The Vector brings one more dimension to the Arai line: a helmet for riders looking for a more basic helmet, but one with that has just the right features for all-day comfort, and the name Arai on the front.

• Intermediate oval fit.
• Complex Laminate Construction (CCL) shell that combines excellent shell integrity with light weight.
• Arai's exclusive multi-density, single piece hybrid EPS liner.
• Brow Vent Faceshield Ventilation System provides cooling air in the upper-face area without holes in the critical forehead area of the shell of in the impact-absorbing liner material.
• Large volume upper intake and exhaust vents designed to be operated with gloved hands.
• Dual pivot chin vent to direct air to the rider or the shield for de-misting.
• De-mist faceshield locking tab pushes forward to open the shield slightly to help clear fogging and provide fresh air while stopped.
• Multifoam washable interior.
• Removable/replaceable cheek pads.
• Meets or exceeds Snell and D.O.T. standards.

The Vector is the newest model in Arai’s helmet line up. The Vector replaces the discontinued Astral X. The Vector is positioned to give Arai quality and performance to the price-conscience consumer. Arai intentionally cut some features on the Vector to hit the price point, but we don’t think it hurts the helmet at all. The Vector has removable cheek pads, but the top liner is not removable. It is nice to be able to remove the top liner, but not being able to do so isn’t the end of the world. The liner can still be washed and left to air dry inside the helmet. Other than the liner, the Vector still seems fully featured.

The Vector’s fit is called “intermediate oval” and it is very similar to the Quantum 2 in terms of fit. The removable cheek pads are plush just like every other Arai model. The quality is easy to see and feel as soon as you put the helmet on. Some of our testers are definitely “long oval” fits, but all said they could still make the Vector work. It goes to show that it is still possible to get a good fit despite the marketing.

The Vector’s ventilation got strong marks from our testers. It performs similar to the Profile and Quantum 2 series and that puts it just below the RX7 Corsair in terms of air flow. The vents are easy to operate with gloves on too. The visor also features built-in brow vents to help keep the rider cool. The Vector also features a de-mister vent that does help de-fog the visor on cold mornings.

The overall riding impressions were very positive. The helmet is stable at triple digit speeds. It feels planted and secure when fastened. The venting was good and kept our testers cool in some hot conditions. Simply put, it is hard to pick apart an Arai helmet. They are built so well from the flagship RX7 Corsair to the Vector and everything in between.

The Vector offers many solid color choices and many sharp looking graphics. The paint quality is flawless and overall construction is superb. It is feature rich despite not having the fully removable top comfort liner. If you desire a top quality and you really want an Arai helmet without the stratospheric price, the Vector makes a great choice.