Arai QV / QV-Pro helmet

[Condi]

Maybe a really stupid question, but Helmet City (and a very few other stores) stock an Arai QV, rather than or as well as the QV Pro. As the Arai website has nothing about the QV on it, am I right to assume the only difference is the external sun visor on the Pro?

It's replacing an old Arai Condor helmet, so should be pretty like for like with updated technology.

https://www.helmetcity.co.uk/shop-by-brand/arai-he...

[typeo]

I think the visor was the only difference. The shaded visor is useful but it does add noise. It's also not great when caught in a summer rain shower and you get rain on the clear visor and then flip the shaded one down which leaves some water spots in between them. The RX-7V and QV models used the same R75 shell which is a slightly different shape to the Condor type shell. The visor type is different to the Condor so you won't be able to carry those across to a QV. I don't think the QV range is produced any more so you may want to check the production date stamp with the dealer before buying one.

[gareth h]

I like the tinted visor, hardly ever ride with it fully down, but just adjusted enough to block the sun (sort of like a sun strip) And my arai is so bloody noisy any sound from the visor is drowned out!

[Condi]

typeo said:

I think the visor was the only difference. The shaded visor is useful but it does add noise. It's also not great when caught in a summer rain shower and you get rain on the clear visor and then flip the shaded one down which leaves some water spots in between them. The RX-7V and QV models used the same R75 shell which is a slightly different shape to the Condor type shell. The visor type is different to the Condor so you won't be able to carry those across to a QV. I don't think the QV range is produced any more so you may want to check the production date stamp with the dealer before buying one.

Thanks, great answer. I've enquired about the production date, they have a code on the buckle, like Ro5/So6, rather than a date stamp so have asked Arai.

[cannedheat]

I have the Quantum ST ‘pro’ which I believe the QV replaced, this came with the sunshade as the ‘pro’ model. Note the QV is a long oval shaped helmet (although not as long oval as the Quantum ST) and has been out of production for a good number of years I believe (maybe 4-5?). The Quantic is the most comparable model in the current range.

[Condi]

cannedheat said:

has been out of production for a good number of years I believe (maybe 4-5?).

That long? Hmm, probably why there are cheap prices on them now then, although there seem to be plenty around in shops. I guess it comes down to how much you worry about a 4 year old helmet being stored. Not ideal. :/

[typeo]

Condi said:

Thanks, great answer. I've enquired about the production date, they have a code on the buckle, like Ro5/So6, rather than a date stamp so have asked Arai.

You can translate the codes using the table here:
https://support.whyarai.com/support/solutions/arti...

I found switching from the earlier type shell to the R75 didn't need a change in size. I use a QV-Pro and an RX7-V, the latter has a nicer interior, and even though the same size I think it fits better. Not sure if they allowed some room in the QV models for ear pieces perhaps.

[Condi]

typeo said:

You can translate the codes using the table here:
https://support.whyarai.com/support/solutions/arti...

Perfect, thank you. I had found somewhere which said H was 2008 and worked from there, but that table confirms what I suspected. The helmets were manufactured in 2018/2019, seems a very long time for them to be sat on a shelf in a warehouse! Sadly the budget doesn't stretch to an RX-7V!

So, the million dollar question - has a new, unworn helmet kept still in a dark room degraded at all over the last 5 years? The internet can't agree. I'm tempted to think not, or at least I see no reason why it would do. UV light is the biggest problem normally, as well as general wear and tear.

Edited by Condi on Sunday 16th April 22:23

[Neal H]

There’s a label inside my Arai that says it’s warrantied for 5 years from first use or 7 years from manufacture and that it should be replaced within 5 years of first use.

I think it would be fine, but my opinion is no more valid than the rest of the internet

[tim0409]

cannedheat said:

I have the Quantum ST ‘pro’ which I believe the QV replaced, this came with the sunshade as the ‘pro’ model. Note the QV is a long oval shaped helmet (although not as long oval as the Quantum ST) and has been out of production for a good number of years I believe (maybe 4-5?). The Quantic is the most comparable model in the current range.

I couldn’t find anything definitive on the internal shape of the Quantic; I’m very definitely a long oval, and my current helmet is an Arai Viper GT. It’s old and needs replaced but when I contacted Arai a couple of years ago they said that none of their current range is long oval. It sounds like the Quantic has been introduced since then so will give it a try.

[cannedheat]

tim0409 said:

cannedheat said:

I have the Quantum ST ‘pro’ which I believe the QV replaced, this came with the sunshade as the ‘pro’ model. Note the QV is a long oval shaped helmet (although not as long oval as the Quantum ST) and has been out of production for a good number of years I believe (maybe 4-5?). The Quantic is the most comparable model in the current range.

I couldn’t find anything definitive on the internal shape of the Quantic; I’m very definitely a long oval, and my current helmet is an Arai Viper GT. It’s old and needs replaced but when I contacted Arai a couple of years ago they said that none of their current range is long oval. It sounds like the Quantic has been introduced since then so will give it a try.

I also have Quantic which replaced my Quantum-ST. I was a medium in the Quantum-ST and was fitted for a large Quantic at Motolegends with a few lining adjustments. On paper the Shoei’s should have fitted me better but the properly adjusted Quantic was spot on and has proven to be very comfortable.

[Condi]

Neal H said:

There’s a label inside my Arai that says it’s warrantied for 5 years from first use or 7 years from manufacture and that it should be replaced within 5 years of first use.

I think it would be fine, but my opinion is no more valid than the rest of the internet

I tend to agree with you, Arai are a good make and they should last long enough if kept in a dark, dry room.

[tim0409]

cannedheat said:

tim0409 said:

cannedheat said:

I have the Quantum ST ‘pro’ which I believe the QV replaced, this came with the sunshade as the ‘pro’ model. Note the QV is a long oval shaped helmet (although not as long oval as the Quantum ST) and has been out of production for a good number of years I believe (maybe 4-5?). The Quantic is the most comparable model in the current range.

I couldn’t find anything definitive on the internal shape of the Quantic; I’m very definitely a long oval, and my current helmet is an Arai Viper GT. It’s old and needs replaced but when I contacted Arai a couple of years ago they said that none of their current range is long oval. It sounds like the Quantic has been introduced since then so will give it a try.

I also have Quantic which replaced my Quantum-ST. I was a medium in the Quantum-ST and was fitted for a large Quantic at Motolegends with a few lining adjustments. On paper the Shoei’s should have fitted me better but the properly adjusted Quantic was spot on and has proven to be very comfortable.

I tried on a XL Quantic but it felt tight on my forehead, so I suspect it’s an intermediate oval, which is a shame as it’s a really nice helmet.

I’m on holiday in the US at the moment and decided to order an Arai Signet X (XL) which is definitely a long oval shape and it fits nicely especially with the thinner 5mm headliner. It wasn’t cheap as the exchange rate is poor, but I managed to get a 15% discount code to work with Revzilla as a first time customer, and then got some credit towards a tinted visor.

I appreciate that it won’t by EU certified, but I would rather have a helmet that fits my weird shaped head, and this is the only helmet I have found after trying on lots!