MXA TEAM TESTED: ARAI VX-PRO4 HELMET

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arai-vx-pro4-2

WHAT IS IT? Arai’s last iteration, the VX-Pro3, was the first helmet to ever receive five stars from the MXA wrecking crew. Now, Arai has released the new VX-Pro4.

WHAT’S IT COST? $599.95 to $609.95 (solids), $729.95 to $739.95 (graphics).

CONTACT? www.araiamericas.com.

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WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Arai VX-Pro4 helmet.
(1) Revisions. Although the VX-Pro4 looks quite similar to the previous model, there are a host of updates.
(a) A new chin-bar vent grill mounts from the outside of the helmet and can be removed for cleaning.
(b) Updated top front, top rear and side ports improve ventilation.
(c) The rear duct diffusers can be removed or replaced with a single screw.
(d) The new visor is 14mm longer and 5mm wider.
(e) Goggle strap locators keep goggles in place.
(f) The helmet liner has been changed slightly with a new color profile.

(2) Shell. Arai has a strict design philosophy based on the egg shape. They believe that the safest helmet is roundish, perfectly smooth and devoid of ridges, rills or winglets. Often criticized for the shape’s look, Arai refuses to put fads ahead of safety. The shell is made of their proprietary Super Fiber, which has a claimed 30-percent-higher tensile strength and penetration-resistance than standard fiberglass.

(3) Chin bar. Another design constraint that Arai places on their helmets is that the chin-bar cannot stick out so far that it might snag on the ground or provide leverage when hitting the ground. Not that long ago their chin bar was so close that a good percentage of test riders’ faces touched it. Arai stubbornly refused to lengthen it. But after constant pleading, they remedied the problem by angling the chin bar outward while still remaining true to their principles. Additionally, the Arai’s chin bar maintains the same high safety standards and padding as the upper part of the foam interior. Arai could have skimped in this area to save weight and production costs, but that is not their way. Kudos to them.

araihuskyMXA’s orange Arai VX-Pro4 version.

(4) Venting. The major complaint about the VX-Pro3 was that it didn’t flow very much air. The VX-Pro4 uses a centralized rear air scoop with multiple plastic ports to keep a rider’s head cool. Many of the ports can be covered for cold/wet-weather riding. The excessive use of plastic is the reason the Pro4, at 3 pounds, 6 ounces (size medium), weighs more than the previous Pro3 model.

(5) Comfort. The Arai VX-Pro4 is the plushest, most intimate and comfortable helmet made. It feels like a second skin. Some test riders loved this feel; other thought it was claustrophobic. We noticed that the helmet was also very quiet, due to the thick and comfortable padding.

(6) Performance. We love this helmet. We don’t love its price, look or weight, but it is one of the best made and safest helmets in the sport, largely because Arai won’t compromise on its basic safety tenets. The VX-Pro4 is better than the VX-Pro3 thanks to its increased airflow, longer visor, goggle strap locator and removable mouthpiece. It maintains Arai’s exceptional safety standards with its smooth shell, multi-density foam liner, emergency release system, frangible plastic screws and vents—not to mention Japanese-quality construction.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? Price, and price alone.

5-STARS
You can buy cheaper helmets that have more style, but you would be hard-pressed to find a helmet with the quality, integrity and safety of the Arai VX-Pro4.

 

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