Review: Arai RX-7V helmet

If you’ve got a top-of-the-range head…

Tested by: Mikko Nieminen // RRP: £499.99 // Sizes: XS-XL // Colours: Matt black, gloss black, white and various graphics // Info: www.whyarai.co.uk

The RX-7V is the top of the range helmet from Arai. It looks great, fits perfectly, and comes from a long line of quality helmets. It’s an expensive lid, but it’s probably the best I’ve had.

With full face helmets, I want good ventilation, and the Arai doesn’t disappoint in this regard. There are three vents at the top, two small ones in the visor and one in the chin. Open all of them and you’ll get plenty of fresh air flowing in. They are all easy to use with gloves on once you get the feel for them.

The RX-7V has been designed with racing in mind, so the protective qualities of the lid have been well thought through. The amount of energy that any helmet can absorb is limited, so avoiding potential impact energy by ‘glancing off’ as much of it as possible is a key function of any helmet. Arai’s solution to increasing this glancing off is the Variable Axis System, which has increased the smoother area around the temples and lowered the visor mounting position by 24mm. Arai must have done something right with the technology as the helmet achieved 4 out of 5 stars in the SHARP (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme) test that measures the protective qualities of motorcycle helmets.

The lining is washable and removable, as you’d expect in a quality lid like this. It also feels nice and soft with no seams or bumps hampering comfort.

The fit is perfect for my head shape. When I first put the helmet on, it felt like I had worn it for months. There was no ‘wearing in’ period, the lining is plush and soft and there’s just the right amount of pressure so that the helmet doesn’t move around, but doesn’t press your head either.

The only thing I wish this lid had is an internal flip-down sun visor, but in the absence of that, I have to make my peace with a regular dark visor.

The strap has a traditional double-D buckle, which is still favoured by many riders over the micro-ratchets available in many lids. The helmet weighs 1.6kg.

This has rapidly become my favourite helmet because of the fit, comfort and overall quality of the lid. If you’re looking for a top-end lid, I recommend you try the RX-7V.