http://www.araihelmet-europe.com/2010/collection/full-face/tour-x4/ Checked this out from a heads up in the vendor thread. Redesigned visor - vents - liner - shape
Doesn't look a whole lot different. But I like the idea of the pads that you can re-size. Seems like one of those "why haven't they always done that?" ideas. It says the visor has a new shape too. It would be nice if it is treated with something to resist fogging. That was really my only gripe with my XD3.
Damn I think my XD is about perfect but its getting old. I dont want a redesigned helmet :eek1 More then one happy XD owner bought the XD3 and then didnt like it.
The redesigned peak on the XD3 sucked. It would vibrate and whistle endlessly. I took it off and put the XD peak on. The colors don't match - nothing a little vinyl body wrap can't fix - but it's a big improvement over the "improvement." Otherwise a nice helmet. Not sure it's worth the price I paid, but I like the features and awful lot.
I've had both XD and XD3. If they are going to "redesign" then do it. The XD3 was little more than minor tweaks, as this one appears as well. It would be kind of nice for Arai to go beyond the BGN approach and fix some of the flaws that they seem content on ignoring. Things such as: - crap shield mount - distorted vision - noisy visor - overly complex and fragile ducts By the way, I LOVE my XD3 and XD before it. Don't get me wrong. One of the few helmets that I can where for 14hrs straight and it feels like I just put it on. It's just frustrating that for the money, they don't do more when the model evolves.
I think you need more then anti fog treatment. I am a little surprised manufactures dont offer a double lens face shield. I think snowmobile helmets have them. My XD fogs easily in cold and/or wet weather but not as easily as my Shoei RF1000 :eek1
Some mechanical solution (dual pane, Pinlock) would obviously be the most effective solution. But it would also add a decent amount to cost. Other manufacturers treat their visors to varying success. My HJC was far better than the Arai and my new Scorpion is even better still. Not sure what Scorpion does, but they seem to be known for fog resistant shields. My XD3 was the only helmet I've owned that absolutely needed a Pinlock. It was also by far the most expensive and I wasn't thrilled about compounding that with the added cost of the Pinlock and shield. Certainly Arai could more effectively deal with the fogging since other manufacturers seem to be able to do it even at lower price points. At the very least, a Pinlock-ready shield would be a nice touch.
That is what I think about my Shoei RF1000. That thing fogs up over nothing. Ive been meaning to get a pinlock shield and keep putting it off. Fogging hasnt been a huge problem for me but Id be more comfortable if I could keep the shield down all the time on the road. I have come across the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace>Golden Gate</st1lace> too many times by Braille though. Couldnt see sh..:eek1 Pinlock would be a big help. Where do I get the pinlock shield and lens for my XD?
Finally!! A nice orange one to match my KTM I've been relegated to using a blue and white one for the last couple if years And I like the sounds of the improvements over my Tour-X 3 like the visor, pads with a spring for a snug fit, better venting, and even the brow vents off my old Quantum
I just bought an XD3, so I'm pretty familiar with all it's features as I've been slavering over them for some time. Just looked at that link above and the only new thing I can see is the brow vents. I have an Arai Quantum and those vents on the Quantum are pretty ineffective at whatever they're supposed to do. Or perhaps they're doing the shit out of it and I just can't notice, which (since I'm paying for it) isn't right either. Sounds like a good reason to be on the lookout for discounted XD3's in the coming months. =)
LOL, what is it with the Japanese and Asian's in general and butchering the English language. They call a shield a visor, and a visor a peak.
Yup if you do a quick google search you can already find XD3's for under $400. The trick will be finding a size/color you like as I'm sure they'll be running out of them pretty quick.
I just picked up an XD3 a month back. Its my first Arai and I do like it, but do have the fogging problem, and noticed the visor seemed to distort things because of its curve. I think I have gotten used to that though as I dont notice it anymore. Is the pinlock just a different visor that has some way of venting it better? I see these: http://www.theservicepavilion.com/PinlockArai.html It looks like a new visor with something you put in the middle? I want to do something for next year as the fogging is terrible, unless of course its nice and sunny and warm out, then you dont need the visor down.
So here is the question. I've been shopping for an xd3 but keep putting it off due to the $700 + shield + extra Bluetooth mount price. (have an Arai profile UK now that is 4.5 years old). Would you pick up a XD3 on sale at $450 or wait for this XD4?