Specifically, the XD-5 has a brilliant new pinlock-equipped shield design, loads of operable vents, and the same attention to construction detail and overall safety that we’ve grown to love and expect from this storied Japanese helmet maker.

With the outgoing XD4 having been on the market since 2012 as one of the (if not *the*) best and most popular Adventure Helmets available, it’s been long overdue for an update.

And it’s clear Arai had a range of features in mind for this new standard bearer dual-sport helmet, all of which all seem to have been very well implemented. The shield has been vastly improved, with an all-new tool-free hinge design, and it comes  with a big ol pinlock insert included to keep it fog free.

 We spend a lot of time changing out pads and shields on all the helmet brands we sell, and this is probably the easiest Arai shield change we've seen yet. With some practice, it takes just a couple minutes to remove the peak and/or shield to, say, change to a dark shield, install the included pinlock insert, or simply remove for a deep cleanign.

The XD-5 has a dedicated perch for a communications device of your choosing, both in terms of placement of a clamp or adhesive control unit on the left side of the helmet, and on the interior, in terms of speaker placement and cable management, where a deep Verlco-backed pocket lays ready for any sized speaker without fuss. Also note the neck roll has built-in pockets to help manage excess cable.

The unique two-point peak design is both easy to adjust on the fly, and allows for a clear central channel of air that both 1) avoids turbulence you might expect from traditional 3-point peak, and 2) helps activate the helmet’s many vents, which include front, central and rear vents within multiple positions each.

Thx XD-5 also has a generous chin vent, which operates independent from the interior shutter vent. Keep them both open for max airflow; keep the outer open and the inner closed to direct airflow to your shield (defrost feature); or shut them both to stay warm and quiet. Thee chin vent is complemented by a snap-down chin spoiler that deploys for cold weather or long highway hauls and will help keep the roar of passing airflow from sneaking into the helmet.

Once off the highway it’s pretty easy to slip goggles under the open face shield, or to remove said face shield altogether and pack it away where it’ll be out of your peripheral.
 
Like all our Arai selection, this one is made in Japan with a painstakingly hand-laid fiberglass shell that’s been reinforced with Kevlar across the crown of the head and above the eyeport. Following Arai’s familiar playbook the XD-5 is offered in five shell sizes, with XS, small, XL, and 2XL all getting dedicated shells; while medium and larges share a shell size.

We’ve already gotten some miles in an XD-5 and feel it’s a clearly a vast improvement over the old XD-4, and worth consideration for anyone shopping in this segment.

Pricing note: Solid color XD-5's range between ~ $840 and $860. White and gloss black are set at $839.95; Frost Black, Sage Green, and Aluminum Silver are $849.95; and Fluorescent Yellow is $859.95. The XD-5 graphics options swill set you back at about another $100.

Even the shop-favorite solid color options represent a handsome sum, but if you rationalize it as $14/month over a helmet's 5-year service life, it's pretty affordable insurance for your head. And we'll guess a lot less than your cable bill.

Sizing and optional Pads Availability Note: As of the May launch of the XD-5 we’ve got standard sizes Medium, Large, and X-Large -XL in most paint options. Helmets using the Small and X-Small shell sizes are still in production and slated to arrive in June; and as soon as optional cheek and head-liner pads area available we’ll add them to our catalog.