If you’re looking for a new touring helmet, you’ve got lots to choose from. With the US-market release of the Shoei Neotec 3 earlier in April, we also see the Arai XD-5 hitting the market.
Like the new Neotec, we knew the XD-5 was coming soon, because we first saw it revealed in overseas markets last year. Arai introduced it to the US market in 2024 with an AIMExpo reveal, and now it’s in stores and at online retailers.
Previous versions of the XD-5 quickly converted from a dirt-ready adventure bike helmet into a trimmed-down street lid without the ADV peak. Here are the five points they used to summarize the new helmet’s updates:
- New VAS-A visor system designed to maximize Glancing-Off Performance
- Adventure, Off-road, and On-road possibilities
- Enhanced 5mm wider on each side chin bar for easy on/off comfort
- New forehead logo duct for excellent ventilation
- Flat spot-on side of the shell for easy communication device installation
Photo: Arai
It’s supposed to be easier to mount a comm system on-board now; ventilation is also improved. In the future, Arai will also offer a photochromatic shield, the reps told us at AIMExpo, but that’s still months away. Arai doesn’t use an internal drop-down sunshield in its helmets, so the photochromatic shield will be a welcome update when it arrives.
For a more detailed run-down of the new helmet’s features, check out our AIMExpo write-up here. If you want to try one on, head to your local dealer; if they don’t have them in stock, Revzilla is showing the XD-5 in their inventory, but not all colors/sizes. Asking price there starts at $839.95; see more details here.
