Rennie Scaysbrook | February 7, 2023
The Contour-X is the first new Arai since the Regent-X of 2019 and sits as the premium sport touring helmet the company lineup.
Arai’s ultra-smooth egg shape isn’t obstructed by the spoiler at the back that is designed to break off in a crash.
The Contour-X is created using Arai’s new Peripherally Belted Complex Laminate Construction (PB-cLc2) outer shell with its VAS shield system and a 5mm flare around the base for easier on/off and comfort.
Similar to the Regent-X, the Contour-X features the ultra-soft brushed nylon interior that feels like wrapping your head in a pillow compared to the utilitarian feel of the race-specific Corsair-X. The Facial Contour System (FCS-2) cheek pads are removeable and there are inbuilt speaker pockets and a neck roll wire pocket. The Contour-X has been designed for the fitment of a communication system. And if it all goes pear-shaped, the medicos can easily get your helmet off with the Emergency Release System (ERS) cheek pad design.
Venting was one of the big features of the Contour-X. Arai has incorporated a new XG chin vent, dual intake XGF top vents and one-piece rear XGR exhaust/spoiler that flows a huge amount of air. A cool feature is the Arai 3D logo that is now raised and houses two 10mm central intake ports. Arai claims this new vent flows 40 percent more air at 30 mph and an extra seven percent at 70 mph. The lever for opening and closing the vent is neatly integrated into the center top of the logo.
In all, there are 13 venting ports—seven intake and six exhaust. The hot air is extracted via the three-way, one-piece rear exhaust/spoiler, twin flush-fit side exhausts (with foam dams to reduce noise) and neck-roll exhaust.
Removal of the face shield is the same as the race-spec Corsair-X. Just pop the side panels via the black tabs and the roll the shield out. The shields themselves can accept a pinlock, as usual, but there’s still no transition lens available from Arai despite the constant pleas from riders. So, you’ll either need to wear the Pro-Shade system that has a small dark shield attached to it or you need to carry a clear visor for night riding.
Lowdown | Arai Contour-X Helmet
List Price: Starts $739.95 up to $889.95 for solid and standard graphics and $899.95 for race replica colors.
Standout feature: The most comfortable helmet in Arai’s lineup.
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Great venting |
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Excellent comfort from the liner |
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Nice speaker integration |
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Still no transition shield |
Rider Analysis | Arai Contour-X Helmet
I’ve worn more Arai helmets over the past 10 years than I could possibly imagine. Most of these have been the race-spec Corsair-X. I liked the way it fit and the huge amount of airflow the shell offered.
That helmet came out in 2015 and until recently I used one as my daily, but that’s now been shoved aside for the Contour-X. This new lid is vastly more comfortable than the Corsair-X for the kind of riding I do on a day-to-day basis thanks primarily to the brushed nylon interior. The Regent-X had a similar liner but didn’t offer the same level of venting, as a result it would get overly hot on long rides and didn’t wick sweat away like I wanted, hence going back to Corsair-X’s.
The new liner brushed nylon is pretty luxurious, if we do say so.
The Contour-X has a similar level of venting to the Corsair-X but is way more comfortable, plus the integrated speaker pockets (the Corsair-X has them too, just not as deep) means I can fit big, quality speaks like the JBL units in the Cardo Packtalk Edge and not feel them pushing up against my ears and ruining the sound (little things, I know, but they all make a difference).
Riding at speed, there’s hardly any buffeting and overall noise isn’t too much to handle—I always ride with earplugs so noise isn’t much of a deal breaker for me.
Go riding all day and you’ll probably not find a more comfortable helmet.
I wish to God above that Arai would hurry up and make a transition shield that goes from light to dark. Many others and I have been asking for this for years, it can be done as Bell and Shoei have proven, so I’d love to see it finally happen. That said, the face shield can handle a pinlock but I’m not a fan of the Pro-Shield system as seen in the riding shot, never have been, as I don’t like having two different colors (light and dark) in the same field of vision.
This gripe aside, the Contour-X has shot right to the top of my street riding helmet list. It doesn’t replace the Corsair-X on track—it’s not supposed to—but the comfort, airflow and communication unit integration can’t be ignored.CN
For more information, visit www.araiamericas.com
