arai tour x4 interior

Arai Tour-X 4 Review

arai tour x4 interior

Hirotake Arai was a successful hat maker in Japan during the 1950s. He was also a keen motorcycle rider, although it wasn’t the safest hobby to have at the time. With no legal standards for helmets, and no manufacturers producing helmets anyway, it was hard to keep yourself adequately protected when going out for a ride and even a minor spill could be a life-threatening affair .

Hirotake was a problem solver though, and he set about designing and constructing helmets for him and his riding mates with the sole intention of keeping their noggins safe. Fast forward 70 years and it’s clear he succeeded in doing that, and then some.

arai tour x4 interior

The mark of true quality is when your name becomes a recognised description. When you set a benchmark that all others in your field strive to achieve. Think commentators describing a goal as “Messi-esque”. And, in the motorcycling world, Arai is now synonymous with high standards of quality and attention to detail; the premium of motorcycle helmets.

Arai Tour-X 4

Which leads us on to the adventure-styled Arai Tour-X 4. Arai’s range of adventure helmets have been firm favourites at ABR Towers, coming out top in the many helmet group tests we’ve conducted over the years and worn regularly by ABR staff at bike launches and on our ride outs since we first went to print. So, when the Tour-X 4 arrived on my desk in the new ‘Cover – White’ colourway, I was excited to see just what all the fuss was about.

Now, before we get started, it’s impossible to write about the Tour-X 4 without mentioning the elephant in the room. It’s an expensive lid. Arai have priced the colourway I’m reviewing at £579.99 and, while there are discounts to be found online, it’s undoubtedly a hefty sum.

So much so that, taking into account the rock-bottom fuel prices at my local Sainsbury’s, I could use the same amount to travel over 5,000 miles on a BMW R 1250 GS . The bottom line is, the Tour-X 4 needs to perform exceptionally well to justify that price and convince you to cough up your hard-earned cash.

Arai Tour-X 4

Arai Tour-X 4 – First Impressions

Immediately it’s clear the Arai Tour-X 4 is a high-quality lid. It feels bulletproof and sturdy, there’s no clunkiness or cheap-sounding creaking as you get to grips with the components, visor and peak.

A quick play with the various vents (more on them later) also gives the reassuring impression of premium quality. The visor offers a vast field of vision and closes securely with a satisfying snap. It also comes Pinlock-ready with a Pinlock insert in the box, a touch which is much appreciated.

The initial evident quality of the helmet is hardly surprisingly – Arai helmets are built almost entirely by hand. Each takes around 18 man hours and passes five separate inspections before being boxed up for shipping. An unparalleled commitment to maintaining those lofty standards.

On the slightly superficial front, it also looks fantastic. Arai have really nailed the subtle styling of an adventure helmet with the Tour-X 4. It steers clear of the sharper lines and aggressive chinbars of competitors that scream ‘moto-cross hero’, instead capturing the versatility of our adventure bikes by looking ready to take riders on and off the tarmac.

The ‘Cover-White’ colourway that I have (pictured) combines a black/grey digital camo pattern with attractive white stripes. The only complaint I have is that Arai use their more artistic colourways to stick a couple of larger logos on the sides of the helmet, alongside the standard one on the peak.

It’s a minor grievance, I am splitting hairs, and dependent on what graphics you purchase (they’re not present in the plain white or black helmets) but it seems like an uncharacteristic departure from Arai’s usual subtle, premium styling.

Arai Tour-X 4

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Since slipping on the Arai Tour-X 4 for the first time I can confidently say, out of the many motorcycle helmets I’ve tested since starting at ABR, it’s the most comfortable yet. Perhaps I’m lucky enough to have the perfect head for an Arai, but it fits like a dream.

The 1.65kg weight (size M) is average for an adventure helmet, but the weight is distributed evenly across the top of the head, while the cheek pads combine with the cushioning at the back of the helmet to ensure that the helmet fit is just right, snug without ever feeling tight or uncomfortable.

This snug fit, particularly around the lower part of your face, is provided by the Facial Contour System. In layman’s terms this is a small foam spring support included in each cheek pad that compresses to shape around your face, providing just the right level of pressure to ensure safety and a comfortable fit.

It’s a testament to this intricate balancing act that the helmet feels much lighter than others in class, despite being the same weight. Indeed, it’s so comfortable and easy to wear that I popped it on as I began writing this review, and only took it off an hour later when I couldn’t find a straw to drink my tea. And, while riding, it’s easy to almost forget you’re wearing a helmet at all.

If the Tour-X 4 doesn’t fit perfectly out of the box straight away, Arai provides a number of options to tailor the fit to you. The cheek and temple crown pads feature a 5mm ‘peel-away’ layer to give you more width to work with, while all the interior parts are removable and can be replaced with alternative sizes depending on your head shape.

Arai Tour-X 4

Performance from the saddle

Comfort doesn’t just come from the fit of a helmet though. When you’re in the saddle ventilation, noise and aerodynamic stability can turn an otherwise comfortable helmet into an unbearable one.

Once again, the Arai Tour-X 4 excels in these areas. It boasts more ventilation than a chemistry lab, seven drawing air in at the front and six exhaust vents enabling a delightful breeze to run through the helmet on hotter days. The brow vents, located at the top of the visor, are particular favourites, helping to avoid the soggy fringe that usually accompanies a day riding in the sun.

The main chin vent, and two smaller ones on either side, also help to compensate for the chin bar, which is less aggressive and doesn’t come out as far as those on other adventure helmets, by keeping your lower face cool. Every vent is closeable should the temperature drop, while an extendable chin spoiler directs wind away from your neck. And, if you’re getting into some gnarly trails, there is the option to lift up the visor and slap on some goggles.

For an adventure-style helmet it’s also pretty quiet, even with the vents open. I still wear earplugs when I ride (I do with all my helmets) but the usual rushing wind at motorway speeds is muted enough for me to comfortably listen to a podcast or music over my intercom system.

Arai Tour-X 4

High-speed performance

Speaking of motorway riding, aerodynamically the helmet is stable and comfortable up to, and even beyond, legal speeds. The peak is barely noticeable, even during shoulder checks, and certainly one of the best I’ve ridden with. ABR editor Bryn reckons that the peak on the Arai Tour-X 4 is the best on the market (over the years he’s tested every adventure helmet going) when it comes to aerodynamics, and I’m inclined to agree with him.

I’m yet to hear the whistle that some users complain of, but there’s always the option to entirely remove the peak should you wish on those longer runs, transforming it into a mean looking streetfighter helmet.

You may want to keep it on though, as the peak is the only form of sun protection offered for riders, which is a slight disappointment. Unlike many competitors, Arai refuses to include an internal sun-visor. For them it represents an unacceptable compromise on safety.

To make life easier, the inner lining features neat cut outs that make it more comfortable to wear sunglasses all day while riding, but this could be a slight problem if you’re diving in and out of Alpine tunnels while touring. Still, above all Hirotake Arai emphasised the safety of the rider and if Arai says it’s better to not feature an internal sun-visor, I’m not going to argue.

Arai Tour-X 4

Safety and protection

Rider safety has always been a hallmark of Arai helmets, and the Tour-X 4 is no exception.

The outer shell is formed of a Special Fibre Laminate (SFL) which is designed to disperse any impact energy over the widest area of the shell, while the softer inner shell combines three to five layers of EPS foam to then absorb the rest of the energy from an impact. There’s one shell size for each two sizes of helmet, so if you wear a small or a medium you won’t look like a bobblehead with a ‘large’ outer shell.

The core philosophy of all Arai helmets is evident in the clean, smooth lines of the helmet too. These are designed to encourage ‘glancing off’, meaning that the helmet will decelerate as little as possible upon impact with the road or an object.

Should a slide occur, the vent covers and external fittings will rip off with ease while the shell remains un-compromised. This helps to stop the rotational forces these could generate if they were fixed from being transferred to your neck. Finishing off this ensemble is a bulletproof D-ring clasp and an emergency release system.

Arai Tour-X 4

Arai’s commitment to the safety of the rider extends to ensuring their helmets pass their own penetration testing, which involves dropping a 3kg test cone from a height of three metres (even though it’s not required for European safety standards).

The safety features included in all their helmets are the same as those worn by professional riders on the racing circuit, as President Mitch Arai says, “How can you say one person’s head is worth more than another’s?”

The fastening system for visor and peak is another area where the Arai Tour-X 4 has come under some criticism, but where the recurring theme of prioritising rider safety is evident. It’s fair to say it’s anything but ‘quick-release’; you need a screwdriver or coin to loosen the screws at either side, but after practice it’s easy to do.

Loosening the screws allows you to adjust the angle of the peak, or you can remove it altogether as mentioned earlier. There’s no quick release system, as seen in other helmets, as any recesses in the outer shell naturally require a compromise in shell thickness or foam density, something which Arai were not prepared to do.

ABR Verdict – Arai Tour-X 4

Arai Tour-X 4

If you were a fly on the wall in the ABR office on any given day you’d witness a phenomenon that I like to call ‘the grab test’. It’s the kit each rider instinctively, and subconsciously, grabs when they head off on a quick blast, perhaps to grab some lunch or even for a quick photo run. In the evenings we may deliberate for longer on what we’ll ride home in to assess and review, but for those quick jaunts we’ll naturally grab what we favour and what’s most comfortable to us.

With my riding time agonisingly reduced recently, us British riders have spent the majority of the last three months under varying forms of lockdown, most of my rides have fallen into this quick jaunt category. And, for every single one of them, I’ve instinctively grabbed the Arai Tour-X 4. It’s been my go-to for everything: shopping trips, supply runs and longer blasts down to south London to have a socially distanced chat with friends and family.

Ultimately, it performs excellently in a number of key areas. It’s the most comfortable helmet I’ve worn, the ventilation is fantastic and well-appreciated during the recent heat wave and Arai’s commitment to rider safety and confidence in their approach is reassuring.

Sure, it’s not perfect, but boy does it come close. For the very few downsides, there are clear explanations and workarounds. The fiddly peak and visor system undoubtedly helps it stay stable and perform well at speed and the ease of slotting in a pair of sunglasses partly makes up for a lack of internal sun visor. Yes, it’s expensive but as ABR Editor Bryn once wrote during a group test of adventure helmets:

“Put simply, if money is no barrier, the Tour-X 4 is a helmet that you’ll be proud to own and happy to wear. If money is tight, then get yourself a piggy bank and save up, you won’t be disappointed.”

For more information about Arai helmets and their commitment to higher standards of rider safety, check out the video below:

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arai tour x4 interior

Arai's outgoing Tour-X 4 helmet is still a go-to adventure touring option - here's why

Arai Tour-X 4 tested for MCN by Michael Neeves

Arai Tour-X 4 helmet

Contents of this review.

The highly acclaimed, top-spec Arai Tour-X motorbike helmet has been around for decades and I’ve been testing the fourth-generation Tour-X4 for the past three years. It’s designed for adventure and off-road riding, but with the peak removed can be used as a road helmet, or with goggles instead of the visor.

I’ve used it in all conditions on adventure bike launches and group tests in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Sicily and the UK.

The TX-4 has now been superseded by Arai’s Tour-X 5 .

  • Read MCN’s previous Arai Tour-X 4 reviews

Arai Tour-X 4

Tested by Michael Neeves for 4000 miles, three years

arai tour x4 interior

A clear visor and anti-fog Pinlock come as standard, but I mostly use an accessory dark tinted version. The visor has widescreen field of vision (although you can always see the peak, which I’m not keen on), a classy smoothness in the way it moves and is easy to crack open for extra ventilation.

It isn’t a two-minute job to change the visor, though, with fiddly plastic screws and fixing plates that need to line up with the visor and peak. The new Tour-X5 has a quick release system that gets around the problem. The Tour-X4 doesn’t have a drop-down visor.

Does the Arai Tour-X 4 have good ventilation?

For sweaty off-road rides or sun-baked road trips an adventure lid needs good ventilation. The Tour-X4 has seven strategically placed intake and five exhaust vents that do the job superbly. I’ve worn it as much in the cold and rain, too and it’s nice snug with no drafts or leaks.

Arai Tour-X 4 rear

Is the Arai Tour-X 4 a noisy helmet?

I’ve only used the Tour-X4 while riding adventure bikes, which have notoriously noisy screens. Despite the racket the bikes make the Arai manages to be surprisingly quiet, although the peak can cause some buffeting and catch in the wind. I wear earplugs so it’s never a problem. I’ve never used it without the peak or with goggles.

Does the Arai Tour-X 4 look good?

The Tour-X4 is a beautiful hand-built creation, as much as a safety device. I’m not a huge fan of the off-road style in general and it looks too storm-trooper-ish with the peak removed. I’d always choose to wear a conventional road helmet, regardless of the style of bike and only pick something like this for practical reasons.

Is the Arai Tour-X 4 good quality?

It’s hard to fault the Tour-X4’s first class build quality, from its plush interior fabrics to the deep, durable white paintwork and the way the vents and trims fit perfectly. There’s nothing about this Arai that feels cheap or plasticky.

Arai Tour-X 4 chin vent

Does the Arai Tour-X 4 offer good value for money?

Arai’s Tour-X 4 is unashamedly premium, but now it’s been replaced by the Tour-X 5 there are some stonking deals to be had from retailers’ existing stock.

If the Arai isn’t floating your boat, there are plenty of other adventure helmets available on the market.

The Klim Krios Pro combines cutting edge technology and lightweight materials in a comfortable and great-looking package.

Klim Krios Pro

Tested by Ben Clarke for 4000 miles

Once upon a time, riders looking for a comfortable, peaked adventure-touring helmet pretty much had two choices, an Arai Tour-X or a Shoei Hornet ADV. Like the Arai, the The Shoei is still available on the market today.

