Arai Condor Ice

...was bought a Yellow designed Arai Condor a couple of years ago (couldn't find yellow to review so chose blue/same helmet, different colour) for a Birthday pressy which cost approx £350 (Don't know how much exactly due to it being a pressy).

I thought straight away that the design (not just the colour for me) was smart, striking and up to date. Arai is one of the top manufacturers of helmets in my mind and a brand name too in the motorcycling ...
...especially the chin vent. The Arai helmets also have vented visors which are rare and are easily opened/closed to allow extra air flow through the top of the helmet. The air flow helps keep the head cool in warm weather, I find however, that the chin vent can create quite a strong draught on the lips even in warmer weather and I only tend to have it half open if open at all.

Although the vents are easy to use, simple and minimal in ... more

I was bought a Yellow designed Arai Condor a couple of years ago (couldn't find yellow to review so chose blue/same helmet, different colour) for a Birthday pressy which cost approx £350 (Don't know how much exactly due to it being a pressy).

I thought straight away that the design (not just the colour for me) was smart, striking and up to date. Arai is one of the top manufacturers of helmets in my mind and a brand name too in the motorcycling world! They are used by top racers in everything from British Supersport to Moto GP and have been around for years.

The vents are minimal and easy to use with gloved hands, especially the chin vent. The Arai helmets also have vented visors which are rare and are easily opened/closed to allow extra air flow through the top of the helmet. The air flow helps keep the head cool in warm weather, I find however, that the chin vent can create quite a strong draught on the lips even in warmer weather and I only tend to have it half open if open at all.

Although the vents are easy to use, simple and minimal in appearence, they do tend to create a lot of wind noise and I have heard that about other Arai helmets from friends. They are top for safety though and I'd put that over a little noise anyday, you don't ride a bike for the peace and quiet after all!

The inside of the helmet fits snug (always make sure you try on before you buy and the helmet can't spin horizontally and much vertically either). The strap is the usual kind and not the strange seatbelt kind you find on some cheaper helmets. The insides can also be removed for cleaning! (Big bonus)!

The visor has a strange removal system but requires no tools and once you get the hang of it, it's quite simple and fast to swap visors for your snazzy black or mirrored one! :-)

Over all I would say this is a top quality helmet, beat only by Arai's higher priced models. It is attractive (as a helmet can be), a snug fit, tends to be small unlike some bulky helmets, easy to keep clean inside, easy vents and visor locking and replacing systems and top quality for protection. Only down sides are noise and price but hey.. can you put a value on the safety of your head? No!

Hope this helped, ride safe and protect your noggin!
Jon 

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