IS THE NEW XD5 ANY GOOD? We are getting early reports of the whistling noise still for some riders. 😒 LONG TERM NOTES! After a year I must admit I'm not so impressed now. It is quieter than my old Suomy ADV helmet, but I think it should be quieter given the cost and weight of the helmet. Over time the 1.6kg weight has become an issue too. There are now much lighter premium ADV helmets like the Klim Krios Por at less than 900g (seriously thinking that might be my next helmet). Given the XD4 design has not changed for so many years, I think it should be priced at least 35% cheaper and it would be good value. But not at it's current price. WIND NOISE? Some riders report a whistling or humming sound. Others don't. It depends on the tilt of your head. It is a bad design flaw for those who hold their head at a particular angle. But it sems to go away when you put the visor down, or slightly move your head. A humming sound? Robinator202 had this comment: "Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration." Some riders report wind noise drops if you fit a 'chin curtain'. Just google 'araia xd4 chin curtain'. The Shoei one fits and it cheaper: "Shoei 0212-3705-00 - Type D Chin Curtain". And finally, turbulence caused by a windscreen around the lower helmet can be a problem. Try hunching your shoulders against the helmet and see if the wind noise drops dramatically. If so, it's probably turbulence caused by your windscreen... or even possibly your mirrors. FITMENT? Always check fitment before buying! The padding in this helmet allows for some adjustment, but the XD4 typically suits a 'round' head shape better than an 'oval' head shape. The Shoei Hornet is better for oval heads apparently. PINLOCK ISSUES? Some owners say the pinlock system isn't very good at sealing. Can't comment, ours doesn't have pinlock. VISUAL DISTORTION? A small number of riders say the visor causes visual distortion, most don't. Check in the store before you buy as it's a dealer breaker for some. Others say it's barely noticeable. Many not at all. Weird. SHORT CHIN STRAP? The occasional short chin strap issue? If this happens, take it back to the store. Arai boast about their multiple quality control checks at the factory, this strap should never be too short! TOO EXPENSIVE? Look out for barely used cheap ones! I just bought mine for 70% less than the new price. Two years old but barely used. A friend just bought one at half price that was only a few weeks old. The owner realised too late he'd bought the wrong size. ---------------------------------------------- Subscribe for weekly adventure & dual sport vids! English not your first language? Many subtitles... Safety & protective gear vids bit.ly/3BmKeGE Our dual sport & adv ride vids bit.ly/3HTdvvl Bike & product reviews bit.ly/3BrnVjq The more bizzare side! bit.ly/34ZschR The more philosophical side bit.ly/3v9nKYX Riding across Vietnam bit.ly/3pej9Rt DR650 project vids bit.ly/3gQEStP Check out our other channels too... Cross Training Enduro bit.ly/3Jncax4 Cross Training Trials bit.ly/3uUjwEm
The Arai and Shoei are both 'intermediate oval' shape from the manufacturer and fit me the same. Maybe I'm just weird! The Shoei vs Arai head if largely a thing of he past unless you buy one of their specific head shape helmets
I've had my XD4 since 2018. Bought it based on several reviews including Ryan F9's best helmets for riders who have to wear glasses. It seemed like a heck of a lot money but now I think it was a great investment.
The Korean made HJCs are outstanding for their budget price point, btw. Not quite up to the Shoei and Arai, but 90% there for a fourth the cost. (I have not specifically tried their adventure model.) Also wind tunnel tested at their R&D facility. ...and my brother has crash tested a couple of them over the years with thankfully a hundred percent success. My wife and kids have used them for many years and they've gotten better and better. Just another option.
I wanted to buy the Klim Krios Pro because all the reviews were so great. The darn things were on backorder for almost a year. I had also looked at the Arai XD 4 but I kept remembering all the comments about the light weight of the Klim. In December my BMW dealer had both helmets in stock and in my size. I grabbed the Klim and boy was I disappointed. Yes it was light but boy did it feel CHEAP! I put the XD4 on next and yes it was a little heavier but felt great on my noggin. I've been wearing this for about 6 months and zero complaints and would definitely buy again. I had been using an older Arai VX Pro for my adventure rides and the goggles on my face was just just to hot. I run the XD4 with the faceshield and a pair of riding glasses. The faceshield is always cracked opened and sometimes completely open. Great helmet but I do suggest trying on any helmet you're going to buy. The Arai's have always fit my mellon great.
@@crosstrainingadventure I tried on an Arai street helmet today, I was surprised to learn I was a small (7 1/4"). Squeezing my head in and out of the helmet was tighter than most I have tried. There is no local stock of the XD4's or the Hornet with graphics. The helmet I tried had the thickest padding on the top which I wish I could of switched out or tried a Medium. My dealer pointed me toward a Large Shoei. I think I will like it better, it has the shield replacement/operation as my old ICON helmet.
I’ve had my XD4 since 2016 and due for change. Great helmet with several little features and has served me well. No complaints at all! The only thing I don’t like is the effectiveness of the pin-lock. The visor still fogs up a bit on cold days. Considering to replace this with a carbon Hornet or Touratech.
Arai XD4 for 2 years now. impossible to replace if you wear glasses, because it's (near) perfect. Ive traveled in many different situations and I had no issues whatsoever. About the price I´m a true believer on the thesis that you should always spend has much money as you reasonably can afford on helmets, the price of a new brain is.......
4 years with mine. It whistled for a bit, until I moved the Sena further forward (heh). Now it's fine for around town. Longer rides at speed, and it's ear plugs for me. Sunglasses work great, but one pair with thick side stems made the back of my head hurt. I don't wear that kind anymore. You forgot the mashable peak... one of the XD4's best features is the tooless friction adjustment that lets the peak be easily moved up or down, for low sun riding (down) or watching the traffic light (up). Also, the cheek pads are in peelable layers, so you can fine tune to your own jowls. Excellent vid as always. Thanks.
I'm still waiting for an honest wet weather review. Lots of helmets suffer, especially without pinlock. Does it properly defog the shield? Is fog a problem? Some reviews claim the shield doesn't clear water well.
I have the XD-4. It has a known problem where the visor optics distort. It’s worst on the periphery and when looking down. I highly recommend people try one on before buying it. For some it’s a deal breaker, for others it’s barely noticeable. I have installed a Pactalk Bold without any issues. The XD-4 also has an extension on the bottom of the chin section which extends towards your neck. This can reduce airflow into the face area which is nice for cold climates.
I use a Bell MX 9 adventure MIPS. My ultimate helmet is a Hi-Viz Arai XD-4 but I can't afford it yet. Will get there eventually. Keep churning out your high quality content.
I bought an Arai XD-4 the begining of this season, was previsouly using a Bell MX-9 for 3 years. After 3 months here is my feedback: I found the Arai to be just as loud as the Bell, perhaps it's head shape/padding related. The Arai has cut-outs in the padding to accomodate glasses. I love this for wearing sunglasses but feel it may contribute to some of the wind noise. Also, the Arai has cut-outs/space around the ears for speakers. Makes wearing ear plugs more comfortable and would be great if I had a communication system, but again, may contribute to wind noise. Ventilation is almost too good. My head gets cold sometimes on cool Canadian mornings, even with all the vents closed. I'm bald so my head gets cold easy. I also find the visor fogs very easy. Fogs much easier then the Bell. Only an issue in the cold/rain. It's super comofortable. Peak is easy to adjust (no tools needed) and I can confirm it fits %100 goggles even with the shield. You can even close the shield with the goggles on.
This is my 2nd season with the Arai XD4 and I'm very happy with it. I heard the whistle on occasion from my helmet but never been a real issue for me. I added a Cardo system with upgraded speakers and made the helmet noticeably heavier, but I got used to it. I would recommend this helmet if you have the $$$
Just saw an interesting comment by Robinator202 about wind noise... "Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration."
I'm on my third Arai , last two have been XD4. Newest is the Drudi Performance. For hard core off-roading where I know I am going to crash hard occasionally this is my choice. On my big adventure bikes I have been going back and forth between the Schuberth and the Touratech Aventuro Carbon2. They are both great modular helmets, once you go carbon fiber though, you will never go back to fiberglass. I would love to see Arai offer a carbon fiber option, it would be a big seller.
My progression was from HJC to Shoei for long distance riding and contemplated Schuberth. Inexpensive helmet for off-highway. There are some interesting qualities for different climates from "other" manufacturers.
XD4 Been using it for 30,000 km. Highway, off-road, summer, winter. The most comfortable helmet I have worn in 40 years of motorcycling. Persevere with pinlock, they do fit if you take your time. And if you don’t wear hearing protection on the highway no matter what helmet you wear you’re just asking for tinnitus.
Agreed, ear plugs for any extended highway riding. I'm not sure about the Schuberth but I suspect you'd still use ear plugs even with that famously quiet helmet on the highway.