Shoei Hornet ADV

Tested by Richard Newland for 5000 miles

Portuguese brand Nexx might not be on the tip of every British biker’s tongue, but their X.WED2 is a really great dual-purpose helmet with very little to be found in the way of negatives. We included it in our adventure helmet product showcase back in 2020 and it won the test with a maximum 5 stars.

Nexx X.WED2

Tested by MCN

Arai Tour-X 4 verdict

If you ride off road, a peaked adventure lid is useful to protect yourself from flying rocks, dust and dirt from other bikes and to keep the sun out of your eyes. The Arai Tour-X4 ticks those boxes, while being every inch a premium helmet that’s as beautifully made and comfortable as any of their top-level road offerings.

But do both on and off-road jobs it’s a compromise. It’s heavier, slightly more fatiguing to wear and the peak is ever-present in your vision and sometimes whips in the wind. Changing the visor is tricky, too, but the updated Tour-X5’s quick release system gets around that problem.

Wearing an adventure helmet is part of my road tester’s ‘dressing-up box’ and useful on the dirt, but I wouldn’t choose to wear one purely for the road just for its looks, even on an adventure bike.

Got an Arai Tour-X 4 of your own? Why not get in touch and find out how you can give an owner review for inclusion on this page!

What our other testers said about the Arai Tour-X 4

Arai Tour-X 4 Depart Gun Metallic on BMW G310GS

Tested by Justin Hayzelden for two years, 5,500 miles Quality 5/5, Value 5/5

Just opening the Arai Tour-X 4 box is an experience in itself. Cleverly packaged without the need for tape or staples, it’s a masterclass in simple origami and opens to reveal the helmet cocooned in a neatly tied, fleecy storage bag, along with stickers, instructions (including a small bottle of silicone lubricant for the visor mechanism) and the Pinlock anti-fog insert.

Slipping it out of the bag and seeing the graphics in the flesh for the first time actually drew oohs and aahs, and then there’s the smell when you first put it on – new Arais have a unique aroma that immerses the wearer in a sensation of quality and craftsmanship.

I’ve yet to find a helmet that is as pleasant to wear as an Arai, and with that cavernous opening, the Tour-X 4 may well be the best in the range. The weight distribution is so good, that it barely feels like there’s anything on your head, even after a full day on the trails.

Arai Tour-X 4 without peak

And that’s from a helmet weighing 1670g (on our scales), hardly the lightest in its class. The double D-ring strap ensures an infinitely secure fit and the extendable chin spoiler does a great job of keeping the wind out when you don’t want it. There’s also very little drag from the aerodynamically designed peak.

The Tour-X 4 isn’t the quietest of helmets, especially with the peak in place, but if you wear earplugs when riding (as I do) wind noise shouldn’t be a problem.

I tend to use goggles when riding off-road and like the fact that the strap fits with the visor installed, regardless of whether it’s open or closed. However, if the going gets messy it can also be removed entirely to prevent damage from mud and grit, turning the Tour-X into a traditional off-road style lid.

It may not be the cheapest, but consider that it’s essentially three helmets in one and the value should become clear – for trail riding, touring or even tearing up the track, the Arai Tour-X 4 could well be the only helmet you’ll ever need.

Arai Tour-X 4 river crossing on Africa Twin

Tested by Michael Guy for five years, 8400 miles Quality 5/5, Value 4/5

The Tour-X 4 has certainly been my go-to helmet for a significant chunk of riding I’ve completed over the last five years. While Arai claim it works as a grand tourer, adventure helmet and for use on naked bikes with the peak removed the vast majority of my riding has been using it for off-road and adventure.

From events in Italy, to riding the Trans Euro Trail in Northern Spain and most recently a trip to Iceland it’s been my helmet of choice for when I need something I can completely trust and rely on. After all your helmet is the most important piece of safety equipment we all wear.

This is actually my second Arai adventure helmet, I ran the previous X3 model for the five years prior to getting the X4. One of the key factors that keeps me coming back for more is the fit. I wear an XS and unlike other helmets Arai have different outer shell sizes meaning that I’m not wearing a helmet with a large outer shell and lots of padding to make it fit correctly. This in turn makes it feel and look better.

Arai Tour-X 4 on motorcycle seat

I’ve used the helmet with both clear and a light smoke visor and both give excellent vision and minimal glare. The light smoke visor gives the same quality and contrast as a decent pair of sun glasses. Compared to a motocross helmet the peak is short but it’s enough to act as a sunshade when the sun is low in the sky or give protection from rocks roosted up by the rider in front by simply dropping your head.

Despite the peak the smooth lines of the outer shell make it more than acceptable for sustained motorway speeds. I always expect the peak to make it feel worse than a regular road helmet but in reality, when riding a big adventure bike, it’s the flawed aerodynamics/screen of the bike that are the issue rather than the helmet. My only real gripe is that changing visors is a slow and laborious task which requires removing four easily lose able screws and the peak.

Michael Neeves

By Michael Neeves

MCN Chief Road Tester - Neevesy’s been an MCN Road Tester since 2002. He’s reviewed everything from mopeds to Rossi’s Yamaha M1, and plenty in between He covers tens of thousands of miles a year on the world’s roads and racetracks in his role with MCN, and when he’s not working he’s still on two wheels, racing both modern and classic superbikes for a variety of teams. To cement his position as one of the most influential motorcycling journalists on the planet, Neevesy spent many years as an Elite Instructor at the Ron Haslam Race School, based at the famous Donington Park race circuit. He regularly presents videos on riding tips and road safety, working alongside the likes of Highways England to deliver a strong and consistent message.

Arai Tour-X 4 tested for MCN by Michael Neeves

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Arai Tour-X4 review | Versatile adventure touring motorcycle helmet

We spent the last few months riding with the Arai Tour-X4 motorcycle helmet, putting the versatile adventure lid through its paces.

arai tour x4 interior

If after a versatile do-it-all motorcycle helmet for adventure riding, the Arai Tour-X4 ticks all of the boxes. With a removable peak, interchangeable visors, and the option to remove the visor altogether and run goggles instead, this lid is well worth a look. 

Packed with features and designed to the current ECE 22-05 safety standards required in 50 countries, the TX4 certainly meets the high standards set by Arai as a premium supplier.

I ‘debuted’ this helmet on the launch of the Zero DSR/X in Italy, and have since been riding with it on numerous adventure touring rides - including the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R . 

Arai TourX4 helmet Zero DSRX

Arai Tour-X4 Price & Availability

The Arai Tour-X4 is priced at an RRP of £599, though you tend to regularly find deals online that place it from £400 - £500. It’s certainly a pricey option, but for those looking at the premium brands for protecting your noggin, it’s money spent in the best place.

Available in a huge array of colours, including Diamond White (as pictured), Frost Black, matt colours and colourful variations, even a special Honda Africa Twin design, the TX4 can be grabbed in sizing XS through to XXL - with an outer shell for every two helmet sizes.

The lid also comes with a 5-year warranty, effective against defects in materials and workmanship - and Arai pride itself on stating an average of 18 man-hours go into each helmet with 5 separate quality-control steps once made. Each expert can also take up to 5 years to earn the right to create an Arai shell!

Arai Tour-X4 colours

Arai Tour-X4 Features

Jumping to the features, the Arai has plenty to note. We’ll start with the peak, which as an adventure lid is one of the more prominent features. I found that the peak itself is fairly lightweight, well-shaped to block glare from the sun, and works in unison with under-peak forehead vents to direct plenty of the captured wind from the peak to your head. 

On the point of ventilation, it’s a very well-vented helmet. Dual intakes on the forehead, a three-position chin vent with an inner shutter to block any debris, and side exhausts keep everything nice and cool. There is no chin-curtain, mind, which does mean in adverse weather you can become a bit exposed to debris and water from below.

With an outer shell of Complex Fibre Laminate (CFL) to deliver structural strength and integrity, plus providing impact flexibility to spread any impact force to the entire shell, and though not required for European standard accreditation, Arai performs a 3kg test cone penetration test to ensure safety. Fitted also is an Emergency Release System if things do go south on a ride.

Arai Tour-X4 on KTM 1290 Super Adventure R

The total weight (with peak and visor installed) is around 1710g. Though not a lightweight, I’ve had no complaints wearing this lid on full-day tours - no neck-ache in sight.

Visibility is top, here, and the visor (which comes with a pinlock) can be removed if you prefer to ride with goggles. I will note that removing the visor for attaching the pinlock is a right faff, where you need to remove the plastic screws for the peak, the peak itself, and pop out the visor before doing it all again to re-install the visor and peak.

Also, when screwing the plastic screws back in, take real care not to over-tighten them with your coin.

Arai TX4 off-road

Arai Tour-X4 Comfort & Fit

I found the Tour-X4 to be a very comfortable fitting lid, which is no doubt thanks to the Facial Contour System and quality interior padding, which is removable (and therefore replaceable & washable), and a dry-cool liner. Also fitted are 5mm ‘peel away’ cheek, temple, and forehead pads to ensure a good fit.

If riding with glasses or sunglasses, there is plenty of room inside, and whilst researching I noted other owners & wearers commenting that specs will fit fine and comfortably.

Riding at normal speeds has a little bit of wind-noise seep in, so riding with earplugs (as always) is recommended, but buffeting is only really noticeable if riding at higher speeds and turning your head to the left or right.

riding with the Arai Tour-X4

Wind can catch the peak, naturally, but not to the extent you think your head is about to pop off - you can just as easily point your head down to keep everything stable. 

That top ventilation from the lid does wonders to keep your head cool & comfortable for long days in the saddle, and I have had no issues with any fogging up internally.

Of course, it goes without saying that you’re well advised to test for size in person before purchasing, as sizes vary between manufacturers.

Alex riding the Zero DSR/X with Arai Tour-X4

Arai Tour-X4 Verdict

I’d absolutely recommend adventure and touring riders to consider this helmet. Though a high ticket price, it’s up there as one of the best on the market for adventure and touring riders - in true Arai fashion - and many riders will swear by them. 

In terms of specs and features, the versatility of the lid is top - you could ride with this on any bike, removing the peak if you’re after a more street-wise lid. If riding off-road or touring, the peak does a lot of work to ensure ventilation and protection, and in any situation the visibility is superb. 

You’re paying the price for a hand-crafted top-spec lid, here, and whilst not yet the incoming future standard of ECE 22.06, you’ll ride with the comfort of knowing it’s properly safe. Looks nice, also!

Arai Tour-X4 helmet and KTM

Simply put, the Arai Tour-X4 gets the Visordown stamp of approval for adventure and touring riders. There’s a reason they are Japan’s most famous motorcycle helmet manufacturer.

More info found on the Arai website .

Watch the Arai Tour-X4 in action in our Zero DSR/X review.

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arai tour x4 interior

Is The Arai Tour X4 ADV Helmet A Cut Above The Rest?

This Arai Tour X4 is the most recent version of the Arai adventure helmet. It’s been in their range for nine years already, but it’s still going strong, making many riders very happy.

Some of those riders are on their second or even their third Arai Tour X4, which shows it has a very loyal following.

Arai Tour X4 Visor Review

Arai Tour X4 Review

Table of Contents

Shell Construction

The shell on this helmet is Arai’s super fiber laminate. It’s a composite of fibers designed to deliver the strength needed for the Arai protection philosophy. 

Spring Sale

Our eye shells tend to be stronger than many other fiber shells, allowing them to use a softer eps impact liner.

Arai strongly believes this makes the helmets more protective than the alternative method, which has a lighter shell and a harder eps impact liner behind it.

Having a stronger shell does mean Arai’s tend to be a little heavier than many other lids. For example, the Tour X4 in a medium-size weighs 1683 grams/3.7 lbs on our scales. But, of course, that’s with the peak and the visor fitted.

It’s not light, but neither is it the heaviest adventure lid, and at least Arai has a solid reason to explain why their helmets weigh a little bit more than your usual helmet.

arai tour x4 interior

Ventilation

Venting on an adventure helmet like this is important because if they’re going to be used off-road, airflow is crucial for riders who aren’t just plonked in the saddle all day.

There are two vents behind the peak with simple rocking switches, and then there are two exhaust vents at the rear, which can be opened and closed on these rocker switches.

Arai’s trademark brow vents come on the visor, delivering more cooling air. They come through the vents on the top of the visor, and then they are channeled into ducts at the top of the interior.

The air then flows down the side of your temples, giving you a good amount of inflowing air as you ride along.

arai tour x4 interior

The last venting area on this helmet is the one that takes the most description as there are three stages to the chin venting. First, the central vent opens in two stages.

There’s one external shutter on the chin part of the helmet, and then there’s one on the inside of the helmet right in front of your chin. Having both of these open allows air to flow directly to the rider’s mouth.

If you have the outside shutter open and the inside shutter closed, the air forces air up through the chin bar towards the inner surface of the visor. 

In addition, air can flow through the grills on the front of the helmet. You operate those with sliding vents just on the inside by your chin.

Anti-Fogging

The Arai Tour X4 adventure is pin lock protected. There’s a pin lock 120 insert in the box. That’s the middle of the three levels that they provide. 

Some owners found the pin lock tricky to fit on this helmet, which is understandable on an adventure lid because the curve of the visor is much more exaggerated than normal.

Straightening the visor to fit that insert takes a lot more effort. However, once it is inserted, many people are happy about the anti-miss properties.

First, remove that visor; you need to take off the peak. Unfortunately, there’s no quick-release attachment for the peak on this helmet; you need a screwdriver or a coin to undo the screws holding it in place.

Somewhere along the line, this Tour X4 design has been changed to make removing and refitting the peak easier. When you undo the screws on the side of the helmet, they don’t fall away.

