(Daytona, FL) The folks at Arai Americas like to point out that some of Arais helmet designs over the years have been so innovative that theyve actually been exhibited in art museums. One look at the companys brand new hybrid XD model and its easy to understand why.

First of all, is the new XD (it stands for "Crossover Design" according to VP of Operations, Brian Weston) a street helmet for the dirt, or a dirt helmet for the street, an Adventure Touring helmet, a SuperMoto helmet, or just something faintly Hooliganesque for the streetfighter crowd? Yes.

Visually, the Arai XD looks like a dirt helmet, with its peak and protruding chin bar, and the opening for goggles. But wait a minute. Theres a faceshield in the opening. And it slides up under the peak, unless you choose to remove it, which you can, and use goggles, until youre ready to switch back to the faceshield again. Arai has created what it calls a Twin-Cam Shield Pivot System that enables the shield to operate fully beneath the mounted peak. The shield stays low when raised, allowing the peak to be mounted lower, resulting in better aerodynamics and a better appearance. The shield system is also designed to allow the shield to be used alone without the peak, or as said, with the peak and no shield as desired.

The interior head liner comfort padding and cheek pads are completely removable and washable. As with Arais other removable liners and cheek pads, optional sizes are available for a more personal, customized fit. A new Neck-roll pad is designed to both provide more comfort and to help reduce wind noise.

The Ventilation system uses Arais dual front I/C intake ducts to provide a more directed flow of fresh air around the top of the head. Air intake is further enhanced by the peak channeling air directly into the front vents. The "Double Delta" DDL-2 bridged rear exhaust ducts to draw "a significant volume of hot air" from inside the helmet. The mouth vent system can either provide fresh air around the mouth area, or the air can be directed upward along the interior surface of the faceshield to help prevent fogging. There are vent controls both inside and outside the chinvent. Additionally, left and right side lower exhaust vents draw out more hot air from inside the helmet.

Like all Arai Helmets, the new XD features Arais handmade quality, and multiple-density comfort foam liners that are still hand-fit into place. Each helmet meets or exceeds both Snell and DOT standards and comes with Arais full Five-Year Limited Warranty. (Arai is the only helmet company to have offered its five-year warranty for 10 years now.)

Special note (CAUTION): The visor/peak supplied with the XD helmet is not suitable for high-speed use. At such speeds air catching a side or main surface of the peak may cause difficulty in returning the head to a forward and/or level position. You should experience this effect starting at low speeds and gradually increasing speeds so that you will know what to expect and determine when the peak should be removed for higher-speed riding.

Arais new XD helmet is available in sizes XS ? XXL in four solid colors (Black, White, Aluminum Grey, and Aluminum Silver) and four designs (Storm Black, Storm Blue, Storm Orange, and Storm Red). Suggested retail prices have not been finalized as of press time, but are anticipated to be: $454.95 for White and Black, $464.95 for Aluminum Silver and Aluminum Grey, and $537.95 for the Storm design.

The new XD is scheduled to begin arriving in stores in early September.

Full details on all Arai helmets are available at www.araiamericas.com and in their full-color brochure. Find your nearest dealer on the website, or call Arais toll-free Automated Dealer Locator at (800) 766-ARAI. For the 22-page brochure and multi-decal pak, please send $4.00 in cash or stamps ($5.00 U.S. Currency if outside of the U.S.) to: Arai Helmet Americas, Inc., Dept. Hayden VX-PRO, P.O. Box 9485, Daytona FL 32120-9485.