@@crosstrainingadventure I didn’t know you had multiple channels. I come here from your enduro focused channel, which I learned a lot from. I am happy to see I can learn from your experience on my ADV journey as well. I have a Husaberg that has been nothing but trouble for me (reliability/parts availability) and am jumping on the GSA train where I can finally get out there and enjoy riding again.
@@crosstrainingadventure 2014 FE350. I think I just got one of the only OEM D.I.D. replacement front wheels in the world for it last month from the EU.
I’ve just had a 100kmh crash after hitting a roo wearing a Arai XD4. Chin smashed into tar road first contact with ground and performed perfectly. Badly scratched but intact. Very happy and have purchased another one. Between the Arai XD4 and my Klim badlands riding gear I basically got up and walked away. Destroyed riding gear so all has been replaced. I’m lucky to have many bikes but the best machine I own is my body and I buy the best gear available to protect it and this crash just proved to me that my decision was a good one.
I'm surprised to learn that many of the top brands are made in China. I only seem to get 4-5 years out of a helmet before the foam falls apart, so I've had many. Love my xd4. Comfy, quiet and well ventilated, chin strap could be a bit longer but no complaints. Pricy, yes, but how much is your head worth?
You seem to have a relationship with the team over at FFRC. Can you shed any light on their current business situation? I went looking to purchase their suspension products only to find their website is down, Facebook says they're not trading anymore, etc.
Not really sure. There was a new owner laast year, I think. Apparently he was completely new to suspension tuning so we weren't going to go there until we heard quite a bit of positive feedback (and he'd learned the ropes). Haven't heard anything at this stage, I don't even know if he's operating or not.
I've got an Aria XD4. I love it but I will say I do experience wind "whistle" at highway speeds. I will have to try and apply tape like you mentioned to see if I can remedy it. All around I love my Aria, also because of my more "Round" head shape. The removable liners to get the fitment perfect is also something I benefited from. Keep up the solid, straight shooting videos.
Just wondering if you have a windscreen... it's strange how most riders don't get humming or whistling but some do. Some think it might be the helmet just doesn't work with certain windflow created by certain height of windscreen?
@@crosstrainingadventure I have made my own windscreen with the "DRZ Trash Can" mod. I have noticed the helmet whistles with either the windscreen or not. Perhaps it has something to do with the handmade nature of the helmets? Each shell is slightly different so some shells whistle while others do not. I'm not sure, just thinking out loud.
Just saw an interesting comment by Robinator202 about wind noise... "Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration."
I cannot comment on Adventure helmet.... since I am not into this sort of riding YET! :) BUT! once again, similarly as your video with the Boots (Gaerne hands down) I also use Arai. I support quality, R&D and properly paid workers. I will never support (Chinese,...) child labour with my hard earned money. Ok back to my Arai experience. I have had sickening road accident in 2019. I was wearing Arai Signet-Q for the time of the crash. It is/was the only helmet that fits my long oval head properly. First impact was directly into the asphalt with the head with speed of approx. 100kmh, I got ragdolled on the road for approx 30m and then thrown into the woods, where I had to had 2nd impact into the tree. There were pieces of tree bark penetrated/stuck into the helmet, from here the assumption. I was on sick leave for 7months. The crash itself was so violent I cannot even express myself. I fully recovered and started to ride again recently. I bought barnd spanking new Arai Quantum ST which is European version of the Signet-Q and it fits my melon like a glove. My brand of choice, and it will always be. Arai. No affiliates whatsoever. Have fun and take care of yourselves out there good people. Cheers from burning Europe!
Scorpion exo 950AT. Just replaced my first with a new one after 5 years. Replaced due to the helmet starting to come apart. Pads wouldn't stay in. Trim piece around the base of the helmet flopping in the wind. But at the price point I've been satisfied with it's performance. And I have no complaints with the comfort. I wanted an arai. But no pinlock was a deal breaker. I fog up up visors too quickly with my mouth breathing. 😂
Not just for adv riding... I have the XD4 and spent 40k miles riding in it, summer and winter. Excellent helmet for city commute and I also use it at the track pretty frequently on different bikes. Behaves extremely well at high speeds. Super comfortable, super wide FOV, ventilation is a dream. Downsides: the face shield is expensive and scratches easily, I had to cut the pinlock insert for installation and the large front vent cannot be fully closed (I have to tape it shut in the winter months)... Sound cheesy, but thanks to the XD4 I will refuse to buy any other brand than Arai.
pretty sure an XD4 will be my next helmet. rode with a mX9 adventure for a long time and really liked it. took a big hit to the side on a rock on an off and barely scratched it. Changed to another bell helmet for road use it its the loudest helmet i've every worn, so I think I might be done with bell now. one thing I know, is that i'll never ride a helmet without a pinlock shield on it again. goddamn they are amazing at keeping it fog free on cold days.
I've had mine for 5 years and it really needs new liners to tighten up the fit. That's normal for any helmet but no complaints. I use it for road touring and off road and have done 80.000 km in that time frame. Would I buy another, yes.
I'm quite happy with my Airoh Commander. Has all the bells and whistles, M weighs in at 1360g, goggles fit easily with visor attached and is fairly quiet. Venting is OK but slow, technical riding above 25c is no fun. Chin vent slider has started to rattle and have heard others complain of rattling from the integrated sun visor (which I don't have...). In cooler temps it's brilliant! Pinlock visor, removable chin curtain and visor seals nicely. Had mine for 2 years now and would definitely buy again, especially since it can be had for half of what the Arai costs here in EU.
I wouldn't consider a msrp of 370€ cheap, it's just that you can get a good price around 250-290€ here in EU. General build quality is on par with my Aviator. Have contacted Airoh about country of manufacture...
Bauked at the Arai and bought a Nishua Enduro carbon for half the price, very light but lots of noise the visor mechanism I didnt like. Before a long trip a couple of years ago bought the Arai and love it, is super comfortable for long trips, great ventilation and you can just crack the visor which is how I like to ride. You do get what you pay for in this case.
I agree, Rob. Here and there you can find cheaper helmets that work well but nowadays I am less interested in taking the gamble and just aiming to get the good gear from now on. Life is short!
Getting back into riding after a *long* hiatus, this was my first helmet in quite awhile. Scored an XD4 based on a lot of reviews/comparo reports. While the XD4 wasn't a #1 choice in most comparos, it was consistently in the running. What attracted me to the Arai was the ventilation, which was always a plus point in every review. Living in the Southeast USA, summers are long and hot and humid; the XD4's copious ventilation is like having air conditioning. I do experience the "whistling" sound; scrunching down in the saddle just a bit makes it go away. I think it might be due to the airflow coming up over the short windscreen on the DR's front fairing; I'm going to try raising the windscreen just a bit. As far as noise levels, I have nothing to compare it to, so I used the reviews and comparos; regardless, I always wear earplugs. The other big attraction of the XD4 is it fits my head and is very comfortable. The build quality of the helmet is outstanding; mine ran about USD $700. The helmet I bought (2021) was DOT and Snell certified. My only gripe was the fact the XD4 comes with only a clear face shield. I would highly recommend getting the light grey tinted face shield as it will cut down on glare but not be so dark it compromises late afternoon, early evening rides. My helmet doesn't have pin lock. The visor lock is very good; no leaks. You do have to give a good push to get it to snap shut but you'll hear and feel it fully lock.
Thanks for the feedback, Mike. Yes I suspect noises are probably due to windscreens directing airflow in a way that just doesn't work with the XD4... possibly all those air vents become an issue? I put a windscreen on my DR650 and the wrong height caused way too much wind noise.
@@crosstrainingadventure The guy a bought my DR650 from was about my height and, for the most part, the windscreen works well. The amount I have to duck my head to stop the helmet whistle is quite small so the plan is to move the windscreen up maybe 1/2in/1cm or so. Shutting off the helmet top vents doesn't have an effect on the whistle so I'm assuming it's the visor ...
Just saw an interesting comment by Robinator202 about wind noise... "Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration."
@@crosstrainingadventure Found those little "pins" Robinator202 mentioned. Looks like they can be easily cut to remove them. I don't think the pins are anything "structural" in holding up the opening of the air inlet. Will see what happens ...
I am sporting a Rocc 771 for now 4years. It was 200AUD /150€ new, ECE rated, has good ventilation, tinted flip down visor, Large opening for MX googles... It ticked, well still ticks all my boxes.
I currently have a Shoei Hornet that is way outdated. I have been wanting to replace it, possibly with an Arai, though I wouldn't rule out another Shoei. I have never owned an Arai helmet but every one that I have tried on seemed to fit me really well.
@@crosstrainingadventure Are you aware AGV has helmets made in china? It is not where it is made but what quality standards they use. Edit: sorry didn't think of the geopolical bias aspect.