A little retainer plate keeps the retainer in one piece with the peak, making it easier to replace.

arai tour x4 interior

You can put the peak back on without refitting the visor, which means you can use this helmet with goggles.

The frames fit snugly in the eye-port, and then there’s room for the straps just underneath the mounting for the peak. You can also put the visor back on without the peak, which gives you a street-styled helmet.

To do that, first, you need to remove the screws. You’ll also need to free them from that retaining plate, and then you have additional pressure plates to refit the visor without the peak being in place.

Peaks like this sometimes cause problems when you’re riding along, and you’ve got drag and some aerodynamic problems, although there’s a fairly clear consensus among the customer reviews for this helmet that it’s not a big issue with the Tour X4 . 

I have seen some customer reviews who preferred removing the peak for long journeys, so it is a handy option.

There’s no internal sun visor with this helmet. Aria doesn’t believe in them and doesn’t fit them, so you can’t have one with this. Some Arai’s have the option of an external sun visor, but even that’s not an option with this helmet.

A light reactive pin lock insert is available, but the customer reviews I have seen aren’t great, so you’re likely to want a tinted visor if you need protection from glare. That will mean switching from dark to clear visors depending on the light conditions.

It’s typically an Arai. It’s soft, comfy, and moisture-wicking, so it suits active riding rather than just laid-back touring. It’s fully removable, and you can do a certain amount of tailoring. 

There’s a five-millimeter layer of foam on the outer surface of each cheek pad which you can remove, which creates a bit more room on either side of your face.

It’s best to be sure that you need that extra room before removing the layers, as I’m pretty sure you’re not going to be able to put those bits of foam back in there if it turns out you preferred it when it was thicker.

The removable skull pad around the top also has some removable sections. Arai calls them temple pads, which can be taken out to create more space at the side of the head.

The owner’s manual for the helmet says you can stick those back in if you use some double-sided tape, so if you prefer it before, there is at least the option to go back to the original setup.

There’s no official intercom for this helmet, but there’s nothing that I can see to stop a universal intercom from being used. There are plenty of customers amongst the reviews who’ve done that.

Cena also makes an Arai-specific kit that will fit neatly to this helmet. However, it is worth noting that Cena themselves doesn’t recommend the kit for smaller sizes of this helmet.

There’s one neat addition to this lid, and that is a chin curtain. The chin curtain can be pulled down, acting as a wind-deflecting spoiler. This helps keep that cold and noisy air away from the base of the lid.

Safety Straps

The final piece of the interior puzzle is the strap fastener. Again, this is an Arai, so you’ll get a sporty D-ring strap.

One neat touch with that, though, is the covers that protect your skin from wear against that strap can be taken off and washed.

Safety Ratings

As you’d expect, this helmet is fully road approved to ECU 2205 as a full-face helmet. It also has ACU gold approval for use in competitions or on track.

It’s not rated by the UK government’s sharp impact testing program. That’s not unusual as sharp doesn’t appear to have ever tested a helmet that comes supplied with a peak.

For the American market, it is Snell M2020 approved.

In Conclusion

The Arai XD-4 Helmet is a fully adjustable helmet for all types of riding. It has a comfortable headliner fully removable interior with replaceable cheek pads, chin cover, and chinstrap. 

In addition, it features Dry Cool technology, which keeps you dry and cool for greater comfort. 

The Arai XD-4 Helmet also has FCS (Facial Contour Support) cheek pads with a 5mm peel-away layer that allows easier cleaning and replacement. In addition, the helmet is Snell M2020 approved.

Where To Buy

MotorcycleGear

Keith Mallinson has been a motorcycle enthusiast for the past 20 years. He has owned a variety of bikes during this time, ranging from sport bikes to cruisers. Keith has a passion for all things motorcycle related, including riding, maintaining, and customizing his bikes. In addition to his personal experience with motorcycles, Keith has also kept up to date with industry news and trends. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and insights with others through his motorcycle blog. When he's not out on the open road, Keith can be found tinkering in his garage, planning his next road trip, or spending time with his family.

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Arai Tour X4 Full-Face Helmet Review and Road Test and Video

Today, we’ll be taking a look at and road testing the Arai Tour X4 adventure helmet, the helmet that does it all.

If you want a helmet for your more adventurous trips, then the Arai Tour X4 , known as the Arai XD-4 in the US, will be right there with you. You can wear this road helmet three different ways with the visor and the combinations include with the peak with or without the visor, with the peak and a pair of goggles, or even without the peak and just with the visor. So, you can already start to get an idea of how this Arai helmet can range from a street touring helmet to one suited to adventure riding as well. This helmet will be coming in at a recommended retail price of about 650 Euros, or around 720 US Dollars. So, you are getting a premium helmet with all the options.  At this price range, the Arai TourX4 will be competing with the Shoei Hornet ADV , AGV AX-9 and the Schuberth E1 .

First, let’s start with the Arai TourX-4 ’s material. The Arai Tour X-4 ’s shell is made of Arai’s Complex Fibre Laminate construction, which is Arai’s own in house shell material that gives the helmet strength and impact flexibility. This also gives you a fairly light weight helmet since when we weighed the Arai Tour Ex-4 , we got a weight of 1620 grams in a size M with all the extras. Though for most helmets, this would be on the heavier end of the spectrum, this helmet was not designed with an explicit focus on weight. The helmet also comes in 5 shell sizes, which is impressive since few helmets come with this many shell sizes. The benefit of more shell sizes is that the helmet’s fit will be better, which will also improve safety since you’re getting a properly proportioned helmet. This will also be a safe helmet since it’s ECE, DOT, and SNELL certified as well. The helmet also has a very round profile, which is what Arai is known for, to focus on the helmet glancing off of any surface during an impact.

Ventilation

Now, looking at the ventilation on this helmet, you’re getting plenty. In the chin, you’re getting a 3 position chin vent with an adjustable set of 12 air intake vents, which should be really good whether you’re out touring or hitting the dirt. You can also close the vent from the inside so you don’t have to breathe in any dust while demisting your visor. In the brow, you’ve got two smaller vents that are also adjustable into open and closed positions to let some air in through the EPS. All this hot air will then come out this neck exhaust vent in the bottom of the helmet and a removable set of exhausts at the top rear of the helmet. So you can also remove them if you need to clean your helmet. Lastly, you’ve also got some side exhausts to help with getting all that warm air out as soon as possible as well.

Onto the visor now and you’re getting a pinlock prepared visor with the anti-fog pinlock insert also in the box. So, this means that even in the worst fogging conditions, your visor should stay as clear as it ever was. This helmet's large visor opening offers plenty of room for a pair of goggles and a good field of view. Looking at the peak, it’s been designed by Arai in such a way as to prevent lifting while you’re riding and instead forcing all that oncoming air into the two brow vents so you get even more cooling. If you want to remove the visor or the peak, it’s pretty straightforward, though you will need a screwdriver. Though from a full-face helmet this does seem a bit high to have to use a screwdriver, given the fact that this helmet is so versatile and a lot of other helmets for motocross are only made for goggles, I’m willing to let it slide.

Now, let’s take a look at the Arai TourX Four ’s liner. To start with, it’s Arai’s Dry-Cool Liner so it’s removable, washable, and moisture wicking. However, you can really see that Arai really went in on the comfort here to try and justify that high price mark. First, this helmet features Arai’s Facial Contour System (FCS) for short, which means the cheek pads have foam spring supports to more effectively have a snug fit without giving too much pressure. To further enhance the helmet’s comfort, it includes 5mm “Peel Away” foam layers on the cheek pads and the temple, so if you need a bit more space in the helmet, you can have it. The helmet should have a more intermediate-oval head fit. Lastly, for safety, the Arai Tour X-IV has an Emergency Release System (ERS) in the cheek pads. To take out the liner is fairly easy and straightforward, first all you need to do is slide out the cheek pads they snap out and slide out from the chin strap. You can see the double d ring chin strap. They’re thick and look comfortable for a good fit. For the res t of the liner, there are 4 snaps on the comfort liner to undo to get them out. What’s nice about the liner is it has multiple levels to help with comfort and ventilation. The only unfortunate thing is we have to EPS grooves in this helmet, but we’ll see how well it ventilates out on the road.

With all the specs over with, let’s see how this helmet did out on the road.

Arai Tour X4 Road Test

Just a reminder for how we measure our road tests. For the temperature, we used a thermometer placed in the top of the helmet to measure helmet’s internal temperature in degrees C. For noise, we used a decibel meter taking measurements from a microphone placed near our rider’s ear. We also used an anemometer to measure the day’s wind speed.

We tested the Tour X4 on a cool day with the sun out so we could also gauge the effectiveness of the Arai’s peak. During our road test, our rider rode on long stretches of highway at about 130 km/h. The day’s wind speed ranged between 110 km/h and 130 km/h. For ventilation, the Tour X-4’s many vents did not let this helmet down since the helmet’s internal temperature was about 8 degrees while it was 7 degrees Celsius outside, so that’s a very good 1-degree difference. For noise, this helmet was also very fairly quiet with about an average of 102 decibels of noise.

Our rider found the helmet to be very comfortable and performed similarly to the Shoei Hornet ADV . Since we rode on a sunny day, he also found that the peak blocked out the sun effectively and didn’t lift too much when looking ahead. He ultimately commented that the Tour X4 was slightly quieter than the Shoei HornetADV , but it was also slightly less comfortable though both still did well in this category with its intermediate oval head fit, double D-ring chin strap, and emergency release cheek pads. Now, let’s see how the Tour X4 ranked.

Arai Tour X4 Champion Helmets Score

For material, since the shell comes in 5 shell sizes and the material is Arai’s super laminate construction, that’s a strong 4 stars. For weight, since this is an adventure helmet it came out about a heavier 1600 grams, giving this helmet 3 stars for weight. For ventilation, this helmet did well, with about a 1 degree difference to the outside temperature, so that’s another 4 stars and a big improvement over the Shoei Hornet ADV. For noise as well, this helmet did well with an average of about 102 decibels giving the Tour X4 3 stars for noise. This helmet was also comfortable, giving the Tour X4 4 stars for comfort. This will bring the Tour X 4 to a total of 3.5 stars with each star costing 30 Euros/star. So, this is ½ a star better than the Shoei Hornet ADV though the Tour X4 is about 4 Euros/star more so it’s a bit more in terms of value for money than the Shoei and the main gripe would be about the visor and peak removal systems.

If you’d like to purchase the Arai Tour X4 , then make sure to check out our website at ChampionHelmets.com where we have a lowest price guarantee and bundle deals with Bluetooth communication systems.

So, that’s all for the Arai Tour X4, it’s a solid premium adventure helmet that will give you all the options you’d like with the performance and safety to match. It was comfortable, the peak was effective, and the ventilation was strong, leaving the biggest failing of the helmet with the visor and peak removal systems requiring a screwdriver. Nonetheless, it does perform better for ventilation than the Shoei Hornet ADV. So, if you grab you Gore-Tex jacket and this helmet, you should be ready for pretty much anything the weather can throw at you. If you’re still curious about the Arai Tour X4, make sure to check out our Arai Tour X4 Review and Road Test Video , and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel .

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Tested: Arai Tour-X 4 adventure helmet review

arai tour x4 interior

By John Milbank

Consumer Editor of Bennetts BikeSocial

Full review of the Arai Tour-X 4 adventure motorcycle helmet. A peak helps keep the sun out of your eyes, but is this the best all-round bike lid?

The Tour-X 4 can be used in four different set-ups. Apologies for the out-of-style photos but my studio is out of action while I build a new shed!

On test here is the ‘Depart’ colour scheme of the Arai Tour-X 4 – this red, white and blue finish is one of six designs that add £80 to the price of the plain matt or gloss black versions that are also available.

The graphics are very well applied, with a deep gloss carrying a fine metal-flake covering the helmet, including the Arai labels.

The shell is Arai’s Complex Fibre Laminate – a mixture of fibres and resin that create an extremely strong outer. Inside is a single-piece, multi-density expanded polystyrene liner that’s soft at the top and front, while blending into a firmer structure at the sides and rear.

Like all Arais, the Tour-X 4 is handmade and inspected five times before leaving the factory in Japan.

While clearly an adventure-style helmet, the Tour-X 4 maintains Arai’s trademark smooth shell silhouette, with vents and peak designed to snap off in an impact to reduce the torsional impact on the brain in a crash. It’s a similar principal to MIPS, which you can read about here .

With visor and peak fitted, the Tour-X4 weighs 1,710g. That’s 109g more than the similar-style Shoei Hornet ADV, and a good 200g more than a typical standard full-face lid.

Arais have a reputation for being heavy, but that’s mainly down to the thick, solid outer shell construction, and only noticeable when picking them up and comparing them directly to other brands.

I’ve yet to wear any motorcycle helmet from any brand that I’ve considered to be too heavy on my neck (and I’m no power-lifter), and this is no different. But…

Having a peak does create increased drag – this one is well designed and doesn’t try to flick your head back like some can while riding, though like all others, you can feel the wind when you look to the side or perform a life-saver; while not to the extent that you’ll struggle to move your head, over a longer ride at speed this can be quite tiring.

This drag isn’t unique to the Arai of course – I’ve been comparing it directly to the Shoei Hornet ADV, which reacts just the same, as did the Schuberth E1, though that also suffered from a horrible shaking peak that was pretty distracting in use.

Off-road helmets typically have peaks, in part to shield you from mud and stones thrown up by the bike in front on a motocross track, but also – and this is where they’re particularly valuable on the road – to shield your eyes from the sun.

As many riders know, low sun – particularly when commuting in the autumn – can be dangerously dazzling in the evening, but by just tipping your head down slightly it’s possible to quickly and safely shield your eyes from the glare.

Full review of the Arai Tour-X 4 adventure motorcycle helmet. A peak helps keep the sun out of your eyes, but is this the best all-round bike lid?

