Interesting to read this thread. Used a Shoei for past 10 years, due a new lid now. Tried on Arai Chaser V which was very comfortable. Tried on GT Air and equally a good fit (but not quite as soft in the padding as the arai). The only thing that put me off the Arai was the weight of it. Shoei's seem to be getting lighter whilst Arais kinda seem to be similar weight gear they were 10 years back. Shoei's have that kinda Jedi top gun thing happening with the inner dark visor. It may seem like a gimmick but could also be useful on the 3 days the UK gets some sun. So it seems to me like Shoei is offering more features for your money.. however that velvety plush inner lining of the Chaser V was damm good. Interesting enough, Both of them were going back to D'Ring strap fixings over that of my earlier Shoei which had a clip-in type fixing. I see their flip-up lid has still retained this clip-in style tho.
The Shoe NXR is on special offer 40% off at £289 just now which is the excuse I've been waiting for to upgrade since last year. The quality over my existing ~£100 old faithful HJC is very obvious. Apart from the looks it is lighter and has a much wider field of view. Looking forward to an extended test this weekend
I have recently changed from an AGV to Shoei GT Air and it's brilliant, comfortable, quiet, not rain on the inside even when it's really belting down, quiet and excellent sun visor which I find really useful. Plus I have the Cog and love the detail on the paint job. I regularly ride in a group of around 8 every weekend and now 6 of us have them in different paint jobs as so impressed.
I have the Arai RX7GP which I use on the Panigale and sometimes on the Classic (particularly if I am going out in the wet) but I have an AGV RP60 open face helmet I use when I'm bimbling on the Classic by myself.
I bought a cog at the start of the year and to date is the best helmet I've bought. Could've bought two chasers for the cost, but supposedly only old people can afford them....
