RX-7 GP

I'm looking for a new helmet. I now have a Arai Quantum, and like the RX-7.
Is it worth the money? As it's twice the money of most other helmets?

Is the RX-7 still manufactured (in Europe/Asia maybe)?

The RX-7 was (is?) really intended as a race helmet. Good ventilation, but noisy. As in LOUD. Without hearing protection, it'll make you deeeeef.

Its contemporary, the Corsair V, flows air even better, and is slightly quieter. Still LOUD however. I really like the added ventilation and wider viewport over the RX-7's.

Bounced my head pretty good in a Corsair V last year - glad I was wearing it. But I only wear the Corsair Vs on the track. Too damn loud for the street w/o protection. I use an RX-Q for everyday riding; its less expensive, much quieter, and certainly worthy of track use.

With Arai, its about protection and fit. They fit me well, and can be tailored to some degree with different pad thicknesses Arai offers. They offer other helmets in different head shape options (Vector-2, Signet-Q). It's worthwhile IMO to go to an authorized vendor, and with the assistance of someone who is supposed to be knowledgeable in fitting Arais, try them on before buying anything.

Brand-bitch or not, "value" in helmets is somewhat subjective.

I'm a shark whore, I like the rx-7 but it doesn't justifies the excessive price.

Noisy, plastic parts that break easily etc....

What is the difference between the Corsair and the GP by the way? The GP is abouth 100€ more expensive.

The truth is the RX series are race helmets. Some would say (me included) that they are the best race / trackday lids money can buy.
But, and its a big but, they don't make good road lids.
They are noisy due the the amount of venting and in heavy rain they leak! Arai technicians swear the RX's don't leak but I've had 3 and they all let water in through the top vents in the rain if you are at the wrong angle or something.

Bottom line: if all you do is ride on the track, buy one.
If you really really want one and only ride in good weather - why not?
If you ride all year round or spend a significant amount of time in the saddle on the road - don't: the Quantum V is a better lid.

Dank je Bert!
Hmm. Sounds like it's to expensive compared to others.

The Quantum is the best road and track helmet Arai make, I have had them all including the RX7, the Quantum has been going for years that should tell you something and yes Arais are still made in Japan

think the gp has a little spoiler on the back between the fins
Paid £600 for mine and its noisy as fook , the visors are expensive and its a bit shit IMHO , I wish i hadnt bought it
Looks right smart though

Just different trendy names for you yanks

i have de rx and a chaser and a quantum. i won't waist my money anymore on rx. It's lighter then the other ones, but that's really it in my opinion.
I rather buy a cheaper arai and have it painted in my own design.

I have an Arai Viper GT which was about £400 and it's really comfortable and quiet. A good helmet. Also have owned about three Quantums before that and they were great too. I now mostly wear a new RX7 GP and I got it new from a dealer who had ordered two for a customer who had put a deposit on a bike and then couldn't pay. So I only ended up paying £400 for this one too. It's all been said here. Probably the best helmet but it is very loud, wind noise very different from the other helmets - but I don't mind really. The new wider visor makes it worth it for me.

I’ve had an Arai RX7RR(4?) Colin Edwards replica, now for years. I like the ventilation. I wouldn’t ride up the drive without earplugs, it’s so noisy (not a problem to me – just earplugs). The D rings rusted. The visor removal is a VERY SAD JOKE.
It’s time for a new lid. I was keen to get a Corsair V (A$1000 for plain colours)
I watched the above video review and they weren’t even willing to remove the visor for a demo! (So I can forget any improvements in that area!!) I’m told the D rings are stainless (I’m wondering if they claim that on mine). Going to the website associated with the review they list it as one of the heaviest helmets they have reviewed! Strike 3.

Next choice – Shoei X12. Quote: “We couldn’t tell if the vents were open”. “Even going from open to closed, we couldn’t notice anything”. No good to me, it was 31 deg C today and it gets hotter than that.

Now I have no idea what to buy.

I’m thinking maybe an AGV GP tech. I had a top of the line AGV before the Arai, and it was a big step down (quality and price) it had a visible “flat spot” on the shell, for example.

I have an Aeroh MX helmet – NICE! (and a Trials version) . I don’t think they are available in Australia, with the required “Bull Shit” stickers for road use.

