Gear Review: Arai RX-7GP

Arai RX-7 GP

Used for: 2 months

Price:

Rs 75,000 (performanceracing.in)

Rs 65,000 (bikegear.in)

Rs 98,000 (superbikestore.in)

Options:

HJC RHPA 11: Rs 40,000 (performanceracing.in)

AGV Pista GP: Rs 85,000 (bikegear.in)

Shoe X-Spirit 2: Rs 72,500 (bikegear.in)

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Note: If you are sure of your head size, you can get it for a more affordable price overseas.

One of the perks of my job as a journalist is the opportunity to review higher capacity machines. With these machines, you need to get used to the speeds these bikes are capable of, with the knowledge of the associated risks. It does bring into perspective the need for good riding gear. A helmet for one. Let's forget safety for a second – did you know higher-end helmets are designed to sustain higher speeds? An entry level helmet will start to shake at speeds above 120kmph due to wind turbulence. I'm not sure if they will be of much use in the event of a crash at those speeds either. Now, I have nothing against entry level helmets (I use an MT Thunder 3 lid for commuting) but I believe there are different helmets for different requirements. 

Until recently, I was using the HJC RHPA 10 and it is quite an eye opener as to how the right helmet (and gear) can boost your confidence and help you ride better. Placebo effect aside, the right fit helps tremendously. The Arai RX-7 GP allows you a higher degree of customizability in terms of fit. The inner liners and cheek pads can be separately customised for a snug fit. There are peel-off strips on the cheek pads for fine-tuning the fit.  The removable inner liner is of top-notch quality and ensures a snug fit which you can comfortably wear all day long. 

Arai has always maintained a round-shaped shell as they believe that it’s the best shape to save your noggin in the event of a crash. They reckon that if you fall off your bike and slide off, the round shape will not allow the helmet to get tangled in anything on the road. Interestingly, the vents on top are designed to pop off in the event of a crash and slide. The round shape also makes the shell quite strong. 

The RX-7 GP, or the Corsair-X as it is known in the US, is the newest range-topping helmet from Arai. The Japanese helmet maker is known the world over for its handcrafted helmets that are among the safest in the world. Weighing in at 1600gms, the RX-7 GP is on the heavier side (the HJC RHPA-10 weighs just 1350gms) but that again is Arai's commitment towards making the safest helmet (the shell construction exceeds most international safety standards with ease).

The pearlescent paint finish is top-notch. The livery is a 2016 Dani Pedrosa replica. The quality of materials used are excellent and the vents also emanate a satisfying click. 

The other major USP is the ventilation offered. The RX-7 GP is designed to provide maximum airflow at higher speeds. There are three intake vents and two exhaust vents on the top. The chin section gets a large adjustable vent that directs air to your face or chin area. The visor has two vents that direct air to your forehead. I used the helmet for both track and city rides. The helmet's ventilation system works not only at speed but also to a certain degree when you are stationary. 

If all else fails, there is a locking system that allows you to keep the visor screen cracked open. The vents can easily be adjusted with your gloves on and that helps a lot on the move. 

The helmet gets an adjustable spoiler for stability at speed. The top most position is for city riding and the bottom most one is for track use. The RX-7 GP is quite stable at high speeds. There is a lot of wind noise but that is a common quirk associated with race helmets. The solution to this is to use ear plugs. 

The field of vision has improved. The visibility is excellent, especially when crouched down on a bike at high speed. The visor replacement mechanism takes getting used to and is not as fast as an HJC RHPA. It is nevertheless quick enough once you get the hang of it. 

The RX-7 GP is one of the most expensive helmets sold in India. Now, there are helmets that cost half as much and perform close to it but Arai's obsession towards making the safest helmets and the handcrafted precision that goes into making one of these helmets makes the RX-7GP one of the best helmets money can buy.

Note:  An economically viable way to owning one of these helmets is to buy them in Japan, or, failing that, Europe. You will get the best fit and will save a ton of money. 

Positives:

The fact that the helmet places safety above all else.

Paint finish and quality.

Impressive fit.

Good visibility.

Excellent ventilation on the move.

Negatives:

Expensive! (especially in India)

Visor replacement could be simpler.