The Arai Tour-X 4’s ventilation is outstanding.

Generally, the venting on Arais tends to be good, but I’ve never seen a helmet with as many vents as this..

Open/closed central chin vent directs air up across the visor and to the brow.

A vertical slider can be opened inside the chin to direct air straight from the chin vent to the mouth.

Two mesh vents on the chin also feed two horizontal sliders that can be opened to give more air around the mouth and chin.

Two vents in the visor can be opened or closed to blow onto the brow.

Two scoop vents on the top of the head can be opened or closed, feeding air through two approximately 8mm holes.

Two large exhaust ports are each fed by two 8mm holes each via two-stage and closed levers.

Two always open exhaust vents take air from the lower rear sides of the head via another two 8mm holes.

The back of the neck skirt has a vent panel built in to help circulate air through this exposed padding.

Full review of the Arai Tour-X 4 adventure motorcycle helmet. A peak helps keep the sun out of your eyes, but is this the best all-round bike lid?

The main exhaust vent covers can be easily removed (though not by accident) for cleaning

The vents are all designed to break off in an accident, though don’t worry; they don’t fall off randomly (I’ve used Arais since 1996). The two large exhaust spoilers are removable, using a clever latch in the levers to allow for easier cleaning.

The total of three vents that are operated inside the chin area are accessible thanks to the prominent front, though they’re a little fiddlier with thicker gloves on. Though to be fair, you’re not likely to be changing them much during a ride in winter.

With all the vents closed, the helmet seals up well, with only a little air movement around the bottom of the chin, which is reduced further by pulling down the adjustable chin skirt.

Open the vents and each provides a noticeable difference – the top vents don’t blow hard onto localised points at the top of your head, instead allowing air to move across the top and be expelled out of the total of six exhaust ports.

My only slight criticism of the vents is that the top ones can be a little easy to knock open or closed while operating, though as they’re the same design as those used on most other Arais, you soon get used to them.

Full review of the Arai Tour-X 4 adventure motorcycle helmet. A peak helps keep the sun out of your eyes, but is this the best all-round bike lid?

The field of view from the visor – which is a unique shape to this model – is vast, giving excellent visibility to the sides and down. It’s obviously not a lid designed for sports bike use, so you won’t be laying across the tank with your head tucked behind the screen, but the vision while tipping the head down is still perfect either to the point that you have the peak blocking the sun, or that you can easily see out with the peak removed.

The visor seals well, with no water making it past the top aperture seal in our testing.

A Pinlock 120 is supplied, which gives the top level of anti-fog protection; the only way this will mist up is if a heavy-breathing rider keeps all the vents shut in deep winter (in any lid with a Pinlock, I have at least one vent open or my glasses steam up).

Adaptor plates are supplied to use the helmet without a peak, though it’s fiddly to get the plastic screws out to replace them as held by thin little plastic retainers to stop them getting lost. It’s a real shame that Arai doesn’t supply a second set of screws, retained on the blanking plates with two more retainers, as these would make swapping much easier, and also give you spares if you stripped them. Don’t be tempted to look for metal replacements – the screws are plastic so they can shear in the event of an accident and replacements are readily available from good dealers. Watch out too for the small plastic lugs that locate the peak on either side – if the peak gets bent too far with the screws slack it’s possible to shear one off.

Full review of the Arai Tour-X 4 adventure motorcycle helmet. A peak helps keep the sun out of your eyes, but is this the best all-round bike lid?

The screws are retained on the peak with this thin plastic strip

Unfortunately, the Tour-X 4 doesn’t use Arai’s trademark quick-release visor system – you’ll still need to remove those four screws to get it off, which is a bit of a frustrating fiddle.

The visor doesn’t open all the way thanks to the peak blocking it, though it doesn’t stop you getting your hand in to fit glasses or scratch your head.

With the visor removed and the peak refitted, goggles fit easily into the aperture and sit comfortably against your face. The lip of the peak also keeps the strap in place; the goggles can tuck up onto the brow of the lid when you stop, while the strap stays put. This is better than putting the goggles over the chin, where your breath can quickly fog them,

You can also wear the helmet with no peak and goggles, the blanking plates again keeping the strap well seated. This does give it the look of a retro-style lid, somewhat like the Shoei Ex-Zero reviewed here.

Full review of the Arai Tour-X 4 adventure motorcycle helmet. A peak helps keep the sun out of your eyes, but is this the best all-round bike lid?

The cheek pads, chin strap covers and skull cap are removable and washable, so it’s a shame to find that the neck skirt is glued in place – if you do ride off-road in dusty conditions a lot, washing this part will be that little bit more awkward.

As always, it’s a plush, comfortable and extremely well-made lining that can be modified to fit by good Arai dealers if necessary.

The cheek pads have quick-release straps to allow them to be pulled out if needed while the helmet’s on your head, allowing it to then be removed without straining your neck. A worthy addition, though out of the box these tabs are tucked out of sight, so while the instructions warn you not to leave them exposed in case they get caught while riding, I’d suggest leaving them poking out a touch, just in case they ever needed using by an emergency responder.

Full review of the Arai Tour-X 4 adventure motorcycle helmet. A peak helps keep the sun out of your eyes, but is this the best all-round bike lid?

As with all other Arais, the strap is a double-D fastener for a guaranteed secure fit every time. Personally, I do like the speed and convenience of a micrometric ratchet on lids I wear every day, but there’s nothing to complain about here.

Never more so than with a helmet, you must try before you buy – the fit should be snug all the way around the lid but with no pressure points; these might feel minor in the store but after an hour can feel like a knife being dragged across your skull.

There is no such thing as an ‘Arai head’ or a ‘Shoei head’ anymore, but we are all different, and some brands are more accommodating than others. One of the bonuses of Arai using a hard outer shell with a softer liner is that the interior more readily conforms to your own unique skull shape (another reason to never buy a second-hand lid), and I find the Tour-X 4 fits perfectly on my medium-sized bonce.

Unusually though, after about an hour’s riding I did find a tiny bit of pressure on the right-hand bottom edge of my jaw; nothing seems different here to other Arais I’ve worn, and a little fiddle with the strap seems to ease it. It’s nothing major, but I wonder if the helmet sits slightly differently on my head, giving an unusual pressure point.

I wear glasses, and can report that they fit in the lid easily without pressing against the side of my head.

While there aren’t specific cut-outs for intercom speakers, you will find that most fit in the back of the cheek pad linings of pretty much all Arais.

No helmet is quiet enough to be used without earplugs, despite what some may claim. If you don’t want a constant ringing in your ears after several years of day-in, day-out riding (as I suffer with), then please wear them.

It’s the varied fairings and screen that create noise in helmets, and while the Arai Tour-X 4 isn’t excessively noisy, it does – as you’d expect – deliver more noise than a standard full-face.

On the naked Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 I noticed a slight whistle from the peak at certain head positions, most prominent at 25-35mph. On the BMW S1000XR and Kawasaki Versys 1000 though, the whistle was much less noticeable.

But… put the screen to the upper position on either of those sport touring bikes and there was an unbearable drumming sound. With the screen down there was no real issue on either machine (I’m 5’10”), though it’s important to note that I had the same drumming sound with the Shoei Hornet ADV ; this noise is going to depend on your bike and where you sit behind the screen ,and it’s clear that some owners don’t notice anything, while others stick lolly-pop sticks or even wheel weights to the peak to reduce it.

For more information on why earplugs are vital with any helmet, and advice on which are the best, click here .

Full review of the Arai Tour-X 4 adventure motorcycle helmet. A peak helps keep the sun out of your eyes, but is this the best all-round bike lid?

The Tour-X 4’s most obvious competitor is the Shoei Hornet ADV

Despite the fact that you can wear the Arai Tour-X4 with or without the peak (and with or without the visor), most purchasers will be getting it for the fact that it offers such great shielding from the sun. So, it is vital to understand that noise will increase and that your neck will get more tired; peaks aren’t a blanket solution for everyone.

But, it is incredibly useful, especially for evening rides where it makes biking much safer. But is it better than the Shoei Hornet ADV ? That depends what you want out of a lid; the Shoei doesn’t have as powerful venting and you can’t use it without the peak or the visor. On the other hand, it’s a lighter lid and that visor can be removed and replaced a lot more quickly, even with the peak on if you know what you’re doing. Both experience the same drumming sound with some bike screens, so the choice will come down to whether you want the more road-focussed Shoei or the more off-road capable Arai.

The Tour-X 4 is an excellent helmet with superb venting, just make sure you understand the implications (and benefits) of riding with a peak.

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Arai Tour-X4 helmet review

The Arai Tour-X4 is an excellent, top-spec ADV helmet with a couple of quirks.

Published on May 12, 2020 09:00:00 AM

30,288 Views

Arai Tour-X4 helmet review

The visor removal process is tedious.

arai tour x4 interior

An ADV helmet is one that combines the best attributes of an MX helmet and a traditional full-face helmet. In other words, amazing ventilation and sun/roost protection, along with high-speed aerodynamics, and general comfort and practicality. The Arai Tour-X4 does this amazingly well, at least for the most part. 

Aside from the extended jaw, its rounded shell keeps with the company’s philosophy that a round shape glances off surfaces, thereby reducing the force of impact. As you’d expect, quality is top level, particularly the paint thickness and lustre. The removable/washable interior material feels luxurious against the skin. Arai’s Facial Contouring System for the cheekpads ensures a snug, super-comfy fit and the 5mm ‘peel-away’ pads allow you to further refine the fit if needed. Built using Arai’s proprietary Special Fibre Laminate material, this is a hefty thing at 1.64kg, but it is so well balanced that all-day comfort is guaranteed. 

arai tour x4 interior

With a total of 14 intake and exhaust vents (of which 11 are controllable), the Tour X-4 is a breezy dream. The three big jaw vents provide exceptional airflow, and they can be fully closed off, insulating the helmet quite well in the cold. There’s even a retractable chin spoiler for improved air deflection. Another impressive factor is that despite its extreme curvature, the visor displays no visual distortion, and with the included Pinlock anti-fog lens inserted, there’s no issue with fogging either

The Tour is extremely versatile in terms of what kind of helmet you’d like it to be. For aggressive off road riding you can remove the visor and use a pair of goggles. When out on the highway, you could use the plastic blanks fitted to remove the peak and turn it into a more traditional road helmet. While the plastic peak’s aerodynamics are a lot better than an MX helmet’s at highway speeds, the Tour does start to lift a little once you cross 100kph. I find that large windscreens on ADV bikes can mitigate this to a large extent, but the peak is certainly not intended for sustained high speeds on bikes without wind protection.

arai tour x4 interior

Here’s where the problem arises: Arai visor removal has always been a fiddly affair, but the Tour’s system is downright tedious. You have to remove the two screws on the sides while being careful not to remove the thin plastic screw retainer. This can’t be done by hand, but a coin will work. Reinstallation demands careful alignment of the visor and peak, along with an even tightening of the four screws. Arai doesn’t sell one of those fancy transition-style visors either and a quicker, simpler solution is much needed for the next generation model. 

Safety-wise, the Tour is ECE 22-05 rated, but it also complies with Arai’s own internal test regimen which is said to be stricter. Fully handmade, it goes through five different inspections before being deemed fit for sale and it comes as no surprise that this is a very expensive helmet. Rs 60,000 gets you solid colours, while most graphic schemes, like the Catch Red seen here, cost Rs 66,000. This is what you have to pay for a top-tier helmet and the price is between the top-spec RX7v and the midlevel Chaser X.  

The Tour-X4 undoubtedly pairs up well with an ADV bike, but pure road riders may find Arais like the Chaser X or QV Pro to be the more appropriate choice

Where: www. performanceracing.in

Price: Rs 66,000

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  • Arai Tour-x 4

Arai skull liners or interior pads are the reason your Arai helmet is so comfortable, but did you also know it is the key pieces to making your helmet fit properly? Because we all have different sized and shaped heads Arai have developed their skull liners to allow a truly tailor fitted comfort and ultimate safety. This innovative design ensures that your helmet sits not too tight and not too loose on your head.

With the exception of the Medium, all other sizes come supplied with a 7mm liner, the Medium with a 10mm. Arai helmet skull pads are the interior comfort pad at the top of interior of an arai helmet, they come in various thickness and also sized according to the shell size. To check the size needed for your helmet, remove the current interior (usually 4 poppers, 1 at each corner, note some older arai helmets did not have removable interiors). The interior has a white tab which will give its thickness in mm, and the shell size in roman numerals.

Sizes Range from 5mm which are the thinnest skull liners for larger heads, and up to 12mm to cater for the smallest of head sizes.

arai tour x4 interior

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Xd4 specs and features.

XD4_Hero

Arai is the only company offering multiple interior-fit shapes to better address the infinite variety of riders’ head shapes and sizes.

No one pays more attention to the subtle variations and infinite possibilities of the human head shape than Arai. Why? Because it’s the secret to getting the best comfort and fit.

So for more than three decades, Arai has pioneered different shapes – and even different proportions within those shapes – in our various helmet models, working to offer a better fit for more people.

The XD4 has Arai's INTERMEDIATE OVAL (IO) interior fit shape.*

*A Helmet needs to be tried on in order to determine a proper fit.

XD-4 Size & Interior Chart

Go Configure

The XD-4 offers three distinct confi gurations depending on rider preference or riding conditions. Change the look every time you ride — or even during the same ride.

FCS® CHEEK PADS

Arai’s patented FCS® Cheek Pad design delivers comfort and support, and it features our exclusive 5mm peel-away custom-fit layer.

LARGER SIDE COWL VENTS

The larger, sculpted vents improve ventilation efficiency as well as helmet stability on your head at speed.

