Maybe it is my millennial generation, but I have always admired the Arai helmet because of the history of this private company and the cover is handmade in Japan. Use the words "heritage" and/or "handmade" and you will get the attention of our generation. The problem is that with Arai, they don't need to rely on fashionable marketing to attract interested people. As they said, the evidence is in the pudding, and Arai has been providing thick pudding since the 1950s. From MotoGP to Dakar, and even in less fun four-wheel sports like F1, the best racer in the world can find the Arai cover (my kid, my kid) on the heads of the best racers in the world.

Arai XD4 replaced its predecessor (XD3) as early as 2012, and has remained basically unchanged since then. When XD4 was launched, Arai claimed to have a better ventilation system, including minor changes to the diffuser of the entire helmet, and a new protective cover with brow-shaped vents to provide better ram air cooling. The XD4’s internal padding allows for additional adjustments, allowing users to reduce the thickness of the foam on the cheek pads and the sides of the crown by 5 mm. In unfortunate cases, it also includes an emergency quick release tag for extracting the cheek pads.

In addition, the shape of the helmet shell has also changed slightly, and now offers five shell sizes (XS, SM, MD-LG (same shell), XL and XXL) to ensure that it becomes the smallest and lightest helmet. 

In 2018, we were told that the peak received a slight aerodynamic change, the internal fabric was upgraded to match the Corsair fabric, and an anti-fog coating shield with some color options was provided. 

At first glance, the first thing you notice is the quality of the finishes and/or graphics. The Vision graphic of my helmet has a matte finish, with a trace of metal spots on the whole. The graphics are very layered. Considering the other two Arai helmets I own, I will use the word perfect. Looking directly at the front of my XD4, there will be asymmetric graphics (I didn’t notice until the helmet was worn on my helmet). Up to this point) my desk at the time of writing this review).

Take the XD4 off the shelf-depending on whether you have looked at other helmets on the market-next you may notice the weight of the XD4. In terms of weight, the Arai is right in the middle of the three adventure helmets I have used recently, weighing 3 pounds and 9.9 ounces (1641 grams). The other helmets Klim Krios and Shoei Hornet X2 weigh 2 pounds, 15.7 ounces (1352 grams) and 3 pounds, 15 ounces (1786 grams), respectively. Considering all helmets, including road, off-road and mid-range helmets, the XD4 is not the lightest helmet to date, but it is not the heaviest. 

Arai uses its R75 shell shape to achieve its saccade characteristics, as well as different density EPS linings inside to properly absorb shocks. Even the comfort lining itself uses foam of multiple densities to ensure the safest and most comfortable fit.

The Arai helmet sold in North America meets DOT and Snell M2020 testing. Obtaining Snell certification requires penetration testing—in every case I know of—increasing the weight (usually rigidity) of the helmet. The XD4 shell is made of hand-laid carbon fiber and glass fiber layers and Arai's proprietary resin mixture, but helmets sold in the United States will be heavier than helmets on other markets. 

After an unfortunate accident, you can pull the orange emergency quick release sheet to easily remove the cheek pad. You can also pull down the small chin curtain to restrict the airflow under the helmet.

Wearing a helmet, you will remember why everyone is talking about the comfort of the Arai helmet. They tend to have soft and comfortable inner linings that can adapt well to slight changes in head shape, making them comfortable for a wide range of melons, although XD4 is considered suitable for medium oval head shapes. Like other modern Arai helmets, the XD4 has cheek and crown pads that can remove a 5mm thick layer of foam for a custom fit. 

Installing the Cardo Packtalk Bold Bluetooth communicator did not change the suitability at all. The incision on the cheek pad facilitates installation and comfortable installation of the communication device.

XD4 is indeed a comfortable all-day helmet, easy to put on and take off. You will notice that another feature of the Arai XD4 (as most ADV helmets are) is the huge eyelets. I believe this is one of the reasons why adventure helmets have become so popular in everyday use. The peripheral vision of the adventure helmet is hard to match. Of course, this also allows users to wear goggles when the XD4 is off-road-the most comfortable when the sun visor is removed. 

City fighter pilot mode: Participate.

Think of the Arai XD4 as a multi-functional helmet, with three configurations that help it perform well in its intended use. First of all, you can wear it as it is, attach it to the top and put on the sun visor, so that you are ready for the commute to Starbucks as if you had conquered Tierra del Fuego. Second, you can remove the sun visor, reinstall the peak (the same plastic screw that connects the peak to connect the sun visor), and use goggles for off-road riding, such as MX. Third, you can remove the top and reinstall the sun visor to get an aerodynamic setting that is more suitable for street riding, while providing excellent peripheral visibility. Although this may be a strange or unusual configuration, I have noticed that many city riders use it. This makes sense and makes Arai's ADV cover more useful, which is very useful for a $740 helmet (visual graphics). 

