Like oranges and lemons

Full-face Arai versus flip-front Schuberth in a head-to-head comparison of noise, fit and safety isn’t really comparing like with like

PULLING ON A BRAND NEW CRASH HELMET feels good. The fresh smell that makes you inhale deeply, the perfectly clear visor which will never be quite the same again and the reassuring click of an unused vent. I’ve been there twice in the past three months, with a new Arai Chaser X and a new Schuberth E1 flip-front. I like Arais. Originally because Freddie Spencer wore them, then I found they fitted me perfectly. This is my first Schuberth. In this flouro colour scheme (make up your own mind, I love it) the Chaser X is £399.99. It’s got a removable lining, decent

vents, a double D-ring fastening and it comes with Pinlock anti-mist double glazing for the visor. Quoted weight is 1620 grams. That’s a lot more than my old Bell Star Carbon at 1300 grams. There’s a different visor fitting system from my previous Arais, though they’ve used this on other lids for a couple of years. I had no problems with the brutal technique used to change visors with the previous system. Some did, and they occasionally broke the plastic side pods. Weirdly, it doesn’t fit me quite as perfectly as previous models. It feels very slightly tight across the top of the head (from side to side) but Arais normally ‘give’ a bit, so it needs to be snug to start with. Cheek pads were originally slightly slack, but adding some inserts has plumped them up. The Schuberth is an adventure flip-front with an internal dark visor, removable peak, ratchet strap fastening, big vents and a Pinlock. Quoted weight is 1695 grams, and in these colours the list price is £599.99. Both helmets are the same size (59L) but the Schuberth is a slightly tighter fit. It gets irritating after a couple of hours, though I expect that the lining will ‘give’ a bit. The flip-front doesn’t close properly unless you’re quite aggressive with it and flip fronts always feel unwieldy with the chin piece up. I don’t think I’ve ridden with either helmet in pouring rain, so I can’t comment about the visor seal. The Schuberth is quieter than the Arai and comparing the neck aperture shows why. The fit between helmet lining and the neck, especially below the ears, has a big effect on helmet noise. With the chin piece down the aperture is smaller on the Schuberth and it has a close fitting shroud around the back of

the neck with a secondary shroud that runs back from the fastening strap. We’re all different and the fit between neck and the helmet depends on our shape. When I wear the Arai my ear plugs must fit perfectly and the padding at the base has to be correctly positioned. I’ll usually wear a neck buff that covers my ears and tucks up at the back and sides to get a tighter fit between my neck and the helmet lining too. If just one of those things isn’t perfect I have to stop and readjust. On the Arai the noise is a problem and carting around a spare dark visor is a drag, but I feel secure and it’s comfy. And Freddie Spencer wore Arai. If you like flip fronts the Schuberth E1 is a very good helmet.