arai tour x4 pro shade

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Pro shade system.

The Pro Shade System is Arai’s answer to an internal sun shade. By having an external drop-down sun shade, as opposed to one positioned internally between the shell and EPS liner, impact-absorption performance is not diminished. Maximum EPS thickness is retained across the front and at the sides of the head where an internal drop-down lens and its pivot mechanism would be located, allowing optimal rider protection. It also allows Arai helmets to keep their Snell rating.

Additional benefits of the external Pro Shade System is that the shade has several positions to deal with different light conditions, allows sudden bursts of light to be dealt with by just dipping your head slightly (without having to take you hand off the bars) and when fully up can still block overhead glare – even from street lights at night – internal sun shades offer only up or down. Finally, the Arai Pro Shade System shield can be added to the helmet of your choice or moved from one helmet to another.

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ARAI Pro Shade System VAS-V Shield

Arai Pro Shade System for SAI-Compatible Helmets

Nowadays it is quite common to use a retractable sun-visor that is situated between the helmet’s outer- and inner shell to protect against sun glare. However, it is Arai’s opinion that this construction could affect the performance of a helmet during impact. As the Pro Shade System is completely mounted on the outside of the helmet, it will not in any way negatively affect the performance of the helmet.

The Pro Shade System is a small peak that is locked in position. Unlocking is easy; just pull the Pro Shade System forward, then it can be flipped down with a flick of the hand to act as an effective sun-visor. The Pro Shade System is the complete all-weather system for serious touring riders, offering protection against sun glare, fogging and misting, especially for riders that prefer an upright seating position and/or the comfort of a fairing, the Pro Shade System will enhance the rider’s comfort significantly.

Fits all Arai helmets with VAS-V Shield.
Complete system, pre-mounted on clear Arai MAX Vision visor (included)
Compatible with Arai VAS-V Max Vision Pinlock Inserts With Brow Vents (sold separately)
Enhanced aerodynamics
Increased helmet stability
Removable for easy cleaning
No contact with visor: no scratching

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Arai Pro Shade System Review

Providing a unique alternative to retractable interior sun visors, Arai’s Pro Shade System mounts adjustable sun and glare protection on the outside of the helmet, in keeping with Arai’s position that extra internal equipment can compromise a helmet’s integrity in the event of an impact.

Attached to a Max-V Brow Vented shield, the Pro Shade System easily replaces the shield of most current Arai full-face street helmets. Swapping in the Pro Shade System is as simple as exchanging a clear visor for a shaded one, but you get both options at the same time, and the Pro Shade System adds minimal weight to the helmet.

The shaded shield can be quickly flipped up or down with a gloved hand while riding. Simply grasp it in the center and pull gently away from the helmet, and the shield locks into place in either position. This is easier than reaching for the release button or track slider on the internal-shield-equipped helmets. I also prefer not having a secondary shield close to my face, as happens with the interior visor.

One of my favorite features of the Pro Shade is the ability to partially block the late afternoon sun with the dark shield in the up position. The smoked shield has enough of a hand-shading-eyes effect when dipping your head to the appropriate angle to be surprisingly effective. With the Pro Shade shield up, it does not catch a significant amount of additional windblast when turning your head to look over your shoulder at freeway speeds.

Additionally, while we like that the shield does not block Arai’s excellent Brow Vent intake ducts when the shield is in the lower position, it does allow the sun to peek straight through the vents at a certain time of the afternoon when your head is at just the wrong angle.

Finally, your field of vision is not as fully shaded with an externally mounted sun shield as it is farther away from your eyes. When glancing from the road to mirrors, then back to the road, your line-of-sight goes from shaded to unshaded and back. This does help those without perfect vision read the clocks more easily, however.

Despite these minor complaints, Arai’s Pro Shade System is a welcome option for having the convenience of both clear and shaded visors on one helmet, and is a unanimous winner with the Ultimate MotorCycling staff.

For additional information, visit AraiAmericas.com .

Story from Ultimate MotorCycling magazine; for subscription services, click here .

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Used review: Pro Shade System

ARAI'S Pro Shade System is their answer to the internal sun visor. It's aimed at serious touring riders and I've been using one for the past couple of months.

Arai state that internal visors, as found on many other branded helmets nowadays, sacrifice helmet rigidity. And that’s why they place their sun visor on the outside of the helmet.

Non Arai owners will say that their internal designs are far superior. Yet the Arai owners I know tend to only wear Arai helmets so aren't likely to swap brands. So apart from swapping visors, or wearing sunglasses, this is the only real solution Arai owners have if it's dark one minute and light the next - or vice versa.

While in the up position the visor acts like a peak, but the peak is only just visible and certainly does not distract from riding.

I was very happy to be testing the Pro Shade System on a recent 2500-mile tour. Simply put, with the Pro Shade System you don’t have to comprise your vision during changeable weather.

A drawback compared to internal visor designs is that you have to have the normal clear visor pretty much closed to use the dark visor. Not so great on hot days around town. The only other downside I discovered are the two visor air vents don’t always close properly if you pull the tabs down from their sides rather than the middle.

Despite these points I was pleased to have chosen the Pro Shade System rather than a tinted visor for that recent tour.

But I think the real benefit for Aria owners (when not touring) will come later in the year when daily commutes start off in darkness and end with a low sun.

The Pro Shade System costs £99 and is supplied as a free extra with these 2014 Quantum ST, Rebel and Chaser V helmets until October.

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Arai Tour X4 helmet review

Customer rating:

Arai’s Tour X4 is the latest version of the incredibly popular adventure helmet, with a redesigned shell shape and added ventilation over the previous Tour X3.

The most immediately obvious changes on the Arai Tour X4 are a whole array of front and rear vents, which provide enough air flow to keep you ice cold when required.

The chin vent is fantastic even when used on its own but there are also metal mesh panels to each side, which are opened from the inside to allow more air to flow into the front of the helmet.

Arai have also added the brow vents that can be seen on most of their range of helmets. On the Tour X4 these work amazingly well, allowing the air to be channelled directly around your head.

There are also top vents to make sure every part of your head is getting blasted with air, and exhaust vents to draw out any warm air rather than letting it get stuck inside.

There is a downside to all of the vents and extra bits stuck on to the shell – the noise. In my experience Arais are noisy and the Tour X4 is no different.

I dislike wearing earplugs and prefer to ride without them, but I’ve had no choice when wearing the Tour X4 because of the noise levels.

The peak creates a lot of the wind noise, which seems to get in and around the peak and causes it to whistle like a camping kettle.

I also found that even with the chin curtain pulled out there was still a lot of wind noise coming through the bottom of the helmet. This was nice in the summer but left me reaching for a neck scarf during the winter months.

The peak can be removed, which does reduce the noise considerably and makes the helmet look incredibly aggressive. Combine that with a dark visor and you’ll look like you’ve escaped from Call of Duty.

The difficulty in removing the peak has to be one of my biggest annoyances and one of the reasons I feel this Arai looks a little antiquated. Arai don’t do quick-release and you need a screwdriver to remove the four plastic bolts holding the peak on.

You need to remove the peak to change the visor, slowing it down even more. I also detest the idea of taking a metal screwdriver to an expensive helmet and I’m not sure everyone has access to a plastic screwdriver.

On the plus side, the wide and deep visor and aperture offer amazing optical clarity and field of vision, which means I can perform a blindspot check with the smallest of head movements. Compared to the Tour X4 the view from a standard road helmet is like looking through a letterbox.

But perhaps the biggest advantage of the large aperture is that it has room to fit goggles. You don’t even have to remove the visor as raising it leaves enough room for the goggles, which is great.

Fitting a dark lens to my goggles and leaving the clear visor on the helmet meant I didn’t need to go through the slow visor change so frequently. As soon as the sun went away I took the goggles off and flicked the clear visor down.

The goggles sit really well and seal perfectly to my face. Although it creates loads of extra wind noise, my eyes are protected.

The visor comes with a Pinlock insert, but the shape of the visor means fitting the insert can be tricky.

It’s a challenge to get it to sit tight to the visor without being too tight, which causes a strange streak to appear, or having it too loose and being useless at stopping visor misting.

Once fitted and adjusted correctly I had no problems at all and it did exactly what you’d expect and kept my visor fog-free.

I found the biggest drawback to the helmet was weight. I’ve used the Tour X4 as a dual-sport helmet and after a few hours on the road or some green laning, its weight does become noticeable.

Having said that, it feels lighter on your head than when carrying it around and it’s nicely balanced so it doesn’t pull your head down while riding.

The weight is because Arai’s philosophy is to make a very robust shell and their argument would be that a lighter shell would be thinner and not as strong or safe – though other brands seem able to make a lighter adventure helmet.

An important feature of the helmet to me, is emergency-release cheekpads. Having had a previous helmet removed by paramedics, I feel this is an overlooked and underrated feature on a helmet.

The orange tabs allow the cheekpads to be removed whilst the helmet is still on. Once the cheekpads are out the helmet just rolls off the rider’s head without putting strain on the neck.

The cheekpads don’t have a pocket or removable foam to fit intercoms speakers, but underneath the cover of the cheekpad there is a recess that’s the perfect shape to accommodate speakers.

The skullpad has a 5mm section that can be removed if the helmet fits too closely – but once it has been torn out it doesn’t go back in, so give it time before ripping this out as you may find the helmet beds in quite nicely without removing it.

The fit on mine loosened to the point where I needed new, thicker padding to restore a close fit, so it’s definitely worth waiting before taking out that section of skullpad.

Overall, the Arai Tour X4 is a seriously good helmet that takes the best bits from its predecessor and builds on it.

It’s not perfect but it’s very well made and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. If you are looking for an adventure helmet you have to consider the Tour X4.

The visor is huge and the field of vision fantastic. Sometimes you can see the edge of the Pinlock insert and at night, the Pinlock causes distortion to appear around the headlights of oncoming cars.

Ventilation

This is one of the best-ventilated helmets I’ve used. There are many little vents and they’re in awkward places, but they are easy to operate once you know where they are.

Fit & Comfort

I’ve gone for my usual size and it fits me bang-on. The helmet is comfortable, but the weight and noise impede a little.

Build quality

The shell of the helmet and interior are some of the best available. The peak is also very robust, however the vents are glued on and feel a little flimsy.

The features that Arai have added to this helmet are amazingly well made. There are a few things missing that you would expect at this price point.

Arai Tour X4

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Arai Pro Shade Review

The Arai Pro Shade Visor System

The Arai Pro Shade system adds a fold-down tinted sun shade to an Arai SAI-type face shield.

The system cannot be installed on a standard Arai face shield; instead, it replaces it with a modified face shield that has the special attachment for the sun shade.