I had the buzzing/whistling on mine. Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration. I got the optional side plates for mine so i can ride without the peak for longer rides or when i ride my dedicated road bike. Saved buying a second helmet.
I managed to get Arai tour-cross 3(technically is xd-4 for local market) from Japanese online shop for 700nzd , using a forwarding company. It depends what shape of the head you are...
Fit is key, my 3rd Arai, now the XD4 hugs my bean. Love it, but it is loud on my scoot, all bikes will change the air flow differently. Mirriors, fairings, wind screens, all will effect air noise. I'm stoked that these are built in JApan. Only 3-4 helmet MFG out of China. ARAI is my choice.
I'm moving back to Aus and after 12 years of various adventure bikes, your videos have made we want to go back to basics and skill up off road from the ground up. What's a cheap dirt bike I can get in Aus to upskill on? Ideally road legal and fuel injection? Any ideas?
There are so many variables we can never make personal bike recommendations, Reubs. But we have a few general suggestions on choosing a bike on our enduro channel.
Bell MX-9 Adventure with MIPS. Complaints would be lack of channel for glasses and shape of shield does not allow it to be cracked open without distorting view too much.
I tried the Arai XD4 in my hunt for a quieter Adv helmet to replace my ageing Klim Krios. The quality is top notch, thing is like a work of art. Also ridiculously comfortable interior, like putting your head inside a pillow. However, I found it to be rather loud and buffety at highway speeds. It would also fog up almost immediately at lower speeds in cooler weather, despite all the venting. This is the DOT/Snell US model, which might be different from the ECE one. I ended up selling the Arai and keeping the quieter, lighter, and better vented Krios. The Klim definitely feels much cheaper, but it’s honestly served me well and hasn’t had any issues over 5 years and tens of thousands of miles of adv riding. The biggest disappointment with Japanese helmets to me is their refusal to innovate. Moto helmet technology has come so far over the last decade, but they’re sticking to tradition. In 2022, for $600+ I’d really like to see MIPS at minimum.
It's really interesting how it's quiet for some riders and noisy for others, Dmitriy. I've got some notes about this in the pinned first comment. Competely agree, the Japanese just don't seem to innovate anymore and there should be an XD5 at this price!
@@crosstrainingadventure My experience with my XD4 is that it didn't make any specific noise (no whistling or humming), and is much quieter than any dirt helmet, but is generally loud compared to the Krios. Even tucked in behind a windscreen I could hear a lot more tire and engine noise. The peak would also catch substantially more air, which is annoying on longer highway stretches. That said, the original Krios, as long as you get one that doesn't have quality issues, is a very quiet helmet. I haven't tried the Pro version yet, but unless someone comes out with a highway friendly MIPS equipped Adv lid, the Krios Pro is probably my next purchase.
Gotcha. When I bought my last adv helmet I did research the Krios and there were heaps of complaints at least in the early days. We got a pile of Klim gear recently for upcoming overseas trips and I think he would have done a good price on the Krios but I've gone off buying Chinese made gear. And it did feel cheap and flimsy... not sure if it actually is. Currently waiting for an XD4 or Shoei Hornet to come up on special.
One of the most important comfort features that I appreciate is a thin opening, first notch for the visor that stays there. How is the Arai on this issue? Thank you, S
I don't own this helmet so I'm not sure. But a few riders have said the visor can cause visual distortion when lifted a bit. I'd suggest checking in the store.
Had mine nearly 8 months. Got it second hand from a supplier that actually tests the helmets they sell for 6 months at a time. Couldn't knock back a $100 Arai when we sell them in the shop for $850.
I love mine, there is a high pitch humming sound if i look up and to the right, just a resonance thing. The visor is not long but good to keep the sun off your brow in summer during the middle hours of the day
Just wondering if you have a windscreen... it's strange how most riders don't get humming or whistling but some do. Some think it might be the helmet just doesn't work with certain windflow created by certain height of windscreen.
@@crosstrainingadventure i ride a T7 so a small windscreen, it might be that when i move my head that way the visor finds some turbulent air caused by the windscreen. I don't get it on the other side though , you'd think the air flow around the windscreen would be symetrical
I have an XD4 and I get what I describe as a 'thrumming' sound from the visor which is really annoying. I put a windshield extender on my KTM1290R and the issue was gone when behind the wind protected area. Otherwise no complaints, bought in Oz for A$850
It's strange how a few riders have this happen. We put this tip in the pinned first comment... Whistling or humming sound? A minority report this. Here is the possible solution. Robinator202 had this comment: "Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration."
@@crosstrainingadventure Thanks, it also goes away if you just hold the visor at the front with forefinger and thumb. I figured it was a lack of rigidity, I will check that pin out. Cheers
wanted all the fancy stuff of the Klim, but it hurt like a mother. Tried the XD-4 on, and oh so comfy. Hate the D-clasp thing, want to just loosen it, not undo it. Paid the guys at Arai to add a slightly longer strap. Can't remember the cost, not too bad, mostly shipping. I don't think it's heavy, until you put a krios on.
Wow. They wouldn't fit a longer strap free of charge, Steve? For what we pay you'd think they would jump to get the strap length right. When I buy one I'll definitely look out for this.
@@crosstrainingadventure I guess most people get over the short strap. I’ve never undone the strap on my Bell dirt bike helmet. So, just try to loosen it to slip off. Had to send to Arai US headquarters to have it done. It’s not the D-loop strap, but the other one they put a longer one on. It’s cheap. Expect shipping.
I wish my XD4 was produced in a long oval format like the Arai Signet. They could call it the SD4. Until then I'll have to endure the red spot on my forehead.
Been running an XD4 for a couple years. I literally will not buy another model of helmet unless the distributor gives me a loaner helmet of another model to test ride for at least a week, seriously the xd4 ticks all of the boxes but I am in a hotter climate so maybe that's why.
I picked up an XD-4 from a local shop for about $500 USD about a year and half ago as my first helmet after trying on a buddies. It's been great on and off road where I live (30-95F). The only issue I've had with mine is that after about 6 months of daily riding I noticed more pronounced wind noise from it. Have yet to find the source of the noise or fix it aside from wearing ear plugs.
I'd be keen to hear if you find the cause of the wind noise. The vast majority of owners seem to find them quiet, but there's a minority who report overall noise, humming, or whistling... the latter two seem to be from the peak usually.
@@crosstrainingadventure I get a little whistle in my Arai on my cb500x when the wind blows from the side, but I think its got alot to do with the air flow over the windshield, I do not get this noise with my 450 husky dual sport with no windshield.
Just saw an interesting comment by Robinator202 about wind noise... "Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration."
@@crosstrainingadventure Thanks for all the insight. I've had less whistle noise and more of a general wind noise similar to driving at speed with windows down partially. I haven't had extra time this week to tinker but don't think it's related to the peak. Riding around I'm able alter the amount of wind noise by tilting my head up/down with it cutting out as I look up. Adjusting the peak doesn't seem to affect the point where the noise cuts out. Will take it off to confirm. Also seems to cut out when standing (CRF250L) but doesn't seem to be affected by shifting where I'm sitting. Thinking I might need to refresh the pads.
Yep, great helmet and perfect for ADV and light trail riding. Quiet - can get away without earplugs except on really long highway runs. Takes speakers well, sunnies are no issue, ventilation is excellent and highly adjustable, super comfy. I use goggle when on the dirt - XD4 will take large goggles but strap outriggers (like on Oakley Airbrake) are an issue if you want to close the visor with them on. I found a NOS set of Fox Air Defence as they’re large with solid lenses. I can close the visor over these on faster sections between dirt loops.
could not afford the $850 price, but also could not afford to ride without supreme comfort, and safety. Love my XD4. Worth going into credit card debt for.
The helmet in this vid was bought on special about 18 months ago for AUD600, I'm hoping to get one on discount but the best price I can find so far is $760. The average price is $850.
I want a nice white XD4, but could only afford a HJC i30 open face. Open face is good for me, but i feel that I should improve the safety factor for the noggin’ 😁
Both myself and wifey have the xd4 and have been running them for around 2.5 years now , Great helmets but its not all sunshine ! The shape of the visor makes riding with it open annoying as the ballsack shape of the bottom of the visor hangs in the way , especially noticable with the tinted visor , 2nd issue is wifeys xd4 the visor wont shut smoothly and needs to be manhandled into place , initially i figured it was a mishapen visor but iv tried both the clear and tinted from mine and they do the same , will have to see how they handle the warranty lol
I have the Shoei Hornet 2, roomate has this XD4 helmet. Try going 80MPH which is the most common speed limit here in the United states, try looking straight up at that speed, then try it with tge Shoei Hornet 2, zero effect with the shoei, whiplash with the XD4. Yes its lighter, but the beak/vissor catches the wind. There is no comparison to how the wind effects it. I have tried both, no thanks ill keep my shoei over this any day of the week. Even if they offered this one to me for $300, nope, ill always keep my hornet again and again. On my 2nd one in about 10 years. Only cause i had a bad wreck and damaged my shoei enough to replace it. Just from my opinion and experience. My roomate regrets buying his after trying mine at 80mph.
