Although being at the bottom of the full-face price ladder on Arai's catalog may appear to put the new Vector-2 helmet in the entry-level category, the number of upgrades and new features to Arai's latest model tend to contradict that notion. The successor to the four-year-old Vector packs a lot of improvements, while still adhering to the less-is-more design intent of the original.
A number of features from the high-end Corsair V and RX-Q helmets make their way to the Vector-2, including the wider eyeport (5mm on each side) for better peripheral vision, the Hyper-Ridge design around the bottom of the helmet shell for increased strength and larger bottom opening for ease of entry/exit, and the 5mm peel-away cheek pad layer, which gives the option of a thinner cheek pad set without having to purchase the extra set. The single front and three rear vent holes return, but the design of both the front intake and rear exhaust vent/wing combination has been revamped. The new front intake now incorporates a sliding door that closes off the intake opening completely in addition to the previous inner plate that covers the vent hole to reduce wind noise. Wind tunnel testing helped refine the new ACR-2 rear exhaust vent/wing setup to accelerate airflow over the three 10mm holes for improved evacuation of stale air inside the helmet. As with the RX-Q, the side exhaust ports have also been enlarged, with subtle design changes to keep noise levels in check.
Also making it to the Vector-2 is the fully removable liner and removable/replaceable cheek pads with removable/washable covers. Arai notes that the liner and cheek pads are not carry-overs from another model, but "are exclusive to the Vector-2." The chin vent has also been repositioned slightly lower on the chin bar to give the Vector-2 "its own distinctive look while flowing plenty of air;" it still uses the two-position lever movement common to Arai's full-face helmets.
The new Arai Vector-2 is available in sizes XS-XXXL, with solid colors running from $479.99 to $509.99, and various graphics models retailing for $609.99.