The sun shade sits over the face shield and it can be tilted up or down manually.

It has a single detent, so it’s an on or off device and the sun shade can be removed for cleaning.

When it’s in the up position, the sun shade locks into position to prevent sudden closing.

The system may look slightly odd, but it works well and doesn’t seem to change the aerodynamics or sound levels of the helmet, whether the sun shade is in the lowered or raised position. The new face shield also has adjustable brow vents.

The downside is the expense. Since you’re replacing the entire face shield to get the sun shade, the cost is significant.

Evolution at Arai is deliberate and conservative and the company has specific design beliefs about the way a face shield should be attached to a helmet.

That is, the helmet shell should not be compromised with indents or recesses for the face shield rotating mechanism.

But the popularity of the sun shade in recent motorcycle helmets has apparently motivated Arai to develop a unique solution that would not require an internal recess for the rotating sun shade.

According to the Otte helmet study (YouTube video) and others, approximately 22% of measured helmet impacts in a crash are focused on the left and right brow portion of the motorcycle helmet.

This means that the addition of an internal sun shade must be carefully designed and implemented so that it doesn’t compromise safety.

Some or most helmets with an internal sun shade have either a thinner shell in the forehead area or thinner EPS underneath (or both) to fit the device inside the helmet, which can compromise safety.

That’s not Arai talking; it’s me.

And since in my opinion, most of the sun shades perform poorly anyway, add weight and complexity and don’t offer as much tint as a good pair of sunglasses, I’ll take safety over a mild tint any day.

The Arai Pro Shade

Arai had to come up with a sun shade system that wouldn’t compromise the “impact energy management” of its helmet shell design philosophy. That meant designing some type of an add-on device for the sun shade.

I’ll admit, when I first looked at the Arai Pro Shade, I thought it looked a bit clumsy at best and perhaps even slightly goofy.

I’ve seen add-on sun shades like this before and they look kind of dorkish.

So the Pro Shade sat in the box for a while, until one sunny day I decided to mount it on a new Arai Defiant we’re reviewing.

The installation was easy enough — as long as you’re familiar with the idiosyncrasies of installing an Arai face shield. Remove the original face shield and install the Pro Shade system and you’re ready to go.

The Pro Shade flips up and down manually; it has one “up” position. When you lift it, you sort of automatically push it back anyway and this locks it into place in the raised position so that it can’t suddenly close.

There are triangle-shaped clips on either side that hold the sun shade in place on the Pro Shade face shield.

These can be removed if you need to clean the shade or the face shield.

The new Arai SAI (Super AdSis “I”) face shield with the Pro Shade system has specially designed brow vents that are different from the Arai standard brow vents on the original equipment face shields.

The new vents can be opened half-way by tilting up the inner edge or opened fully.

On the Road With the Arai Pro Shade

All told, the Pro Shade system works very well and the sun shade provides good coverage with excellent optical quality.

When engaged, the sun shade angles up on either side but I quickly became accustomed to it. The clear area below the sun shade allows a good view of the bike’s instrument panel.

I was surprised to find that there doesn’t seem to be any difference in aerodynamics or sound levels with the Pro Shade installed. This is true whether the sun shade is raised or lowered; I just don’t notice any difference.

It’s also easy enough to use with a quick left-hand tug to lower the sun shade or a quick push to raise it.

[NOTE: Always lock the helmet’s face shield when riding with the Pro Shade in the raised position! Otherwise, the wind can catch under the Pro Shade and pull the face shield up and even detach it from the helmet. See “S” comments below.]

I have to say, I’m not a big fan of riding with dark tinted face shields because I think it’s important for the people in other vehicles to see your eyes and realize there’s an actual human being under that helmet. A dark shield somehow de-humanizes the rider, in my opinion.

I recently asked several non-motorcyclist drivers what they think about motorcycle riders with dark tinted visors and the consensus was roughly that they don’t like it because — in their words — it makes the rider look “weird” and “like a robot”.

I suspected this, which is why I don’t use a tinted face shield, but at least the Arai Pro Shade can be lifted up and then employed only if it’s really necessary.

Arai says that with the Pro Shade in the raised position, the rider only has to tilt his or her head a little bit to get some sun blocking capability.

I didn’t find this to be the case, however, because when it’s raised, there’s only a tiny sliver of Pro Shade up above my brow.

Alternatives for a Sun Shade in Arai Helmets

By the way, another option for shading inside an Arai helmet is the Sunax Max Sun Shield (review) , which fits between the liner and the shell in Arai and other helmets.

I have been using one on my Arai RX-Q (review) for a couple of years and it works well.

The downside of the Arai Pro Shade is the cost. The Pro Shade, which includes the sun shade on the specially designed face shield, has a list price of $100.95 (current street price is ~$91.00).

The Arai Pro Shade system is Pinlock-ready, but if you already have a Pinlock insert on your OE Arai face shield, you’ll have to buy another.

That’s a significant cost difference that adds to the already very high price of an Arai helmet.

The Arai Pro Shade system works very well and provides good coverage with about the darkest legal tint available.

The cost is significant but if you can get over that, the Pro Shade is a worthwhile option.

Owner Comments and Feedback

From “S” (July 2016): “I upgraded my Signet-Q with a Pro Shade two months ago, and could not be happier…until this past weekend.

I have extremely sensitive eyes and must wear sunglasses underneath a tinted visor.

Before the Pro Shade, that meant that varying lighting brought on by trees and tunnels, as well as reading my GPS, were constant difficulties (the GPS readout got “double shaded”, meaning that its brightness took a severe hit).

The Pro Shade allows me to remove or add the extra tint layer at the drop of a hat, plus even when down it leaves a clear band across the bottom of my vision to leave gauge readouts unaffected.

I really loved it until this weekend. Why this weekend? Because, while I was tilting my head up while yawning, the wind caught the tinted Pro Shield flip panel and ripped the entire visor clean off the helmet! (Both the Pro Shield and the face shield were gone).

After getting my wits I stopped the bike and walked back to pick up the shield. And, of course, when I was about 80 feet away a car ran over it and crushed it to little pieces. Leaving me on a 70MPH highway, on a holiday weekend, 400 miles from home with no wind protection at all.

I will almost certainly buy another Pro Shield (plus the clear Pinlock insert that was also lost – OUCH $$$), as it was the best solution I’ve ever tried to my lighting issues.

But, saying that, best keep your visor locked when fitted with a Pro Shield when you are not using the tinted flip!

As usual, wBW is the best motorcycle information resource on the internet. Thanks and keep up the great work!”

Follow-up from “S” (July 2016): “I spoke to Arai. Their policy is to have the face shield locked any time it is down , and with the Pro Shade that seems especially important.

If you can, pass along that important point to any current or prospective Pro Shade users.

It is certainly not especially convenient, having to make sure you take the extra effort to lock your shield every single time you start moving, but the Pro Shade’s design seems to make that imperative.

As I said, the Pro Shade is a fine solution to my light sensitivity problem but I guess it brings problems of its own.”

Editor’s Reply: Probably most of the helmet manufacturers recommend keeping the face shield locked when riding. It’s especially important with Arai helmets since the face shield rotating system does not have detents.

From “D.M.” (October 2015): ” ‘Hello Pro Shade, Good-bye sunglasses!’ I wear photochromic eyeglasses, but they don’t darken in two cases when you need it the most: behind a helmet face shield and a car windshield.

So — I have spent years experimenting with clip-on, fit-over, and fit-behind types of sunglasses. All work, but all are a pain.

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Like the editor, I prefer a clear shield. Light conditions change, sometimes rapidly, and I don’t want to stop every time I need to take off or put on sunglasses, let alone change face shields.

Plus, where do you store glasses or extra face shields?

Enter the Arai Pro Shield. I now ride through changing light conditions — changing cloud cover, dark woods, shady canyons, bright sun, even tunnels (yes, they do exist) — with no stopping, no fuss, no muss.

I just flip up or down the dark shield as needed, on the fly. Life is good!

Addressing some criticisms others have expressed:

1. Incomplete coverage. At first you are acutely aware of the bottom of the dark shield. After two or three rides, I was used to the partial coverage, and appreciate some advantages: clear (i.e. undarkened) view of instruments, especially LCD panels.

Clear view of mirrors and clear peripheral view, doing head checks. A new “long” dark shield is coming, which may be fine, but the original configuration seems fine to me.

2. Face shield vent sliding “doors” are sloppy or cheap, compared to the traditional pivoting doors. I find the sliding doors easy enough to manipulate with gloved thumbs. Once opened or closed, they stay in position. Seems like that’s all they need to do.

3. Cut-outs or “notches” which give clearance to open the dark shade without interfering with face shield vents. This is my biggest complaint about the Pro Shade system, but hardly a deal-breaker.

At certain lighting angles, your face gets illuminated through the cut-outs, which reflects on the inner side of the dark shield. Once I figured out what was causing these reflections, they bothered me less. And, really, all you need to do is move your head a few degrees in whatever direction helps.

4. HIgh cost, especially after you’ve just purchased an EXPENSIVE Arai helmet. As of this writing, MotorcycleGear.com is selling the Pro Shade for $77.81 , plus $3.99 postage (Click through wBW to purchase), which seems reasonable to me.

One final comment is that it is EASY to remove the dark shade from the clear shade, in order to thoroughly clean both. There are a few videos that show it clearly.

Oh, and I can now easily negotiate dark places, like convenience store bathrooms, and my tank filler neck as I attempt to fill up, since my dark shield flips up out of the way with the clear shield.

When the Pro Shade first hit the market, I thought it was plenty goofy looking, and I was sure it would quickly fade from the scene. Now, after a few rides, and with sunglasses left at home, I think it is a GENIUS product.

Arai designers and engineers definitely go their own way, but they are putting some serious thought into their products. This is a good example.”

From “S.S.” (May 2015): “I just completed a 2500 mile, 13-day trip using the Pro Shade in a variety of conditions. My experience was mostly negative.

There are several issues that I had with the system which I will share:

The sun visor flips down unexpectedly in high winds. Whether this is an issue because of the windscreen position on my bike, or just riding in high winds, it was very frustrating, and I ended up removing the tinted visor completely and using it as a clear visor.
The redesigned air vents are very sloppy in their engagement, and I had lots of pollen, bugs and dust leak through and get into my eyes. Fortunately, I had brought an extra Pinlock clear visor for rain, and I finished the ride using this all of the time, even though I prefer not to use a Pinlock unless it is necessary.
For folks with progressive lenses such as myself, the tinted portion only covered the distance portion of my eyeglasses, and the seam dividing the clear from the tinted section fell in my middle vision range, which made it useless in heavy traffic riding such as city streets.
The exclusion of the Pinlock insert is painful considering some entire helmets can be had for the cost of this visor alone.
The clear portion of my visor is showing some wear at the location where the tinted portion lies when down.