Just wondering if you have a windscreen... it's strange how most riders don't get humming or whistling but some do. Some think it might be the helmet just doesn't work with certain windflow created by certain height of windscreen? Other riders say the XD4 works fine up to 90mph so I'm puzzled that a small but significant minority of owners find wind drag or weird noises.
Like in motorcycles, they stayed in past, that's why we see a lot of European and Chinese motorcycles emerging in the market, there are better options imo, Carbon fiber, and other features like internal sun visors, ready for intercoms etc. It's a nice Helmet but... Don't know if they will pass the new European regulations.
I guess this is like tyres- everyone has a different experience... I had an XD-4 and it was deafening above 60kmh. Needed neck muscles like Arnie's biceps to stop the wind drag. But I guess this also depends on the bike and windscreen; my experience was on a 790 AdvR. Hated the fact you couldnt remove the internal padding to clean the dust and sweat. Terrible pinlock system and couldnt create a seal. Ventilation was good though. Went a Shoei Hornet next and its so much quieter but, by comparison, ventilation isnt as good, is slightly heavier, and much thicker larger padding around the cheeks.
It is really interesting that personal experiences can vary so much. Yeah, it might be the windscreen setup on some bikes just doesn't suit perhaps? A few owners have said the pinlock isn't good.
I have poor vision and need multi focal lenses, Shure wish they offered a auto tint shield, swapping shields for day and night sucks on this helmet. I tried glasses with clip on sun lenses put did not jive with them.
i use mainly bmw flip ups, over last 30 years, love them. BUT i just bought the new system 7 and GS bmw helmets online from germany and they were both to small.(same size as i usually buy) cant get them here in NZ and i noticed they are now made in thailand. ummmm i have arai XD4 and arai motox, great helmets to.heavy but quality. but my go to is the bmw flip up.
Oh I must have had two bad XD4’s in a row, twice the top vents have failed and on this one the chin vent has failed, try getting access to that warranty in Australia you get passed around between MCAS and “Arai” aka owned by the same company.
Bummer. So MCAS is the Australian distributor as well? I thought it was Cassons, Alex. Check up on consumer law. I think the store is meant to handle it. If they won't, tell them you are making a complaint to consumer affairs etc.
@@crosstrainingadventure same group, sure they have different ABNs but in the group is the importer, distributor and retailer. Arai Helmets Australia is Cassons Pty Ltd Cassons Pty Ltd director Robert John Donovan MCAS is Motor Cycle Accessory Supermarket PTY LTD director Robert John Donovan
Bummer. Yes over the years I've heard complaints about lack of customer support from Cassons. I'd suggest trying ACCC. It just might prompt them into action. www.accc.gov.au/consumers/complaints-problems/make-a-consumer-complaint
My brother is using this XD4, it's my planned next helmet. Currently using a Suomy Tourer which isn't holding up too well. All the liners are starting to get quite ragged.
I owned Bell when I was young. They made them here in California next my city. Then to Shoei for quite a while now on my 2nd Arai. No China crap for me. Sorry KTM, if a model is made from or in China game over.
I get a whistle on my XD-4 at about 70kph , first time i heard it i thought it was a cop siren somewhere in the distance , lol its not an issue for me though
Just saw an interesting comment by Robinator202 about wind noise... "Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration."
I have 3 XD4's they are not quiet at all, Goggles only fit into the L/XL shells and then they are tight, replacement face shields are $$$ if you can find one, face shield open settings wear out quickly, , they chip and scratch very easy, the cheesy plastic vent covers fall off easy and break, are very cold in winter, they are very expensive. ..............The good is they are the coolest in hot weather, have great settings on face shield openings, very lite weight, probably safe in a crash, bill is adjustable, and best of all is how they handle the wind when you turn your head at speed.... I have a Shoei Hornet as well it does not handle the wind as good as the XD4, is heaver, face shield openings suck, bill does not adjust up and down, is hot in summer, goggles don't fit in it ether (M), $$$........... The good it's warm in winter, has great build quality, is much quieter than the XD, is safe............ PS they have changed since they first came out, they came with a bolt on chin bar....
There's a huge range of opinions about wind noise. Most riders seem to say it's quiet relative to other helmets with good ventilation (my brother who was the guinea pig for this review vid). But others say there are whistling noises or just loud road noise overall. I wonder if it might come down to windscreens and even the tilt of the head when riding.
Bought this helmet back in April but I must admit that I am far from impressed. I think its too noisy and I have a weird draft around my right eye. Dealer does not do anything about it, so I think I might be heading back to Shoei.
See our pinned first comment, Karsten. Most riders find it is quiet despite the ventilation... but a few have problems. In the comment I've included one or two solutions other riders have reported.
@@crosstrainingadventure Thank you for your snappy reply. I have tried different windscreen settings on my Tiger 800 and my Tiger 900 but it is the same sensation no matter what. Its getting a bit frustrating as these helmets do not come cheap and I must admit that I had high expectations but they have not been met
You certainly don't expect problems when you pay top dollar, Karsten! It's a shame they haven't brought out an XD5 which would hopefully eliminate the small percentage of problems. I'm aiming to buy this helmet myself soon and certainly hope it works well. The helmet used for this review belongs to my brother and he loves it. Which is good since it costs AUD900 here in Australia.
As a sidenote, the new X5 is worse in some ways than the X4 (general noise, super loud whistling with the visor open, clunky-notchy visor opening system, less vertical FOV).
@@crosstrainingadventure Asked Arai Japan customer service for advice on the loud whistling above 35mph (I ride a Husky 701), they told me to "keep the visor closed at all times" or something along those line... thanks, great tip for riding in 35-40 Celsius weather. :D Anyway, the homemade fix was taping small strips of velcro (the rough half) both on the visor and peak to to disrupt the airflow. Looks real nice on my 900 USD helmet! :D :D
I’ve had my XD4 since 2016 and due for change. Great helmet with several little features and has served me well. No complaints at all! The only thing I don’t like is the effectiveness of the pin-lock. The visor still fogs up a bit on cold days. Considering to replace this with a carbon Hornet or Touratech.
IS THE NEW XD5 ANY GOOD? We are getting early reports of the whistling noise still for some riders. 😒
LONG TERM NOTES! After a year I must admit I'm not so impressed now. It is quieter than my old Suomy ADV helmet, but I think it should be quieter given the cost and weight of the helmet. Over time the 1.6kg weight has become an issue too. There are now much lighter premium ADV helmets like the Klim Krios Por at less than 900g (seriously thinking that might be my next helmet). Given the XD4 design has not changed for so many years, I think it should be priced at least 35% cheaper and it would be good value. But not at it's current price.
WIND NOISE? Some riders report a whistling or humming sound. Others don't. It depends on the tilt of your head. It is a bad design flaw for those who hold their head at a particular angle. But it sems to go away when you put the visor down, or slightly move your head. A humming sound? Robinator202 had this comment: "Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration."
Some riders report wind noise drops if you fit a 'chin curtain'. Just google 'araia xd4 chin curtain'. The Shoei one fits and it cheaper: "Shoei 0212-3705-00 - Type D Chin Curtain". And finally, turbulence caused by a windscreen around the lower helmet can be a problem. Try hunching your shoulders against the helmet and see if the wind noise drops dramatically. If so, it's probably turbulence caused by your windscreen... or even possibly your mirrors.
FITMENT? Always check fitment before buying! The padding in this helmet allows for some adjustment, but the XD4 typically suits a 'round' head shape better than an 'oval' head shape. The Shoei Hornet is better for oval heads apparently.
PINLOCK ISSUES? Some owners say the pinlock system isn't very good at sealing. Can't comment, ours doesn't have pinlock.
VISUAL DISTORTION? A small number of riders say the visor causes visual distortion, most don't. Check in the store before you buy as it's a dealer breaker for some. Others say it's barely noticeable. Many not at all. Weird.
SHORT CHIN STRAP? The occasional short chin strap issue? If this happens, take it back to the store. Arai boast about their multiple quality control checks at the factory, this strap should never be too short!
TOO EXPENSIVE? Look out for barely used cheap ones! I just bought mine for 70% less than the new price. Two years old but barely used. A friend just bought one at half price that was only a few weeks old. The owner realised too late he'd bought the wrong size.
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The Arai and Shoei are both 'intermediate oval' shape from the manufacturer and fit me the same. Maybe I'm just weird! The Shoei vs Arai head if largely a thing of he past unless you buy one of their specific head shape helmets
"Klim Krios Por at less than 900g"? Last time I checked on the Klim website, it said 1352g (XL)...did I get something wrong?
