Arai helmet owners will want to consider acquiring one of the new Arai VAS-V Max-Vision Shields with the mirror treatment ($117 MSRP). Unlike the previous version of the VAS-V shields, the Max-Vision versions are Pinlock-prepared. The VAS (Variable Axis System) Arai faceshield increases the helmet’s functionality by toning down the sun’s brightness, giving your eyes a break while adding a sharp overall look.
The faceshields are marked “Exceeds Z87.1/VESC-8.” VESC-8 is the U.S. Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission Standard 8. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Z87.1 is a voluntary safety performance standard for eye protection equipment. That said, the shields are also marked “Not warranted shatterproof” and “If tinted, for daytime use only.”
Arai faceshields are made of molded polycarbonate, which is durable and scratch resistant, though not scratch-proof. The reflective coating on the mirrored shields is also vulnerable to scratch and chemical damage, so Arai recommends cleaning the faceshield with only warm water and a clean microfiber cloth. Arai also instructs users to pre-soak the surfaces to be cleaned by placing a damp cloth over them to soften debris before cleaning. The mirrored surfaces should be wiped with light pressure. Arai warns against the use of cleaning wipes intended for use on glass. Contact with brake fluid, fuel, or petroleum-based lubricants on the view surfaces could damage the faceshield’s surface.
The VAS-V Max-Vision shields are prepped for Pinlock anti-fog lenses, which must be installed on the faceshield before it is installed on the helmet; they include the through-the-lens closable brow vents. The VAS-V Max-Vision mirror-finish faceshields are available in Silver, Green, Blue, and Red (which looks quite orange). There are also VAS-V Max-Vision shields without the mirror coating in various levels of gray tinting.
The hinge system on the Arai Corsair-X and Signet-X helmets we used for this review are the same. The VAS-V Max-Vision shields also fit the Quantum-X, DT-X, Defiant-X, and Regent-X helmets. Consequently, they can pose the same challenges for changing out the shield. For example, the helmet owner’s manual is reasonably detailed, and the little illustrations are helpful, but one thing the manual does not make clear can trip you up.
The manual explains how to remove the hinge covers—push the black release levers straight back with the faceshield fully raised. That’s fine, as the covers release as expected. What the manual fails to mention is that you must push the release lever beyond that release point to raise the brass stud on the faceshield high enough to enable it to displace to the red hole when you lower the shield. That takes a stout push.
The other thing that can make the shield change a bit of a challenge is the need to raise or lower the shield several times while keeping things in alignment to complete the process. Once the process is clear, after doing the shield change a few times, it gets much easier. Online videos available are helpful resources.
The tint is not as dark as some shields of the past. That is by design, as it allows sufficient light transmittance for better vision when going from bright sun to shade, and to prevent alteration of color perception. Another option that works with a clear shield is the Arai Pro-Shade mechanism, which allows the external tinted sunshield to be rotated up when it’s not needed.
The Arai VAS-V Max-Vision shields with the mirror finish offer a functional way to give your Arai helmet a high-tech, custom look with performance that is claimed to exceed ANSI Z87.1 and U.S. VESC 8 standards, and they do it without compromising safety.