On the positive side, with the visor up, it did tend to work like the brim of a hat and help to keep sun out of my eyes.

In summary, this was an expensive mistake for my individual situation, and I will just go back to wearing my prescription sunglasses and a standard clear visor.

Thanks for the reviews!”

From “B.H.” (May 2014): “One thing that was not mentioned in your review of the Arai Pro Shade was if you could open/close the main shield with the Pro Shade either up or down. This was not covered in the Arai video link either.”

Rick’s Reply: Yes, you can, I guess I thought that was obvious but maybe not. If you look at the image from Arai of the face shield in the review — the image of the face shield with Pro Shade and Pinlock attached — you can see that the rotating mechanism for the face shield is separate from the rotating mechanism for the Pro Shade. Here’s a photo:

From “M.R.” (May 2014): “When I initially saw the Pro Shield publicity material online I was most skeptical. However, I decided to put my faith in Arai and their conservative principles and get one.

I quite literally bought the demo unit off the Tucker Rocky rep early this month when he was at Bobs BMWs open house. Ended up paying full list plus tax.

After riding with it everyday for about 3 weeks now I’m very satisfied. There has been no significant increase in wind noise or any whistling and the system plain works.

Having used a similar system on an AGV and Nolan modulars in the past my only caution to buyers would be that they ensure that grit and debris trapped between the two shields if any is cleaned after every ride to prevent scratches on both shields.

The system though a bit clunky, works well. I also feel the price of under $100 is justifiable for a sun shield system that preserves the thickness of the EPS liner in the crucial forehead area and therefore retains the helmet’s Snell rating.

The only full face helmet with an internal sun shield from Arai’s traditional competitor Shoei, the GT-Air is not Snell certified. An added benefit of the external design is it helps reduce raindrops on the clear face-shield ensuring just that extra bit of clearer vision in heavy rain. Highly recommend with the caveat that it works for me.”

My pro shield has scratched my clear shield. It is 3 years old & I love it because I wear prescription glasses. I have the tinted visor in the up position 90% of the time. But I don’t love the scratches it has caused on the clear shield. Is there any way to buff them out? Or am I stuck having to buy a whole new shield every 3 years?

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ARAI TOUR-X 4 MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

Adventure, grand touring or off road, no matter the riding conditions, the Tour-X4 is ready for anything. The Tour-X4 has a complete new outer shell. Redesigned to be tougher, stronger and stiffer than ever. As the Tour-X4 may be used under extreme conditions, the ventilation system has been redeveloped for maximum efficiency. The new Facial Contour System (FCS) offers more support and comfort to the lower jaw and creates a tighter fit. For an even better personal fit, there is a removable 5 mm surface foam layer on the cheek pads and temple pad from the headliner. Wear the Tour-X4 with or without peak, with or without visor and combinations of these two. The large visor opening offers plenty of room for motocross-style goggles when riding without visor. SPECIFICATION:

Super Fibre Construction (SFC)
Triple density inner shell
Two TDF3 front ducts
TX4 diffuser
Side exhaust vents
New controlled chin ventilation
Aeroflap - reduces wind noise and turbulence
Flatter neck roll to minimise turbulence
Visor/peak holder pressure plate enlarged for extra stability
Patented visor brow vents
Wear with or without peak/with or without visor or combination of the two
Enhanced visor with aerodynamically designed visor levers and brow vents
Facial Contour System (FCS) with removable 5mm foam layer on cheek pads
Removable 5mm temple pads on the head liner
Comes with clear visor as standard dark visor can be purchased separately
Includes Pinlock Insert
Also known as the XD4 Helmet

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Arai Tour-X 4 Review

Hirotake Arai was a successful hat maker in Japan during the 1950s. He was also a keen motorcycle rider, although it wasn’t the safest hobby to have at the time. With no legal standards for helmets, and no manufacturers producing helmets anyway, it was hard to keep yourself adequately protected when going out for a ride and even a minor spill could be a life-threatening affair .

Hirotake was a problem solver though, and he set about designing and constructing helmets for him and his riding mates with the sole intention of keeping their noggins safe. Fast forward 70 years and it’s clear he succeeded in doing that, and then some.

The mark of true quality is when your name becomes a recognised description. When you set a benchmark that all others in your field strive to achieve. Think commentators describing a goal as “Messi-esque”. And, in the motorcycling world, Arai is now synonymous with high standards of quality and attention to detail; the premium of motorcycle helmets.

Which leads us on to the adventure-styled Arai Tour-X 4. Arai’s range of adventure helmets have been firm favourites at ABR Towers, coming out top in the many helmet group tests we’ve conducted over the years and worn regularly by ABR staff at bike launches and on our ride outs since we first went to print. So, when the Tour-X 4 arrived on my desk in the new ‘Cover – White’ colourway, I was excited to see just what all the fuss was about.

Now, before we get started, it’s impossible to write about the Tour-X 4 without mentioning the elephant in the room. It’s an expensive lid. Arai have priced the colourway I’m reviewing at £579.99 and, while there are discounts to be found online, it’s undoubtedly a hefty sum.

So much so that, taking into account the rock-bottom fuel prices at my local Sainsbury’s, I could use the same amount to travel over 5,000 miles on a BMW R 1250 GS . The bottom line is, the Tour-X 4 needs to perform exceptionally well to justify that price and convince you to cough up your hard-earned cash.

Arai Tour-X 4 – First Impressions

Immediately it’s clear the Arai Tour-X 4 is a high-quality lid. It feels bulletproof and sturdy, there’s no clunkiness or cheap-sounding creaking as you get to grips with the components, visor and peak.

A quick play with the various vents (more on them later) also gives the reassuring impression of premium quality. The visor offers a vast field of vision and closes securely with a satisfying snap. It also comes Pinlock-ready with a Pinlock insert in the box, a touch which is much appreciated.

The initial evident quality of the helmet is hardly surprisingly – Arai helmets are built almost entirely by hand. Each takes around 18 man hours and passes five separate inspections before being boxed up for shipping. An unparalleled commitment to maintaining those lofty standards.

On the slightly superficial front, it also looks fantastic. Arai have really nailed the subtle styling of an adventure helmet with the Tour-X 4. It steers clear of the sharper lines and aggressive chinbars of competitors that scream ‘moto-cross hero’, instead capturing the versatility of our adventure bikes by looking ready to take riders on and off the tarmac.

The ‘Cover-White’ colourway that I have (pictured) combines a black/grey digital camo pattern with attractive white stripes. The only complaint I have is that Arai use their more artistic colourways to stick a couple of larger logos on the sides of the helmet, alongside the standard one on the peak.

It’s a minor grievance, I am splitting hairs, and dependent on what graphics you purchase (they’re not present in the plain white or black helmets) but it seems like an uncharacteristic departure from Arai’s usual subtle, premium styling.

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Since slipping on the Arai Tour-X 4 for the first time I can confidently say, out of the many motorcycle helmets I’ve tested since starting at ABR, it’s the most comfortable yet. Perhaps I’m lucky enough to have the perfect head for an Arai, but it fits like a dream.

The 1.65kg weight (size M) is average for an adventure helmet, but the weight is distributed evenly across the top of the head, while the cheek pads combine with the cushioning at the back of the helmet to ensure that the helmet fit is just right, snug without ever feeling tight or uncomfortable.

This snug fit, particularly around the lower part of your face, is provided by the Facial Contour System. In layman’s terms this is a small foam spring support included in each cheek pad that compresses to shape around your face, providing just the right level of pressure to ensure safety and a comfortable fit.

It’s a testament to this intricate balancing act that the helmet feels much lighter than others in class, despite being the same weight. Indeed, it’s so comfortable and easy to wear that I popped it on as I began writing this review, and only took it off an hour later when I couldn’t find a straw to drink my tea. And, while riding, it’s easy to almost forget you’re wearing a helmet at all.

If the Tour-X 4 doesn’t fit perfectly out of the box straight away, Arai provides a number of options to tailor the fit to you. The cheek and temple crown pads feature a 5mm ‘peel-away’ layer to give you more width to work with, while all the interior parts are removable and can be replaced with alternative sizes depending on your head shape.

Performance from the saddle

Comfort doesn’t just come from the fit of a helmet though. When you’re in the saddle ventilation, noise and aerodynamic stability can turn an otherwise comfortable helmet into an unbearable one.

Once again, the Arai Tour-X 4 excels in these areas. It boasts more ventilation than a chemistry lab, seven drawing air in at the front and six exhaust vents enabling a delightful breeze to run through the helmet on hotter days. The brow vents, located at the top of the visor, are particular favourites, helping to avoid the soggy fringe that usually accompanies a day riding in the sun.

The main chin vent, and two smaller ones on either side, also help to compensate for the chin bar, which is less aggressive and doesn’t come out as far as those on other adventure helmets, by keeping your lower face cool. Every vent is closeable should the temperature drop, while an extendable chin spoiler directs wind away from your neck. And, if you’re getting into some gnarly trails, there is the option to lift up the visor and slap on some goggles.

For an adventure-style helmet it’s also pretty quiet, even with the vents open. I still wear earplugs when I ride (I do with all my helmets) but the usual rushing wind at motorway speeds is muted enough for me to comfortably listen to a podcast or music over my intercom system.

High-speed performance

Speaking of motorway riding, aerodynamically the helmet is stable and comfortable up to, and even beyond, legal speeds. The peak is barely noticeable, even during shoulder checks, and certainly one of the best I’ve ridden with. ABR editor Bryn reckons that the peak on the Arai Tour-X 4 is the best on the market (over the years he’s tested every adventure helmet going) when it comes to aerodynamics, and I’m inclined to agree with him.

I’m yet to hear the whistle that some users complain of, but there’s always the option to entirely remove the peak should you wish on those longer runs, transforming it into a mean looking streetfighter helmet.

You may want to keep it on though, as the peak is the only form of sun protection offered for riders, which is a slight disappointment. Unlike many competitors, Arai refuses to include an internal sun-visor. For them it represents an unacceptable compromise on safety.

To make life easier, the inner lining features neat cut outs that make it more comfortable to wear sunglasses all day while riding, but this could be a slight problem if you’re diving in and out of Alpine tunnels while touring. Still, above all Hirotake Arai emphasised the safety of the rider and if Arai says it’s better to not feature an internal sun-visor, I’m not going to argue.

Safety and protection

Rider safety has always been a hallmark of Arai helmets, and the Tour-X 4 is no exception.

