Its been a coupla weeks now and riding with the Arai i picked up frm Infinity, i’ve noticed that the Arai’s are much quieter then the Shoei’s…only thing is the Arai feels like its moving up on my face while riding (mebbe its just my imagination) 
. The shoei is shaped more “pointy” like a ships bow around the jaw area while the Arai is more rounder. Oh and when cleaning them do u use any polish or just plain ole’ soap n water for the exterior…sorry we’re still in the “cave-men” time phase when it comes to accesories.
Well the difference is one says
Shoei
and the other
Arai
nah im joking, i dont really no the difference as ive only rode with an Arai and never owned a shoei, or tried one on, do you do up you chin strap quite loose? that may cause the lid to rise up at high speed happened to me but overwise im not sure.
with cleaning i use KFC wipes there brilliant 
Sorry for the unhelpfull post
I use Purple helmet cleaner for my lids, also avalible from Infinity…
I am also a converted shoei to arai patron… No looking back at my old XR1000, well happy with my RX7…
i’m an arai man, don’t really like shoei’s and ive the wrong shaped head for them
ive found that most people have ether an arai or shoei shaped bonce and the wrong type of lid for your shape of head could mean a bad fit
and shoei’s mainly have seatbelt type fastenings wich is just wrong, pinchy necky
well i cant really say much cos i swear by hjc, i love the comfort and i bought a top quality one for £225. as for cleaning them i use wurth helmet and visor cleaner, its a foam that you spray on the helmet and visor, let the foam disperse then wipe with a soft cloth, shiney results and smell good too!
I also wear an Arai but…the last Arai I had was a size medium, great at first but soon realised it was to big and anything over 60mph it lifted. No matter how tight I did it up. Now wear a small and its as tight as a glove even after 2 years wear. Maybe its just too big for you?
Started with Arai but had 2 Shoei lids since. No complaints from any really. Would take some convincing that anything is better than my Haydon Rep TBH, and I reckon their visor system is better than anyone else’s. Since it’s the feature I use most on a helmet it’s wins my vote.
Cleaning - leave damp kitchen roll on it for 10mins and it comes up a treat. Sometimes I’ll spray it with furniture polish on the outside and Sure on the inside.
I’m an Arai man as well !
Tried Shoei but they just don’t feel right or comfortable !
Have been told by a few that most folks are either one or the other.
you shouldnt spray furniture polish on the outside as it can damage the shell!! tut tut andrew
Only ever had AGV’s or Shoei’s…prefer the Shoei…cant get on with Arai?
Have an Arai and a Shoei… both of them are fine for me…
see this is what i’m talking about
the first arai i had was a med but i have since found out that contrary to what most people say i acctually have a small head
and i wouldnt trust any other type of lid anymore
having been a bike clothing and accesories salesman for a couple of years ive found most people dont have a propper fitting helmet (which can be very bad, cos a bad fitting lid can kill)
an rx7 and nothing less for me
and here we have the exception to the rule
wierdo
casting my mind back three years ago, I tried on millions of different helmets and plumped for the Arai as it felt really comfy. I’ve now got a new Astro R and it’s wonderful, just as good as my Quantum F. I deffo have an arai head, but my friend Keith (TDM on here) swears by shoei.
As for cleaning, mine gets a rub with the dishcloth and a squirt of fairy if it’s lucky! Babywipes work a treat for getting face powder and foundation off from the inside. 
Ditto
I have both as well…
My arai has more chin room, whereas the shoei has a snugger fit. but love them both…
also have a caberg (which i dont like)
I have had both Arai and Shoei helmets and find both comfortable, but the Shoei wins on having a better visor removal system and a better chin strap.
I wear an Airoh helmet most of the time now. It is comfortableand much easier to clean the lining than either the Arai or Shoei which makes it a better Summer helmet.
Duncan
Heard someone once say you either have a Shoei head or an Arai head… I have a Shoei head…! Just don’t find Arai comfortable, that said I always try both when lid shopping, just in case…
I’ve had 2 Shoei’s, my last (X-Spirit) saved my noggin last year and current XR1000 is dead comfy and is a perfect fit.
What ? Thru the lacquer ?
What’s it doing to my un lacquered furniture, lord knows.
Regarding which is better ? Well I reckon it’s the one that fits best. Sure the RX7 is meant to be king, but the Shoei X-11 has been stated as equal ? So personal choice it is.
In my view, and I appreciate that most racers are sponsored to wear helmets, if some top racer dude is prepared to take the risks they do in a certain helmet, then it’s good enough for me. I can’t see racers wearing something crap just to save a few hundred quid.
I will add my two pennies worth here.
I wear Arai, thats because I have an Arai shaped head and I have seriously tested the quality out. I had a Shoi last year, I was never happy with it and it was the only thing I was glad to have got rid of in a bad accident. The helmet cracked through both at the front and the back.
You should always buy a helemt that fits you, not because it looks good. Your head is one of the most vital parts of your body, protection should not be scrimped on. If you do not know what size you are already, go to a proper shop with someone knowledgeable about helmets and they should be able to tell you exactly what size helmet you need.
As for cleaning, nice soapy water does the trick. Anything that wont immediately come off should be soaked, use damp kitchen towel and within ten minutes it should have loosened. The visor can be cleaned with a V2Sponge.
As for visor systems, theres nothing wrong with the Arai one, I find it just as easy to change the visor as i did on the Shoi. Anyone want a demo, next time I am at Cubana (next week hopefully) I will show you how to change one over.
And they have changed their stringent rules over in Japan so I hear. Shoi’s do not pass the new stringent tests but Arais do.
Arai for me everytime, thats why I have 3 of them.
I have tried Shoei, AGV and I now have an Arai, I have found the Arai the best lid for me by a long way. However the Arai is far noiser than the Shoei or the AGV but feels better in every other way.