Arai or Shoei Motard style helmet.....??? - Ducati.ms

Werloc · Apr 11th, 2009, 10:56 am

Arai XD-3 is listed as a Motocross helmet.

Shoei DS is listed as a Dual Sport helmet.

Is either one better/safer than the other? I have tried on the Shoei, I just need to test fit the Arai before I order one. Just wondering if either of these helmets are as safe as a road helmet? I'm asking because both are listed as off road or dual sport helmets.

dragoontwo · Apr 11th, 2009, 11:05 am

Are they both DOT/Snell certified? Even a lot of the dirt helmets are Dot certified.

I have an Airoh S4 helmet. Had to order through the UK. It's their ACU gold stamp certified which is their equivalent to our DOT.

Borracho · Apr 11th, 2009, 11:07 am

The style is the same, both have removable peaks and visors. I've had the XD since it first came out 3-4 years ago and love them. I tried the Shoei DS/Hornet but I still like the way the Arai fits my noggin.

Try out both; some like the fit of the Arai over the Shoei. Some, vice versa.

And I think they are just as safe as road helmets. Both are DOT & Snell approved for highway use.

AZ_Scott · Apr 11th, 2009, 11:16 am

They're both great helmets. Same "dual-sport" category, both DOT/Snell street-legal, and both work great up to about 90 mph or so.

The Shoei is a little cheaper. The Arai has a better selection of colors/graphics. The Shoei face shield is ridiculously expensive. The Arai shield is just a little bit expensive.

As posted above, try them both on and go with the one that fits most comfortably (as with any other helmet selection).

(I wear my Arai XD3 just about every day...)

sinex · Apr 11th, 2009, 11:29 am

Love my Arai Tour X Challenge, taken the peak off, love the comfort and how quite it is, highly recommended

aLiEn · Apr 11th, 2009, 11:53 am

I just bought mine and love it!

It makes you look like an imperial tie fighter pilot too! lol

Best price on the net here, trust me:
http://www.powersportsuperstore.com/default.asp

Werloc · Apr 11th, 2009, 12:58 pm

Sounds good guys thanks. Alien, thanks, I'll have a look...

One last question. I may be leaning towards the Arai. That being said, I've been looking around and found these:

This looks like a place I can trust, plus it's in the US.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-A...spagenameZWDVW

THEN, I found this:

Much cheaper price, better graphics (for me), and comes with tinted sheild. I emailed the seller with a few questions, just wondering if this is a genuine Arai XD helmet? I don't expect a reply from the seller until Monday.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Arai-...spagenameZWDVW

If so, why wouldn't these colors be available in the states..??

Ferrell75002 · Apr 11th, 2009, 1:40 pm

I have the Arai XD and got it for 265.00 from Ventura BMW. Didn't notice much difference from the XD and the new XD-3 so if you don't mind getting the old version, you might find a good deal out there.
I do notice the Arai seem to be for for round topped heads, not sure how the Shoei is.
F-

ilsrwy27 · Apr 11th, 2009, 1:54 pm

Try them both. For me the choice is easy as I have never found a Shoei that fit my head shape properly... I always go with Arai.

MongoWERA · Apr 11th, 2009, 2:34 pm

I'm the same way, Arai's fit better so that's what I wear. I get mine from Barry here - http://www.interstatecycle.com/pages/home/default.aspx