Motorcycle Gear & Information

In memory of their son Wyatt, John Barto and family are raising money to equip every Motocross racer with a custom-fit Arai helmet, the best money can buy.  They believe that if Wyatt had been wearing such a helmet two years ago, he would’ve survived the accident that took his life.  The Bartos have started the “Foundation 529″ charity, which has to date given away over 40 helmets and 10 neck braces.  And this charity targets young kids who don’t have the means to purchase appropriate riding gear.

The Bartos know the value of a good helmet.  Please don’t let your kids ride in a hand-me-down helmet or the cheapest one you can buy.  Start them off, day one, with a helmet that will protect their head in case of a crash.  The reality of Motocross is that crashes do happen, accidents do occur.  Even if you don’t obtain a free one from Foundation 529, invest in a helmet that will leave you with no regrets.

The 2011 full-face Vector 2 from Arai Helmets boasts great improvements over the Vector.  Arai has adopted the larger, wider peripheral vision from the Corsair V, and they have improved the ventilation in the helmet by redesigning the helmet vents.  Arai continually searches for safety improvements, as well as rider comfort.  Another add-on is the now-fully-removable liner.  This liner is washable, which keeps the helmet fresh season after season.  To improve the fit, Arai has incorporated peel-away layers on the cheek and temple pads so every rider can adjust the helmet to their head and face with no additional purchases.  The Vector 2 – Arai’s entry-level helmet – is now better than ever!

If your helmet has saved your life, you probably have the Snell Memorial Foundation to thank. SMF is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1957 that sets a high quality standard of safety for helmets. The foundation is named after William “Pete” Snell, a popular sports car racer, who died in a racing accident when his helmet failed. Snell’s death inspired his friends, scientists, and physicians to form SMF to promote research and education, as well as testing and development standards for helmets.

Snell has standards for bicycle helmets, equestrian helmets, harness racing helmets, and motorcycle helmets, to name a few. The safety standards set by Snell are more stringent than those set by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the American National Standards Institute. SMF updates its standards every five years and conducts rigorous tests before giving Snell Certification. Helmets given Snell Certification are viewed as the best for safety, such as Arai helmets. All Arai helmets sold in the U.S. meet or exceed the safety standards set by SMF.

Where has this year gone!?!  If you’re like me, it’s gone by way too fast, and your shopping isn’t nearly finished!  And time is running out!  How about an Arai helmet for your child or your spouse who rides or races?  The newest models will be out shortly after the first of the year – this is the time to get year-end bargains.

Motorcycle helmet manufacturer Arai is unveiling three new helmets later this month! Shown here is the new Chaser-V helmet.

Also coming out is the new Arai X-Tend and the X-Tend RAM.  These new helmets will have the same great engineering we have come to expect from Arai.  The Chaser-V is said to be an evolution of a popular Arai helmet which currently uses a SuperFibre Laminate shell, and the Chaser-V will have a wider aperture.

As Arai helmets progress, the R&D engineers are always looking to improve interior comfort with better ventilation.  The new helmets will boast a larger rear vent which is said to create half-again as much vacuum.  Interior comfort also means designing a helmet that prevents pressure points, but to experience it, you’re going to have to try one on! Arai motorcycle helmets meet or exceed Snell and D.O.T. requirements for safety, so you can be sure you are investing in a quality product when you buy an Arai!

Do professional racers win because they wear an Arai helmet?  Are Arai helmets the reason behind the success of the AMA’s top racers?  Not entirely, but they are the helmet of choice for the AMA’s top racers.   This year the champions in  superbike, sportbike, super sport and the XR-1200 all donned Arai Helmets.  In fact, Arai was well represented in every style of race, and it’s because of Arai’s safety record, their engineering, their affordability, and last, but not least, the look of Arai.  If Arai helmets are good enough for the pros, they’re good enough for you and for your kids whether you are racing or riding for pleasure.

Japanese-made Arai helmets offer the highest quality, supreme comfort and a superb safety record, as evidenced by the JD Power & Associates Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study.  Arai helmets captured three of the top ten spots in this study,  including the number one helmet, and they are a favorite of riders in the UK as well as in the States.

Arai is so confident in their helmets, this summer they have debuted a “Ride Before You Buy” program in the UK.  And everyone from the curious to the serious rider have been able to take the helmets for a test ride, much as you test drive a car before buying it.

Arai’s Quantum helmet, available in solid colors or graphics,  is the best all-around helmet on the market for the price.  For off-road racing, Motocross, or street bikes, be sure to consider the Arai advantage!

For dirt bike, Motocross and off-road enthusiasts, Arai helmets offer the ultimate in rider protection.  Arai prides itself in making helmets that are functional, not just flashy and stylish.  From the design of the chinbar to the Emergency Release Cheek-Pad System, Arai puts their design and engineering efforts into safety, first and foremost.

Arai helmets rank above the other helmets in safety testing, with some experts stating that the VX-PRO3 is “the best helmet ever tested.”  And with Arai, you never sacrifice a great looking helmet for one that’s safe.  Arai has a complete line of solid colors, as well as graphic designs.  Riders who choose Arai helmets make a wise investment from a safety standpoint, and look good while riding!