Why ARAI Helmets are so expensive? US$550 vs US$65

So far, Arai is the best-known helmet on the market, because they have been in business for decades. First comes first serves! I do not believe that at this moment they are the best helmet, since many middle-range helmet brands have improved their quality and also developed more features such as LED, blue-tooth, carbon fiber... However, Arai helmet quality control (QC) is definitely still the best.

Every Arai helmet is virtually 100% handmade. Each craftsman signs the helmet shell along the way. And every helmet is hand inspected at least three times during construction. Not every hundredth helmet, or every tenth one — every single helmet. I went to inspect some Taiwanese helmet makers in mass production (probably 5,000 helmets daily). There are no way they can do eyesight inspection on every helmet.

The price of DOT-approved helmets, let's say full face, can range from US$65 to US$550 - 10 times. Their price difference are coming mostly from their marketing, sponsorship, quality control, and R&B. Big brands spends most of their operating costs on these things.