What should you do if you suspect your best modular motorcycle helmet is fake? Well, the first thing to do is confirm the helmet’s authenticity. If the helmet turns out to be counterfeit, you should stop using it and get a real one. Below, we explore how to confirm that your Arai helmet is genuine.
Lookout for Genuine Arai Signs
Arai has a solid reputation for high-quality helmets. The company uses innovative materials and technology to produce safe and comfortable helmets. Arai’s manufacturing philosophy includes handcrafting some helmet parts, resulting in unique helmets. Here are some tips to confirm your Arai helmet is genuine:
Look for certification labels and markings for the relevant region. For example, Arai helmets for the United States market should have the DOT (Department of Transportation) sticker on the back.
Confirm the artisanship quality. This confirmation is critical since Arai has a reputation for meticulous finishing on its helmets. Uneven paint, flimsy components, and poorly applied decals point to a counterfeit Arai helmet.
Check if the helmet has L-shaped double D-ring fasteners for the chinstrap. Arai uses such fasteners exclusively for its helmets.
Confirm that the visor attachment system, the Visor Application System (VAS), or the Super Adjustable Integral System (SAI) do not have exposed visor attachment points.
You can learn about these details by reading helmet reviews, examining helmets, or scrutinizing Arai pictures online. Talk to your motorcyclist friends who wear Arai helmets to help you. You can also walk into an Arai helmet store and examine their products.
Watch Out For the Red Flags
Some red flags should make you suspicious of your Arai helmet, even if you don’t know how the real ones look. For example, the quality of Arai helmets means they command premium prices. Therefore, you should be suspicious of an Arai helmet going for an unbelievably low price. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. You wouldn’t think of buying the best modular helmet for a pittance, would you?
Secondly, you should think twice before buying Arai helmets from suspicious sources. You have a high chance of getting a genuine helmet directly from the company, authorized dealers, and genuine local stores. Online marketplaces are red flags.
Lastly, watch out for helmets with missing information. Apart from certification marks, your helmet should have other critical information like the date of manufacture. All the wordings and letters should be clear, and the spelling should be correct.
Some counterfeit Arai helmets look almost like the real products. Therefore, you cannot always rely on your eyes to spot a fake helmet. Whether you use a modular, open-face, or closed helmet, someone out there can closely mimic its design.
The ultimate check for a genuine Arai helmet is to confirm its authenticity with the company. Arai offers a customer support line and website for this purpose. Give the company your helmet details, and they can help determine its legitimacy. Some authorized Arai dealers also provide the same service.
In conclusion, there are several ways to know whether you have a genuine helmet. Hopefully, you are not riding around with a fake helmet unknowingly. Safety should be paramount when enjoying your cruiser, touring, sports bike, or off-roader. Ensure you buy a genuine replacement if you realize the current one is fake. Use the Helmet Gurusto help you choose your next helmet.
