Great review. I've had this Helmet (Depart for 12 years now and still going well. However, there are vents I never knew about and have never used in those 12 years. Thanks for showing me something new about my 12 year old helmet.. !! In fact I just ordered a brand new one - same colour as the one in this video. cheers
Hi, how is the helmet performing in winter/cold weather? I've been thinking about buying one, but I am worried about too much cold air getting under the helmet and freeze my face. This is something I experienced with some other helmets. I kind of resolved this problem by wearing a balaclava in cold weather, but is not ideally all the time... The Shoei Neotec 2, seems well sealed under the neck, but I like the look of the Arai more, and will suit my Africa Twin better. Thank you.
The Arai Tour-X4/XD4 performs pretty good in cold weather when closing off the majority of the vents. I wear a turtleneck sweater, a fleece jacket with a tall collar and a thin balaclava with a long neck when it is cold outside, so with all those additional layers, the helmet works pretty well. OK, not the helmet, more about layers. :-) Many years ago, when riding in Really Cold weather, read snow and ice, in Norway, I had a neck gaiter that was mounted to the outside bottom part of the helmet and covered the area between the helmet and the top of the jacket. Have tried to find a similar neck gaiter, but zero success. An absolutely great solution! I find the Arai Tour-X4/XD4 has better venting when it is hot outside than the Neotec 2, but of course the ability of opening up the whole front on the Neotec 2 is super nice. The best part bar none with the Neotec 2, is the ability to mount an integrated Bluetooth speaker/microphone system. That ability is miles/kilometers :-) better than the add on solution I have on the Tour-X4/XD4. It would be nice if the helmet and Bluetooth Communication systems manufacturers came up with a simple standard for such systems. Not really rocket science...
The Arai XD4/Tour-X4 helmet is a better helmet by far compared to the Shoei Neotec II, but if you have to put on/remove the helmet fairly often and require Bluetooth use, the Shoei flip-up/modular helmet is easier to use. At low speeds the visor is usually open, so the lack of good ventilation and a crystal clear visor on the Shoei is not that important. In other words, the Shoei might be a better choice for city use.
Both of my helmets are size Medium, and they both fit me perfect without any modifications; i.e. changing of cheek pads. Both helmets seems to be of identical size for my head.
good afternoon i follow you from portugal and i would like to know if you can send some photos of the installation of the suitcase holder with the top case holder. I would like to know if it is compatible and how is the installation of the two. thanks.
I will try to make a video of the installation. The Yamaha rear rack and the two Givi case carriers had to be modified by cutting, drilling and filing in order for the parts to fit.
@@2101042 Hi Paulo its Thomas here how r You my friend listen I have a question about Portuguese helmet Company call NEXX I’m looking for adventure helmet for Me and first I was thinking about Arai x4 but arai have OVAL shape and My head is ROUND shape so I have pressure points on my head from both sides and I was thinking about NEXX can You check please or ask someone in Portugal 🇵🇹 what head shape have NEXX Wed2 I was asking people on TH-cam but they r ignorant 😒 I’m living in Ireland 🇮🇪 and I can’t buy this lovely helmet here 🙁 if You can help me I will be appreciate thanks anyway and all the best man 👍
I always wear sunglasses or clear glasses when riding. The straighter the arms on the glasses are, the easier it is to put on/remove the glasses. The helmet is very good and absolutely recommended!
Got to say, love the bit of history at the start of the vid. Nice touch.
Great review. I've had this Helmet (Depart for 12 years now and still going well. However, there are vents I never knew about and have never used in those 12 years. Thanks for showing me something new about my 12 year old helmet.. !!
In fact I just ordered a brand new one - same colour as the one in this video.
cheers
An absolute gem of a helmet!
That helmet is a work of art
Good job on reviewing this helmet !!!
Nice review.....and it looks awesome with your bike!!!!
High quality videos 👍🏼👍🏼
Hello can you close the visor with goggles fitted? Cheers
no
What do the small red tabs do on the rear vents?? Also I’ve had this helmet for almost a month and didn’t know my chin was adjustable!