The outer shell is formed of a Special Fibre Laminate (SFL) which is designed to disperse any impact energy over the widest area of the shell, while the softer inner shell combines three to five layers of EPS foam to then absorb the rest of the energy from an impact. There’s one shell size for each two sizes of helmet, so if you wear a small or a medium you won’t look like a bobblehead with a ‘large’ outer shell.

The core philosophy of all Arai helmets is evident in the clean, smooth lines of the helmet too. These are designed to encourage ‘glancing off’, meaning that the helmet will decelerate as little as possible upon impact with the road or an object.

Should a slide occur, the vent covers and external fittings will rip off with ease while the shell remains un-compromised. This helps to stop the rotational forces these could generate if they were fixed from being transferred to your neck. Finishing off this ensemble is a bulletproof D-ring clasp and an emergency release system.

Arai’s commitment to the safety of the rider extends to ensuring their helmets pass their own penetration testing, which involves dropping a 3kg test cone from a height of three metres (even though it’s not required for European safety standards).

The safety features included in all their helmets are the same as those worn by professional riders on the racing circuit, as President Mitch Arai says, “How can you say one person’s head is worth more than another’s?”

The fastening system for visor and peak is another area where the Arai Tour-X 4 has come under some criticism, but where the recurring theme of prioritising rider safety is evident. It’s fair to say it’s anything but ‘quick-release’; you need a screwdriver or coin to loosen the screws at either side, but after practice it’s easy to do.

Loosening the screws allows you to adjust the angle of the peak, or you can remove it altogether as mentioned earlier. There’s no quick release system, as seen in other helmets, as any recesses in the outer shell naturally require a compromise in shell thickness or foam density, something which Arai were not prepared to do.

ABR Verdict – Arai Tour-X 4

If you were a fly on the wall in the ABR office on any given day you’d witness a phenomenon that I like to call ‘the grab test’. It’s the kit each rider instinctively, and subconsciously, grabs when they head off on a quick blast, perhaps to grab some lunch or even for a quick photo run. In the evenings we may deliberate for longer on what we’ll ride home in to assess and review, but for those quick jaunts we’ll naturally grab what we favour and what’s most comfortable to us.

With my riding time agonisingly reduced recently, us British riders have spent the majority of the last three months under varying forms of lockdown, most of my rides have fallen into this quick jaunt category. And, for every single one of them, I’ve instinctively grabbed the Arai Tour-X 4. It’s been my go-to for everything: shopping trips, supply runs and longer blasts down to south London to have a socially distanced chat with friends and family.

Ultimately, it performs excellently in a number of key areas. It’s the most comfortable helmet I’ve worn, the ventilation is fantastic and well-appreciated during the recent heat wave and Arai’s commitment to rider safety and confidence in their approach is reassuring.

Sure, it’s not perfect, but boy does it come close. For the very few downsides, there are clear explanations and workarounds. The fiddly peak and visor system undoubtedly helps it stay stable and perform well at speed and the ease of slotting in a pair of sunglasses partly makes up for a lack of internal sun visor. Yes, it’s expensive but as ABR Editor Bryn once wrote during a group test of adventure helmets:

“Put simply, if money is no barrier, the Tour-X 4 is a helmet that you’ll be proud to own and happy to wear. If money is tight, then get yourself a piggy bank and save up, you won’t be disappointed.”

For more information about Arai helmets and their commitment to higher standards of rider safety, check out the video below:

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Arai Tour X4 Full-Face Helmet Review and Road Test and Video

Today, we’ll be taking a look at and road testing the Arai Tour X4 adventure helmet, the helmet that does it all.

If you want a helmet for your more adventurous trips, then the Arai Tour X4 , known as the Arai XD-4 in the US, will be right there with you. You can wear this road helmet three different ways with the visor and the combinations include with the peak with or without the visor, with the peak and a pair of goggles, or even without the peak and just with the visor. So, you can already start to get an idea of how this Arai helmet can range from a street touring helmet to one suited to adventure riding as well. This helmet will be coming in at a recommended retail price of about 650 Euros, or around 720 US Dollars. So, you are getting a premium helmet with all the options. At this price range, the Arai TourX4 will be competing with the Shoei Hornet ADV , AGV AX-9 and the Schuberth E1 .

First, let’s start with the Arai TourX-4 ’s material. The Arai Tour X-4 ’s shell is made of Arai’s Complex Fibre Laminate construction, which is Arai’s own in house shell material that gives the helmet strength and impact flexibility. This also gives you a fairly light weight helmet since when we weighed the Arai Tour Ex-4 , we got a weight of 1620 grams in a size M with all the extras. Though for most helmets, this would be on the heavier end of the spectrum, this helmet was not designed with an explicit focus on weight. The helmet also comes in 5 shell sizes, which is impressive since few helmets come with this many shell sizes. The benefit of more shell sizes is that the helmet’s fit will be better, which will also improve safety since you’re getting a properly proportioned helmet. This will also be a safe helmet since it’s ECE, DOT, and SNELL certified as well. The helmet also has a very round profile, which is what Arai is known for, to focus on the helmet glancing off of any surface during an impact.

Ventilation

Now, looking at the ventilation on this helmet, you’re getting plenty. In the chin, you’re getting a 3 position chin vent with an adjustable set of 12 air intake vents, which should be really good whether you’re out touring or hitting the dirt. You can also close the vent from the inside so you don’t have to breathe in any dust while demisting your visor. In the brow, you’ve got two smaller vents that are also adjustable into open and closed positions to let some air in through the EPS. All this hot air will then come out this neck exhaust vent in the bottom of the helmet and a removable set of exhausts at the top rear of the helmet. So you can also remove them if you need to clean your helmet. Lastly, you’ve also got some side exhausts to help with getting all that warm air out as soon as possible as well.

Onto the visor now and you’re getting a pinlock prepared visor with the anti-fog pinlock insert also in the box. So, this means that even in the worst fogging conditions, your visor should stay as clear as it ever was. This helmet's large visor opening offers plenty of room for a pair of goggles and a good field of view. Looking at the peak, it’s been designed by Arai in such a way as to prevent lifting while you’re riding and instead forcing all that oncoming air into the two brow vents so you get even more cooling. If you want to remove the visor or the peak, it’s pretty straightforward, though you will need a screwdriver. Though from a full-face helmet this does seem a bit high to have to use a screwdriver, given the fact that this helmet is so versatile and a lot of other helmets for motocross are only made for goggles, I’m willing to let it slide.

Now, let’s take a look at the Arai TourX Four ’s liner. To start with, it’s Arai’s Dry-Cool Liner so it’s removable, washable, and moisture wicking. However, you can really see that Arai really went in on the comfort here to try and justify that high price mark. First, this helmet features Arai’s Facial Contour System (FCS) for short, which means the cheek pads have foam spring supports to more effectively have a snug fit without giving too much pressure. To further enhance the helmet’s comfort, it includes 5mm “Peel Away” foam layers on the cheek pads and the temple, so if you need a bit more space in the helmet, you can have it. The helmet should have a more intermediate-oval head fit. Lastly, for safety, the Arai Tour X-IV has an Emergency Release System (ERS) in the cheek pads. To take out the liner is fairly easy and straightforward, first all you need to do is slide out the cheek pads they snap out and slide out from the chin strap. You can see the double d ring chin strap. They’re thick and look comfortable for a good fit. For the res t of the liner, there are 4 snaps on the comfort liner to undo to get them out. What’s nice about the liner is it has multiple levels to help with comfort and ventilation. The only unfortunate thing is we have to EPS grooves in this helmet, but we’ll see how well it ventilates out on the road.

With all the specs over with, let’s see how this helmet did out on the road.

Arai Tour X4 Road Test

Just a reminder for how we measure our road tests. For the temperature, we used a thermometer placed in the top of the helmet to measure helmet’s internal temperature in degrees C. For noise, we used a decibel meter taking measurements from a microphone placed near our rider’s ear. We also used an anemometer to measure the day’s wind speed.

We tested the Tour X4 on a cool day with the sun out so we could also gauge the effectiveness of the Arai’s peak. During our road test, our rider rode on long stretches of highway at about 130 km/h. The day’s wind speed ranged between 110 km/h and 130 km/h. For ventilation, the Tour X-4’s many vents did not let this helmet down since the helmet’s internal temperature was about 8 degrees while it was 7 degrees Celsius outside, so that’s a very good 1-degree difference. For noise, this helmet was also very fairly quiet with about an average of 102 decibels of noise.

Our rider found the helmet to be very comfortable and performed similarly to the Shoei Hornet ADV . Since we rode on a sunny day, he also found that the peak blocked out the sun effectively and didn’t lift too much when looking ahead. He ultimately commented that the Tour X4 was slightly quieter than the Shoei HornetADV , but it was also slightly less comfortable though both still did well in this category with its intermediate oval head fit, double D-ring chin strap, and emergency release cheek pads. Now, let’s see how the Tour X4 ranked.

Arai Tour X4 Champion Helmets Score

For material, since the shell comes in 5 shell sizes and the material is Arai’s super laminate construction, that’s a strong 4 stars. For weight, since this is an adventure helmet it came out about a heavier 1600 grams, giving this helmet 3 stars for weight. For ventilation, this helmet did well, with about a 1 degree difference to the outside temperature, so that’s another 4 stars and a big improvement over the Shoei Hornet ADV. For noise as well, this helmet did well with an average of about 102 decibels giving the Tour X4 3 stars for noise. This helmet was also comfortable, giving the Tour X4 4 stars for comfort. This will bring the Tour X 4 to a total of 3.5 stars with each star costing 30 Euros/star. So, this is ½ a star better than the Shoei Hornet ADV though the Tour X4 is about 4 Euros/star more so it’s a bit more in terms of value for money than the Shoei and the main gripe would be about the visor and peak removal systems.

If you’d like to purchase the Arai Tour X4 , then make sure to check out our website at ChampionHelmets.com where we have a lowest price guarantee and bundle deals with Bluetooth communication systems.

So, that’s all for the Arai Tour X4, it’s a solid premium adventure helmet that will give you all the options you’d like with the performance and safety to match. It was comfortable, the peak was effective, and the ventilation was strong, leaving the biggest failing of the helmet with the visor and peak removal systems requiring a screwdriver. Nonetheless, it does perform better for ventilation than the Shoei Hornet ADV. So, if you grab you Gore-Tex jacket and this helmet, you should be ready for pretty much anything the weather can throw at you. If you’re still curious about the Arai Tour X4, make sure to check out our Arai Tour X4 Review and Road Test Video , and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel .

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How to Mount a GoPro to an Arai XD-4 / Arai Tour-X4

Arai xd-4 / arai tour x-4 gopro mount.

So, you've just picked up your Arai XD-4 / Arai Tour X-4. There's only one problem... how do you mount your GoPro to this motorcycle helmet that isn't designed to mount an action camera. Sure, you could mount your GoPro to the side of your helmet with a bracket mount. All this ends up doing is creating a bulky design and an uneven weight distribution, the exact opposite intention of the Arai XD-4 / Arai Tour X-4 . Clearly the best option available is a Chin Mount .

This mount is made from high quality ABS Plastic, making it the most secure mount for the Arai XD-4 / Arai Tour X-4 you can find. Once applied to the helmet it complements its sleek design. The best Arai XD-4 / Arai Tour X-4 motovlog helmet setup. Our Chin Mount for the Arai XD-4 / Arai Tour X-4 attaches quickly using a 3M adhesive, providing you with footage that is truly representative of your experience.

What's Included?

Chin Mount for an Arai XD-4 / Arai Tour-X4
Weather Resistant 3M VHB Tape
Security Tether Strap
Alcohol Wipe for cleaning your helmet
Easy to mount
Helmet specific design
Minimal wind drag
Lightweight & Durable
Perfect Angle
Vents and visor remain 100% functional

Compatible with GoPro Hero/Session, Insta360, DJI Osmo Action, Xiaomi Yi 4K, and many more that utilize the clip mounting mechanism.

Installation

Installation is really simple. First, it's recommended to test the placement with the adhesive liner still on the one side of the 3M tape. The best way to find the correct placement is to align the Chin Mount with the bottom line of the vents on the helmet. Make sure you place your Chin Mount so all the vents on the helmet remain functional. We also recommend attaching your GoPro to your Chin Mount so you can get an idea of how it will look with the GoPro attached.

Once you're content with the placement, it's now time to sanitize your helmet. Using the alcohol wipe provided, wipe down the surface of the helmet where you'll be mounting your GoPro. After your helmet has been wiped down and the alcohol has dried up, peel the remaining adhesive liner off and place the mount on the way you had tested. If you're having trouble removing the adhesive liner we recommend heating it up a bit with a blow dryer, this makes it much easier to remove. Make sure to apply pressure when placing your Chin Mount to make sure the 3M adhesive pad adheres properly.

Now it's time to go for a ride and record the best point of view footage.

If you need further help installing your Chin Mount please email us at [email protected] or DM us on Instagram @chinmounts .

Added to your cart:

Arai Tour-X 5 review: Does this latest adventure lid still have the X-factor?

The Arai Tour-X 5 is the latest version of the iconic Japanese manufacturer’s versatile adventure touring motorcycle helmet . It features a raft of improvements over the previous model, the Tour-X 4 , which was already a very highly regarded lid and one that has long been my personal favourite from the Arai stable.

I’ve covered 3,100 miles over the past three months in the new Tour-X 5 to see how it stacks up against its predecessor and the competition.

Arai Tour-X 5

The materials used ooze premium plushness and quickly wick sweat away, plus the entire liner can be removed for a full wash and refresh when needed. There is a downside to this luxurious lining though, and that is how vulnerable it is to Velcro or other hook and loop style closures. It’s only really an issue along the bottom edge where it can come into contact with jacket fastenings, but I’ve snagged mine numerous times on a storm collar and it’s starting to look a little tatty.

What sets the new version apart significantly are the redesigned cheek pads, which are noticeably firmer and provide a snug, cushioned fit around the jawline. This makes the T-X 5 feel more like a race helmet – a ‘wide aperture’ RX-7, if you will – which adds to the appeal of running it in the peak-less configuration.

Donning and removing the T-X 5 has been made easier too, thanks to a flare in the base of the shell that gives an extra 5mm either side, bringing it in line with the Quantic, Provile V and RX-7. This also means that Arai’s optional ES (‘egg shaped’) chin curtain (£29.99) can be fitted to reduce wind noise and prevent turbulent air from entering from the face area.

I’ve tried it by switching the one over from my RX-7 and it makes a big difference on colder rides. The built in retractable chin spoiler isn’t as effective, but does help with cooling, so I’ll most likely revert to that when the weather is warmer.

The Arai Tour-X 5 is fully prepped for specs, allowing the arms to slip down sculpted channels by the temples. I’ve worn glasses for every mile I’ve ridden in it and have never had a moment of discomfort. Unlike some helmets that can press the arms against your head and hold frames at a fixed angle, the T-X 5 has been designed to let them sit naturally on your nose and ears.

I have worn some peaked helmets that suffer from buffeting, particularly in conjunction with a screen, however this has certainly not been the case with the Tour-X 5. I’ve covered hundreds of miles on a KTM 790 Adventure wearing it and felt no adverse effects whatsoever. The aerodynamic design slips cleanly through the air, and I’ve been barely aware it’s there, even on a naked bike.

How good is the Tour-X 5’s visor?

The most stand out feature of the T-X5 is the new Variable Axis System (VAS-A) visor system, developed from the the RX-7V, which includes quick release side pods for rapid visor changes. Unlike the old model, where the peak and visor were attached to the shell with screws at either side, the T-X5’s peak and side pods come away as one unit at the push of a button, after which you just rotate the visor upwards to lift it off. Installation, as they say at Haynes, is simply the reverse of removal – and it really is that easy. The mounting position has been lowered too, providing a smoother surface across the temple area for improved ‘glance off’ ability in an impact.

The visor is larger and more curved than that of the outgoing model, providing a clearer view at night (the more pointy T-X 4 visor had a tendency to reflect light in odd patterns at times) and allowing rain to roll off better. A clear one is fitted as standard and comes with the all-important Pinlock anti-fog insert, although different tints are available, including a snazzy rainbow iridium coated item.

It’s also the first Arai visor that I’ve seen not to have integrated flaps for brow air intakes, a consequence of the redesigned ventilation system, which is great because I’ve broken a fair few of those in the past. As is traditionally Arai, there are no stepped positions to the opening mechanism – it operates smoothly from open to closed and, at slow speeds anyway, can be set to any position desired.

There’s no lockable mechanism to keep the visor closed, however a small plastic catch does the job perfectly well. When shut, the visor sits tight against its seal and I’ve yet to suffer any leaks despite subjecting it to some pretty serious rain. Even with it cracked open to allow a little airflow for my spectacles, there’s been no sign of water ingress.

The aperture itself offers a fantastic field of vision in all directions and is one of the aspects I’ve always loved about the Tour-X range. The T-X 5 boasts the biggest yet, providing a pleasant sensation of space around your face and no restriction to peripheral view.

What is the Tour-X 5’s ventilation like?

Ventilation was never wanting with the T-X 4, but Arai has managed to find some improvements in developing the 5. The chin vent is double the size of the previous version, and it certainly does let a large volume of air through, enough for Arai to omit the additional mesh vents of previous versions. It has adjustability both inside and out to regulate the flow and direct it either onto your face or up the inside of the visor.

Front and centre is the innovative Arai 3D logo duct, as already seen and proven on the Quantic. This sits over twin 10mm ports in the shell and draws air in when operated via a single slider at the top. It has two positions, closed when the slider sits proud of the logo and open when it’s clicked in. The airflow is noticeable as soon as it’s open, even at slow speeds, plus there’s a further three position vent at the top for even more.

With all this air coming in there needs to be an exit, and the T-X 5 has two permanently open exhausts at either side towards the back. Above those are three 10mm holes hidden by the spoiler and covered by a three position lever. With everything open you don’t need to go too quickly to feel the effect of fresh air passing through, and above 40 mph it’s like having air conditioning.

When worn back-to-back with the T-X 4, there does seem to be an increase in airflow, however both helmets are so incredibly efficient in this department that it isn’t easy to separate them.

Is the Tour-X 5 noisy?

I always ride in earplugs, so unless a helmet is unduly noisy, I tend not to notice. What I can say is that the Arai Tour-X 5 doesn’t have any localised areas of wind roar, and there’s little difference in general noise between riding with or without the peak.

Although I haven’t tried it with an intercom as yet, it is worth mentioning that due to the redesigned interior it’s now possible to fit speakers without having to remove the cheek pads. There are also flat surfaces either side to mount an intercom unit and a pocket in the neckroll for tucking away wires.

Arai Tour-X 5 rear spoiler and exhaust vents

Does the Tour-X 5 look good?

Arai’s philosophy of the smooth, round shell shape being the safest profile for a helmet due to its ability to ‘glance off’, means that the Tour-X 5 keeps the clean, organic look associated with all their products. With the aerodynamically sculptured peak fitted it has a purposeful, dual sport appearance, and with it removed takes on an aggressive streetfighter style.

The more rounded shape of the T-X 5 is closer to the RX-7 than to its predecessor, and that makes it particularly attractive in peak-less mode – especially when paired up with a dark smoke or rainbow iridium visor.

Four graphic schemes and seven solid colours are available, making 19 variations to the range. The helmet on test here is in ‘Discovery Red’, which features a sparkly lacquered finish that makes it look custom painted. It’s easily one of my favourite factory designs from any manufacturer.

Arai Tour-X 5 with iridium visor and no peak

How well-made is the Tour-X 5?

Every Arai helmet is hand made, but it wasn’t until a recent trip to the factory that I realised what that actually meant. There is no automated production line – it’s a completely manual process, from the person who pulls the first strands of fibre together to make the laminate weave, to the guy who ties a knot in the helmet bag and seals up the box. The only robot in the factory is the one which laser cuts the front aperture – and that’s only for the sake of ultimate precision.

All in all, there are 27 stages to production which means that every helmet passes through at least 50 pairs of hands, whether it’s to form the shell, fit the EPS, drill vents or attach the visor seal. Every Arai employee cares deeply about what they do, and there’s no difference between the helmets raced at the top level of motor sport and the ones you can buy off the shelf.

Each helmet is subjected to five quality control departments during its 18 hour construction, and checked twice at each inspection, so it should be of little surprise that the finished article is built to such a high standard. Even so, one should step back to appreciate the care and skill that goes into making every single unit, and it’s that unquantifiable input that makes Arai products so special.

The Tour-X 5 is of course no exception and a shining example of that process. In addition to the basic construction, all external fixtures and fittings are suitably robust and easy to use, despite the fact that they are designed to break away easily in an impact. The hand applied paint and decals are absolutely on point and as mentioned previously, the interior is suitably plush and cosseting.

Is the Tour-X 5 good value for money?

Arai helmets are not cheap, in fact they’re up at the premium end, but when you look at what goes into production – and what the ultimate goal is, the best protection possible – they offer excellent value for money.

