You'll probably find the Arai RX7v a bit on the noisy side just like the GP as they are essentially race/track oriented lids.
I've always been an Arai user, Quantum, Corsair, RX7 until this season when I went and tried on the X-Lite 802R Carbon. Fit was even better than Arai for me, the finish is comparable and it was over half the price. The downside is the wind noise. It's similar to my RX7 but I think you'll find any race derived lid will be the same due to the amount of external plastic vents.
I have the HJC RPHA10 Ben Spies Texas lid and Lorenzo RHA10+ and both are absolute corkers! Wouldn't hesitate to buy another HJC. They designed their new factory and wind tunnel a few years ago just to develop the RPHA I believe! That's some investment for development of a new lid!!!
Tried a C3 Pro for my commute as heard they are great for blocking out wind noise but damn my head must weird shaped as it was well uncomfy. The flip action is really slick, shame will have to stick to Arai or Shoeis with ear plugs
Interesting thread to me mate as I am a Arai user myself. I see a few people are saying the RX7 GP is bad for wind noise. I do and have always wore yellow sponge ear plugs under my Arai, so no need with the xlite
Sam. Go with something else mate. The arai model is not the best out there. The big logo puts me off. Try Shoei, agv, hjc. If you are keen on the arai model then go for it if you dont find anything else.
Sam just a heads up re the Arai chaser, mines still fairly new & it hasn't stood up well to heavy use, bits have broke on it & the other day the whole of the chin vent system collapsed a bit had broken off & the screws governing the vents had sheared off! The visor is also a total bitch to change compared to my Shoei which I can do in 2 secs.
Can only base this opinion on my own experience of owning - Shoei XR-1000 I had for 9 years, not a single issue. Not the quietest but I ride with plugs anyway. Now have HJC RPHA10+ which is light, super comfy, great ventilation and quieter than the Shoei. Also £150 for plain colour at Lids Direct (I also have a 15% off code...) As for others I tried - X-lite 802R, possibly the plushest helmet I've ever tried. Beautiful. Just not quite the right shape for my head. Shark similar, just didn't fit quite as well but felt good quality. Aria - awful. Fit was fine but felt cheap, particularly side pods. I'm sure it MUST be worth the money (£500+) but I've lost count of the number of people just on here who have said "it's a great helmet, but..." If I'm paying that amount of money, I want no compromise! Long and short is, try them all on and buy what feels best. And ignore brand name.
I visited the Arai stand at the show and had a full demo of the new Arai RX 7V, glad I did as the new side pods and visor system is light years better than my current RX7RR. You press a button and the side pods pop off, the visor is moved up to the release slot and it comes straight off. To put it back on you just line up the slots, move the visor up then click the side pods back on. Simple. They have also reduced the prices by £100 for every model so they start at £499 now (£400 with the discount from my local dealer) It's between this and the X Lite carbon now.
I have ordered one of these bad boys. In these colours too. Should get it for Christmas as well, and not a bank breaker either.
I'll be visiting Helmetcity in Surrey, in the new year for a new lid. Currently have an Shoei XR1100 which is lovely. and comfy, but will be looking at the NXR, AGV and maybe HJC, though the latter is suited apparently for more rounded head shapes, of which i'm not. Not a lover of Arai, I couldn't handle that poxy visor change mechanism.
I'm lovin this little number! It's very HRCish my old Shark is past it's best now so gonna be my next purchase!
