arai is a well designed and beautifully constructed helmet, but with it sitting beside the other two, I really can’t see where that extra money has gone. Speaking to other Arai wearers, especially PJ, I think it’s about the trust that people have in Arai products, trust that it will give the best protection should the worst happen. The other brands still don’t get the same trust although the SHARP test results are going some way to challenge the established trust patterns for sure, and for that reason I’ll be looking into the SHARP test in more detail soon.
I don’t regret buying the X-Lite, and I’ll still wear it despite having the Arai on my shelf. Had I tried the Shark when buying the X-Lite it would have been a very difficult decision to make indeed, as both have much the same qualities with no significant weaknesses.
To sum up, it’s good news for anyone wanting to buy a helmet at the moment. If you only want to spend £200-£250 then you can buy either of these excellent helmets, if you’ve £400 then there is a brilliant Arai for you. But try the others first, then try their bigger brothers the RSR2 and the X-802 before buying the Arai (or Shoei of course) by default. You just might be surprised.
You might also be surprised if you visit the Scorpion stand too, as I’m impressed with their helmets I’m reviewing now. They include flip-down dark internal visors and AirFit pump-up padding to improve the fit all for the same £200-£270 (depending on version) market the Shark and X-Lite live in.It's a buyer's market now more than ever.
Words and pictures by Andrew Harbron
