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THE ARAI XD:
INNOVATION IN THE PURSUIT OF FUNCTION
Some of Arai's helmet designs
over the years have been so innovative that they've actually
been exhibited in art museums. One look at the brand new hybrid
XD and it's easy to understand why.
XD means "Crossover
Design" because it covers a number of uses: Adventure
street/dirt touring on bikes like the 1150GS, V-Strom, Tiger,
Capo Nord, and Multistrada; dual sporting; naked bikes; Super
Moto; you name it.
Visually, the Arai XD looks like
a dirt helmet, with its peak, protruding chin bar, and the
opening for goggles. But the XD adds a faceshield in the
opening. And it slides up under the peak, unless you choose to
remove it, which you can, and use goggles, until you're ready to
switch back to the faceshield again. Arai has created what it
calls a TWIN-CAM SHIELD PIVOT SYSTEM that enables the shield to
operate fully beneath the mounted peak. The shield stays low
when raised, allowing the peak to be mounted lower, resulting in
better aerodynamics and a better appearance. The shield system
is also designed to allow the shield to be used alone without
the peak, or as said, with the peak and no shield as desired.
Additionally, a FRONT LOWER SPOILER integrated into the edge
trim minimizes wind resistance.
The interior head liner comfort
padding and cheek pads are COMPLETELY REMOVABLE AND WASHABLE. As
with Arai's other removable liners and cheek pads, optional
sizes are available for a more personal, customized fit. A NEW
NECK-ROLL PAD is designed to both provide more comfort and to
help reduce wind noise.
The VENTILATION SYSTEM uses
Arai's dual front I/C intake ducts to provide a more directed
flow of fresh air around the top of the head. Air intake is
further enhanced by the peak channeling air directly into the
front vents. The "Double Delta" DDL-2 bridged rear
exhaust ducts to draw "a significant volume of hot air and
moisture" from inside the helmet. The mouth vent system can
either provide fresh air around the mouth area, or the air can
be directed upward along the interior surface of the faceshield
to help prevent fogging. There are vent controls both inside and
outside the chinvent. Additionally, left and right side lower
exhaust vents draw out more hot air from inside the helmet.
Special note
(CAUTION): Maybe this is common sense, but because of the world
we live in our lawyers say that this needs to be said: The
visor/peak supplied with the XD helmet is not suitable for
high-speed use. At such speeds air catching a side or main
surface of the peak may cause difficulty in returning the head
to a forward and/or level position. To understand and prepare
for this possible effect, you should first try to experience it
at low speeds, gradually increasing speed so that you will know
what to expect and determine when the peak should be removed for
higher-speed riding.
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