Modular, helmet airbag, sun visor: what to prepare on Arai

Arai has several projects in stock. However, the most honest Japanese helmet makers are not going to abandon their core principles. We were able to take stock with the brand leaders on what should be happening within the range.

Arai has unveiled its new full-size Vintage model for 2019, the Profile-V. In addition to the presentation of the product, we were also able to take stock of the future projects of the manufacturer. About what should happen in the medium term or not! In addition, the managers reminded us of the brand's commitment to staying true to some of its core principles.

Let's cite, for example, the rounded (egg-shaped) shell, which Arai says provides maximum safety by limiting adhesion (adhesion) to the bitumen in the event of an accident. Arai believes in the rebound effect and the fact that the shell absorbs, dissipates some of the impact and limits friction, hence the rounded shell shape, called R75, relative to the angle formed by the shell. Our questions were answered by Leticia Dogon (Arai Europe) and Akihito Arai (Arai Helmet Limited, Japan), who are present on the site.

Watch the presentation of the new Arai Profile-V

Arai: 100% Made in Japan by a Family Business

Arai is 70 years old. This is a family business, and it remains so to this day. Its economic model is simple: the production and sale of helmets without the participation of shareholders returns the managers to us. All Arai helmets are made in Japan. Arai has several sites for the production of helmets: whether it is a shell, a polystyrene shell, etc. The manufacture of a shell can take up to 27 stages. The Arai helmet can take up to 18 hours of work until it is packed.

It sits at the top of the production of helmets, which are still mostly handcrafted. And this is especially true for high quality fiberglass and composite fiber helmets that require drying time. The manufacturing process for Arai helmets partly explains the high price tag because they are quite expensive to manufacture.

Arai and polycarbonate?

According to the manufacturer, this is not expected. Arai manufactures fiberglass helmets for quality and durability reasons only. Manufacturing more affordable polycarbonate helmets would be an unwelcome strategic turn for the company and require performance that is currently not possible.

Arai and security?

Arai executives insist that their helmets are the best in every aspect of safety. Arai requires much more stringent testing than those required by the various standards (ECE-22/05 or Dot etc.) to ensure maximum safety for its customers. Arai wants this speech to get the credit it deserves, even if it doesn't always seem to be understood. Despite this speech, it should be noted that Arai still offers jet helmets, inevitably less protective, but in the words of Akihito Arai: “ jet helmets are popular, widely used in the city, they are some of the main helmets to meet customer demand, but Arai offers a shell that provides good side protection on the SZ, even if shield stability is required; In Japan we are obliged to offer this helmet, which is in high demand.“. In Europe, the Arai visored jet helmet also achieved strong sales.

Arai: One helmet that meets all the standards?

 This is not entirely impossible, according to Akihito Arai, but from an industrial point of view, it is indeed difficult to achieve, although it would be interested in simplifying large-scale production. Asian (Japanese), European or North American standards are different and cannot be reconciled during production. For Arai, this is not that important because the Japanese manufacturer also adjusts the shape and size of their cases according to markets and morphology.

Does Arai not have a built-in sun visor?

 And there are no plans to fit it into a helmet anytime soon. According to Arai, this compromises the integrity and strength of the hull, and hence safety. The Japanese manufacturer prefers to rely on its Pro Shade external sun protection system.

Arai and the modular helmet:

This is a segment of the helmet market that is experiencing strong growth. There will be no Arai modular helmet in 2019 ... But the manufacturer is seriously considering it. It will be under consideration. But the manufacturer wants "his" future modular helmet, if produced, to be as reliable as an integral capable of racing - in the closed position, of course! -. This shows the ambition of the Arai brand in terms of modularity.

Arai and a helmet airbag?

Arai recognizes that airbag protection is a key solution to protect future drivers. However, according to Arai, the airbag should not be built into the helmet. This would make it considerably heavier and the airbag's volume would be too large.

Also, according to Arai, a complete blockage of the head (and therefore of the vertebrae) after an airbag is deployed is not recommended. In the event of an accident, it is desirable that the neck retains some flexibility. However, an airbag (in the form of a jacket, jacket, built-in or external) makes it easier for the vertebrae to work, but without removing the helmet from the bottom, it can provide valuable assistance.

Arai and fake:

Arai strongly regrets the counterfeiting. This damages the brand and Arai regrets that users think they are buying Arai's helmet for $ 100? on sale, which will not protect them at all like real Arai helmets. Also, do you realize that Arai helmets are displayed at 100? for SZ Ram or 150? After all, Chaser X on some marketplaces has nothing to do with Japanese helmets, except for the similarity, sometimes striking, it must be admitted.