I want a quality helmet with a nice dark or Iridium visor available and the best ventilation I can get. Colour is unimportant, but if it’s a grand plus, I’d like it to look good. Prefer replica paint! Any suggestions

edit
I can cross AGV from the list - http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Produ ... v-gp-tech/

Picked this up today for a smokin' deal at T.O.Powersports

I will add this...Far from $1000.00
on sale $100.00
Fits better than my Shoei at 1/4 the cost..Not quite as light as I thought but should be better ventilation..
(He said) and shouldn't..again(he said) fog up..Which my Shoei does all the time...

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another shot...

I try and ignore stupid laws/rules as much as possible. (ref Australian Standard sticker) I might buy one of these from the US.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/nexx ... _chart_tab

I’m loath to mail order a helmet in a brand I haven’t owned before (size wise)

What about one of these? I haven't seen one in the flesh but I've read good things about it. https://www.thehelmetwarehouse.com.au/store.php?crn=471

That's another reason to love Shark helmets, 20 seconds tops and the clear visor is removed and the mirror attached

And it's 3mm visor is clear as glass and almost scratch proof.

For me after Shark, comes shoei with the xr1100

I have a shoei xr1100, love it! Proper noticeable ventilation. Never fogs up thanks to the pinlock visor (which is wide enough to not obstruct your vision) visor swap takes 30 seconds.
For me it is very silent (had a xr900 before) but i still always use earplugs (made for my ears)
Before i bought this i tried several helmets, but the arai was crossed of the list as soon as i opened and closed the visor. Felt very cheap compared to the shoei 'clicks' i was used to, tried several different arais but they al had this)
After this i might try a Bell helmet. I really like the styling of those. Nice and simple just 2 wide stripes over the top. With shoei and arai it's almost always pinstripes tribals skulls etc. Not my cup of tea.
So i went for the xr1100 symmetry in black and white. Not as boring as a single colour unit, but not to shouty with the skulls and so on.

I had a Quantum and then moved to a Shoie Rf-1100 and I like it just fine. I do 99% of my riding on the street and I always were ear plugs. I enjoy the fit and the removable liner

I’ll have to watch a FEW youtube vids till I find one that works for me because I bought one of the RX7 Corsairs from MCA you mentioned. $658 delivered. Thanks for the tip!(They have several sizes/colours left)

Sky "Hayden '07" Pig

No worries on the RX7 I think they are a good skid lid. I was just thinking have you tried to put one side in at a time when replacing the visor? This might work better.

Ok, i had to try my speed at the "infamous" Arai shield, with shield closed, open, removed, re-installed, then closed........................6.2 seconds I dont' see the problem either...? Although i'd like to try a Bell Star next

if someone cant fit a visor on an Arai they should not go anywhere near a bike

It's quick...until the day you crack the side covers like so many have...and the noise is also due to the side covers.

but they must be doing something right, people love to buy them even at those prices

My main reason for wanting an Arai again, is because they fit me so well.
But, I'm not sure if it's worth the extra money for now (an RX that is), so I'm keeping my Quantum till I have more money, or bump into something else!
Thanks for the advice everyone!

Funny stories.

I don't know how it is outside the US, but its been my experience that Arai is really good about providing any/all warranted parts (like minor broken plastic bits - including that side covers) - gratis. That's for 5 years from time of purchase.

How are other manufacturers about this?

worn Arais for the last 25 years, only spare part i have ever needed apart from visors was one side pod for my old Condor and that was smashed by a pheasant hitting me in the head at about 140mph

trashed 7 Arais in accidents and my head still works ok, that will do for me

I was at a bike shop in Stevenage yesterday and they have a deal on brand new RX7 GP for £300...

Only catch is that they are yellow with big lettering on them that says ' Ride before you buy'. It's some kind of promotion but if you can live with that then they are very good value.

If you are in the business to get a Arai helmet, Compacc has a Arai sale nowadays.
FYI

http://www.compacc.com/Arai-Clearance

loved my arai maverick and condor left my last arai in the garage after a rainy test ride on a 690 duke, 2 months later and the mould inside it looked like a cat had died in it, I cant justify the money for these lids now and next month I hope to be getting an under £200 ktm lid complete with dark visor, if it has a sticker and fits right then it should do fine

Always had Arais but not buying any more, visor change PITA and side pods ping off and break.