[MikeyB09]

I'm trying to find a cheap price on an Arai Astral X blue/black in XL. I've only seen the helmet for sale on ebay through wilz garage but they don't have my size. What's a good place to buy Arai helmets?

Also, I went to a local dealer and tried on the Quantuam 2 and it fit great. Is the Astral X similar in shape? I also tried a large but it seemed to fit too snug. Felt like it would give me a headache after not too long.

 

[license2ill]

The American-market Astral is said to fit similarly(round), but it's a little more relaxed toward oval, due to the non-removable liner vs the removable piece in the Quantum, still what they consider a "round" shape though. Other things with the sizing you may need to consider is cheek pad thickness and a roll-off test. There's been some recent thread on proper fit, you may want to try a search for helmet fit for some more suggestions.

 

[MikeyB09]

I read some of the recent treads on proper fitting. Was just curious if anyone knew of a good place to buy the helmet and how similar the Astral X and Quantum.
Not sure why I mentioned anything about how the large fit.

 

[license2ill]

Helmet Harbor is running a sort of rebate promotion for Arais, you send them your old helmet and they give you money back, apparently. I hate rebates like that, but it may porve worthwhile, depending:

http://www.helmetharbor.com/streethelmets/helmets/arai/opening.htm

Oh, nevermind, they require you to be fitted at the store, I forgot for about that for a sec, still no way around that one, except Ebay I guess. I don't know how the Ebay sellers are getting around Arai's n-internet sales policy, but apparently anybody on Ebay isn't an authorized dealer. Exactly what that means, I don't know.

 

[SAL45]

I got a rebate with my Suomy Spec 1-R this weekend @ Fontana with the Arai guy. Gave me credit towards a new R-7! Definately get fit properly. He helped me get the right pads so it fits like a glove. Once you get fit right, then maybe you can shop around.

Watch out for internet places too! I bought mine from helmit harbour and the helmit wasn't brand new as I expected. It was already 3yrs old! Just something to think about.....

-SAL

 

[wescoas1]

Yeah, my internet Arai was 2 years old and I knew that at the time. Half price though and still good for a few years at least since it was stored well.

 

[license2ill]

Yeah, my internet Arai was 2 years old and I knew that at the time. Half price though and still good for a few years at least since it was stored well.

Ahh...sounds about right, the Ebay sellers must just be clearance houses that are buying up old stock. Just like almsot everything else on the garage sale/going out of business sale that is Ebay, haha.

Nothing wrong with a helmet that has been sitting in a box for the last few years, unless you plan on racing with it for a longer period of time and the organization requires it to be within 5 years old. Degradation really only happens with wear and tear, and the standards haven't changed all that much either, so if the price is right, it may be a good option.

 

[bzbatl]

I might be wrong, but I thought the Quantum line was replaced by the Astral-X. All the shops around here have clearanced out the Quantums.

 

[license2ill]

I might be wrong, but I thought the Quantum line was replaced by the Astral-X. All the shops around here have clearanced out the Quantums.

No, I think you are thinking of the Profile replacing the Signet. That's the long-oval model. The Quantum, Astral, Corsair, and Profile are the current model names.