Ventilation is great for summer , but I do find an awful lot of insects getting into the helmet , mainly through the top vents
Hi, how is the helmet performing in winter/cold weather? I've been thinking about buying one, but I am worried about too much cold air getting under the helmet and freeze my face. This is something I experienced with some other helmets. I kind of resolved this problem by wearing a balaclava in cold weather, but is not ideally all the time... The Shoei Neotec 2, seems well sealed under the neck, but I like the look of the Arai more, and will suit my Africa Twin better. Thank you.
The Arai Tour-X4/XD4 performs pretty good in cold weather when closing off the majority of the vents. I wear a turtleneck sweater, a fleece jacket with a tall collar and a thin balaclava with a long neck when it is cold outside, so with all those additional layers, the helmet works pretty well. OK, not the helmet, more about layers. :-) Many years ago, when riding in Really Cold weather, read snow and ice, in Norway, I had a neck gaiter that was mounted to the outside bottom part of the helmet and covered the area between the helmet and the top of the jacket. Have tried to find a similar neck gaiter, but zero success. An absolutely great solution!
I find the Arai Tour-X4/XD4 has better venting when it is hot outside than the Neotec 2, but of course the ability of opening up the whole front on the Neotec 2 is super nice. The best part bar none with the Neotec 2, is the ability to mount an integrated Bluetooth speaker/microphone system. That ability is miles/kilometers :-) better than the add on solution I have on the Tour-X4/XD4.
It would be nice if the helmet and Bluetooth Communication systems manufacturers came up with a simple standard for such systems. Not really rocket science...
@@orbsurfer8195 fantastic and comprehensive reply to my question. Thank you so much. Now I will have to decide....Take care
So in your opinion which one is better for daily city use - Shoei or Arai?
The Arai XD4/Tour-X4 helmet is a better helmet by far compared to the Shoei Neotec II, but if you have to put on/remove the helmet fairly often and require Bluetooth use, the Shoei flip-up/modular helmet is easier to use. At low speeds the visor is usually open, so the lack of good ventilation and a crystal clear visor on the Shoei is not that important. In other words, the Shoei might be a better choice for city use.
Arai, best helmet ever!
Hallo
The size of the shoei neotec and aria tour x4 or the same size plaese
Thanks from Belgium
Both of my helmets are size Medium, and they both fit me perfect without any modifications; i.e. changing of cheek pads. Both helmets seems to be of identical size for my head.
good afternoon i follow you from portugal and i would like to know if you can send some photos of the installation of the suitcase holder with the top case holder. I would like to know if it is compatible and how is the installation of the two. thanks.
I will try to make a video of the installation. The Yamaha rear rack and the two Givi case carriers had to be modified by cutting, drilling and filing in order for the parts to fit.
@@orbsurfer8195 Thank you very much! I am waiting for one more of your videos. if you need anything from Portugal don't hesitate
Paulo
@@2101042 Hi Paulo its Thomas here how r You my friend listen I have a question about Portuguese helmet Company call NEXX I’m looking for adventure helmet for Me and first I was thinking about Arai x4 but arai have OVAL shape and My head is ROUND shape so I have pressure points on my head from both sides and I was thinking about NEXX can You check please or ask someone in Portugal 🇵🇹 what head shape have NEXX Wed2 I was asking people on TH-cam but they r ignorant 😒 I’m living in Ireland 🇮🇪 and I can’t buy this lovely helmet here 🙁 if You can help me I will be appreciate thanks anyway and all the best man 👍
When wearing glasses would you recommend this helmet, or anyone else?
I always wear sunglasses or clear glasses when riding. The straighter the arms on the glasses are, the easier it is to put on/remove the glasses. The helmet is very good and absolutely recommended!
Just wondering if anyone has this helmet and installed the cardo pactalk bold in it??
Check this video by themissendenflyer He talks about exactly that. th-cam.com/video/a11G-NngbB8/w-d-xo.html