Arai RX-7V Helmet
RRP: From £699.99 // Sizes: XS-2XL // Colours: A range of colours and designs Tested by: Nick Mowbray MCM BEST BUY
As soon as you unbox Arai’s RX-7V helmet, it becomes evident that you’re holding a top quality lid. It’s clearly well made, and comes packed with an abundance of features that’ll leave you safe in the knowledge that your head is well protected – no matter whether you’re out on the road or going for a spin on rougher stuff.
Of course, you’d expect no less from the RX-7V – it’s building on the award winning formula of the outgoing RX-7 GP, after all. But there have been plenty of changes, ensuring that Arai’s top of the range lid continues to impress the wider motorcycling fraternity.
Sadly, I have never worn the RX-7 GP lid – so I can’t really comment on how the changes have affected the helmet. Let’s quickly whizz through the important differences between the RX-7V and the RX-7 GP, just so we’ve got a bit of context. The RX-7V is more round than the GP (which helps to aid aerodynamics), its shell is stronger, it’s 30g lighter, it offers 11% more airflow (at 100kph/62mph), comes with a revolutionary VAS (Variable Axis System) visor system – and even the interior has been redesigned to offer a more comfortable fit.
After three months together, I can only begin to tell you how impressed I am with the new RX-7V. It’s incredibly comfortable straight out of the box, while its fully removable interiors will allow you to keep it box-fresh (providing you give it an occasional wash). It features eight adjustable vents, which means you can easily moderate the helmet’s airflow and temperature – and in practice, the airflow is fantastic, helping me to keep cool on numerous occasions, without compromising wind noise in the process. And best of all it offers excellent field of vision, thanks to its max vision visor.
The RX-7V comes with an emergency release tab on the cheek pad – plus there’s a removable neck pad and double-D retention system should you need to get out of the lid quickly. It comes with a five year warranty too.
Now I recognise that you’re knocking on the door of £700 to get your hands on the RX-7V – and that’s a lot of cash. But, it’s also by far and away the best helmet I’ve had the chance to put my head inside – and on reflection, I reckon it’s worth every penny.
For more information, visit: www.moto-direct.co.uk