I've had my XD4 since 2018. Bought it based on several reviews including Ryan F9's best helmets for riders who have to wear glasses. It seemed like a heck of a lot money but now I think it was a great investment.
The Korean made HJCs are outstanding for their budget price point, btw. Not quite up to the Shoei and Arai, but 90% there for a fourth the cost. (I have not specifically tried their adventure model.) Also wind tunnel tested at their R&D facility. ...and my brother has crash tested a couple of them over the years with thankfully a hundred percent success. My wife and kids have used them for many years and they've gotten better and better. Just another option.
Agreed. My street flip up full face Rpha max is great. I'd buy one again.
I wanted to buy the Klim Krios Pro because all the reviews were so great. The darn things were on backorder for almost a year. I had also looked at the Arai XD 4 but I kept remembering all the comments about the light weight of the Klim. In December my BMW dealer had both helmets in stock and in my size. I grabbed the Klim and boy was I disappointed. Yes it was light but boy did it feel CHEAP! I put the XD4 on next and yes it was a little heavier but felt great on my noggin. I've been wearing this for about 6 months and zero complaints and would definitely buy again. I had been using an older Arai VX Pro for my adventure rides and the goggles on my face was just just to hot. I run the XD4 with the faceshield and a pair of riding glasses. The faceshield is always cracked opened and sometimes completely open. Great helmet but I do suggest trying on any helmet you're going to buy. The Arai's have always fit my mellon great.
I had the same issue with the Klim, Dana. Plus it's made in China.
@@crosstrainingadventure I tried on an Arai street helmet today, I was surprised to learn I was a small (7 1/4"). Squeezing my head in and out of the helmet was tighter than most I have tried. There is no local stock of the XD4's or the Hornet with graphics. The helmet I tried had the thickest padding on the top which I wish I could of switched out or tried a Medium. My dealer pointed me toward a Large Shoei. I think I will like it better, it has the shield replacement/operation as my old ICON helmet.
@@davidb9323 If it fits the crown of your head well you can remove some of the cheek padding to make it a nice snug fit on the Arai models
Great feedback. Thanks for informing the rest of us.
these helmets are overpriced.
I’ve had my XD4 since 2016 and due for change. Great helmet with several little features and has served me well. No complaints at all! The only thing I don’t like is the effectiveness of the pin-lock. The visor still fogs up a bit on cold days. Considering to replace this with a carbon Hornet or Touratech.
Arai XD4 for 2 years now. impossible to replace if you wear glasses, because it's (near) perfect. Ive traveled in many different situations and I had no issues whatsoever. About the price I´m a true believer on the thesis that you should always spend has much money as you reasonably can afford on helmets, the price of a new brain is.......
4 years with mine. It whistled for a bit, until I moved the Sena further forward (heh).
Now it's fine for around town. Longer rides at speed, and it's ear plugs for me.
Sunglasses work great, but one pair with thick side stems made the back of my head hurt. I don't wear that kind anymore.
You forgot the mashable peak... one of the XD4's best features is the tooless friction adjustment that lets the peak be easily moved up or down, for low sun riding (down) or watching the traffic light (up).
Also, the cheek pads are in peelable layers, so you can fine tune to your own jowls.
Excellent vid as always. Thanks.
Ive rode with the XD4 for 2+ year now. . .started a bit tight, but broke in wonderfully. love it.
i heard the large front vent cant be closed all the way, is this true? i wear contacts and cannot afford air hitting my eyes, they dry up quickly .
Yes
Very happy with my XD4! Thanks for the review
I'm still waiting for an honest wet weather review. Lots of helmets suffer, especially without pinlock. Does it properly defog the shield? Is fog a problem? Some reviews claim the shield doesn't clear water well.
I have the XD-4. It has a known problem where the visor optics distort. It’s worst on the periphery and when looking down. I highly recommend people try one on before buying it. For some it’s a deal breaker, for others it’s barely noticeable. I have installed a Pactalk Bold without any issues. The XD-4 also has an extension on the bottom of the chin section which extends towards your neck. This can reduce airflow into the face area which is nice for cold climates.
Cheers Simon, I added your note about the visor to the pinned first comment. A couple of other viewers said the same thing.
I use a Bell MX 9 adventure MIPS.
My ultimate helmet is a Hi-Viz Arai XD-4 but I can't afford it yet. Will get there eventually. Keep churning out your high quality content.
Will do!
I bought an Arai XD-4 the begining of this season, was previsouly using a Bell MX-9 for 3 years. After 3 months here is my feedback:
I found the Arai to be just as loud as the Bell, perhaps it's head shape/padding related. The Arai has cut-outs in the padding to accomodate glasses. I love this for wearing sunglasses but feel it may contribute to some of the wind noise. Also, the Arai has cut-outs/space around the ears for speakers. Makes wearing ear plugs more comfortable and would be great if I had a communication system, but again, may contribute to wind noise.
Ventilation is almost too good. My head gets cold sometimes on cool Canadian mornings, even with all the vents closed. I'm bald so my head gets cold easy.
I also find the visor fogs very easy. Fogs much easier then the Bell. Only an issue in the cold/rain.
It's super comofortable. Peak is easy to adjust (no tools needed) and I can confirm it fits %100 goggles even with the shield. You can even close the shield with the goggles on.
This is my 2nd season with the Arai XD4 and I'm very happy with it. I heard the whistle on occasion from my helmet but never been a real issue for me. I added a Cardo system with upgraded speakers and made the helmet noticeably heavier, but I got used to it. I would recommend this helmet if you have the $$$
Just saw an interesting comment by Robinator202 about wind noise...
"Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration."
I'm on my third Arai , last two have been XD4. Newest is the Drudi Performance. For hard core off-roading where I know I am going to crash hard occasionally this is my choice. On my big adventure bikes I have been going back and forth between the Schuberth and the Touratech Aventuro Carbon2. They are both great modular helmets, once you go carbon fiber though, you will never go back to fiberglass. I would love to see Arai offer a carbon fiber option, it would be a big seller.
My progression was from HJC to Shoei for long distance riding and contemplated Schuberth. Inexpensive helmet for off-highway. There are some interesting qualities for different climates from "other" manufacturers.
Yes, I use an XD4, and really like it. Installed a comms system pretty easily last year. I’d prefer it even a bit quieter.
XD4
Been using it for 30,000 km.
Highway, off-road, summer, winter.
The most comfortable helmet I have worn in 40 years of motorcycling.
Persevere with pinlock, they do fit if you take your time.
And if you don’t wear hearing protection on the highway no matter what helmet you wear you’re just asking for tinnitus.
Agreed, ear plugs for any extended highway riding. I'm not sure about the Schuberth but I suspect you'd still use ear plugs even with that famously quiet helmet on the highway.
Ah, the man and the reviews I was looking for and respect .
Cheers David, we always try to find the good and bad side in our reviews...
@@crosstrainingadventure I didn’t know you had multiple channels. I come here from your enduro focused channel, which I learned a lot from. I am happy to see I can learn from your experience on my ADV journey as well. I have a Husaberg that has been nothing but trouble for me (reliability/parts availability) and am jumping on the GSA train where I can finally get out there and enjoy riding again.
That's a shame, which Berg model, David? I really enjoyed my FE570 years ago...
@@crosstrainingadventure 2014 FE350. I think I just got one of the only OEM D.I.D. replacement front wheels in the world for it last month from the EU.
Bummer, I did hear reliability was an issue until they went to the 70 degree design.
I’ve just had a 100kmh crash after hitting a roo wearing a Arai XD4. Chin smashed into tar road first contact with ground and performed perfectly. Badly scratched but intact. Very happy and have purchased another one. Between the Arai XD4 and my Klim badlands riding gear I basically got up and walked away. Destroyed riding gear so all has been replaced. I’m lucky to have many bikes but the best machine I own is my body and I buy the best gear available to protect it and this crash just proved to me that my decision was a good one.
Great to hear, David!
I'm surprised to learn that many of the top brands are made in China. I only seem to get 4-5 years out of a helmet before the foam falls apart, so I've had many. Love my xd4. Comfy, quiet and well ventilated, chin strap could be a bit longer but no complaints. Pricy, yes, but how much is your head worth?
You seem to have a relationship with the team over at FFRC. Can you shed any light on their current business situation? I went looking to purchase their suspension products only to find their website is down, Facebook says they're not trading anymore, etc.
Not really sure. There was a new owner laast year, I think. Apparently he was completely new to suspension tuning so we weren't going to go there until we heard quite a bit of positive feedback (and he'd learned the ropes). Haven't heard anything at this stage, I don't even know if he's operating or not.
I've got an Aria XD4. I love it but I will say I do experience wind "whistle" at highway speeds. I will have to try and apply tape like you mentioned to see if I can remedy it. All around I love my Aria, also because of my more "Round" head shape. The removable liners to get the fitment perfect is also something I benefited from.
