HEADS UP First look: Arai RX-7 Evo motorcycle helmet sets a new standard in rider safety

Arai RX7 Evo has been awarded the ECE R22-06 safety standard

The RX-7 has been the benchmark in motorcycle racing R&D

Arai RX7 Evo has been awarded the ECE R22-06 safety standard

The RX-7 has been the benchmark in motorcycle racing R&D

Arai RX7 Evo has been awarded the ECE R22-06 safety standard

Paul Browne

April 17 2022 02:30 AM

I’m proudly from the Northside of Dublin where, being culturally superior to the rest of you, we have our own way with words.

The expression “I’m only after skullin’ meself” when delivered to a fellow resident of the cultural and artistic centre of the known universe, tends to cause the recipient of the comment to wince either in sympathy or because they’ve recognised the ‘skulled’ party, but very often in equal amounts of both.

I’ve managed to “skull meself” a number of times. There were the pre-motorcycling incidents, which were linked to my parents’ decision to send me to school in Coolock. The less said about all of that the better. Then I was introduced to motorcycles and I turned batterin’ myself into some sort of art form.

There were highsides on track and a number of ‘incidents’ on the road. On one memorable occasion, I came to a full halt as I met the edge of the kerb with the top of my head. On another, I stopped a Fireblade from lowsiding by getting it to a wonderful highside during which I actually managed to hit myself in the back of the head with the bike as it came back in to land. Remember, you haven’t properly crashed a bike until both wheels have been off the ground while you’ve slid along below it.

The very best one had to be the elderly gentleman who decided to do a u-turn without looking as I filtered past him on an early morning commute. When the emergency services arrived, they quite literally had to lift his Fiat Cinquecento ‘car’ off my head.

The reason I’m still here, still able to talk, still able to use a keyboard and still able to ride a bike is thanks in no small part to the fact that I wear what I consider to be the best helmets in the world, Arai.

The RX-7 has been the benchmark in motorcycle racing R&D

Now the Japanese manufacturer is starting the 2022 season with a new lid; the RX-7 Evo.

Arai’s has always been the benchmark in motorcycle racing R&D at the very highest level. These helmets are hand-made in Japan by the third generation family of motorcycle riders.

The new helmet is Arai’s state of-the-art model in terms of protection, ventilation, comfort and fit. The new RX-7 Evo, apart from accumulated improvements under the skin, looks identical to the ‘standard’ RX-7. That’s because it is.

The difference? Everything. And most recently, ECE R22-06 approval – the highest standard of CE safety a motorcycle helmet can achieve.

Arai is always trying to accumulate small improvements one-by-one, decade after decade as well as meeting the highest of standards.

In addition to the Evo’s ECE R22-06, every Arai has to meet the company’s own in-house criteria. This is a really important point to note for any rider or racer interested in ultimate protection from Arai’s dedication to protecting fellow riders.

The new RX-7 Evo will be in Megabikes in Dublin in the next few weeks when prices will be announced. Call 01-4784200 and ask for Ola to book a fitting.