Arai Motorcycle Helmets

Arai is a Japanese manufacturer that has been producing high-quality motorcycle helmets for over six decades. Known for their attention to detail and commitment to safety, Arai motorcycle helmets are a popular choice among those who prioritize both style and protection on the road. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the history of Arai, their philosophy and approach to helmet design.

Arai has been founded in 1926 by Hirotake Arai and soon after the company has been dedicated to creating high-quality Arai motorcycle helmets that prioritise safety and comfort for riders.

The founder (photo on the right) did not initially intend to make motorcycle helmets. He began his career as a straw hat maker in 1926 at the age of 21. In the following decade Hirotake utilized his expertise in hat-making to craft hard hats for construction workers and in 1937, the first Arai factory was established in Omiya, where it remains the headquarters of Arai today. Hirotake, after purchasing a Harley-Davidson, became inspired to create the first-ever motorcycle helmet in Japan.

Arai's commitment to excellence is evident in its meticulous manufacturing process, which involves 27 separate steps and takes over 18 hours to complete each helmet. The company's helmets are handmade from premium materials and are rigorously tested to ensure they meet and exceed safety standards around the globe.

Arai has always been at the forefront of helmet design, introducing features such as the first full-face helmet in 1968 and the first adjustable ventilation system in 1985. Throughout its history, Arai has maintained a strong reputation among motorcycle enthusiasts for their quality and safety.

Today, the company continues to be a leader in the industry, with a wide range of helmets designed to meet the needs of riders of all kinds around the world.

Arai motorcycle helmets boast a superior level of protection thanks to the company's independently designed manufacturing process. By moulding the shells in-house, Arai creates helmet shells that are strong all the way to their edges. Arai uses a glass fibre that is 30% stronger than standard fibreglass but also six times more expensive, as the key material in their helmets.

Although Arai is committed to enhancing rider safety by constantly seeking innovations, it acknowledges that no helmet can fully safeguard against all impacts. Through the study of actual accidents, Arai has made gradual improvements to its helmets over time, enabling them to better manage impact energy.

According to the laws of physics, the kinetic energy of an object increases proportionally to the square of its speed, meaning that the faster the object moves, the more energy it possesses. As a result, in real-world accidents, the impacts can generate energy levels that surpass established standards and attention should not only be limited to impact absorption. This is why Arai has also focused on the capacity of a helmet to glance-off obstacles and to slide across uneven surfaces, to minimize the chance of being caught by obstacles. We refer to this attribute as “glancing off”.

The importance of "glancing off" in Arai motorcycle helmets refers to the ability of the helmet to redirect or deflect impact forces. This is achieved through the unique round and smooth shape and construction of the helmet, which is designed to minimize the energy transfer to the rider's head in the event of a crash. While the helmet's ability to absorb impact forces is important, its ability to redirect or deflect those forces can be just as critical in minimizing head injuries. The accumulation of numerous improvements for the enhancement of “Glancing off” has been the foundation of the difference of Arai through their long history.

It should be noted that the minimum official “impact absorption” capacity of helmets are set by the established international standards such as ECE or DOT. However, there is practically no standard defined or enforced to insure any level of “glancing off” properties.

The capacity of a helmet to “glance off” an object is therefore completely dependent on the manufacturer. Arai believes this  factor brings about a big difference in protective characteristics in real world circumstances. This evolution has resulted in a shape that closely resembles an egg, which is considered one of the strongest shapes in nature.