Arai Viper GT Review
by MrJones
(United Kingdom)
For some reason I have struggled to find a comfortable and well fitting helmet. Unfortunately for my bank balance, the only one that seemed to fit was a Shoei X-Spirit.
Having now owned and crashed a number of Shoei X-Spirits, it came as a bit of a surprise when looking for another replacement that the Arai Viper GT was a better fit. So, this has now been my main helmet for the last few year.
The Good bits...
Excellent fit, and comfortable lining (although initially the lining did irritate my forehead).
Ventilation is easy to use on the go, and effective. The chin vent does have the unfortunate effect of shredding bugs and carefully directing them towards your mouth!
The pin-lock system, also used on other makes of helmet, is once again brilliant at keeping visor-fog at bay, even on the wettest of days.
Arai after-sales care and service is excellent. I have walked into a bike shop just for a mooch and a coffee only to have the Arai technician seize and service my helmet while I supped a cup of the black-stuff... completely Free Of Charge!
But it's not all coffee and free servicing....
It is a very noisy helmet. The upside of this is I now wear earplugs whenever I ride, it's unlikely I would have bothered if I'd stuck to the far quieter Shoei. At least now I'll be able to hear my grand kids in my dotage!
I'm not convinced by the 'eye brow' vents either, they don't seal very well so are a source of cold air during winter rides, and I've yet to need them during a summer ride. However, I know of people who swear by them, perhaps they come into their own in hotter climates?
But the most INFURIATINGLY FRUSTRATING thing about this helmet and all Arais, is the visor locating system. Other manufacturers make their visors clip in easily to the outside of the helmet so you can see clearly what you are doing. Arai have this bizarre lock and lever system which is all hidden behind the side pods which is at best fiddly and usually sounds like something has broken as you remove or replace the visor. I can't imagine a swift visor change by the pit crew during the Isle of Mann TT for example as it just takes too long.
Sadly it's these negatives that would probably dissuade me from buying another Arai. Which is a shame, because it is such a comfortable helmet in every other respect, and clearly very well built. If fit and comfort are your only concern but don't mind wearing ear-plugs then you can't go far wrong with an Arai helmet.
