Arai CT-Z Helmet
4.5
5
10
10
A question of balancing the pluses and minuses
Criterias where light, stylish, comfortable, highly rated for protection, with nice graphics. We had to pass on the graphics but we pretty much got the rest. We should have put quietness somewhere higher on the list thought. Visor up, you don't hear the wind that much, curiously it's when you close it that it gets noisier. Earplugs stll needed. But the view that you get is amazing. It's like not having any helmet on. Also, the strap lenght could be an issue for some. My wife has a XS size and I have a L, but they seem to have the same strap lenght. I really struggle to fit mine. I think I will need to remove the end snap button that get in the way. Hope I could find something else to add an inch or two. Besides these small annoyances we love our helmets. It all depends on your priorities and ours were satisfied.
April 29, 2013
Good quality-poor design
I purchased two of these hemets (one for my wife as well as myself) as I have had a great experience with Arai helmets in the past. The quality is excellent but the design is flawed. There is a high-pitched wind noise that is noticable at around 20 mph and increases with speed unitl it becomes almost unbearable. I tried everything-removing the visor, removing the windshield and the visor, keeping the shield and keeping visor,ect-in every different configuration and on three different bikes, some with windshields and some not (I also had other rifers/friends try it)-the noise is there in varying degrees. I contacted Arai and they were very heldpful, acknowledeged the problem and sent some different side plates but they had no effect. Eventually I went with the best combo-no visor or windshield and a peice of balck electrical tape covering the seam on either side of the temple. Still not perfect and very annoying after a few miles so these helmets sit unsed in gargae.
April 4, 2013
Exceptional helmet and great looks
I purchased two of these helmets, one for myself and the other for my wife. Although they are a bit pricey, you do get what you pay for. I find the cheek pads on the XXL a slight bit too tight. Arai uses the same 25mm pads for most of the CTZ helmets. Although you can purchase replacement pads (20mm & 15mm) for another $48.00 to substitute the original, Arai may want to consider providing the buyer the option of selecting the cheek pads especially on the larger sizes helmets for those of us that have chubbier faces. I plan on replacing the pads on my helmet to thinner one in hopes of a more comfortable fit. In addition to the protection helmets provide, they need to also be comfortable to be worn. A helmet sitting on a shelf will not provide any protection.
February 23, 2013
Great Helmet
I was looking for a safe upscale helmet that had great airflow. I have always had cheap helmets that had minimum air flow and got tired of my head sweating even on short trips. Wish I would of had this helmet many years ago. Very nice and I love it.
February 18, 2013
You get what you pay for.
I have both a full face and now an open face and you cannot get any better than an Arai Helmet. Comfort is what it is all about and for those long trips an Arai helmet really shines. Once you own one you will never be satisfied with anything else. I highly recommend the Arai CT-Z Helmet. The sun visor does what it was designed to do and you hardly notice any kind of wind lift of downward push. Great helmet!
February 11, 2013
Innovative and high quality piece
I've been wearing half helmet so getting used to snug cheek pads. Very high quality. Very high price.
January 28, 2013
Great Helmet
I ride a BMW R1200GS, and liked the look of this helmet. I am not fond of full face helmets and have been using a Schuberth open face for the last 5 years. The main conern I had in this helmet was the lift/drag that I might experience from the visor at highway speeds. I notice that one of the reviewers mentions some lift experience, however I have found none. Indeed, I was pleasantly surprised that I only "felt" a little pull downward (better than pull upward) when I would turn my head significantly to the sides when checking for traffic in other lanes. Otherwise, I would never know I had a visor and this is at 80mph with a stiff variable wind. The ventilation is AMAZING. The only slight disappointment I have was the noise level, though I notice the other reviewers give it better than average marks here. All in all, it's a great helmet and has the quality I think you would expect from Arai.
December 2, 2012
Best Full-face helmet!
Since I ride a GoldWing and have a more oval-shaped head, I have struggled to find the right combination for me. I tried full-face helmets, but found the ventilation lacking behind an effective windshield where there is little airflow. I just tested this helmet on a 2200 mile journey over 6 days, and found this helmet to meet every expectation. The CT-Z provides more protection than the normal 3/4 helmet, and the ventilation is superb, even behind a touring bike windscreen. The fit is excellent and the helmet is suprisingly light. I had to remove some foam from the cheek protectors to avoid a tight squeeze on my chubby cheeks, but Arai makes this easy to adjust. It is pricey, but after trying and returning several helmets that didn't work, I was happy to pay for the Arai fit and quality. As always, Revzilla has the BEST customer service!
October 14, 2012
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