Arai Targets American Heads

Jon Langston
by Jon Langston
Talk about targeting your demographic. Arai claims its rider research shows that Americans have longer, narrower head shapes than riders of other nationalities. The company calls its Signet-Q helmet “The American Helmet” not because of its distinctive stars-and-stripes graphics, but because it was specifically designed for American heads and the American market. The Signet-Q’s interior fit is more elongated front to back, giving more room in the forehead area; the fit is also more narrow side to side.

Full details about the Signet-Q design plus a video interview with Arai’s legendary Bruce Porter can be seen in our article here.

Visually, the Arai Signet-Q is almost identical to its stable mate, the RX-Q, except for their interior shapes. Creating a helmet whose major feature is its interior shape comes from Arai’s long-held credo that head shape is as important as head size in getting the “perfect” fit. Arai says this is why it’s the only helmet company that “goes to the added effort and expense of creating models with different interior shapes.”

The Signet-Q’s other features are highlighted by Arai’s patent-pending FCS® (Facial Contour Support) cheekpad design that Arai says delivers “an unbelievable level of support and comfort.” The design utilizes an innovative and exclusive spring support in the cheekpads that not only creates a soft, easy pressure around the ears to enhance noise reduction and to support and cradle the head from below, but easily gets out the way when taking the helmet off. FCS® cheek pads have Arai’s exclusive 5mm peel-away custom fit layer to micro-tune the fit, as well as Arai’s now-copied Emergency Cheekpad Release System. The Signet-Q’s crown area also sports 5mm Peel-Away Temple/Side Pads to provide the same micro-tune benefit as the cheek pads. The liner and neck roll are fully removable and washable. On the exterior, the upper and side exhaust vent cowlings are more aerodynamic, sculpted to enhance stability while increasing exhaust efficiency, the side vent cowls tailored to the needs, and the speeds, of the street. A clear Pinlock® Max-Vision® anti-fog face shield is also included.

Are you a Signet head? One way to tell is if you get those sometimes painful red forehead marks—or “hot spots”—from helmets with rounder interior shapes. However, regardless of what head shape you “think” you have, Arai encourages everyone to take the opportunity to test fit both the RX-Q and Signet-Q models side-by-side to make sure you get the best fit possible – because only you can decide which fits you best.

The Arai Signet-Q is available in sizes XS to XXL, with 24 different colors and graphics to choose from. MSRP ranges from $619.95 to $759.95.

For more information and details, visit your authorized Arai retailer or visit the Arai website, where you’ll also find a complete dealer list.

Jon Langston
Jon Langston

More by Jon Langston

Comments
Join the conversation
Next