Arai Vector 2 review. For other motorcycle crash helmet reviews, visit our All Crash Helmet Reviews section or our Only SHARP 4 or 5 Star Helmet Reviews section.
Summary: A middle of the range (though still pretty expensive) Arai with a fiberglass shell, fully removable lining and wider than average shield aperture. A great all rounder that’s comfortable, has good ventilation and average noise suppression.
- Snell certified
- Not Yet SHARP tested
- DOT/ECE certified
- Fiberglass Shell
- Full Face Helmet
- Well rated for comfort and ventilation
- Available in sizes XS – XXL
- Available in 10 color schemes
- Price Range: $390-$550 depending on model
Looking to buy an Arai Vector 2?
The Vector 2 is now discontinued, but the last time we checked there were deals to be found at Amazon. Please click below to visit their Arai Vector 2 helmets page – and as always if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).
The Arai Vector 2 was launched as an updated replacement of the popular Vector helmet. It was designed to be an update on the previous version, making a few improvements in key areas based on user feedback.
Page Contents
Safety
The Vector 2 is middle of the price range for an Arai. Like most Arais, the Vector 2 has a fiberglass shell and is DOT certified in the US and ECE 22.01 approved if you buy one in Europe.
And like most other Arai’s, it’s also been Snell certified which means it meets Snell’s rigorous safety standards so should perform well in an accident.
It’s worth noting that the rear spoiler on the Vector 2 is actually stuck to the outer shell so that in an accident, it’ll fall off so the integrity of the helmet shell should remain intact.
Shield
Arai developed the Vector 2 with a slightly wider shield aperture to improve peripheral vision. It also has a locking mechanism on the shield that allows you to either lock the shield firmly shut or keep it cracked open – and owners say it works well. The Arai shield-removal system is also very good. It has a lever at one side that releases the shield and it’s simple to slot a new shield back in – probably a 20-30 second job it total to replace the shield, once you’ve got the hang of it.
Fitting & Comfort
Helmet fitting is all important when buying a new helmet (see our crash helmet fitting guide) but since we’ve all got slightly different shaped heads, you can sometimes find pressure points when wearing a new helmet. To overcome this, Arai have been pretty clever. The interior of the Vector 2 is multi-density polystyrene (designed to protect the head against rapid deceleration in a crash as well as direct impacts that make it through the outer shell). However, they’ve also included a couple of 5mm strips in the polystyrene that can be ‘peeled off’. These correspond to the areas users have most problems with – i.e. the temples and cheeks. So if you buy a Vector 2 and find it’s a little tight there or doesn’t wear in as much as you expected, you can tear off these strips and that will give a bit more space. Folks report these are really useful and can result in a helmet that’s nigh-on a perfect fit.
The interior in general is pretty comfortable with people reporting you hardly notice you’ve got a helmet on. It’s the usual high-quality Arai brushed nylon affair and is fully removable and washable.
Ventilation
While it’s a great all-rounder generally, one area the Arai Vector 2 excels in is ventilation. Like most of the premium helmet makers, Arai understand that ventilation is key to making usable crash helmets – keeping the head cool in hot weather and the shield fog-free in cold & wet weather. The Vector 2 has the usual chin and forehead vents and both are fairly easy to use with gloves on. At the back of the helmet, there’s two small side vents which are always open, but there’s also a vent inside the spoiler on the top of the rear of the helmet. In this case, the spoiler is designed to create a vacuum in the vents which has the effect of creating a slight suck within the vents. This means if the front vents are open, then air is not only pushed through from the front, but pulled out of the rear. The overall effect is very good with riders who ride in hot areas saying they can ride all day in 90+ degree weather without any problems.
Best places to buy an Arai Vector 2?
The Vector 2 is now discontinued, but the last time we checked there were deals to be found at Amazon. Please click below to visit their Arai Vector 2 helmets page. And if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).
Here’s the launch video from Arai Europe:
Other Stuff
Noise is reportedly about average. I think most riders tend to use ear plugs these days which means you’ll not really have a problem with the Vector 2 in practice. A couple of reviewers commented that they bought the Vector 2 because it was particularly easy to use with their glasses.
Overall
Overall, the Arai Vector 2 is a nice helmet with good features. Arai has a long established reputation for good build quality and has produced some of the best selling crash helmets over the years, culminating in a range of helmets that can generally be relied on to perform well. The Vector 2 is no exception – it’s well featured, available at a decent price point and has that all-important Snell safety certification. Well worth a look.
A review from the Helmet center including an on-bike review:
If you’ve found this Arai Vector 2 review helpful – or if you’ve owned an Arai Vector 2, we’d love to hear what you thought about it – please let us know in the Comments area below. For other motorcycle crash helmet reviews, including other Arai Helmets, visit our All Crash Helmet Reviews section or our Only SHARP 4 or 5 Star Helmet Reviews section.
Looking to buy an Arai Vector 2?
The Vector 2 is now discontinued, but the last time we checked there were deals to be found at Amazon. Please click below to visit their Arai Vector 2 helmets page – and as always if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).
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