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Following my off-road excursion at a Roebling Road trackday I decided it was time to retire my 6 year old Colin Edwards replica Arai RX7RR4 and replace it with the brand new and very trick, but furiously expensive Arai Corsair V. So what is it like and is it worth the steep cost of entry?

What’s New?
The Arai Corsair V replaces the RX7 Corsair and is a complete redesign. The major changes are the increased peripheral vision thanks to a 10mm wider viewing port, an AirWing to reduce downforce on the rear of the helmet and an emergency release mechanism for the cheek pads to allow the helmet to be removed more easily by trained medical personnel. The helmet is premium priced ranging from $800 – $900 depending on color scheme (solid colors are less).

The helmet is nicely packaged and comes with an Arai helmet bag and a DVD to explain all the features. It is beautifully finished with vibrant colors and paintwork that seems inches deep. All the major vent controls are larger than before and therefore easier to manipulate whilst wearing gloves. For me, the helmet has a comfortably snug fit and there are plenty of cheek pad options available to tailor it to most individuals (although some claim they don’t have an Arai shaped head).

When you first put the helmet on the new, wider viewing port is obvious and brings a clear improvement in peripheral vision that tends to reduce the feeling that you are even wearing a helmet from a vision perspective. The downside to this enhancement for current RX7 owners is that, of course, the visor is all new so you will have to replace your visors at $50 a pop.

On the Road
When you hit the road the overpowering sensation is one of freedom driven by the wider viewing port. That 10mm really makes a difference and seems like a clear advance on the past. The vents, always a strong point on the RX7 range, are even better, flowing even more air than before and making a clear difference in comfort as you make adjustments on the run with the chunky controls.

At freeway speeds the helmet seems better damped on my head, almost as if any buffeting from the wind stream is being muted. Is this the effect of the AirWing? Hard to be sure that this feature, which is really designed to reduce rear downforce at track speeds, could be having that much effect on the road but it was a reproducible effect. Your mileage may vary.

The comfort remains, with a snug but comfortable fit, free of pressure points and the visor is easy to lock closed and then open again when need with one hand. The combination of the comfort, fit and finish and flexible venting control control is a package I can enjoy on every ride and reinforces the value in choosing a premium lid and let’s face it, is kind of cool too.  However premium quality comes with premium pricing.

The Downsides
Arai is a premium manufacturer, still arguably the gold standard of helmets although Shoei and a few other manufacturers may care to argue the point. There is no denying that despite the quality, the features and the reputation, the price is now so high that most riders baulk. You can buy a very nice helmet (even from Arai itself) for less than half the $800-$900 that Arai demands for the Corsair V and that will stop a lot of prospects in their tracks. I don’t know if Arai have conducted pricing market research but I would suggest that the current pricing is right at the limit of what can be charged. At least it is cheaper than the custom Arai that Nicky Hayden rode at the Indianapolis MotoGP and auctioned at eBay for the Make a Wish Foundation. That baby went for $5,800!!

While I am griping let me admit to mostly hating the visor swap system that Arai uses. Although supposedly simple, I can never reproduce the ease or speed of visor swap that Arai promises. For the price I would expect something foolproof for idiots like me!

This Arai Corsair V is for you if:

• You love the hand made, high quality fit and finish
• Your MotoGP / World Superbike hero wears one!
• Superlative ventilation is a must have

You want to keep looking if:

• You think spending $800 on a helmet is insane
• You cringe everytime you change the visor expecting something to break
• You think a helmet that comes with a DVD on how to use it is sheer overkill!

The Arai Corsair V in a sentence:
Still one of the best helmets money can buy that oozes quality and style but the price is becoming eye watering.

Want More?
Read More Posts like this in our Reviews category
Read a Video Review of the Arai Corsair V

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