The recent adventure helmets do a great job of aerodynamics and won't turn your head into a sail. Did you notice the spikes while riding? Yes. Is XD4 the most aerodynamic adventure helmet I have ever used? Do not. Having said that, from naked bikes to adventure travel machines, I have not regretted using helmets. 

Regardless of whether the peak is installed or not, the trim panels on each side provide a polished appearance.

The top of the XD4 does get windy, and depending on which motorcycle I am riding, I will find myself swaying from blowing wind under it to pushing up or over it and pushing it down. On adventure bikes, this is almost never a problem that bothers me. 

The rear diffuser vent of the Arai XD4 can be easily replaced by pressing the red label on the vent closing mechanism to the right. This allows the diffuser to eject from the vent, and then, once the new part is rearranged, pull the red tab back to its original position to lock it securely.

When the road runs out and the terrain becomes technical, I find that the XD4's robust ventilation system works very well. The three large chin vents can be opened and closed, and the center is adjustable inside and outside the helmet for fine adjustment. The air vent on the forehead sun visor can be opened to direct air directly to the forehead, and the top air vent can be easily opened and closed by a toggle switch on the top of the entrance. I did notice that when the top of the peak is pushed to the highest position, the top forward vent works best, because when it is lower, it seems to block them almost completely. The two large exhaust ports on the upper back of the helmet can be opened and closed in the same way. There are two lower exhaust ports near the bottom of the helmet, and there is a channel at the bottom of the neck scroll to guide airflow out of the helmet. 

Pay attention to the fog on the bottom of the sun visor.

Really, the sun visor itself is probably one of my biggest picks about any Arai helmet. In contrast, they all feel fragile, and the locking mechanism on helmets like Corsair X doesn't always seem to provide consistent ease of use. In other words, I actually only encountered one problem with the Arai shield, that is, when I tried to adjust it while riding the Ram-X, the shield fell from my hands. Although the sun visor is not as strong as the other adventure helmets in my stable, it works well and is easy to see through, but (and it's a bit big) I have used both the transparent sun visor and the colored sun visor. Arai now offers accessory sun visors with anti-fog treatment and Pinlock-ready versions (only transparent and Pinlock plug-ins sold separately), but starting at $610, I would like to see the sun visors and plug-ins prepared by Pinlock included in the package. 

When XD4 was launched in 2012, there were not many competitors. The adventure scene has just begun to heat up. Now, by 2021, adventure motorcycles are hotter than ever, and the competition to equip these adventure domes is almost as fierce. 

There are more than 15 helmet manufacturers selling ADV or "dual sports" covers in the United States. Although the last "major" update of the XD series occurred in 2012, Arai's XD4 is still the main competitor in the market-despite this being the most One of the expensive. Although there are two ways to look at it, it can be argued for the "If it's not broken, don't fix it" camp or those who want to make some innovations. Personally, I would like to see a lighter XD5 with a protective cover with Pinlock and plug-ins in the box. Another observation of the aerodynamic characteristics of the peaks may also be ordered. Competition has never forced Arai to take drastic measures, and the development of the XD series is an example of this Japanese company insisting on what it believes is the best way of doing things. Now, I will continue to wear my XD4, but I still hope that the next evolution of Arai is on the horizon of the rising sun.

Check the price of Arai XD4 here

What goggles are suitable for Arai XD4?

Anyone! At least any brand I have ever sat on includes 100% Racecraft, Klim Viper Pro and Fly Zone Pro. Goggles are best for removing the sun visor completely, although they can be worn without removing the sun visor, but keep in mind that the seal around the rider's face is not good for dust protection. 

What Bluetooth communicator is Arai XD4 suitable for?

Any one of them, again! Any modern communicator like Cardo Packtalk Bold or Sena device should be very suitable for Arai XD4. The medium-sized helmet I wear fits well. After installing Packtalk Bold, I cannot tell the difference in fit or comfort. 

What is an adventure motorcycle helmet?

The adventure helmet combines the world of street and off-road functions. ADV helmets like Arai XD4 are designed to be tightly sealed to resist wind and rain when traveling, while providing the ability to open and ventilate like off-road covers to deal with more dangerous terrain. Like adventure bikes, adventure helmets are designed for ultimate versatility. 

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