Keep up the solid, straight shooting videos.
Just wondering if you have a windscreen... it's strange how most riders don't get humming or whistling but some do. Some think it might be the helmet just doesn't work with certain windflow created by certain height of windscreen?
@@crosstrainingadventure I have made my own windscreen with the "DRZ Trash Can" mod. I have noticed the helmet whistles with either the windscreen or not. Perhaps it has something to do with the handmade nature of the helmets? Each shell is slightly different so some shells whistle while others do not. I'm not sure, just thinking out loud.
Just saw an interesting comment by Robinator202 about wind noise...
"Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration."
I cannot comment on Adventure helmet.... since I am not into this sort of riding YET! :)
BUT! once again, similarly as your video with the Boots (Gaerne hands down) I also use Arai.
I support quality, R&D and properly paid workers.
I will never support (Chinese,...) child labour with my hard earned money.
Ok back to my Arai experience. I have had sickening road accident in 2019. I was wearing Arai Signet-Q for the time of the crash. It is/was the only helmet that fits my long oval head properly. First impact was directly into the asphalt with the head with speed of approx. 100kmh, I got ragdolled on the road for approx 30m and then thrown into the woods, where I had to had 2nd impact into the tree. There were pieces of tree bark penetrated/stuck into the helmet, from here the assumption. I was on sick leave for 7months. The crash itself was so violent I cannot even express myself.
I fully recovered and started to ride again recently. I bought barnd spanking new Arai Quantum ST which is European version of the Signet-Q and it fits my melon like a glove.
My brand of choice, and it will always be. Arai. No affiliates whatsoever.
Have fun and take care of yourselves out there good people. Cheers from burning Europe!
Glad you survived that one... damn!
Scorpion exo 950AT. Just replaced my first with a new one after 5 years. Replaced due to the helmet starting to come apart. Pads wouldn't stay in. Trim piece around the base of the helmet flopping in the wind. But at the price point I've been satisfied with it's performance. And I have no complaints with the comfort. I wanted an arai. But no pinlock was a deal breaker. I fog up up visors too quickly with my mouth breathing. 😂
Not just for adv riding... I have the XD4 and spent 40k miles riding in it, summer and winter. Excellent helmet for city commute and I also use it at the track pretty frequently on different bikes. Behaves extremely well at high speeds. Super comfortable, super wide FOV, ventilation is a dream. Downsides: the face shield is expensive and scratches easily, I had to cut the pinlock insert for installation and the large front vent cannot be fully closed (I have to tape it shut in the winter months)... Sound cheesy, but thanks to the XD4 I will refuse to buy any other brand than Arai.
Out of interest, how much are the face shields? I seem to always scratch mine fairly soon.
@@crosstrainingadventure here in FL their $90
Amen! Long live to the Arai XD4! 🙌🙌
And a quick update: the "Shark" helmets are also manufactured in Portugal as well. 🤟
Thanks for the info!
pretty sure an XD4 will be my next helmet. rode with a mX9 adventure for a long time and really liked it. took a big hit to the side on a rock on an off and barely scratched it. Changed to another bell helmet for road use it its the loudest helmet i've every worn, so I think I might be done with bell now. one thing I know, is that i'll never ride a helmet without a pinlock shield on it again. goddamn they are amazing at keeping it fog free on cold days.
I've had mine for 5 years and it really needs new liners to tighten up the fit. That's normal for any helmet but no complaints. I use it for road touring and off road and have done 80.000 km in that time frame. Would I buy another, yes.
The good news is new liners or cheekpads seem to be quite cheap... at least in Australia. I thought Arai would charge heaps for these.
I'm quite happy with my Airoh Commander. Has all the bells and whistles, M weighs in at 1360g, goggles fit easily with visor attached and is fairly quiet. Venting is OK but slow, technical riding above 25c is no fun. Chin vent slider has started to rattle and have heard others complain of rattling from the integrated sun visor (which I don't have...). In cooler temps it's brilliant! Pinlock visor, removable chin curtain and visor seals nicely. Had mine for 2 years now and would definitely buy again, especially since it can be had for half of what the Arai costs here in EU.
Airoh have their cheaper models manufactured in China, I figure that's probably why it's a lot cheaper.
I wouldn't consider a msrp of 370€ cheap, it's just that you can get a good price around 250-290€ here in EU. General build quality is on par with my Aviator. Have contacted Airoh about country of manufacture...
I'd be very interested to hear about country of manufacture!
Bauked at the Arai and bought a Nishua Enduro carbon for half the price, very light but lots of noise the visor mechanism I didnt like. Before a long trip a couple of years ago bought the Arai and love it, is super comfortable for long trips, great ventilation and you can just crack the visor which is how I like to ride. You do get what you pay for in this case.
I agree, Rob. Here and there you can find cheaper helmets that work well but nowadays I am less interested in taking the gamble and just aiming to get the good gear from now on. Life is short!
I’ve found the HJC a good fit for me with limited wind noise and around $300. Also works well with camera gear and internal microphones
Mate I’ve had my arai since 08 best helmets out there for adv riding great vid Baz hope ya wel cheers
All good here, tazy!
@@crosstrainingadventure good shit mate
Getting back into riding after a *long* hiatus, this was my first helmet in quite awhile. Scored an XD4 based on a lot of reviews/comparo reports. While the XD4 wasn't a #1 choice in most comparos, it was consistently in the running. What attracted me to the Arai was the ventilation, which was always a plus point in every review. Living in the Southeast USA, summers are long and hot and humid; the XD4's copious ventilation is like having air conditioning. I do experience the "whistling" sound; scrunching down in the saddle just a bit makes it go away. I think it might be due to the airflow coming up over the short windscreen on the DR's front fairing; I'm going to try raising the windscreen just a bit. As far as noise levels, I have nothing to compare it to, so I used the reviews and comparos; regardless, I always wear earplugs. The other big attraction of the XD4 is it fits my head and is very comfortable. The build quality of the helmet is outstanding; mine ran about USD $700. The helmet I bought (2021) was DOT and Snell certified. My only gripe was the fact the XD4 comes with only a clear face shield. I would highly recommend getting the light grey tinted face shield as it will cut down on glare but not be so dark it compromises late afternoon, early evening rides. My helmet doesn't have pin lock. The visor lock is very good; no leaks. You do have to give a good push to get it to snap shut but you'll hear and feel it fully lock.
Thanks for the feedback, Mike. Yes I suspect noises are probably due to windscreens directing airflow in a way that just doesn't work with the XD4... possibly all those air vents become an issue? I put a windscreen on my DR650 and the wrong height caused way too much wind noise.
@@crosstrainingadventure The guy a bought my DR650 from was about my height and, for the most part, the windscreen works well. The amount I have to duck my head to stop the helmet whistle is quite small so the plan is to move the windscreen up maybe 1/2in/1cm or so. Shutting off the helmet top vents doesn't have an effect on the whistle so I'm assuming it's the visor ...
Just saw an interesting comment by Robinator202 about wind noise...
"Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration."
@@crosstrainingadventure Found those little "pins" Robinator202 mentioned. Looks like they can be easily cut to remove them. I don't think the pins are anything "structural" in holding up the opening of the air inlet. Will see what happens ...
I am sporting a Rocc 771 for now 4years. It was 200AUD /150€ new, ECE rated, has good ventilation, tinted flip down visor, Large opening for MX googles... It ticked, well still ticks all my boxes.
Love my Scorpion EXO AT-950, very versatile and fits great.
I currently have a Shoei Hornet that is way outdated. I have been wanting to replace it, possibly with an Arai, though I wouldn't rule out another Shoei. I have never owned an Arai helmet but every one that I have tried on seemed to fit me really well.
Your the first reviewer I've seen dismiss the krios pro.
I'm not a fan of helmets made in China.
@@crosstrainingadventure Are you aware AGV has helmets made in china? It is not where it is made but what quality standards they use. Edit: sorry didn't think of the geopolical bias aspect.
Yes, we covered a pile of brands made in China in this video. th-cam.com/video/Veh90IU3gUU/w-d-xo.html
I had the buzzing/whistling on mine. Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration. I got the optional side plates for mine so i can ride without the peak for longer rides or when i ride my dedicated road bike. Saved buying a second helmet.
Interesting! I'll put this in the pinned first comment for others to read, thanks.
I`ve had mine for 10 years now….. it`s still in good nick… one of the cheek pads keeps faling off… but thats a minor thing. 👍
The NEXX Wed Adventure helmet I’ve found to be pretty the quality could be better maybe but Price and intercom is great
The Arai is the BEST for sure.
I love my XD4 & yes, i would buy another one.
I managed to get Arai tour-cross 3(technically is xd-4 for local market) from Japanese online shop for 700nzd , using a forwarding company. It depends what shape of the head you are...