The vent has more intake ports for improved airflow.

EXHAUST PORTS & SHELL SHAPE

These top-diffuser-vent ports nearly double the XD4’s airflow, while its shell shape provides better aerodynamic stability at higher street speeds in concert with its high-flow peak and side cowl vents.

5MM PEEL-AWAY SIDE-TEMPLE PAD

Arai’s exclusive peel-away side/temple crown pads give you the option of 5mm more of interior width if needed. Yet another level of fit customization no other helmet brand offers.

BROW VENT FACESHIELD

Brow vents in the XD4 faceshield provide airflow to the temple area of the head.

FULLY REMOVABLE / REPLACEABLE / WASHABLE INTERIOR

Arai’s Dry-Cool® technology keeps you drier and cooler (hence the name) for greater long-haul comfort.

EMERGENCY CHEEK PAD RELEASE SYSTEM

Developed to allow easier access to an injured rider, the XD4’s cheek pads slide out easily – via the integrated pull-tabs built into the underside of the cheek pad – making helmet removal much easier for trained medical personnel.

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Tour-x 4 adventure grey, quick overview.

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  • Approval: ECE 22-05
  • Ventilation: Tour-X4 Ventilation
  • Outer Shell Construction: Complex Fibre Laminate (CFL)
  • Front Ventilation: Dual intake
  • Front Ventilation: Brow vents
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arai tour x

Discussion in ' Equipment ' started by chirider , Oct 20, 2003 .

chirider

chirider Been here awhile

Looking for this helmet, where can I find the best price? I wear a XL shoei RF1000 DUHAMEL . Will I be comfortable in an Arai? I heard about this european head size thing. i have a round big head!

Mack

Mack Gone, but never forgotten. RIP, Mack...

I can't tell you who is offering discounts off MSRP. Though I did see a solid color at Rider Barn in San Jose for $385 vs. $400 that Cal BMW wanted. Cal BMW had 10 or 20 Tour X's in different sizes and colors, vs. the 1 that Rider Barn had left. . I tried some on, and ordered mine from Cal BMW, paid full price but saved tax as it's being shipped to Texas, and Paul was nice enough not to charge me shipping. I don't know how strict shops are about following Arai's fitting policy, but Paul at Cal BMW told me that if I decide to wait and order it later, to remember it was him who fit me, and that way he and only he, would be able to sell it to me over the phone. All I can say about the fitting, is that I have never found any Arai helmets that fit me well. I have always worn Shoei's, as they do fit me well, the TourX fit for me was good but not great. I will have to wear it a while to see if it gets better or worse then my initial impression. If it loosens up much, I expect I will order the larger crown and cheek pads to "tighten" the fit back up. Good Luck
thanks mack!

Toolman

Toolman toolman

the Tour-X is more of a long oval shape helmet than a round oval shape. It feels great to me but I can't stand the normal Shoei shape that may work for you. Try it before you buy it! Toolman

Flanny

Flanny Flanny-it-up!

What's it being called over here...I heard the name has changed...

Drif10

Drif10 Accredited Jackass

Said Flanny: What's it being called over here...I heard the name has changed... Click to expand...
Just checked the Arai site, it's called the XD over here. $465 usd for the grey one I want (MSRP). That's $620 cad and they're quoting over $900 here PLUS tax! Fucking crooks. And with Arai's new policy (which they can shove where the sun don't shine) it makes it a royal PITA to get one here. Anybody live in Watertown/Rochester/Syracuse? Looking for a shop I can get one from. I'll pay the goddamn import fees myself and the tax and still save money.

configurationspace

configurationspace delooper

Said Drif10: Just checked the Arai site, it's called the XD over here. $465 usd for the grey one I want (MSRP). That's $620 cad and they're quoting over $900 here PLUS tax! Fucking crooks. And with Arai's new policy (which they can shove where the sun don't shine) it makes it a royal PITA to get one here. Anybody live in Watertown/Rochester/Syracuse? Looking for a shop I can get one from. I'll pay the goddamn import fees myself and the tax and still save money. Click to expand...
Drif..Just ride over the border with an old helmet, and come back with a new one!!! (You can "donate" the old one when you are over there!!!) Hmmm...I'm gonna have to really look into this.,.I want the helmet, just not that bad!

Tomas Kocanda

Tomas Kocanda Long timer

It´s a great helmet, but they ask for about 500 euro at our shop. Not cheap. Ventilation seems to be good, enough space for googles, but I expected, that will be possible to remove the glass by hand, something like on System 4 from BMW. But anyway, fit is just as any other Arai - comfortable.
Said configurationspace: Me, and there's a BMW shop in that area. http://www.countryrode.com/welcome/home.asp (585) 421-0480 Tom is their parts guy, and they have some Arai helmets in, just not the tour X (or XD or whatever it's called). I think Tom would like to order one of them helmets, and I might want to do so as well. Maybe Tom could organize a bulk buy, it might reduce costs, but what do I know? I'm not totally sold on the helmet, but if you do decide to buy through country rode, send me a PM and maybe we can try for some kind of discount purchase. Click to expand...

North"wet"

North"wet" Born To Meander

http://groups.msn.com/acwarning.msn...s.msn.com/BalletonaRope/_homepage.msnw?&pps=k There has to be at least one rider who can send a mug shot with the helmet. North"wet"
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yacht master 42 titan rlx

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yacht master 42 titan rlx

Hands-On: Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Watch Reference 226627 In RLX Titanium

yacht master 42 titan rlx

The visceral experience of wearing the Yacht-Master 42 titanium is very odd for any long-time Rolex fan. Rolex more or less helped create the 20th-century notion that you can often measure the value of a watch by feeling how solid and weighty it is. Rolex watches have never been designed for lightness, so most of them are quite hefty, and beloved for that reason. It is common for someone to admire a precious metal Rolex simply by feeling its mass in the open palm of your hand.

yacht master 42 titan rlx

The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 was introduced in 2019 with tones very similar to this titanium model, but rather in 18k white gold and on a black Rolex Oysterflex strap. A yellow gold version was eventually added, and it seemed as though Rolex’s largest Yacht-Master was destined to be a precious-metal-only product. The 2023 226627 Yacht-Master 42 changes that paradigm by adding in a full grade 5 titanium case and matching bracelet to the product family. This is what people should consider the first “wearable” Rolex watch produced from titanium.

Even though Rolex uses the same grade 5 titanium as other brands, it focuses a lot on surface finishing and polishing for this timepiece. Rolex uses a sort of deep-grain engraving, which is somewhat different from the same effect on steel. Titanium as a color is also a bit darker than the comparatively bright 904L steel that most other (non-precious metal) Rolex sport watches are made out of. Titanium does scratch, and I asked Rolex about the service plan for the Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium. To make a long story short, Rolex will offer the same “case refresh” service for its titanium watches as it does for its steel and gold watches, though in reality, Rolex will have to use some special processes to polish titanium so that it looks fresh and new again. “RLX titanium” is really just Rolex’s way of indicating that it polishes and finishes titanium metal differently from other brands (according to Rolex).

yacht master 42 titan rlx

Other than being in titanium with the matching bracelet, there isn’t too much new here. The Yacht-Master 42 case is 42mm-wide and has similar proportions as other watches in the larger Oyster Perpetual watch. The case is water resistant to 100 meters, and around the dial is a uni-directional rotating bezel with a matte-black ceramic insert that matches the matte-dark-gray tone of the Yacht-Master 42 dial.

Inside the watch is the Rolex in-house-made caliber 3235 automatic movement that operates at 4Hz with about 70 hours of power reserve. The movement offers the time with date and on the sapphire crystal is a Rolex “cyclops” magnifier lens. Titanium is considered by many engineers to be the perfect material for wristwatch cases. While I don’t think it is possible to ever determine “bests” in regard to an emotional product, it is true that you can easily enjoy the Yacht-Master 42 in titanium from purely a tool watch perspective. The lighter weight and large size give this 42mm-wide Rolex an interesting and desirable personality. It also makes us wonder whether or not there will be more titanium Rolex watches in the future. Possibly some, but I don’t think that Rolex, primarily a maker of conspicuous jewelry-style watches, will heavily focus on a material that will not hold a high polish as nicely as steel, gold, or platinum watches.

yacht master 42 titan rlx

For watch lovers and Rolex collectors, there really is a lot of novelty to wearing a Rolex watch in titanium simply because most people haven’t ever done so before. The sister brand Tudor has had the Pelagos, which, for a while, was really the more sober equivalent of this Rolex Yacht-Master 42 226627. It is also much less expensive, but it doesn’t have the iconic Oyster Perpetual case shape and the famous Submariner-style dial that this Yacht-Master does.

While the Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium raises a lot of interesting philosophical questions about what Rolex should and shouldn’t be doing, the product will be a commercial success given the current latent demand for high-end titanium sport watches and anything even remotely interesting from Rolex. Rolex has made it clear that production of the titanium Yacht-Master 42 is going to be limited in scope, in large part because there are so many pieces of titanium in the case, and especially the bracelet, that all need to bear precisely matching polishes and finishes. I don’t imagine that this watch is easy for Rolex to make, but we do know that Rolex could increase production of titanium watches if it ever wanted to. Price for the very interesting and comfortable reference 226627 Rolex Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium is $14,050 USD . Learn more at the Rolex watches website here .

yacht master 42 titan rlx

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OYSTER PERPETUAL YACHT-MASTER 42

yacht master 42 titan rlx

MASTERING LIGHTNESS

Light and robust, the new Yacht-Master 42, in RLX titanium, is the ally of those who revel in freedom. Especially suited to the demands and pressures of competitive sailing, it delivers exceptional performance.

Rolex is presenting a new version of the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42. This nautical watch is introduced for the first time in RLX titanium – a particularly strong but lightweight alloy – and is fitted on an Oyster bracelet. The new version stands out for its technical satin finish – a satin finish with a visible grain, a feature of Rolex watches in RLX titanium – which extends to the middle case sides, the edges of the bracelet links and the sides of the clasp cover. The chamfered top edges of the middle case lugs have a high-sheen finish, while the crown guard is polished. With its bidirectional rotatable bezel fitted with a Cerachrom insert in matt black ceramic featuring raised and polished numerals and graduations, the Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium remains faithful to the aesthetics of the original model, unveiled in 2019. It is graced with an intense black dial in a fine satin finish, and its Oyster bracelet is equipped with the Easylink comfort extension link. The new version of the Yacht-Master 42 is equipped with calibre 3235, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, enabling it to display the date as well as the hours, minutes and seconds. Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.

yacht master 42 titan rlx

THE CALL OF THE OPEN SEAS Launched in 1992, the Yacht-Master was designed specifically for navigators and skippers. Embodying the rich heritage that has bound Rolex and the world of sailing since the 1950s, this Professional-category watch provides a perfect blend of functionality and nautical style, making it equally at home on and off the water. An emblematic nautical timepiece, it is easily recognized by its bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel made entirely from precious metal or fitted with a Cerachrom insert in high-technology ceramic.

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 — ©Rolex/JVA Studios

RLX TITANIUM  RLX titanium is a grade 5 titanium alloy specially selected by Rolex. Like all titanium alloys, it is especially lightweight and is noted for its mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. Another characteristic of RLX titanium is the possibility of working it to give a polished or satin finish according to the brand’s specifications. Its high mechanical strength makes it complex to work with, and the decision to use it has required the introduction of special production processes.

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 — ©Rolex/Ulysse Frechelin

HIGH-TECHNOLOGY CERAMIC Rolex played a pioneering role in the development of special ceramics for creating monobloc bezels and bezel inserts. Not only are these materials virtually scratchproof, their colours are also of a rare intensity and are resistant to environmental effects. In addition, thanks to its chemical composition, the high-tech ceramic is inert and cannot corrode. Rolex has developed exclusive expertise and innovative manufacturing methods that grant it complete independence in the production of these ceramic components. On the new version of the Yacht-Master 42, the bidirectional rotatable bezel is fitted with a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom insert in matt black ceramic. Its raised graduations and numerals are first moulded into the ceramic and then polished. The first 15 minutes are graduated minute-by-minute to allow time intervals to be read with great precision. The bezel can also be turned with ease thanks to its knurled edge, which offers excellent grip.

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 — ©Rolex/Ulysse Frechelin

OYSTER CASE, SYMBOL OF WATERPROOFNESS  A paragon of robustness and reliability, the 42 mm Oyster case of the new Yacht-Master 42 is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). The middle case is crafted from a solid block of RLX titanium. Its case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The Triplock winding crown, fitted with a triple waterproofness system and protected by an integral crown guard, screws down securely against the case. The crystal, which features a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date, is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflective coating. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimal protection for the movement it houses. 

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 — ©Rolex/Ulysse Frechelin

PERPETUAL CALIBRE 3235  The new version of the Yacht-Master 42 is equipped with calibre 3235, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex that was released in 2015 and has been fitted on this model since its launch in 2019. A distillation of technology, this self-winding mechanical movement delivers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability.   Calibre 3235 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, this escapement is resistant to strong magnetic fields. The movement is fitted with a blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. The hairspring offers great stability in the face of temperature variations as well as high resistance to shocks. It is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position. The oscillator is mounted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, increasing the movement’s shock resistance. The oscillating weight is now fitted with an optimized ball bearing. Calibre 3235 is equipped with a self-winding system via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 3235 extends to approximately 70 hours. 

OYSTER BRACELET AND OYSTERLOCK SAFETY CLASP  The new version of the Yacht-Master 42, made from RLX titanium, is fitted on an Oyster bracelet. Developed at the end of the 1930s, this three-piece link bracelet remains the most universal in the Oyster Perpetual collection and is known for its robustness. The Oyster bracelet of this new version of the Yacht-Master 42 features the Oysterlock folding safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. It is also equipped with the Easylink comfort extension link, developed by Rolex, which allows the wearer to easily adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm. The Oyster bracelet in RLX titanium also includes patented ceramic inserts – designed by the brand – inside the links to enhance its flexibility on the wrist and its longevity.

