Personal Review: Arai XD-5 / Tour X5 Helmet Pros & Cons
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This is my personal honest review of my new helmet, the Arai XD-5 (known as the Tour X5 in the UK). I think it’s a beautiful helmet, but it’s not without its faults.
It replaces the old Arai Tour X4, which I also owned in the Vision Grey version. There’s been a 12-year gap between that one and this one, and the changes are immense. The X4 was already a cracking helmet, but this one—while superb—still has a few quirks I’ll touch on.
This article is based on the video by The Black Country Rider.
Design & Safety Features
The XD-5 complies with the latest ECE 22.06 regulations. It’s more rounded compared to the X4, which had a more pointed peak and visor. The rounder shell is inspired by Arai’s RX-7 and features the Quantic vent on top.
Arai designed the helmet with a more rounded R75 profile, which means in an impact, it’s meant to glide over the surface instead of catching and causing rotational injuries. While there’s still a peak on the helmet, it’s flexible and likely designed to snap off during an accident to minimize injury.
This one’s the Cosmic Yellow colorway—bit bright for some, but I think it looks smart. Price-wise, you’re looking at about £599 for the plain color and £699 for the colored version.
Build Quality
The sequel to the legendary XD-4 helmet, this lid improves in every way from its round shell design to flexible shield that always fits, goggles or not.
- Quietest ADV helmet
- Removable peak
- Tons of ventilation
- Can use with googles
- DOT and Snell approved
- Heavier than lightweight ADV lids (~1814 g)
- Visor fogs in heavy rain without Pinlock
It’s made from a complex laminate construction with fiberglass weave and a reinforced belt across the top. Arai’s EPS liner uses three different densities all molded as a single piece, which is rare and designed purely for better safety.
No drop-down sun visor in this one—Arai doesn’t compromise on shell integrity. If you want sunlight protection, you can wear sunglasses or choose a tinted visor. There’s also the optional transitional visor on other brands like Klim, but not here.
Still, I believe Arai makes the safest helmets on the planet.
Fit & Comfort
It comes in three shell sizes and five head sizes: XS to XL. I’m normally between medium and large; I had to go with large here. It’s extremely comfortable once on.
The cheek pads come with removable 5mm liners in case it’s too snug.
The included Pinlock is an XLT 120—“extra light” with 2% more light transmission and better clarity compared to the older version. Installation is much easier now too, with no gaps or warping.
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Ventilation
Ventilation is a strong point:
- Ventilation with 3 settings: closed, half, and fully open.
- Top vent (Quantic-style) and three rear exhaust ports.
- Internal rear channels to force hot air out.
That said, I do miss the visor vents on the old X4. They worked well, but apparently caused water leaks and noise in heavy rain—so Arai ditched them.
There’s also a chin spoiler that pulls down, which helps a lot with wind noise and airflow around your mouth.
Inside the helmet, there’s a chin vent slider with three settings:
- Up: completely closed.
- Middle: airflow directed up into the visor.
- Down: airflow straight into your mouth.
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The ventilation on this helmet is superb—absolutely superb. I’ve got no complaints whatsoever.
Two Small Gripes
- Lost visor vents – The new design has better airflow overall, but I still liked those old visor vents. It would be good if Arai did come up with a transition visor like Klim Krios Pro have done.
- Microphone placement – I use a DJI mic, and in this helmet, it ends up too close to my mouth. Doesn’t affect the helmet function, just my setup.
Versatility
The XD-5 is genuinely versatile—whether you ride with both the peak and visor for adventure touring, remove the peak for a sleek street setup, or ditch the visor and run goggles for off-road use, it offers three distinct configurations depending on your riding style.
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You can even lift the visor and still fit goggles underneath. It’s genuinely a 3-in-1 helmet.
Removing the visor and peak is easy—one screw on each side. A 20p coin will do the job.
Ride Experience
The vision through the visor is superb. It’s clear, wide, and vivid. The visor has multiple detents, and some riders said at around 30mph it drops slightly, leaving a small gap. Personally, I’ve had mine halfway open at speed and it’s been fine.
This helmet is a bit heavier—around 1700g—but it feels solid. Compared to something like the Klim Krios Pro (which is lighter), this one scores higher in sound reduction and build.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m really pleased with the XD-5. Two little complaints aside, it’s probably the best helmet I’ve owned. At £699, it’s not cheap—but if it’s protecting your brain, it’s worth every penny.
They say you either have an Arai head or a Shoei head—and I guess I have an Arai head. It fits me perfectly and feels incredible to ride with.
Is it perfect? No. But it’s close enough for me to recommend it without hesitation.
Thanks for reading. If you’re thinking about getting one, I hope this helped.
The sequel to the legendary XD-4 helmet, this lid improves in every way from its round shell design to flexible shield that always fits, goggles or not.
- Quietest ADV helmet
- Removable peak
- Tons of ventilation
- Can use with googles
- DOT and Snell approved
- Heavier than lightweight ADV lids (~1814 g)
- Visor fogs in heavy rain without Pinlock
