Product Comparison: Shoei Hornet ADV vs Arai XD4

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Shoei Hornet ADV Full Face Mat Black M

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Arai XD4 Flare Dual Sport Helmet-Red-XL

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General Specifications

Brand

Shoei

Arai

Model

Hornet ADV

XD4

Origin

Japan

About the Product

With all the advantages, an offroad helmet has for exploring new terrains, yet with the comfort of full face helmet at the same time, the Hornet ADV is your perfect companion to join you on all your small and big adventures.

The Arai XD4 is world renowned for being one of the best ADV touring helmets on the market and one of the few that achieves a Snell safety rating. The XD4 incorporates all of the same great qualities found in Arai's other helmets including the comfort liner and cheek pads that feature 5mm peel-away pads that allow riders to tailor the fit. The shell of the Arai XD4 Helmet has also been aerodynamically tuned and, in concert with the removable floating peak, funnels air into the redesigned vents, improving overall ventilation and mitigating buffeting at speed.

Key Specs

Type

Off-Road

Dual-Sport

Shape

Medium Round

Intermediate Oval

Safety Rank

DOT

SNELL, DOT

Shell Material

Advanced Integrated Matrix Plus Multi Fiber

Polycarbonate

Interior Material

3D Max-Dry System II

Removable/washable anti-bacterial

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Shoei Hornet ADV Full Face Mat Black M

I've owned this helmet for a year and a half and it's my everyday lid. I've worn it on 1000+ mile road trips, 90mph freeway cruising, rain riding and offroading.
Top tier helmet with high quality craftsmanship and materials. Easy to remove peak and internal padding.
Shoes didn’t disappoint in the quality department as expected, it has both Snell and DOT approval, visibility is great, goggles fit well inside as long as you get the right goggles.
For a dual sport/purpose helmet I was hoping for more airflow at the low speeds I was riding in. In the future I'll be taking a towel or two to dry out after riding and a balaclava for the ride home. The insulation won't do you much good for the ride home if you wet and cold.

Arai XD4 Flare Dual Sport Helmet-Red-XL

Typical Arai quality. It had been a while since I'd purchased a helmet, and I see that Arai has further defined the head shape game. Best bet is to always try one on first- I have gone from a round Shoei to a more oval Arai over 20 years.
First off, I loved this helmet well before my accident. The field of view is fantastic, the fit is incredible.
Since this is one of those "dual sport" type of helmets with a visor, those riding are at some point going to get on a highway and get up to highway speeds.
The XD-4 is my second helmet. I began riding just over a year ago and had been using a friends Bell racing helmet until I purchased the Arai. I've gone about 14,000 miles in the XD-4 and it's great!
Arai has the reputation of first rate quality and protection which should be primary in a helmet choice, and I wanted an ADV style helmet for the new bike, overall I am very happy with it so far.

Size & Weight

Size

Medium

X-Large

Weight

3.92 lbs.

3.66 lbs.

Weight
Size

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

Shoei Hornet ADV Full Face Mat Black M

Sizing inside the helmet is perfect based on the measurements.
The helmet weight is standard, not too heavy, the view is incredible, almost like wearing a half helmet, i can see everything.
Overall I am very happy with this helmet and don’t have any complaints. It fits very well, is comfortable, and its weight is very well disguised utilizing good balance and aerodynamics.

Arai XD4 Flare Dual Sport Helmet-Red-XL

Great fit, light ,comfortable! Tried several other dualsport and street helmets.
I replaced my XD3 with this XD4 (pulled the trigger after the 2016 update happened with the new Snell 2015 rating came out). It fits perfectly.
Excellent condition, quick delivery. Helmet is light weight and fits snugly.
On receiving the XD-4 I can say the fit was perfect! It was initially quite snug! I really had to pull it down over my head however after a couple rides and a few hundred miles the pads have shaped to me perfectly and is now extremely comfortable.
This helmet meets that standard in almost all aspects. Starting with the fit - I absolutely love the conforming fit of the cheek pads.

Features

Shield

CNS-2 Shield, Anti-scratch, UV protection, Thicker, more durable face shield gasket

Brow vent faceshield, Improved shell shape for better aerodynamic stability at higher street speeds

Ventilation

Large multi-position lower air intake/defroster vent

Dry-Cool technology

Liner

9 mm

Cheek Pad

35 mm

Extras

Dual-layer multi-density EPS liner, Improved shield locking system, Pinlock pins and insert included, 3D shaped cheek pads are available in multiple thicknesses for a custom fit, Max-Dry System II liner material quickly absorbs and dissipates sweat and moisture, Removable ear pads, V-460 VISOR, Two shutter-controlled upper air vents, Four uniquely-positioned rear exhaust vents

FCS® cheek pads, Arai’s exclusive peel-away side/temple crown pads, Arai’s Dry-Cool® technology, Emergency cheek pad release system

What customers say about "Features"

Shoei Hornet ADV Full Face Mat Black M

The wide opening gives a larger field of view than my previous street helmet which opens up the peripheral vision very well.
The opening of the helmet fits smaller than my previous Shoei though, so it is tough to get on and off. But that tight fit around the neck (caused by the cheek pads) reduces airflow noise during the ride.
Handles great at high speeds, comfortable, love the visor and the air flow.
Airflow is superb, its quiet, and most surprisingly, the peak has almost undetectable drag when seated, standing, or turning the head.
This helmet seems louder than my other $120 helmet and also fogs up way more than my cheap helmet.
The ventilation to the front chin is pretty much non existent. It is a decent helmet but for how much it costs should be better than decent.

Arai XD4 Flare Dual Sport Helmet-Red-XL

In any case, this helmet is like all my Arai (and you can now peel away some layers from the cheek pads to customize fit), there are no compromises, absolute top quality construction, light weight, almost indestructible visor (will NOT scratch if you are cautious) and functional venting.
Vents and airflow abound, as with everything moto-related you'll get hot standing still, but once moving-- this helmet lets in a good amount of air. I would definitely buy another.
The top visor is easily adjusted with a coin or flat screwdriver and seems to be well built.
Road noise is not bad and have zero complaints about it.
The helmet accepts my Scala Rider G9x easily, the recesses in the cheek pad have ample room to fit the speakers behind the soft covering.

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

5 year(s)

Other Information

Manufacturer

Link

Manual

Download

MSRP

739.95 $