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 — ©Rolex/Ulysse Frechelin

SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFICATION Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria, following the official certification of the movements by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). The in-house certification tests apply to the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2 /+2 seconds per day – the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II, 42mm, RLX titanium

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The Explorer range is expanded with the arrival of a new 40 mm model. Offering enhanced legibility, this timepiece carries all the qualities that have made the Explorer – one of the brand’s first Professional watches – a reference throughout the decades. Simple, robust and corrosion resistant, the new Explorer 40 is crafted from Oystersteel, a Rolex proprietary alloy.

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OYSTER PERPETUAL DAY-DATE 36

With these versions of the Day-Date 36, Rolex brings an unexpected creative twist to one of its iconic models. By displaying a new emotion each day, the watch brings an element of spontaneity into the wearers’ daily life and allows them to invest the reading of time with their changing mood.

OYSTER PERPETUAL DAY-DATE 36 EVERY DIAL A DISCOVERY

The new Day-Date 36 welcomes dials made of decorative stone in shimmering tones that evoke the atmosphere of the Mediterranean coast. 

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Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Oyster, 42 mm, RLX titanium M226627-0001

Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Yacht-Master Oyster, 42 mm, RLX titanium - M226627-0001 at Ben Bridge

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Light and robust, the new Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium is the ally of those seeking freedom of movement. Especially suited to the demands and pressures of competitive sailing, it puts watchmaking excellence at the service of sporting performance.   The Yacht-Master 42 is the second watch in RLX titanium released by Rolex after the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge, confirming that lightness is a quality to be taken seriously..

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ROLEX YACHT-MASTER

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Hands-On Debut: Rolex Yacht-Master 42 in Titanium RLX

yacht master 42 titan rlx

First introduced in 2019, Rolex is taking a new approach to the Yacht-Master 42 series, this time opting for a new case and bracelet material: titanium RLX. This grade 5 titanium alloy is exclusive to Rolex and has previously only been used for the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge presented last year. According to the brand, the extremely robust and corrosion-resistant metal makes the watch, which is designed for sailing, 30 percent lighter than other titanium watches.

Rolex yacht master ii titanium rlx

The combination of polished, high-sheen, and technical satin finishes illustrates the brand’s prowess in finishing techniques. Together, they produce a subtle blend of textures and light, the gleaming polished surface of the crown guard and the lustrous high-sheen on the top edges of the lugs are radiant. Contrastingly, the matte surface created by technical satin finishing – with its pronounced grain – is visible on the case and Oyster bracelet. The bracelet is equipped with the Rolex Easylink 5mm comfort extension link.

Rolex yacht master ii titanium rlx

In terms of design, the new version remains faithful to the original model presented in 2019. As in previous releases, it features a bidirectional bezel with a Cerachrom insert in matte black ceramic with raised and polished numerals and graduations.

Rolex yacht master ii titanium rlx

The bezel frames the black dial that offers exceptional legibility in all circumstances, thanks to its Chromalight display. The broad hands and hour markers in simple shapes – triangles, circles, rectangles – are filled with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting glow. Inside the watch is the manufacture caliber 3235.

Pricing for the updated Rolex Yachet-Master 42 is marked at $14,500.

To learn more, visit Rolex, here .

Love this piece from Rolex ! Cunningly it is not available as a 40mm so as to not hurt the sales of the platinum bezel YM’s…

The first ROLEX I really liked in years. It looks good, the material is about time. Owned at least three to four ROLEXEs, but not one was accurate out of the box. I also own three GP’s and two IWCs, a Jaeger, a Cartier, all are accurate out of the box. Go figure. I bought my first ROLEX at Cartier on Fifth Ave in the late sixties, branded with both ROLEX and Cartier label. It cost $190 with leather, not metal, bracelet. The ROLEX HQ was next door. I had to take the watch to it to get the time adjusted.

After all these years of no real change to fire one’s interest, other than the subject of the article above, ROLEX in my mind has become boring, as well as overpriced for the product they serve the public.

I am amazed though at the advertising prowess of the company everywhere on the planet, which must add at least $2000-3000 to each watch sold. That means that each watch sold is actually worth that amount less than the sale price. I’d rather put m money into the watch than the advertising company’s pockets.

I urge anyone reading this to pick up an IWC Ingeneur AGM ceramic series watch, check the back for the movement, and make his comparison to the value against the ROLEX of his choice. You’ll immediately see what I speak of. Incidentally, my father was a master watchmaker.

I agree with you it is a long time awaited stunning piece. Of course, titanium being my metal of choice, I might not be objective…LOL You really had an unfortunate series of bad luck with your Rollies. May I ask if you have had any recent iterations? Because at my house, the recent models all keep time like…”a swiss clock”…with about 1 second or less per day, constant months after months. You are privileged that your dad was a master watchmaker.

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  • M226627-0001

Yacht-Master 42

Oyster, 42 mm, RLX titanium

All prices are Rolex's suggested retail price before applicable taxes. Prices can be modified at any time without notice.

Yacht-Master 42

  • Reference 226627
  • Model case Oyster, 42 mm, RLX titanium
  • Water-resistance Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet
  • Bezel Bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel with matt black Cerachrom insert in ceramic, polished raised numerals and graduations
  • Dial Intense black
  • Bracelet Oyster, three-piece solid links
  • Movement Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding
  • Caliber 3235, Manufacture Rolex
  • Power reserve Approximately 70 hours
  • Certification Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)

Yacht-Master 42

Bidirectional Rotatable Bezel

The Yacht-Master’s bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel is made entirely from precious metals or fitted with a Cerachrom insert in high-tech ceramic. The raised polished numerals and graduations stand out clearly against a matt, sand-blasted background. This functional bezel - which allows the wearer to calculate, for example, the sailing time between two buoys - is also a key component in the model’s distinctive visual identity.

Bidirectional Rotatable Bezel

Intense black dial

Like all Rolex Professional watches, the Yacht-Master 42 offers exceptional legibility in all circumstances, and especially in the dark, thanks to its Chromalight display. The broad hands and hour markers in simple shapes - triangles, circles, rectangles - are filled with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting glow.

Intense black dial

RLX titanium

RLX titanium is a grade 5 titanium alloy specially selected by Rolex. Like all titanium alloys, it is especially lightweight and is noted for its mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. Another characteristic of RLX titanium is the possibility of working it to give a polished or satin finish according to the brand’s specifications. Its high mechanical strength makes it complex to work with, and the decision to use it has required the introduction of special production processes.

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Hands-On Rolex Made A Wearable Titanium Watch – How Are People Not Freaking Out?

Any other year, the titanium yacht-master 42 would steal the show for rolex. this year, the brand has so many crazy releases that the ym flies under the radar. here's why it still matters..

yacht master 42 titan rlx

A year ago, the very idea of a titanium Rolex was relegated to wild dreams. A prototype had been seen on the wrist of British competitive sailor Sir Ben Ainslie, but the widely circulated online photo had gotten so old that some of us began to wonder if the watch would ever see the light of day.

yacht master 42 titan rlx

The pic that launched our titanium dreams. Image by Ineos Britannia Team / C GREGORY

Now, in less than five months, we've gotten two watches from the Crown cased in RLX Titanium (a grade 5 titanium). The first was last year's 50mm Deep Sea Special , the mega dive watch that obliterated the water-resistance record. And now this week we have the Yacht-Master 42, which unlike the DSS is sized so that a normal human being could conceivably wear it. 

Rolex Yacht-Master titanium watch

Here it is. The first practically sized titanium Rolex, the new Yacht-Master 42. 

It's a big deal. But when seen next to Daytonas with display casebacks, Day-Dates with emojis, a solid-gold GMT-Master II, and an entirely new line of dress watches, a titanium Yacht-Master barely moves the needle of surprise and excitement. What a wild 48 hours this has been for the House of Wilsdorf.

In some ways, it feels like the appropriate response to not be that excited. After all, at this point every other watchmaker under the sun has made a titanium watch, from affordable Citizens in multiple colors of bezels and dials to Jean-Claude Biver's $500,000 minute repeater tourbillon announced Sunday.

Rolex Titanium Yacht-Master

And yet, as soon as the new titanium Yacht-Master ref. 226627 started to be passed around the room of Hodinkee editors during this week's Watches & Wonders trade show, the general reaction was just to laugh with surprise. This 42mm watch, which looks so sturdy, feels so unbelievably light. I mean, that's titanium for you. But still. You can't quite believe this watch is real, on a number of different levels. 

Rolex Titanium Yacht-Master

For any of us who've ever tried on a steel Submariner (a.k.a. anyone with a passing interest in Rolex), it's kind of comical to find out how much your brain is preconditioned to see a 42mm steel Oyster case, round indices, and Mercedes hands and think about the luxurious heft that awaits you.

Rolex Titanium Yacht-Master

At around 100 grams, according to Rolex, the titanium Yacht-Master is so light it breaks your brain.

For a moment, let's compare the new YM to last year's titanium Pelagos from Rolex's sister brand Tudor. Rolex's choice to put the watch on a bracelet instead of a sportier Oysterflex makes the comparison obvious. I've now spent time with both pieces, and I prefer the Yacht-Master. 

Lume shot of the Yacht-Master titanium

The YM, like the Pelagos, is distinctly a tool watch – something that would have been hard to say about Yacht-Masters in the past. But the finishing a world apart, which is saying something for such an understated metal as titanium.

Rolex Titanium Yacht-Master

Rolex's proprietary grade 5 "RLX Titanium" (stronger than the grade 2 of the Pelagos) has the curious property of being equally able to be brushed satin or polished, which means it has the nice sharp and shiny chamfers that you'd like to see contrasted against the dark grey and relatively matte metal. That combination also works well with the more matte and textured dial – and with the contrast of the raised black numerals against a matte ceramic bezel insert, which is is the main giveaway that this is still squarely a Yacht-Master.

Rolex Titanium Yacht-Master

My main critique (which I share into the void, knowing that Rolex designers will do whatever they think best) is that I wish they'd  stuck to the no-date design of Ainsilie's prototype. In the practical application of most sailing races, there's really no use for a date. If you're blue-water sailing and circumnavigating the globe, maybe its useful, though just like dive watches the practical application gives way to the reality of technology. So why not refine the design further and leave the date off altogether? And while we're at it, a better quick-adjustment option would be great.

Rolex Titanium Yacht-Master

The price is somewhat immaterial – CHF 13,400 – since the average collector won't be able to get it at retail anytime soon. But the new Yacht-Master 42 is more than a solid release. It's a more than a titanium proof of concept. It's a wearable piece that portends at least the possibility of future experiments with this fascinating material. 

For more information visit Rolex. 

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Rolex’s Titanium Yacht-Master 42 Review: The Game-Changer

rolex yacht-master 42 review

Table of Contents

In the world of luxury watches , the new Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Ref. 226627 is a study in contrasts—nautical yet luxurious, familiar yet distinct. Introduced as part of a line that has often lived in the shadow of the iconic Submariner , this particular model breaks the mold with its RLX Titanium build and unique features.

It’s a distinct shift that has long-time fans and new admirers debating its merits. Is this the watch that finally elevates the Yacht-Master collection to legendary status?

If you’ve ever found yourself torn between the sporty appeal and luxury essence of Rolex watches, the Yacht-Master 42 Ref. 226627 demands your attention. Dive into our in-depth Yatch Master 42 review to explore its unique features and find out if this timepiece ticks all the right boxes for you.

rolex yacht-master 42 ref. 226627 case

The Oyster case of the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Ref. 226627 stands out at 42mm, constructed entirely of RLX titanium. Notably, this isn’t any ordinary titanium. Rolex specifically opts for grade 5 titanium alloy for this model, prized for its extraordinary lightness paired with mechanical robustness and resistance to corrosion.

What sets RLX titanium apart further is its adaptability in the finish. Whether you’re looking at a polished gleam or a satin touch, it conforms to Rolex’s exacting standards. However, it’s worth noting that this high mechanical strength presents a challenge in crafting. To harness its qualities, Rolex had to innovate, integrating specialized production techniques tailored for RLX titanium.

Moreover, this monobloc middle case features a screw-down back and winding crown, embodying Rolex’s commitment to durability and precision engineering. The rotating bezel is bidirectional, complete with a Cerachrom insert matte black ceramic insert bezel, graced with a mirror polish, raised numerals and graduations. This perfectly complements the titanium case, making it an exemplar of maritime luxury.

Function meets form in its winding crown, equipped with Rolex’s Triplock triple waterproofness system. Coupled with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a Cyclops lens over the date, this Titanium YM is waterproof to 100 meters or 330 feet and with a power reserve of up to 70 hours. 

The Dial 

rolex yacht-master 42 ref. 226627 dial

The dial of the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 is more than a display, it’s a testament to horological engineering and aesthetic acumen. Enhanced with Chromalight technology, the matte black dial promises unimpeachable legibility even in the darkest marine abyss. Broad, polished numerals and geometrically distinct hands and markers comprising circles, rectangles, and triangles are filled with luminescent material that emits an enduring glow.

Such meticulous attention to detail reaffirms the watch’s utility, making it an indomitable tool for nocturnal navigation. Paired with its stunning deep black hue, this display adds a layer of mystique that’s equally at home on the high seas or at a black-tie affair.

The Strap/Bracelet

rolex yacht-master 42 ref. 226627 bracelet

Adorning the new Yacht-Master 42 is an Oyster bracelet meticulously forged from RLX titanium, an alchemy of strength and refinement. A legacy creation tracing its roots to the late 1930s, this tri-link wonder stands as an iconic feature within Rolex’s revered Oyster Perpetual series.