Fit is key, my 3rd Arai, now the XD4 hugs my bean. Love it, but it is loud on my scoot, all bikes will change the air flow differently.
Mirriors, fairings, wind screens, all will effect air noise. I'm stoked that these are built in JApan. Only 3-4 helmet MFG out of China.
ARAI is my choice.
I'm moving back to Aus and after 12 years of various adventure bikes, your videos have made we want to go back to basics and skill up off road from the ground up.
What's a cheap dirt bike I can get in Aus to upskill on? Ideally road legal and fuel injection? Any ideas?
There are so many variables we can never make personal bike recommendations, Reubs. But we have a few general suggestions on choosing a bike on our enduro channel.
Bell MX-9 Adventure with MIPS. Complaints would be lack of channel for glasses and shape of shield does not allow it to be cracked open without distorting view too much.
I tried the Arai XD4 in my hunt for a quieter Adv helmet to replace my ageing Klim Krios. The quality is top notch, thing is like a work of art. Also ridiculously comfortable interior, like putting your head inside a pillow.
However, I found it to be rather loud and buffety at highway speeds. It would also fog up almost immediately at lower speeds in cooler weather, despite all the venting. This is the DOT/Snell US model, which might be different from the ECE one. I ended up selling the Arai and keeping the quieter, lighter, and better vented Krios. The Klim definitely feels much cheaper, but it’s honestly served me well and hasn’t had any issues over 5 years and tens of thousands of miles of adv riding.
The biggest disappointment with Japanese helmets to me is their refusal to innovate. Moto helmet technology has come so far over the last decade, but they’re sticking to tradition. In 2022, for $600+ I’d really like to see MIPS at minimum.
It's really interesting how it's quiet for some riders and noisy for others, Dmitriy. I've got some notes about this in the pinned first comment. Competely agree, the Japanese just don't seem to innovate anymore and there should be an XD5 at this price!
@@crosstrainingadventure My experience with my XD4 is that it didn't make any specific noise (no whistling or humming), and is much quieter than any dirt helmet, but is generally loud compared to the Krios. Even tucked in behind a windscreen I could hear a lot more tire and engine noise. The peak would also catch substantially more air, which is annoying on longer highway stretches. That said, the original Krios, as long as you get one that doesn't have quality issues, is a very quiet helmet. I haven't tried the Pro version yet, but unless someone comes out with a highway friendly MIPS equipped Adv lid, the Krios Pro is probably my next purchase.
Gotcha. When I bought my last adv helmet I did research the Krios and there were heaps of complaints at least in the early days. We got a pile of Klim gear recently for upcoming overseas trips and I think he would have done a good price on the Krios but I've gone off buying Chinese made gear. And it did feel cheap and flimsy... not sure if it actually is. Currently waiting for an XD4 or Shoei Hornet to come up on special.
One of the most important comfort features that I appreciate is a thin opening, first notch for the visor that stays there. How is the Arai on this issue?
Thank you,
S
I don't own this helmet so I'm not sure. But a few riders have said the visor can cause visual distortion when lifted a bit. I'd suggest checking in the store.
Had mine nearly 8 months.
Got it second hand from a supplier that actually tests the helmets they sell for 6 months at a time.
Couldn't knock back a $100 Arai when we sell them in the shop for $850.
Bargain! How many holes do they knock in the helmet though, during testing?
for adv I use the bell mx5 mips with goggles, the adv model was a little too expensive. For the street the shark skwal.
I love mine, there is a high pitch humming sound if i look up and to the right, just a resonance thing.
The visor is not long but good to keep the sun off your brow in summer during the middle hours of the day
Just wondering if you have a windscreen... it's strange how most riders don't get humming or whistling but some do. Some think it might be the helmet just doesn't work with certain windflow created by certain height of windscreen.
@@crosstrainingadventure i ride a T7 so a small windscreen, it might be that when i move my head that way the visor finds some turbulent air caused by the windscreen.
I don't get it on the other side though , you'd think the air flow around the windscreen would be symetrical
Ive just bought a xd4, has anyone had success with installing speakers? Sena or other for those longer kms
I've just put a Sena 50S in my XD4, fitted really well. I'll be reviewing it soon. Loving it so far.
@@crosstrainingadventure legend! I got a trip in a month, I'll give it a go. Cheers mate!
Love my Arai. Only complaint is a strange helmet hair pattern but I just buzz my head for the riding season.
Hopefully that particular hair style will be in fashion eventually?
@@crosstrainingadventure then we'll be kings among men. Big thank you for the great DR content by the way.
Very comfortable, quiet and good looking helmet but a bit bulky , pinlock doesn't fit well to visor and one vent broke after 2 years on mine.
Did you turn the pinlock pins into the out position before fitting?
@@SimonBrisbane tried already all options.
Why the Suomy MX Touter is not on the list? Are you still a fan of it?
See the pinned first comment on our Suomy review. The quality seems to be dropping as the price goes up. 🤔
I have an XD4 and I get what I describe as a 'thrumming' sound from the visor which is really annoying. I put a windshield extender on my KTM1290R and the issue was gone when behind the wind protected area. Otherwise no complaints, bought in Oz for A$850
It's strange how a few riders have this happen. We put this tip in the pinned first comment...
Whistling or humming sound? A minority report this. Here is the possible solution. Robinator202 had this comment: "Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration."
@@crosstrainingadventure Thanks, it also goes away if you just hold the visor at the front with forefinger and thumb. I figured it was a lack of rigidity, I will check that pin out. Cheers
wanted all the fancy stuff of the Klim, but it hurt like a mother. Tried the XD-4 on, and oh so comfy. Hate the D-clasp thing, want to just loosen it, not undo it. Paid the guys at Arai to add a slightly longer strap. Can't remember the cost, not too bad, mostly shipping. I don't think it's heavy, until you put a krios on.
Wow. They wouldn't fit a longer strap free of charge, Steve? For what we pay you'd think they would jump to get the strap length right. When I buy one I'll definitely look out for this.
@@crosstrainingadventure I guess most people get over the short strap. I’ve never undone the strap on my Bell dirt bike helmet. So, just try to loosen it to slip off. Had to send to Arai US headquarters to have it done. It’s not the D-loop strap, but the other one they put a longer one on. It’s cheap. Expect shipping.
I wish my XD4 was produced in a long oval format like the Arai Signet. They could call it the SD4. Until then I'll have to endure the red spot on my forehead.
Been running an XD4 for a couple years. I literally will not buy another model of helmet unless the distributor gives me a loaner helmet of another model to test ride for at least a week, seriously the xd4 ticks all of the boxes but I am in a hotter climate so maybe that's why.
I picked up an XD-4 from a local shop for about $500 USD about a year and half ago as my first helmet after trying on a buddies. It's been great on and off road where I live (30-95F). The only issue I've had with mine is that after about 6 months of daily riding I noticed more pronounced wind noise from it. Have yet to find the source of the noise or fix it aside from wearing ear plugs.
I'd be keen to hear if you find the cause of the wind noise. The vast majority of owners seem to find them quiet, but there's a minority who report overall noise, humming, or whistling... the latter two seem to be from the peak usually.
@@crosstrainingadventure I get a little whistle in my Arai on my cb500x when the wind blows from the side, but I think its got alot to do with the air flow over the windshield, I do not get this noise with my 450 husky dual sport with no windshield.
Just saw an interesting comment by Robinator202 about wind noise...
"Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration."
@@crosstrainingadventure Thanks for all the insight. I've had less whistle noise and more of a general wind noise similar to driving at speed with windows down partially. I haven't had extra time this week to tinker but don't think it's related to the peak. Riding around I'm able alter the amount of wind noise by tilting my head up/down with it cutting out as I look up. Adjusting the peak doesn't seem to affect the point where the noise cuts out. Will take it off to confirm. Also seems to cut out when standing (CRF250L) but doesn't seem to be affected by shifting where I'm sitting. Thinking I might need to refresh the pads.
My xd4 fits my head perfectly and just works. I'm not even going to try to find a better helmet
What helmet are you wearing in this video?
Me, the camera guy? A Suomy. But I'd rather have the XD4 as per the guy I'm filming.
Yep, great helmet and perfect for ADV and light trail riding. Quiet - can get away without earplugs except on really long highway runs. Takes speakers well, sunnies are no issue, ventilation is excellent and highly adjustable, super comfy.
I use goggle when on the dirt - XD4 will take large goggles but strap outriggers (like on Oakley Airbrake) are an issue if you want to close the visor with them on. I found a NOS set of Fox Air Defence as they’re large with solid lenses. I can close the visor over these on faster sections between dirt loops.
could not afford the $850 price, but also could not afford to ride without supreme comfort, and safety. Love my XD4. Worth going into credit card debt for.
The helmet in this vid was bought on special about 18 months ago for AUD600, I'm hoping to get one on discount but the best price I can find so far is $760. The average price is $850.
