ARAI NEWS
Riders’ passion expressed in helmet design THE BIRTH OF THE
A Philosophy Built on Decades of Experience The family operated Arai brand, founded in 1950, has a long history with company owners that have always been enthusiastic riders themselves. Managed by an owner who knows about helmets from the inside out, who is always in pursuit of the ideal helmet design based on the evaluation and examination of accident data accumulated throughout our long history. Arai knows that, other than the requirements by helmet standards, there is another important role that the helmet must perform. That role is the ability to glance off objects during impacts. A rider, riding at a higher speed (100km/h for example), could experience impact energy levels more than 10 times greater than the testing speed (less than 28km/h) required by the strictest helmet test standard in the world! In actual real world accidents cases, the ability to glance off objects to divert impact energy, in addition to absorbing impact energy, plays a very important role in helmet performance. Arai therefore uses the R75 Shape concept for our shell construction, which stands for a rounder, smoother and stronger shell, which has the ability to glance off impacts.
Riders’ Passion Expressed in Helmet Design
THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ROLE OF A HELMET IS TO PROTECT YOUR HEAD. The MX-V helmet design continues Arai´s unique and basic principle known as the ’’ R75 Shape concept’’ while at the same time offering a more aggressive look, loaded with functional features that will not distract the rider´s concentration during competition or recreational riding.
Design
The design of the new MX-V maintains the R75 shape concept in the areas above test line. Even on the chin-bar, which is below test line, the round, smooth and strong design continues with Arai´s unique rounded shape. This rounded shape, combined with a compact chin bar, reduces protrusions and fixed edges that are much less likely to catch or dig-in in an impact.
The shell is constructed according to Arai´s unique cLc (Complex Laminate Construction) design. The main material is Arai´s exclusive Super Fiber, which provides exceptional tensile strength and elasticity that not only passes but exceeds the stringent Arai in-house test standard. And each and every shell is entirely made by hand by dedicated craftsmen.
Strength
Fighting Spirit of VICTORY
SHELL SHAPE A round instead of ridged shell. The shell itself is persistently round and smooth, maintaining the R75 shape concept in the areas above test line, but continues to influence design below the test line where Arai´s uniquely rounded chin bar maintains the same compact shell length with the previous VX-3 model resulting in less protrusion which have proven to be less likely to catch and dig-in during a spill.
Same compact shell length with the previous VX-3 model
Fighting Spirit of VICTORY
SHELL MATERIAL In order to make the shell perform as best as possible, we use our decades of experience and knowledge to assemble the many precise and proprietary shell components into the final shell. For the shell, Super Fiber is used as one of the main materials, costing up to six times more than standard fiber, but provides 30 % higher tensile strength and penetration resistance. The cLc (Complex Laminate Construction) demands careful and skilful assembly of all the many different parts. And even though the bare shell is not visible once painted and assembled, it contains all the experience and know-how of Arai.
Fighting Spirit of VICTORY
VA TYPE CHIN-BAR VENT GRILL Installed on the chin-bar, the length of which is set at the same dimension as the previous model, which has proven to be less likely to catch and dig in during a spill. The stainless mesh grill is now mounted from the outside, to the exterior vent cap, and can be easily removed for thorough cleaning or damage replacement. The new vent grill is also designed to break away from the chin bar during a spill.
Fighting Spirit of VICTORY
AIR-THROUGH DUCTS The new VA type Air-Through construction of the top front and rear as well as the side-port ducts are designed to offer greatly improved ventilation efficiency and are easier to clean and maintain as compared to the previous VX-3.
VA TYPE REAR DUCT The Air-Through, multi-functional VA Type Top Rear duct center brace also functions as a goggle strap locator. The diffusers can be removed or replaced fast and easy by removing a single screw on the rear duct center brace.
GOGGLE STRAP LOCATOR Keeps the goggle strap in position even during hard competition riding. The new VA type top duct center brace, together with the side port cowlings, also assist to keep the strap in position on the side and back areas.
Fighting Spirit of VICTORY
NEW VA-TYPE PEAK The new peak is 14 mm longer and 5 mm wider for improved ability to deflect roost and flying debris. To compensate lift and “bucketing” at higher speeds, the air outlets in this larger peak were made larger as well.
VA TYPE REMOVABLE NECKROLL Allows convenient and easy cleaning of the helmet.
EMERGENCY CHEEKPAD RELEASE SYSTEM Further improved emergency release system. The tab to release the cheek pad is positioned more firmly in position and is easier to access by rescue staff.