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- 18 colors, observed price from 639 to 759 € depending on the decoration
- A high-end sport-GT full-face helmet with external sunscreen
- The ace of the skullcap
- An impressive presentation
- An easy-to-dismantle screen
- The king of comfort
- Top of the range, certainly
- Features of Arai QV-Pro helmet
18 colors, observed price from 639 to 759 € depending on the decoration
A high-end sport-GT full-face helmet with external sunscreen
In the family of Arai integral, the QV-Pro is located between the RX-7, sporty and the Chaser-X, more road. While wanting to be upscale, this 2016 novelty from the Japanese manufacturer aims a little for the big gap by being suitable for road use, but also versatile. We recovered a copy to make it undergo a long-term test..
The ace of the skullcap
The secret to the quality and safety of Arai helmets has always been in the shell. Arai is keen on this round shape, which presents little roughness in the event of contact with the road in the event of a possible fall. The design of the helmet is therefore in accordance with the other models of the brand and still a bit unique in the PMC (helmet-loving motorcycling landscape). In the same vein, the QV-Pro offers an external sunscreen, which takes the form of a double half-screen which is superimposed on the transparent screen. Arai refuses to put on an internal sunscreen, so as not to jeopardize the rigidity of the shell, nor its absorption capacity. And it is again in this philosophy that the screen is equipped with VAS technology. So what is VAS, you ask yourself? Excellent question, dear reader (it’s good to see that there are some that follow).
The VAS stands for "variable axis system": it is an evolution in the fixing points of the screen, the anchoring points are now located 24 mm lower at the temples compared to the technology previous, which puts the point of impact in a more diffuse position compared to the morphology of the skull.
An impressive presentation
The Arai have always been synonymous with quality and this QV-Pro is no exception to the rule. Certainly, with nearly 1700 grams on the scale, we can say that it has a certain presence once in hand. It is dense, but whatever the angle from which one details it, one cannot but be dazzled by the quality of the finish. The foams are removable and are slightly adjustable in thickness, by installing mini-layers of coating (over an amplitude of 5 mm, what Arai calls the "Peel Away"). When we know that the size of the shell changes every two helmet sizes, we see how the QV-Pro can be adjusted to fit your cranial morphology. The practical aspects are not forgotten with the possibility of integrating small headphones in pockets located in the foams.
The interior coating is also pleasant to the touch. The double-D buckle is perfectly adjusted and the end of the strap clips onto its attachment point in a real natural way. I also appreciated the presence of a wind deflector located under the chin.
An easy-to-dismantle screen
In the past, Arai screens were a nightmare to take down. The mechanism was as precise as it was well hidden and I have memories of cracking plastic that made you run drops of sweat on your forehead, considering the price of the helmet, without being able to really get it out of its housing. The system must have been designed by a retired gynecologist. Or a pianist. Or worse: a pianist-gynecologist. In any case: a pervert.
Good news: those days are over. From now on, a small zipper on the bottom of the side shells is of great help. Push there once and the shells open. Push there a second time and the mounting plate widens and the screen then comes out very easily from its housing. We can’t say it’s super instinctive, but with two minutes of attention, we took the plunge.
What is also easy is the handling of the external sunscreen, even with heavy gloves. It gets up and down easily. On the other hand and if we understand the logic of Arai to propose such a system, it is clear, alas, that it is not very convincing in use. Quite simply because in a weather which mixes showers and clearings, you will then have to close this double screen on the first one, with drops of water, mosquitoes, dirt, on both sides in contact! So we only use it once, but then it generates more noise in the high position. Too bad, the idea is interesting, but the result is not up to par.
The king of comfort
In use, the Arai QV-Pro does not take long to seduce. Thanks to the impeccable ergonomics, the quality and the softness of the foams, one quickly feels good, but this feeling goes even beyond. There is a form of plenitude, of well-being, linked to feeling "just fit" where everything is in its place, where the quality construction is perceptible in every detail. Here, not a parasitic vibration, a piece of poorly adjusted plastic: we feel that it is made to last.
Perfection, however, is not of this world. If the idea of locking the screen at its base by a system, which is actuated by a kind of latch, is appreciable, we note, however, that it is not very ergonomic with heavy gloves. Pity.
On the other hand, what does not come under discussion is both the comfort of wearing in all circumstances, as well as the quality of the ventilation. Used in the coldness of the Parisian winter, as on the Qatar GP circuit, or on Andalusian roads, the QV-Pro is satisfied with all these uses. On the circuit, although not being purely "sporty", it fulfilled its mission with efficient ventilation and an excellent field of vision. The only limitation: at more than 250 km / h, it is pressed a little against the chin … but has the merit of not generating any turbulence. In any case, once on the head, its weight, which is considered high, is totally forgotten even after several hours of driving. The perceived silence is not at the top of the category (Schuberth does better), let’s say that the Arai is in the upper half of the segment, but the noise heard is both regular and muffled, without parasitic whistling..
Top of the range, certainly
Displayed from 639 to 759 € depending on its decoration (the color chart is rich with 18 possibilities), the QV-Pro does not forget to price its services at their fair value. In fact, it is aimed at a clientele receptive to the prestige of the brand and who knows how to appreciate the level of comfort and attention to detail at their true value. After several weeks of use, the high level of comfort and the feeling of high quality felt every time I put it on is much appreciated.
Strong points
- Build quality
- Attention to detail
- Efficient ventilation
- Comfort
- Practical aspects (earphone pockets, etc.)
Weak points
- Shadok external sunscreen
- Unlocking the screen with heavy gloves
- Weight
- Price
Test conditions
- Itinerary: worn for a few months on a daily basis and in test on the road and on the circuit
Features of Arai QV-Pro helmet
- SNC2 PN hull
- Optimized ventilation
- Eco Pure washable and detachable foams
- Pinlock and Max Vision visor
- External sun screen
- Chin wind deflector
- Double D buckle
- 5 year warranty
- ECE 22-05 approval
- A different shell size for every two sizes
- Available in 18 different liveries
- Sizes from XS to XXXL
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