The bracelet is enhanced with the Oysterlock folding safety clasp, an ingenious feature that secures your timepiece against accidental openings. It is also equipped with Rolex’s Easylink comfort extension link, offering the wearer the luxury of micro-adjustments for an impeccable fit.

Not to be overlooked, patented ceramic inserts embellish the internal links of this RLX titanium composition. These delicate yet durable additions not only enhance the bracelet’s ergonomic comfort but also significantly elevate its lifespan, epitomizing enduring elegance in horological artistry.

The Movement

rolex 3235 movement

The movement within the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Ref. 226627 is a perpetual, mechanical, self-winding system that utilizes Rolex’s own Calibre 3235. This isn’t just any in-house movement; it’s one that assures a precision rate of -2/+2 seconds per day after casing, a feat that outperforms many other luxury timepieces in the market.

When it comes to functionality, this watch features a straightforward, yet highly useful set of capabilities. The central hour, minute, and seconds hands are complemented by an instantaneous date display function with rapid setting and a stop-seconds mechanism for ultra-precise time adjustment.

Underpinning this all is the oscillator, which employs a paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring and high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers. These features enhance the watch’s durability and performance under different conditions. The bidirectional self-winding Perpetual rotor ensures that the watch remains operational and accurate, even when not manually wound for an extended period.

The Competitive Landscape

These watches are competitors primarily due to their shared characteristics and target market. While not all of them are made of titanium, they share key features such as high water resistance, durable sapphire crystals, and reliable movements:

  • ORIS PROPILOT X CALIBRE 115: Crafted from both Grade 2 and 5 Titanium, this timepiece offers a commendable 100m water resistance and houses a mechanical movement. Its impeccable titanium construction and precision mechanics align harmoniously with the Yacht-Master’s ethos of opulence and artistry.
  • OMEGA SEAMASTER DIVER 300: While its case boasts Grade 2 Titanium, the Seamaster is celebrated for its extraordinary 300m water resistance, automatic movement, and the elegance of a sapphire crystal. It stands as a formidable choice for those who seek a timepiece of enduring strength and style.
  • TUDOR PELAGOS 39: Enveloped in Grade 2 Titanium, this horological masterpiece showcases a robust 200m water resistance and houses an automatic movement. The Pelagos stands as a worthy contender in the realm of luxury sports watches, boasting durability and performance akin to the Yacht-Master.
  • TAG HEUER AQUARACER PROFESSIONAL 300: Boasting a formidable 300m water-resistant case, automatic movement, and the refined allure of a sapphire crystal, the Aquaracer commands attention within the upper echelons of dive watches, despite the absence of titanium in its construction.
  • VACHERON CONSTANTIN OVERSEAS TOURBILLON SKELETON: While featuring Grade 5 titanium, this watch stands out as a luxury option with a tourbillon movement. Its water resistance is lower at 50m, making it more of a statement piece than a diving watch , but it competes in the luxury segment.

Notable People Wearing Rolex Yacht Master 42

The Rolex Yacht-Master 42mm in RLX titanium has already made its way onto some high-profile wrists, creating buzz and drawing attention to this unique piece.

Sir Ben Ainslie

sir ben ainslie wearing rolex yacht master 42

Image Source: Rolex Magazine

First seen sported by British competitive sailor Sir Ben Ainslie, the Yacht-Master 42’s maritime features and innovative titanium build found a perfect match. As a sailor with numerous accolades, Sir Ben Ainslie’s endorsement brings credibility to the Yacht-Master’s nautical roots and functionality.

tom cruise wearing rolex yacht master 42

Image Source: Time and Tide

Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise has also been spotted wearing the Rolex Yacht-Master 42. Known for his love of action and adventure, both on-screen and off, Cruise’s choice in wearing this Rolex model underscores its appeal to those who lead high-paced, adventurous lives.

The appearance of this Rolex timepiece on the wrists of individuals of such varied but high-profile backgrounds speaks to the universal appeal and versatility of the Yacht-Master 42. 

Why You Should Invest?

Priced at SGD 18,132.17, the Yacht-Master 42 Ref. 226627 represents a new frontier for Rolex, which has historically been associated with weighty, robust deepsea challenge timepieces made from stainless steel or precious metals. When a prototype was seen on the wrist of British competitive sailor Sir Ben Ainslie, the notion of a titanium Rolex suddenly moved from fantasy to reality.

Despite its lighter weight, this doesn’t undermine the watch’s value; it enhances it. The use of grade 5 RLX titanium introduces a level of complexity and craftsmanship that justifies its price tag. Titanium is notoriously difficult to work with, and Rolex has managed to not only manufacture it but also perfect it, maintaining the watch’s renowned durability and resistance.

When looking at Rolex watches as an investment, consider their volatility. The Yacht-Master series exhibits lower volatility, with other Yacht masters like the Rolex 226659 at 7.2% and Rolex 226658 at 4.4%, suggesting more stable value retention. Given the groundbreaking nature of the Titanium Yacht-Master Ref. 226627, its value is likely to appreciate over time. Rolex’s commitment to innovation while maintaining quality will likely make this model a sought-after piece in the future.

Pricing and Availability

The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Ref. 226627 is priced at SGD 18,132.17 . Given its high-quality craftsmanship, innovative use of RLX titanium, and the brand’s reputation for durability and luxury, this price point is aligned with what one would expect for a timepiece of this caliber.

As for availability, it’s advisable to consult authorized Rolex dealers or reputable online platforms for the most current information. Rolex watches, especially innovative or popular models like this one, can sometimes be difficult to find in stock due to high demand and limited releases.

If you’re considering this tool watch as an investment piece or a functional yet luxurious watch, it’s recommended to act promptly, given the notable personalities already spotted wearing it and its potential for future value appreciation.

The Rolex watch Yacht-Master 42 Ref. 226627 is a groundbreaking entry in Rolex’s esteemed line-up, blending innovation with classic craftsmanship. Its use of RLX titanium and a host of advanced features mark it as a pinnacle of both style and functionality. 

Key Takeaways

  • Introduced as a trailblazing model featuring RLX Titanium, this watch has redefined what it means to be a Rolex Yacht-Master.
  • Its unique material and craftsmanship not only justify its premium price but also suggest a strong potential for value appreciation.
  • The likes of Sir Ben Ainslie and Tom Cruise being spotted with this timepiece not only elevates its status but also underscores its universal appeal and functionality.

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The New Rolex Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium 226627

After teasing the crowds, the coveted model finally emerges..

yacht master 42 titan rlx

First noticed in 2021 as a prototype on the wrist of Olympic champion sailor Sir Ben Ainslie being tested in real-life conditions for which it was developed and built, the titanium Yacht-Master 42 has just been made officially part of the Rolex collection. Here’s the new and highly anticipated YM 42 reference 226627.

yacht master 42 titan rlx

The new Yacht-Master is presented in a 42mm case manufactured from a proprietary titanium alloy named RLX Titanium, with polished, high-sheen and technical satin-finished surfaces. It features a signature bidirectional rotating bezel with a matte black Cerachrom insert with raised numerals and indices to allow sailors accurate timing of their manoeuvres.  

Rolex Yacht-Master 42 RLX titanium 226627 - 4

The familiar intense black dial design is about clarity, with large hour markers and hands coated in a luminous material for easy reading in low-light conditions. The new reference is powered by Rolex’s in-house calibre 3235, certified as a Superlative Chronometer. It has passed rigorous tests for precision (-2/+2 seconds a day) and reliability. The movement has a 70-hour power reserve, and the watch is water-resistant up to 100m. The new Yacht-Master 42 has an Oyster bracelet made from RLX titanium with ceramic inserts for better flexibility, with the Oysterlock safety clasp. The bracelet features the Easylink extension link to easily adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5mm.  

yacht master 42 titan rlx

The Rolex Yacht-Master was first introduced in 1992 and has since become one of Rolex’s most popular and iconic models. Designed for sailing enthusiasts and those who appreciate the nautical lifestyle without setting foot on board, the Yacht-Master comes in several sizes and materials, including stainless steel, gold, and platinum. The model is available in several variations, including the Yacht-Master II; the latter features a regatta timer, a countdown timer designed explicitly for yacht racing. The new Yacht-Master RLX Titanium marks a symbolic and welcomed return of Rolex to the times when sports and professional watches were made for real-life activities without the “luxury” component.

The new Rolex Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium reference 226627 retails for CHF 13,400 ; for more information, contact your local retailer or visit www.rolex.com .

Technical specifications – Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Titanium

2 responses.

I have almost all the Rolex models including the earlier versions of yacht master

To me the old version is still the best as this new one looks more like submariner

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.css-120orm1{font-weight:700;font-size:clamp(1.875rem, 1.25rem + 1.5625vw, 3.125rem);line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:1rem;line-height:1.1;} Yacht-Master 42 .css-18uwo57{font-size:clamp(1.125rem, 1.0625rem + 0.1563vw, 1.25rem);line-height:1.6;font-weight:300;line-height:1.2;text-wrap:balance;}.css-18uwo57 span{display:block;} Oyster, 42 mm, Titan RLX Referenz 226627

Ansicht Nacht

360°-Ansicht

Den Kurs halten

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 in Titan RLX mit Zifferblatt in Tiefschwarz und Oyster -Band.

In beide richtungen drehbare lünette, messung der entfernung.

Die in beide Richtungen drehbare Lünette mit 60-Minuten-Graduierung der Yacht‑Master präsentiert sich vollständig in Edelmetallen oder mit einer Cerachrom-Zahlenscheibe aus Hightech-Keramik. Die polierten Ziffern und Graduierungen im Relief heben sich perfekt von dem sand­gestrahlten matten Fond ab.

Mit ihrer Funktionalität, die beispielsweise das Ablesen der Fahrzeit zwischen zwei Tonnen ermöglicht, trägt diese Lünette wesentlich zur Einzigartigkeit dieses Modells bei.

Tiefschwarzes Zifferblatt

Außergewöhnliche ablesbarkeit.

Wie alle Professional Modelle von Rolex lässt sich die Yacht-Master 42 unter allen Einsatzbedingungen, vor allem im Dunkeln, sehr gut ablesen dank ihrer Chromalight-Anzeige.

Die groß bemessenen Stundenindizes und breiten Zeiger in einfachen Formen – Dreiecke, Kreise und Rechtecke – sind mit einer lange nachleuchtenden Leuchtmasse beschichtet.

Widerstandsfähig und leicht

Titan RLX ist eine von Rolex speziell ausgesuchte Grade-5-Titanlegierung. Es zeichnet sich wie jede Titanlegierung durch geringes Gewicht sowie durch mechanische Festigkeit und Korrosionsbeständigkeit aus.

Charakteristisch für Titan RLX ist auch, dass es sich so bearbeiten lässt, dass es – ob poliert oder satiniert – ein Finish gemäß den Anforderungen der Uhrenmarke erhalten kann. Da es aufgrund seiner hohen mechanischen Festigkeit jedoch schwer zu bearbeiten ist, war für seinen Einsatz die Implementierung spezifischer Fertigungsprozesse erforderlich.

Oyster-Band

Perfekte kombination von form und funktion.

Die Yacht‑Master 42 in Titan RLX ist mit einem Oyster-Band erhältlich. Dieses Ende der 1930er-Jahre entwickelte dreireihige Armband – nach wie vor das verbreitetste der Oyster Perpetual Kollektion – zeichnet sich durch seine Robustheit aus.

Das Oyster-Band der neuen Yacht‑Master 42 ist mit einer Oysterlock-Sicherheitsfaltschließe ausgestattet, die versehentliches Öffnen verhindert, und verfügt über die von der Marke entwickelte Easylink-Verlängerung, mit der das Armband auf einfache Weise um circa 5 mm erweitert werden kann. Das Oyster-Band in Titan RLX verfügt über – von der Marke entworfene – patentierte Keramikeinsätze in den Bandelementen, durch die es nicht nur an Geschmeidigkeit, sondern auch an Langlebigkeit gewinnt.

Mehr technische Details: Yacht-Master

Referenz   226627

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Oyster, 42 mm, Titan RLX

Aufbau des Oyster-Gehäuses

Monoblock-Mittelteil, verschraubter Gehäuseboden und verschraubbare Aufzugskrone

Durchmesser

In beide Richtungen drehbare Lünette mit 60-Minuten-Graduierung, Cerachrom-Zahlenscheibe aus mattschwarzer Keramik, polierte Ziffern und Graduierungen im Relief

Aufzugskrone

Verschraubbare Triplock-Aufzugskrone mit dreifachem Dichtungssystem

Kratzfestes Saphirglas, Zykloplupe zur Vergrößerung des Datums

Wasser­dichtheit

Bis 100 Meter Tiefe wasserdicht

Mechanisches Perpetual-Uhrwerk, automatischer Aufzug

3235, Rolex Manufakturwerk

-2/+2 Sekunden pro Tag, gemessen nach dem Einschalen des Uhrwerks

Stunden-, Minuten- und Sekundenzeiger im Zentrum. Springender Datumswechsel mit Schnellkorrektur. Sekundenstopp für genaues Einstellen der Zeit

Paramagnetische blaue Parachrom-Spirale. Hochleistungsfähiges Paraflex-Antischocksystem

Automatischer Aufzugsmechanismus, in beide Richtungen aufziehend, Perpetual-Rotor

Gangreserve

Circa 70 Stunden

Oyster-Band (dreireihig), massive Elemente

Oysterlock-Sicherheitsfaltschließe mit komfortabler 5-mm-Easylink-Verlängerung

Zifferblatt

Tiefschwarz

Sehr gut ablesbare Chromalight-Indizes und -Zeiger mit lang anhaltendem blauem Leuchtvermögen

Zertifizierung

Chronometer der Superlative (COSC + Rolex Zertifizierung nach dem Einschalen des Uhrwerks)

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The best diver’s watches (even if you don’t dive)

yacht master 42 titan rlx

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What is a diving watch? It is a question that presents itself every May as summer looms. Even those of us who get scared when we can no longer see the sea bed will probably be wearing a watch that has some sort of calibrated bezel and is waterproof to more hundreds of metres than we could comfortably run, let alone dive.