The Tour-X 5 uses Arai’s Peripherally Belted Complex Laminate Construction for the shell to give it both strength and flexibility. In essence this involves different layers of fibre matting (Arai’s Super Fibre Laminates) that are bonded together in a sandwich by a special resin, with a reinforced band that runs across the top of the front aperture for additional strength. (As a side note, it’s that resin which gives Arai helmets their distinctive perfume.)

This technique means that the shell can be thinner and lighter, whilst still offering the impact protection needed to exceed ECE 22.06 regulations. Having seen Arai’s in-house testing first hand, I have no reason to believe that it wouldn’t do the job it’s designed to if called upon. Arai is also the only manufacturer to use a multi density EPS (the softer, inner layer that cushions your head in an impact) formed in a single piece, so as not to have any weak spots.

Much of the value is in the years of development behind the Tour-X 5, making it the company’s most advanced product to date. Arai’s philosophy is all about making the safest helmet they can, whilst keeping it practical and effective, for the track, trail or everyday use. Advancements come slowly through careful study and evaluation, not just in the lab but of real world situations – Arai has always had a close relationship with the top levels of motorsport.

There are a couple of features that some might expect to find on a premium helmet which aren’t present on the T-X 5, namely a drop down visor or integrated comms. The reason is simple, and it goes back to Arai’s unwavering commitment to safety, where any additional construction would be considered a concession to that.

The Arai Tour-X 5 is a well constructed, comfortable and versatile helmet. It brings together some of the best features of the current range, such as the RX-7’s visor system, Quantic’s logo vent and Profile V’s wider base, along with improvements of its own, to stand as a testament to the company’s commitment to safety through measured evolution.

With the peak fitted the T-X 5 is ideal for adventure touring, boasting ample room to flip the visor up and wear goggles if needs be, and with it removed makes a smart and practical alternative to a traditional full-face lid. In a previous review I said that the T-X 4 could be the only lid you’ll ever need, but with its quick-change visor, improved shape and enhanced ventilation, the Tour-X 5 takes that versatility to the next level.

Arai Tour-X 4

Shoei hornet adv, schuberth e2.

- Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us .

By Justin Hayzelden

Products Editor, shed enthusiast and tournament winner. Justin has been a regular contributor to MCN since 2009, serving as a road tester, roving reporter, and feature writer. He has extensive experience testing the latest motorcycles and evaluating motorcycle gear under real-world conditions. A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, Justin began riding at 16 on a Suzuki TS50X and has since owned numerous bikes. His time as a London courier honed his skills on busy roads, and as an instructor, he has trained many novices. When not testing products, Justin is often found in his shed, maintaining, restoring, and rebuilding bikes and other mechanical items.

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ARAI XD-4/TOUR-X4 gopro chin camera mount

How to Mount GoPro on Arai XD-4 / Tour-X4

Mounting procedure.

Mounting a GoPro camera on your motorcycle helmet can be a great way to capture all of the exciting moments of your ride. However, finding the right mount for your specific helmet can be a challenge. In this post, we will show you how to mount your GoPro/Insta360/DJI action to your Arai XD-4 / Tour-X4 using the RideTechMoto GoPro chin mount/camera mount.

The RideTechMoto GoPro custom camera mount is specifically designed for the Arai XD-4 / Tour-X4 helmet, making it the perfect choice for this particular helmet. The mount attaches easily to the chin area of the helmet and provides a secure, stable platform for your GoPro camera. The mount is also adjustable, so you can find the perfect angle for your shots.

Gather the necessary materials Before you begin, make sure you have the following materials:

RideTechMoto camera mount kit
GoPro or other action camera
Allen key (if complete package option is purchased)

Prepare the helmet using provided alcohol wipe, wipe the helmet clean from any dirt or debris.

Step 3: Attach the mount

Take the mount and attach it to the chin area of the helmet. Make sure the mount is securely pressed against the helmet.

Step 4: Attach the camera adapter

Take the camera adapter (Full Package Accessory) and attach it to the mount. This should be a snug fit.

Step 5: Attach the camera

Attach your GoPro or other action camera to the camera adapter. Make sure it is securely fastened and won't move around while riding. The camera can be tightened with the thumbscrew provided.

If you're looking for a reliable, stable and secure way to mount your GoPro camera to your Arai XD-4 / Tour-X4 helmet, the RideTechMoto GoPro chin mount/camera mount is the perfect choice. Additionally, if you own multiple helmets or plan to switch helmets, RideTechMoto's wide variety of custom camera mounts for different helmet brands is a great option to consider. This includes AGV, Arai, Bell, Fox, HJC, Scorpion, Sedici, Shoei, and many more. With RideTechMoto's mounts, you can be sure that your camera will be safe and secure while you're out on the road or on the dirt.

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Arai Tour-X5 review | Benchmark adventure helmet 1,000 mile test

By John Milbank

Consumer Editor of Bennetts BikeSocial

An in-depth look at this new adventure helmet

While continuing with Arai’s ethos of keeping as round a shape as possible to the outer shell – in order to ‘glance off’ in an impact and reduce the energy transmitted to the brain – the Tour-X5 has been significantly redesigned.

One of the most obvious changes is the lowering of the visor mounting points, which is something that’s been done to most of the Arai range over the past few years (after which, they scored better in the SHARP testing methods). Interestingly, the ECE22.05 RX-7V had already had the mountings lowered, and that helmet passed ECE22.06 in the form of the RX-7V Evo with no significant changes.

Whether the new Tour-X5 would have passed this tougher standard without the changes isn’t known, and independent lab testing has occasionally highlighted areas in which some brands have beaten Arai. But with every crash being different it’s impossible to say with any authority whether Arai’s claims that it makes the safest possible helmets are true or not.

Designing protection for both high and low speed impacts is always going to be tricky, and Arai believes that, while it of course meets all the standards required by law, its own in-house testing, along with its decades of racing crash research, proves that its unwavering dedication to a very strong, hard outer-shell – and as soft as possible inner – is the best solution.

Paint finish is, as you’d expect, exceptional

The Tour-X5 uses Arai’s super-fibre shell construction, which is said to have 40% greater tensile and compressive strength than regular glass fibre, partly thanks to having much finer strands and a unique resin. It’s also got Arai’s Periphery Belt strengthening the area around the visor port; like all Arais, this is an incredibly strong outer shell.

Whether Arai does make the safest helmets is not something I can prove, but I would say that, having visited the factory in Japan and met Michio Arai – as well as his son Akihito – I am convinced that they believe they’re offering the best protection possible.

And they don’t make it easy on themselves. Arai is the only helmet manufacturer to make the EPS (expanded polystyrene) inner shell out of one piece of multi-density material. While all other brands use separate parts, each with a different density for different levels of softness, Arai has found a way to blend them into one piece with greater overall integrity yet very different levels of compression in the various areas. Not only is this far more expensive, it’s also a lot harder to get the inner shell inside the outer one, especially when that outer is so strong. But Arai believes this is the safer way to make its helmets, even if most buyers have no clue what’s going in inside.

Other noticeable changes to the shell include a rounder front, which carries on into the visor to have less of a pointed design. There’s also 10mm extra width at the cheeks due to this, which contributes to that ‘rounder, safer’ construction, as well as making it easier to pull on.

As you’d expect of a premium helmet – which is entirely hand-made, even down to the painting – the finish is excellent, the hand-laid decals on this graphics version, which costs £699.99, sitting under a metallic-fleck lacquer. Plain colours cost £599.99

The Arai Tour-X5 (sometimes known as the XD5) should be in dealers in December 2023 for plain colours, with graphics to follow in January. Prices in Europe are 879 Euros for plain colours and 979 Euro for graphics.

The Arai Tour-X5 uses three different outer shell sizes covering head sizes of XS to XL, so someone with a small head can buy a helmet that doesn’t look ridiculously big on them, and that’s designed to offer the ideal ratio of outer shell and inner EPS (expanded polystyrene).

The peak leaves enough space to tuck goggles, if you use them. The rear exhaust vent wing acts as a stopper for the goggles strap

Being an adventure helmet, the Arai Tour-X5 does of course come with a peak fitted, which serves two main purposes:

To shield you from mud and stones that might be thrown up by a bike in front of you when riding off-road

To help prevent you getting dazzled by low sun, which is far more likely to be useful to the majority of riders.

Compared to the Tour-X4’s peak, this is new shape with a cut-out to the rear designed to allow smoother airflow. While it doesn’t look like it at first glance, I measured the new peak to also extend a useful 7mm further out from the top of the visor aperture, for even better sun protection.

But fitting a peak to a helmet will always have limitations, and at motorways speeds and above, the drag can be significant, depending on the screen fitted to your bike. On the Transalp and R1250GS (with standard screens) the Tour-X5 was fine for my 5’10” frame, but if I put my head out into the clear airflow there’s noticeable – and expected – drag when looking left, right or up.

On the GS, I also noticed that at high speeds behind the screen in its lowest position, a little pressure can be felt pushing down on the front of the peak, though not to any troublesome extent.

The Tour-X4’s peak used to drum a touch at speed, depending on the bike’s screen, and on the GS the Tour-X5 is no different. However, as with the previous lid, this can be reduced by adding some adhesive wheel weights.

Whether the drumming bothers you, or indeed if you notice it at all will depend on your bike and how you’re riding it, but it is to be expected with any adventure helmet.

Fortunately, like with the previous model, there’s no noticeable flapping or vibration of the peak to distract you – some adventure lids I’ve tried (like the Schuberth E1) flap around annoyingly while riding.

The Arai Tour-X5’s peak can be removed with just one plastic screw on either side of the helmet. Once taken out, no other parts are needed to replace the cover and screw, then ride with the peak removed. This really is a brilliant solution that makes it pretty quick and easy – as long as you have a small coin or a large, flat-bladed screwdriver such as on a penknife or multi-tool – to pop the peak off, or to refit it. My only criticism is that I’d have preferred the screws to have been in some way retained on the plastic covers as they’re a little easy to drop if you’re taking it off at the side of the road.

Using plastic means the screws can shear in the event of a crash – Arai designs all the external parts of its helmets to disconnect if there’s an accident – but they’re plenty strong enough, despite being a little easy to mark with tools. Better this soft plastic showing some indentations than being brittle and snapping when tightening up.

The peak can be adjusted up and down, but I prefer it in the lowest position to best block the sun.

The weight of helmets in general has seemed to even out a bit since the introduction of the tougher ECE22.06 standard. While Arai has a reputation for being ‘heavy’, this is a bit of a trope, and I can honestly say that I’ve not used any helmet that’s weight has caused me any issues; aerodynamics are far more important.