I want a nice white XD4, but could only afford a HJC i30 open face. Open face is good for me, but i feel that I should improve the safety factor for the noggin’ 😁
Both myself and wifey have the xd4 and have been running them for around 2.5 years now ,
Great helmets but its not all sunshine !
The shape of the visor makes riding with it open annoying as the ballsack shape of the bottom of the visor hangs in the way , especially noticable with the tinted visor ,
2nd issue is wifeys xd4 the visor wont shut smoothly and needs to be manhandled into place , initially i figured it was a mishapen visor but iv tried both the clear and tinted from mine and they do the same , will have to see how they handle the warranty lol
Let us know how the warranty goes, Toby. At this price their customer service SHOULD be first rate... I hope!
I have the Shoei Hornet 2, roomate has this XD4 helmet. Try going 80MPH which is the most common speed limit here in the United states, try looking straight up at that speed, then try it with tge Shoei Hornet 2, zero effect with the shoei, whiplash with the XD4. Yes its lighter, but the beak/vissor catches the wind. There is no comparison to how the wind effects it. I have tried both, no thanks ill keep my shoei over this any day of the week. Even if they offered this one to me for $300, nope, ill always keep my hornet again and again. On my 2nd one in about 10 years. Only cause i had a bad wreck and damaged my shoei enough to replace it. Just from my opinion and experience. My roomate regrets buying his after trying mine at 80mph.
Just wondering if you have a windscreen... it's strange how most riders don't get humming or whistling but some do. Some think it might be the helmet just doesn't work with certain windflow created by certain height of windscreen? Other riders say the XD4 works fine up to 90mph so I'm puzzled that a small but significant minority of owners find wind drag or weird noises.
Like in motorcycles, they stayed in past, that's why we see a lot of European and Chinese motorcycles emerging in the market, there are better options imo, Carbon fiber, and other features like internal sun visors, ready for intercoms etc.
It's a nice Helmet but...
Don't know if they will pass the new European regulations.
What bikes were you riding in this video?
DR650s as usual
Is there any degradation of protection as a helmet ages?
See our vid about helmet replacement on this channel.
I guess this is like tyres- everyone has a different experience... I had an XD-4 and it was deafening above 60kmh. Needed neck muscles like Arnie's biceps to stop the wind drag. But I guess this also depends on the bike and windscreen; my experience was on a 790 AdvR. Hated the fact you couldnt remove the internal padding to clean the dust and sweat. Terrible pinlock system and couldnt create a seal. Ventilation was good though. Went a Shoei Hornet next and its so much quieter but, by comparison, ventilation isnt as good, is slightly heavier, and much thicker larger padding around the cheeks.
It is really interesting that personal experiences can vary so much. Yeah, it might be the windscreen setup on some bikes just doesn't suit perhaps? A few owners have said the pinlock isn't good.
@@crosstrainingadventure and height of the rider (in relation to windscreen)
I have poor vision and need multi focal lenses, Shure wish they offered a auto tint shield, swapping shields for day and night sucks on this helmet. I tried glasses with clip on sun lenses put did not jive with them.
i use mainly bmw flip ups, over last 30 years, love them. BUT i just bought the new system 7 and GS bmw helmets online from germany and they were both to small.(same size as i usually buy) cant get them here in NZ and i noticed they are now made in thailand. ummmm
i have arai XD4 and arai motox, great helmets to.heavy but quality.
but my go to is the bmw flip up.
I think SHARP have started testing modular helmets now, Simon. Apparently quite a few of the flip ups fail their test... worth checking?
@@crosstrainingadventure seems the bmw system helmet they call it gets 97% where the chin piece remains locked. seems great to me.
Sounds good!
Oh I must have had two bad XD4’s in a row, twice the top vents have failed and on this one the chin vent has failed, try getting access to that warranty in Australia you get passed around between MCAS and “Arai” aka owned by the same company.
Bummer. So MCAS is the Australian distributor as well? I thought it was Cassons, Alex. Check up on consumer law. I think the store is meant to handle it. If they won't, tell them you are making a complaint to consumer affairs etc.
@@crosstrainingadventure same group, sure they have different ABNs but in the group is the importer, distributor and retailer.
Arai Helmets Australia is Cassons Pty Ltd
Cassons Pty Ltd director Robert John Donovan
MCAS is Motor Cycle Accessory Supermarket PTY LTD director Robert John Donovan
Bummer. Yes over the years I've heard complaints about lack of customer support from Cassons. I'd suggest trying ACCC. It just might prompt them into action. www.accc.gov.au/consumers/complaints-problems/make-a-consumer-complaint
I'd be interested to know what helmets your esteemed colleagues all use....
My brother is using this XD4, it's my planned next helmet. Currently using a Suomy Tourer which isn't holding up too well. All the liners are starting to get quite ragged.
It must be just me but I find the bottom of the visor is in my eyeline when open
I owned Bell when I was young. They made them here in California next my city. Then to Shoei for quite a while now on my 2nd Arai. No China crap for me. Sorry KTM, if a model is made from or in China game over.
Спасибо за субтитры и 3:43
I get a whistle on my XD-4 at about 70kph , first time i heard it i thought it was a cop siren somewhere in the distance , lol its not an issue for me though
Strange! Most riders don't get it... peak position maybe? Or did the change the design at some point?
Just saw an interesting comment by Robinator202 about wind noise...
"Tracked it to the brow inlet scoops. In the centre of the moulded scoop is a little pin. This vibrates at certain speeds. A little bit of tape stopped the vibration."
@@crosstrainingadventure ok cool , i will try to do some scientific analysis stuff see if narrow it down 🙂
I have 3 XD4's they are not quiet at all, Goggles only fit into the L/XL shells and then they are tight, replacement face shields are $$$ if you can find one, face shield open settings wear out quickly, , they chip and scratch very easy, the cheesy plastic vent covers fall off easy and break, are very cold in winter, they are very expensive. ..............The good is they are the coolest in hot weather, have great settings on face shield openings, very lite weight, probably safe in a crash, bill is adjustable, and best of all is how they handle the wind when you turn your head at speed.... I have a Shoei Hornet as well it does not handle the wind as good as the XD4, is heaver, face shield openings suck, bill does not adjust up and down, is hot in summer, goggles don't fit in it ether (M), $$$........... The good it's warm in winter, has great build quality, is much quieter than the XD, is safe............ PS they have changed since they first came out, they came with a bolt on chin bar....
There's a huge range of opinions about wind noise. Most riders seem to say it's quiet relative to other helmets with good ventilation (my brother who was the guinea pig for this review vid). But others say there are whistling noises or just loud road noise overall. I wonder if it might come down to windscreens and even the tilt of the head when riding.
Bought this helmet back in April but I must admit that I am far from impressed. I think its too noisy and I have a weird draft around my right eye. Dealer does not do anything about it, so I think I might be heading back to Shoei.
See our pinned first comment, Karsten. Most riders find it is quiet despite the ventilation... but a few have problems. In the comment I've included one or two solutions other riders have reported.
@@crosstrainingadventure Thank you for your snappy reply. I have tried different windscreen settings on my Tiger 800 and my Tiger 900 but it is the same sensation no matter what. Its getting a bit frustrating as these helmets do not come cheap and I must admit that I had high expectations but they have not been met
You certainly don't expect problems when you pay top dollar, Karsten! It's a shame they haven't brought out an XD5 which would hopefully eliminate the small percentage of problems. I'm aiming to buy this helmet myself soon and certainly hope it works well. The helmet used for this review belongs to my brother and he loves it. Which is good since it costs AUD900 here in Australia.
I ride everywhere in an arai qv pro
$900 ????!!!! I only wanted one.....
As a sidenote, the new X5 is worse in some ways than the X4 (general noise, super loud whistling with the visor open, clunky-notchy visor opening system, less vertical FOV).
Bummer! Those were the issues they should have fixed.
@@crosstrainingadventure Asked Arai Japan customer service for advice on the loud whistling above 35mph (I ride a Husky 701), they told me to "keep the visor closed at all times" or something along those line... thanks, great tip for riding in 35-40 Celsius weather. :D Anyway, the homemade fix was taping small strips of velcro (the rough half) both on the visor and peak to to disrupt the airflow. Looks real nice on my 900 USD helmet! :D :D
So annoying. When it happens on my XD4 I just slightly change the angle of my head and it goes away. Easy fix. But shouldn't have to do it.
I have multiple Arai's and I keep putting off buying an XD4 because I keep thinking they will update it.........some day????????
Might be like the big four in Japan... the days of innovation are mostly over?
I’ve had my XD4 since 2016 and due for change. Great helmet with several little features and has served me well. No complaints at all! The only thing I don’t like is the effectiveness of the pin-lock. The visor still fogs up a bit on cold days. Considering to replace this with a carbon Hornet or Touratech.