The Arai Quantic you see here has had a troubled and brutal life, yet it just keeps on keeping on. It has been on my noggin over many, many thousands of kilometres both here and abroad, it’s been baked and frozen and even been slammed by a snowball bigger than my head while I rode along at around 40km/h. Apart from the snowball tearing the top vent off and buggering the visor pivot plates (all replaceable parts) it is genuinely one of the best helmets I’ve ever owned and is still as trustworthy and comfortable as it ever was. So why do I like it so much? Well, I’m glad you asked. Firstly, it’s quiet, supremely comfortable and the in-cheekpad speaker pockets, and wire pocket in the neck roll make installing an intercom system such as my Cardo Packtalk Bold a very easy process. Even after the drubbing it has endured it was simply a matter of purchasing a new liner kit and it was back to being as fresh as the day I opened the box.

Now you’ll hear a lot of caterwauling from some quarters about Arai helmets not having a flushmount visor, and how this means they are noisy compared to other helmets. I’m here to tell you that is complete rubbish. The Quantic is no louder than my Shoei NXR2 or Scorpion Exo 1400, and its significantly quitter than my Forcite MK1S. Arai persist with the pod system because they believe that that construction method is the safest.

As with every Arai helmet, the Quantic’s Peripherally Belted e-Complex Laminate Construction shell is handmade and puts safety before all other considerations. I haven’t had the chance to test its outright safety credentials thankfully but considering that it passes the stringent ECE R22-06 safety standards I’m confident my noggin is as safe as it can be. Venting is handled multiple intakes and exhaust ports, and the forehead vent is even integrated into the Arai badge – very neat!

The Quantic sports a spoiler on the back which, as well as looking trick, combines with the aerodynamic, wind-tunnel tested shape to keep the helmet firmly plonked on your head, avoiding lifting and buffeting even up to insane speeds.

But as much as I love the Quantic it’s not all rainbows and unicorn farts. Opening the visor can be a frustrating experience, especially when it’s cold, and the fluoro yellow graphics have faded quite badly since I got the helmet in late 2021 – not ideal for a $1200 helmet. Although it must be noted that, according to Google maps, I’ve rattle off just under 130,000 kilometres on a motorcycle in that time and most of that has been wearing the Quantic – it has been my go-to helmet.

If you’ve read my review of the Arai RX-7V Evo, you’ll know that it was a tough decision not to slide into another Quantic because I really do love it. The only reason I did is because the RX-7V Evo has increased venting capabilities, so if you suffer in the heat and are willing to trade decibels for thermal comfort then the RX-7V may be the ticket. But If you’re looking for a smart-looking, supremely comfortable, handmade lid that can do it all, I highly recommend the Quantic.