At speed, any adventure lid is potentially going to cause more strain on your neck than a standard full-face, but even after a full day on the Transalp and the GS, I didn’t have any issues with the Tour-X5. And with the peak removed, it’s a sleek design that cuts through the air very easily.

I measured the Arai Tour-X5 to weigh 1,736g with the peak fitted, compared to 1,710g for the Tour-X4 and 1,601 for the ECE22.05 Shoei Hornet ADV .

The inner EPS has a total of eight ventilation ports to cool the head, which isn’t counting the mouth vent

Ventilation on the Arai Tour-X5 is excellent, with a two-position and closed chin vent that directs air up across the back of the visor and towards the brow. It also has a slider inside to allow air to blow straight to the mouth if you want it.

The forehead carries the open or closed Arai logo vent that was first seen on the Arai Quantic (review here) , and that delivers a very good flow of air to the head and across it, without creating the ‘cold spot’ blasts in localised areas of the head that some can. This vent is ideally positioned to scoop air in, my only criticism of it being that it can be a little trickier to keep clean during a summer thick with bugs.

At the top of the shell is a two-position and closed additional intake, with the two-position and closed exhaust vent in the rear spoiler revealing two ports that draw stale air out. Additionally, there are two small slots at the lower rear of the shell, to further pull air out.

Something I’ve really noticed while wearing the Tour-X5 is that I’m flicking the visor open a lot less. As a glasses wearer, I often pop the visor open as I pull to a stop at lights, but the airy feel of this Arai has really reduced that.

And yet it’s not too drafty. You can feel air moving around your face to some extent, as well as a light but comfortable breeze around the bottom (it’ll depend on your bike’s aerodynamics), but I haven’t felt cold in this yet. However, if you’re going to wear this through deep winter and want to seal yourself off more, an optional chin skirt – the same as is supplied with the Arai RX-7V Evo (review here) – can be bought separately, though it is about £30. It’s a shame it’s not included, though despite having one to hand, I haven’t felt the need to install it myself yet. The fitted small chin skirt also pulls down a little to further extend the wind protection around this area.

The visor vents that are typical of most Arais are gone on this new adventure helmet, but due to the effectiveness of the logo vent they’re not needed. Removing them has created more space in the visor port, making riding with goggles a lot easier.

Overall, the Arai Tour-X5 has excellent venting thanks to some cleverly positioned ports – there are eight in the inner shell, plus the mouth vent – and the well-designed lining, which allows the air to move freely around your head, not just blow onto one spot.

One relatively minor point to note about the rear spoiler vent is that it makes the overall size a little longer, which means it’s a tight fit to get it into my 52 litre Givi Trekker top-box, regardless of whether you have the peak fitted. It’ll go, but not as easily as the Tour-X4, and you might struggle to get two helmets in.

The Arai Tour-X5 visor mechanism is probably the biggest single improvement over the previous model thanks to the fact that it requires no tools to remove. The peak is held in place with two screws, but these are attached to the visor mechanism covers, so just open the visor, press the buttons on either side of the covers and they pop off easily. Then flick the visor out for easy cleaning, or to remove it altogether and run with googles. As with removing the peak, there are no additional parts required to carry, so this really couldn’t be any easier.

The visor mechanism has also been designed to resist scratching and jamming from any dust getting into it. As with most adventure helmets, the visor doesn’t open all the way up out of view – the bottom is visible, though not in your normal line of sight.

Refitting the visor is a technique you’ll quickly grasp, and just needs the pin on either side holding in as you rotate it into place. The covers need hooking in properly, but it’s obvious if you haven’t done it correctly, and after a few tries you’ll be whipping the visor out and back in in no time.

A Pinlock 120 XLT is supplied, the 120 meaning it’s the highest spec and most resistant to fogging, the XLT standing for ‘eXtra Light Transmission, and the new visor is more round than the previous, more ‘pointy’ version. It also has a double-curvature and is said to create less distortion than the old model (though I hadn’t really noticed a problem).

The field of view from the Arai Tour-X5 is outstanding; being an adventure lid, having such an immersive, panoramic view is great, whether you’re wearing the peak or not. As a helmet for getting out and enjoying stunning scenery, this is a great choice.

Of course, being an Arai there’s no drop-down sun-shield, and this will be a deal-breaker for some. Arai firmly believes that to fit one compromises ultimate safety (beyond the legally-required standards), but it’s a choice only you can make. You can of course buy a dark-smoke visor for it, which I prefer on very bright days as it means just one piece of plastic in front of my eyes, as opposed to the clear visor, Pinlock and a drop-down sun-shield I’d have otherwise.

But don’t underestimate the value of that peak, which is absolutely brilliant in low-sun conditions, especially in Autumn. Being able to block the sun altogether with a tip of the head is a huge safety benefit.

I’ve had no issues with the visor leaking on the road or during a hose test, but the visor fixing plates on the new Tour-X5 (XD5) are adjustable, so if this were ever to be an issue, you – or your dealer – should be able to reposition them for a perfect seal.

As mentioned, fitting goggles to the Arai Tour-X5 is easier thanks to the removal of the visor vents, but also due to a re-shaping of the nose guard, which is now flatter and doesn’t need pulling out to get my 100% Barstows inside.

Cleverly, the rear spoiler also acts as a retainer for your google’s strap, stopping it pinging off the top of the lid, while there’s just enough space under the peak for me to tuck the googles when taking the lid off, or if I just need them out of the way briefly (putting them over the chin always ends up in them getting fogged by my breath).

It’s no exaggeration to say that the Arai Tour-X5 is four helmets in one, thanks to the brilliantly-designed new visor mechanism making it so easy to remove, and the simplicity of two screws to whip the peak off, without needing to carry any spare parts to swap out. Here are your options…

Adventure lid with peak and visor

Adventure lid with peak and goggles

Fast road helmet with visor

Street-style with goggles

The styling of the helmet is, to my eyes at least, so good that it can work as well on a scrambler in the city as it does on a trail bike on the Trans-European Trail, or indeed on a sportsbike on the open roads.

The cheek pads have been redesigned on the new Tour-X5 to hold against the base of the jaw more, creating a less tight, but still stable, comfortable fit, while the lining has a water-repellent finish and an ‘Eco Pure’ antibacterial, deodorising fabric that’s said to maintain your skin’s natural PH of around 4.7.

Sweat and soap can make your skin more alkaline, so this fabric is claimed to reduce smells and rough skin, as well as being easy to keep clean.

As to the effectiveness of that, I couldn’t promise you at this stage, but I can tell you that it feels good, and I haven’t had any problems with it getting damp from sweat or rain.

The cheek pads and skull cap have removable foam sections that are 5mm thick for a more custom fit. These are lightly glued in place, so take care if you pull them out, in case you end up wanting to put them back. If you still can’t quite get the perfect fit, different size cheek pads and skull cap can be fitted by good dealers, and should be done for free.

The Arai Tour-X5’s lining is fully removable for easy cleaning. It should be hand washed, but I tend to put the parts in the helmet bag, tie that closed and run a gentle wash in the machine. Just don’t blame me if that goes wrong for you!

As is the case with all Arais, the Tour-X5 is fastened with a double-D strap. While this can’t be opened or closed with gloves like the micro-metric ratchet straps fitted to some other brands, it does ensure a secure fit every time, and is comfortable and lacking in any unnecessary bulk.

Arai makes two different helmet shapes – a more round design for the Asian markets, and a narrower, longer one for the European and American riders. The outer shells are the same, but it’s the internal EPS liners that are slightly different.

Fit is utterly subjective. I’ve always found Arais fit me well, but this was the first one that didn’t seem quite right at first to me. Interestingly, a couple of other people who were with me when we collected them said that this was the first time an Arai had fit them so well straight out of the box; I had a red mark on my forehead after an hour or so of use.

I removed the additional inserts in the fabric liner to give it a bit more room, but usually an Arai Pro Shop dealer would swap the liner for an even thinner one altogether. These weren’t available this early in the production schedule, but an additional padded liner was added to the crown to lift the helmet up a bit on my head.

While this was more comfortable, I found that at high speed when on my GS the peak would cause the helmet to rotate downwards. I removed the additional padding and found that the helmet had broken in by this point – thanks no doubt to the extremely soft inner shell – and it now fits me perfectly as standard.

It’s always vital to have a lid that fits you properly, and the premium brands will do all they can to ensure that this is the case when buying. Given the extra force that can be applied by the wind to a lid with a peak, you must get one that’s tight enough.

Fit is of course very subjective, so try any lid before you buy, but the soft interior of Arais does tend to make them very compliant. Some cheaper helmets with harder inner linings can be a lot less comfortable, especially when new.

A peak will always add noise to any helmet – at worst it’s a vibration that irritates the hell out of you, at best it’s a slight extra bass note, or light drumming, as is the case with the Tour-X5. I’d say it’s pretty much the same as on the Tour-X4, but it really does depend on your bike and its screen as it’s buffeting from here that causes any noise; in clean air (so perhaps with a short rally screen) there’s no additional noise from this peak, though of course at high speeds the drag will become significant.

I’ve been surprised at how quiet the Tour-X5 is for normal wind noise, which is perhaps why I notice the bass-note that the peak can add. I’ve reduced this – as I did on the Tour-X4 – by adding some self-adhesive motorcycle wheel weights to the underside of the peak, but it depends very much on where I position the screen. With both lids, I find it best to have my GS’s standard screen at its lower position while riding with the peak; there’s no problem with drag until I get to high motorway speeds, and the additional noise is kept to a minimum.

Of course, any helmet requires earplugs over about 40mph, so whether you’re riding with the peak fitted or not, please do wear them as tinnitus in later life is no fun at all.

For more information on why earplugs are vital with any helmet, and advice on which are the best, click here .

The Arai Tour-X5 has been designed to take an aftermarket intercom of your choice thanks to a flat section on the sides giving ample room to stick it.

Usually, speakers are fitted into the cheek pads of Arais, but there are now recesses ready behind them, making fitting much easier as well as causing a lot less hassle when removing the liner for cleaning – something important on a helmet that’s more likely to be used in dusty environments.

Brilliantly, the neck skirt also has pockets built in to accept the wiring from an intercom, so whether you’re fitting a Cardo or Sena – or pretty much and other intercom – the Arai has been designed to let you do that. There’s even a Velcro patch preinstalled in the chin section for your microphone!

