Review on Arai XD4 Helmet Black Large by Jeremy Hong

This is my second Arai helmet and the first of the XD series. Before that I had a Quantum 2 which has served me well for 6 accident-free years. After checking the lifespan of the helmets, I decided it was time to replace them and redeemed my credit card points. There is no doubt that this is an expensive helmet. It costs twice as much as most of its competitors. In my humble opinion (developed over 7 years and 40,000 miles of mixed surface riding) it's worth every penny. Read below if you need details. Or just buy one and see for yourself. Pros - * Appearance - just look at that bad boy. It's like I stole it from the Master Chief when he wasn't looking.* Ventilation - The features of a racing/outdoor helmet have found their way into two sports. Toggle switches and switches are easy to find and use. Your direction is intuitive. When you open them, you'll feel a steady stream of cool air. Undoubtedly they do their job and do it well * Protection is Arai, Snell 2010 and ECE - what more could you ask for * Versatility of the shield, visor and goggles combo Well attached. The padding inside is better than my Quantum 2 - it's clear to me that they have improved the soft-touch surfaces and the padding underneath. Bravo. Cons - * Weight - it's too heavy * Cost - it's $600 but oh well - you're spending a ton of money on your bike to keep your head in one piece to enjoy shouldn't be an afterthought * no pinlock on the Shield shaft. Changing the screen requires tools, meaning you can forget to change the screen in the morning or in the middle of a trip when conditions change. Overall - I'm very happy with it. I've ridden it in cold weather, in 30+ mph crosswinds and on a couple of warm days. I felt the pull of the cross wind, but it wasn't unbearable.