The Tour-X5 (right) is significantly different in many ways to the Tour-X4 (left)

The popularity of adventure bikes means there’s a fair choice when it comes to lids with a peak. Whether you really need that peak is up to you, but the Tour-X5 offers the best versatility of any adventure helmet I’ve tried so far. What matters most of course is that any helmet fits you properly, so here are some others to consider…

Shoei Hornet ADV. The most obvious competitor to the Arai, the Hornet was perhaps the more road-focussed lid when compared to the outgoing Tour-X4, but that’s not the case when compared to the more versatile Tour-X5. Still, we’re yet to see what the new ECE22.06 version brings… Full review of the ECE22.05 Shoei Hornet ADV here .

Arai Tour-X4. There’ll likely be deals to be had on the Tour-X4 as stock is cleared, so it’s worth considering. I’ve seen them as low as £399.99 for plain colours, which is a £200 saving on the RRP of the new model and not to be sniffed at. But, the changes to the new Tour-X5 are significant enough that, honestly, I’d recommend saving for the new model. Full review of the Arai Tour-X4 here .

HJC C80. It’s cheaper, and it’s also a flip-front, so there’s a lot to like about the C80, but it’s not got the build quality or solidity of the Tour-X5 if a peak is what’s taking you here. Full review of the HJC C80 here .

These are just three of many alternatives – you can find all the motorcycle helmets we’ve tested here and be sure to regularly check for the discounts available through Bikesocial membership .

While there are some great deals on the Tour-X4 as stock is cleared, the new Arai Tour-X5 is significantly better in many ways

The Arai Tour-X5 is a truly versatile helmet – far more so than any other adventure lid I’ve tried up until this point. In seconds, you can remove the visor and use it with goggles, or whip the peak off and ride in it as a standard full-face. If you want a cool street-bike style with googles but no peak, you can do that too. There are no spares to carry around, and only a coin is required to take the peak off. Brilliant.

An adventure helmet like this, with a peak, isn’t going to be for everyone, and if the majority of your riding is on motorways you’ll probably soon take that peak off. But the safety benefit of it in low sun means it’s spending a lot of time in place on my lid, and while the extra drag and drumming it can cause (depending on your bike) can take a little getting used to, it’s a fantastic piece of kit that, while not cheap, more truly offers four different helmets in one than any other I’ve tried.

If you’d like to chat about this article or anything else biking related, join us and thousands of other riders at the Bennetts BikeSocial Facebook page.

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IMAGES

Arai Pro Shade System
Arai Introduces the PRO Shade Visor System
Arai Introduces the PRO Shade Visor System
Arai Pro Shade System Explained
New: Arai Pro Shade system
Acheter Arai Tour-X4 Frost Black Casque de cross

VIDEO

Fujifilm X-Pro4 Will Look Like this!
ЧИП ТЮНИНГ Chery Tiggo 8 PRO MAX Stage 1
Arai VAS-V Pro Shade System
SLUK
Tour-X5 Discovery Orange Frost
Arai Tour-X4 Vision Grey

COMMENTS

Pro Shade System
The Pro Shade System is Arai's answer to an internal sun shade. By having an external drop-down sun shade, as opposed to one positioned internally between the shell and EPS liner, impact-absorption performance is not diminished. Maximum EPS thickness is retained across the front and at the sides of the head where an internal drop-down lens ...
Arai Pro Shade System
The Pro Shade System is a small peak that is locked in position. Unlocking is easy; just pull the Pro Shade System forward, then it can be flipped down with a flick of the hand to act as an effective sun-visor. The Pro Shade System is the complete all-weather system for serious touring riders, offering protection against sun glare, fogging and ...
Arai Tour-X 4
Arai Tour-X 4 | XD4 | Helmet Visor | Shield. Genuine Arai Tour-X 4, XD4 Visors, Official Arai stockist, Free Delivery On Orders Over £50 UK & Ireland, Low Cost Fast Secure Worldwide Shipping. £56.69.Free P & P Available. ... Arai Pro Shade Longer Replacement Lens (SAI) £89.99. Arai VAS-Z Brow Vent Visor Fits SZ-R. £64.99. Arai Super Adsis ...
ARAI Pro Shade System VAS-V Shield
Arai Pro Shade System for SAI-Compatible Helmets Nowadays it is quite common to use a retractable sun-visor that is situated between the helmet's outer- and inner shell to protect against sun glare. However, it is Arai's opinion that this constructio ... (Tour-X4) TANIO Face Shield +-CWR-F2R (X-15 / NXR-2) ULOOK Anti-Fog Lens +-Photochromic ...
Arai Pro Shade System Review
January 9, 2015. Arai Pro Shade System Review. Providing a unique alternative to retractable interior sun visors, Arai's Pro Shade System mounts adjustable sun and glare protection on the ...
Helmet review: Arai Tour-X 4 tried and tested
Tested by Michael Guy for five years, 8400 miles. Quality 5/5, Value 4/5. The Tour-X 4 has certainly been my go-to helmet for a significant chunk of riding I've completed over the last five ...
New kit: Arai Pro Shade System
The Pro Shade System fits the MAX vision Arai visors. It comes already fitted to the visor, with a recess for a Pinlock anti-fog insert. It locks into a peak position when not in use and can be quickly flipped down by hand when you need it. ... Arai Tour-X4 review | Versatile adventure touring motorcycle helmet. Arai RX-7V Evo road and track ...
Used review: Pro Shade System
Tom Higham. Fri, 18 Jul 2014. Arai's external sun visor. ARAI'S Pro Shade System is their answer to the internal sun visor. It's aimed at serious touring riders and I've been using one for the past couple of months. Arai state that internal visors, as found on many other branded helmets nowadays, sacrifice helmet rigidity.
Arai Tour X4 helmet review
4.9 (257) Review Conditions. Motorcycle: Kawasaki KLX250. Seasons Ridden: All year. Arai's Tour X4 is the latest version of the incredibly popular adventure helmet, with a redesigned shell shape and added ventilation over the previous Tour X3. The most immediately obvious changes on the Arai Tour X4 are a whole array of front and rear vents ...
Arai Pro Shade Review
The Arai Pro Shade system adds a fold-down tinted sun shade to an Arai SAI-type face shield. The system cannot be installed on a standard Arai face shield; instead, it replaces it with a modified face shield that has the special attachment for the sun shade. The sun shade sits over the face shield and it can be tilted up or down manually.
Arai Tour-X 4 Frost Black Motorcycle Helmets The Visor Shop.com
ARAI TOUR-X 4 MOTORCYCLE HELMETS. Adventure, grand touring or off road, no matter the riding conditions, the Tour-X4 is ready for anything. The Tour-X4 has a complete new outer shell. ... Arai Pro Shade System Visor VAS-V RX-7V | QV-Pro |Chaser-X | Profile-V | Quantic. $94.99. RRP $111.75. Save 15%. Arai RX-7V Evo Nakagami GP2 Helmet.
Review: Arai Tour-X 4, polyvalence with adventure spirit
Screen and visor. As in any off-road helmet, the Tour-X4 includes a dirt visor, but this is also combined with a classical road screen. Thanks to this combination, the Tour-X4 allows us to remove the screen and use off-road goggles, making it a great all around. The dirt visor can be annoying at high speed, as is usual in any helmet with it.
Arai Tour-X 4 Review
Arai have really nailed the subtle styling of an adventure helmet with the Tour-X 4. It steers clear of the sharper lines and aggressive chinbars of competitors that scream 'moto-cross hero', instead capturing the versatility of our adventure bikes by looking ready to take riders on and off the tarmac. The 'Cover-White' colourway that I ...
Arai Pro Shade Visor System
Pro Shade visor System. £99.99. The new Arai Pro Shade system is the all weather solution for clear MAX vision Arai visors. The Pro Shade fits over the visor and features an easy to fix system allowing the wearer to have both the clear visor and sun protection on hand. Included in the box is a SAI Clear Visor, Pinlock and the Pro Shade System.
Arai Tour X4 Full-Face Helmet Review and Road Test and Video
The Arai Tour X-4 's shell is made of Arai's Complex Fibre Laminate construction, which is Arai's own in house shell material that gives the helmet strength and impact flexibility. This also gives you a fairly light weight helmet since when we weighed the Arai Tour Ex-4, we got a weight of 1620 grams in a size M with all the extras.
Which Arai helmet to choose? RX-7V, Tour-X 4, Chaser-X?
Arai QV-Pro, the new Quantum Arai Chaser-X, the sporty full-face helmet for everyday life. Arai Renegade-V, the vintage helmet of the range. Arai Axces-3, the best price of Arai. Arai Tour-X 4, the Trail Adventure helmet. Here, we can see Jonathan Rea, titled 4 times world champion of the World SBK wearing the Arai RX-7V.
Arai Tour-X4 Instruction Manual by Arai Helmet (Europe) B.V.
Dry it in the shade at ambient temperature. WARNING: Never use petrol, thinner, benzene or any other solvents. ... Arai Tour-X4 Instruction Manual. Published on Sep 3, 2019. Arai Helmet (Europe) B ...
How to Mount a GoPro to an Arai XD-4 / Arai Tour-X4
SIMPSON SPEED BANDIT. Arai XD-4 / Arai Tour-X4 Helmet Mount - Mount your GoPro, Insta360 or other action camera to your Arai XD-4 / Arai Tour X-4 using our custom action camera Chin Mount for true POV, clean, clear and steady recording every single ride. The best action camera mount for motorcycle helmets Arai XD-4 / Arai Tour-X4.
Arai Tour-X 5 expert review
Verdict. The Arai Tour-X 5 is a well constructed, comfortable and versatile helmet. It brings together some of the best features of the current range, such as the RX-7's visor system, Quantic ...
How to Mount GoPro on Arai XD-4 / Tour-X4
This post provides instructions on how to mount a GoPro or other action camera on a Arai XD-4 / Tour-X4 motorcycle helmet using the RideTechMoto GoPro chin mount/camera mount. The mount is specifically designed for the Arai XD-4 / Tour-X4 helmet and attaches easily to the chin area for a secure and stable platform. The mount is also adjustable for finding the perfect angle for shots. The post ...
Spares & Accessories for Arai Motorbike Helmets
Tour-X 4 ; SZ-R VAS; Type. Full Face Helmets; Open Face Helmets; Off Road Helmets; Style. Race; Sports Touring ; Street; Adventure; City; Classic; Official IOM TT Collection; Motorcycle Spares Booklet ; Motorsport; ... Arai Sai Pro Shade 09 . £89.99. Arai Diffuser Type 10 Whi Rx-7 Gp Szr4 Ws . £79.99. Out of stock.
Arai Tour-X5 review
I measured the Arai Tour-X5 to weigh 1,736g with the peak fitted, compared to 1,710g for the Tour-X4 and 1,601 for the ECE22.05 Shoei Hornet ADV. The inner EPS has a total of eight ventilation ports to cool the head, which isn't counting the mouth vent

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