Take the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge , which was launched last year: it is the ultimate diving watch, equipped to function at 11km under water, a depth to which as few people have been as have orbited the Moon. But given that you would be long dead if you were trying to max it out in a diving suit, is it philosophically and conceptually a diver’s watch? I neither know nor care because it looks great and, for all its massive solidity, isn’t so cumbersome that it interferes with my chief maritime activities of eating charcoal-grilled sardines, playing backgammon and smoking the occasional cigar.

Rolex RLX titanium Deepsea Challenge, £21,900

Rolex RLX titanium Deepsea Challenge, £21,900

Panerai platinum Radiomir Annual Calendar, £76,000

Panerai  platinum Radiomir Annual Calendar, £76,000

It was made with titanium, RLX titanium to be precise: a first for a production-model Rolex. This year’s hottest beach watch, the new Yacht-Master 42 , also in RLX titanium, is arguably the most important Rolex launch this year. Is it a proper diver’s watch? It doesn’t really matter, because you’re probably not going to be able to get your hands on one anyway, though it’s waterproof to 100 metres, which would suffice for most of us.

They’ll drop further than many of us can run, let alone dive

Technical pedants would define a diver’s watch by its adherence to the “ISO 6425:2018 Horology – Divers’ watches” standard, which means the watch has been tested to 125 per cent of the depth stated, and is legible at a distance of 25cm after 180 minutes in the dark, among other things. The standard is now in its fourth incarnation since 1982, which makes you wonder how divers managed before it was introduced. 

It is a question that arises this year not least because Panerai has relaunched its entire Radiomir collection , which is inspired by the watches worn by Italian underwater commandos during the second world war. Tudor, meanwhile, keeps on finding new incarnations and interpretations of its archivally inspired hero model the Black Bay , which traces its lineage back to 1954.

Tudor steel Black Bay 54, £3,200

Tudor steel Black Bay 54, £3,200

Blancpain titanium Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa, £24,700

Blancpain titanium Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa, £24,700

The 1950s was the decade in which the diving (as opposed to merely waterproof) watch as we know it today emerged. This year will be the 70th anniversary of both the Rolex Submariner (which was comprehensively overhauled in 2020) and the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms . Both watches made their debut at around the same time as scuba diving took off, and both Rolex’s then marketing director René-Paul Jeanneret and Blancpain’s CEO Jean-Jacques Fiechter were early adopters of the aqualung.

Blancpain’s 21st-century CEO Marc Hayek is also a fanatical diver, and as far as the Fifty Fathoms is concerned he sees the 70th anniversary as a “reboot of its birth”.  The beginning of the year saw the launch of the classic-look 42.3mm version. Now has come the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa , which features an innovative three-hour scale on the bezel in conjunction with a fourth hand that completes one circuit of the dial in three hours to accommodate longer dive times. It is a clever development that reconnects the dive watch with its technical beginnings, basically making sure that the diver does not run out of air and can time his or her decompression stops.

Even though the electronic wristworn dive computer has taken on much of the work these days, a mechanical diver’s watch is a sensible (and stylish) backup: so, it is reassuring to know that the Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa was worked on by both Hayek and submarine biologist Laurent Ballesta.

Omega steel Seamaster Planet Ocean 6,000m Ultra Deep, £11,700

Omega steel Seamaster Planet Ocean 6,000m Ultra Deep, £11,700

Grand Seiko titanium Ushio Blue, £10,500

Grand Seiko titanium Ushio Blue, £10,500

Seiko has also reinforced its partnership with Padi – the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. The Japanese watchmaker is bringing out not one, not two, but three new Prospex Diver Scuba Padi Special Editions. My favourite is the Great Blue Samurai because, as well as having a name that makes me wonder what a samurai diving suit would look like, it features Seiko ’s great gift to the diver’s watch, the silicone accordion strap. Moreover, Seiko is particularly proud that its LumiBrite glow duration exceeds the ISO required minimum.

Seiko is also offering three new models for what one might call the lifestyle diver inside all of us. Tallest Peaks is a dive watch named after Seiko-wearing mountaineer Naomi Uemura. The Glacier Blue is a dive watch with GMT, not exactly a need for a diver, but I suppose it is entertaining to tell the time in Tahiti while diving in the Bahamas; and Grand Seiko brings us the Ushio Blue, ushio being Japanese for tide.

Di(v)e-hard Omega fans have been waiting to see what the brand will do to mark the 75th anniversary of its Seamaster  line, which now sprawls from the non-diver Aqua Terra to the does-what-it-says-on-the-label 6,000m Ultra Deep. Full details are to be announced at the end of June on an as-yet undisclosed Aegean island. Let’s hope they choose somewhere that offers a balance between opportunities for scuba diving in turquoise seas and the equally strenuous marine activity of lying around on the beach, building up strength for another night out under skies of midnight blue. 

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Carlos Alcaraz Accepted the Wimbledon Trophy Wearing a Stunning Rolex Daytona

yacht master 42 titan rlx

Defeating Novak Djokovic in straight sets to win his second Wimbledon title, 21-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz claimed his prize while wearing a watch that most of us would consider a worthy prize unto itself. Indeed, his Rolex Cosmograph Daytona , ref. 116518LN-0076, is no “standard” Daytona (if there even is such a thing). Rather, it features a yellow-gold case paired with a gray meteorite dial. This is the second time he’s worn it while celebrating a Wimbledon victory against Djokovic…perhaps it’s a grass court lucky charm?

Released in 2021, this reference is every bit the sporty chronograph that Rolex has been making for sixty-plus years, albeit in an elevated, precious-metal outfit: Housed in a 40mm 18K yellow gold case, it’s got a screw-down caseback, screw-down pushers, and a screw-down Triplock crown for increased water resistance, plus a scratch-resistant black Cerachrom bezel with an engraved yellow gold tachymeter scale.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain kisses the Gentlemen's Singles Trophy following victory against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the...

The star of the show, however, is a wildly cool gray meteorite dial with contrasting black subdials, applied yellow gold indices with Chromalight lume, and a matching yellow gold baton handset. Inside beats the Rolex caliber 4130 automatic movement with 72 hours of power reserve, and the watch comes paired with Rolex’s famed rubber Oysterflex bracelet—a cool touch that lends a bit of sportiness to an otherwise luxury-centric package.

At Watches & Wonders Geneva 2023 , Rolex discontinued the ref. 116518LN-0076 (along with other meteorite-dial Daytonas) after just two years in the catalog, sending prices on the secondary market skyrocketing well past the roughly $40,000 retail price tag and into the $80 to $90 thousand range. These days, if you want a space-rock Rollie, you either have to shell out big bucks for one from a pre-owned watch dealer (including those participating in Rolex’s own CPO program ), or wait with bated breath until next spring and hope that the Crown sees fit to answer your prayers.

As a friend of the brand, Alcaraz owns and wears several of Rolex’s watches, from the meteorite Daytona to a black-dial Daytona ref. 116500LN​​ to the Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium . Of course, he’s in excellent company—fellow superstar players Roger Federer , Jannik Sinner , Coco Gauff , and others are also Rolex endorsers and are frequently spotted in knockout watches.

At just 21 years old, Alcaraz’s athletic and horological futures both look bright.

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Forty Two is a long-standing, newly revitalized bar and kitchen in Moscow, ID. We have a great range of beers on tap, delicious cocktails, and a great menu for any bar appetite. We're here to welcome everyone, so stop by to enjoy an after-work beer, celebrate date night, or catch up with friends.

The Oyster bracelet Alchemy of form and function. The Yacht-Master 42, made from RLX titanium, is fitted on an Oyster bracelet. Developed at the end of the 1930s, this three-piece link bracelet remains the most universal in the Oyster Perpetual collection and is known for its robustness.

This new release is a full titanium Yacht-Master 42. That means a titanium case and titanium bracelet - just like the Deepsea Challenge. In terms of aesthetics, the overall design language is everything we have come to expect from the black-Cerachrom bezel YM's of late. That means we get the raised black numerals against a matte ceramic bezel ...

First spotted on the wrist of Sir Ben Ainslie, Rolex has finally released the Yacht-Master 42mm in RLX titanium.The new Yacht-Master 42 features a brushed fi...

Watch Brands. Rolex. A Quick Hands-On With The All-New Rolex Yacht-Master 42 In RLX Titanium. Hands-On. Rolex. Rolex turns the Yacht-Master into an actual sports watch The Grade 5 RLX titanium makes it feel light and look stealthy Daan tried it.

The 2023 226627 Yacht-Master 42 changes that paradigm by adding in a full grade 5 titanium case and matching bracelet to the product family. This is what people should consider the first "wearable" Rolex watch produced from titanium. Even though Rolex uses the same grade 5 titanium as other brands, it focuses a lot on surface finishing and ...

MASTERING LIGHTNESS. Light and robust, the new Yacht-Master 42, in RLX titanium, is the ally of those who revel in freedom. Especially suited to the demands and pressures of competitive sailing, it delivers exceptional performance. Rolex is presenting a new version of the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42. This nautical watch is introduced for ...

The Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium is the most matte watch in the brand's collection, with only a few polished accents (numerals on the bezel, bezel rim, and crown guards). Even the bevel on the side of the lugs is satin finished. This lack of sheen is definitely something new to Rolex and, far from me to complain, makes this model one of the ...

Rolex Yacht-Master 42. Watch on. Light and robust, the new Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium is the ally of those seeking freedom of movement. Especially suited to the demands and pressures of competitive sailing, it puts watchmaking excellence at the service of sporting performance. The Yacht-Master 42 is the second watch in RLX ...

The Yacht-Master 42, made from RLX titanium, is fitted on an Oyster bracelet. Developed at the end of the 1930s, this three-piece link bracelet remains the most universal in the Oyster Perpetual collection and is known for its robustness. The Oyster bracelet of this new version of the Yacht-Master 42 features the Oysterlock folding safety clasp ...

Discover the Rolex Yacht-Master watch in RLX titanium and Dark dial at David M Robinson, official Rolex retailer. Ref: M226627-0001. Search. 0. 0333 996 9987 10am - 5pm. ... The Yacht-Master 42 is the second watch in RLX titanium released by Rolex after the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge, confirming that lightness is a quality to be taken ...

Ciaran gives a hands on review of the 2023 ULTRA light weight Rolex Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium 226627, he gives his honest opinion on what he likes and als...

Written by. Sabine Zwettler. March 30, 2023. First introduced in 2019, Rolex is taking a new approach to the Yacht-Master 42 series, this time opting for a new case and bracelet material: titanium RLX. This grade 5 titanium alloy is exclusive to Rolex and has previously only been used for the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge presented last year.

Yacht-Master 42. Oyster, 42 mm, RLX titanium. $ 14,050. All prices are Rolex's suggested retail price before applicable taxes. Prices can be modified at any time without notice. Model availability. Reference 226627. Model case Oyster, 42 mm, RLX titanium. Water-resistance Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet.

The first practically sized titanium Rolex, the new Yacht-Master 42. It's a big deal. But when seen next to Daytonas with display casebacks, Day-Dates with emojis, a solid-gold GMT-Master II, and an entirely new line of dress watches, a titanium Yacht-Master barely moves the needle of surprise and excitement. What a wild 48 hours this has been ...

The Rolex watch Yacht-Master 42 Ref. 226627 is a groundbreaking entry in Rolex's esteemed line-up, blending innovation with classic craftsmanship. Its use of RLX titanium and a host of advanced features mark it as a pinnacle of both style and functionality. Key Takeaways. Introduced as a trailblazing model featuring RLX Titanium, this watch ...

Rolex is presenting a new version of the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium, a particularly lightweight metal noted for its mechanical strength...

The movement has a 70-hour power reserve, and the watch is water-resistant up to 100m. The new Yacht-Master 42 has an Oyster bracelet made from RLX titanium with ceramic inserts for better flexibility, with the Oysterlock safety clasp. The bracelet features the Easylink extension link to easily adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5mm.

Intense black dial. Like all Rolex Professional watches, the Yacht-Master 42 offers exceptional legibility in all circumstances, and especially in the dark, thanks to its Chromalight display. The broad hands and hour markers in simple shapes - triangles, circles, rectangles - are filled with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting glow.

Die Yacht‑Master 42 in Titan RLX ist mit einem Oyster-Band erhältlich. Dieses Ende der 1930er-Jahre entwickelte dreireihige Armband - nach wie vor das verbreitetste der Oyster Perpetual Kollektion - zeichnet sich durch seine Robustheit aus.

It was made with titanium, RLX titanium to be precise: a first for a production-model Rolex. This year's hottest beach watch, the new Yacht-Master 42, also in RLX titanium, is arguably the most ...

Buy Rolex Yacht-Master 42 White Gold at the best price. Prices, photos, characteristics. Perspectiva pawnshop, call us: +7 (495) 959-99-99

As a friend of the brand, Alcaraz owns and wears several of Rolex's watches, from the meteorite Daytona to a black-dial Daytona ref. 116500LN to the Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium.

A Dive Bar with Class. Forty Two is a long-standing, newly revitalized bar and kitchen in Moscow, ID. We have a great range of beers on tap, delicious cocktails, and a great menu for any bar appetite. We're here to welcome everyone, so stop by to enjoy an after-work beer, celebrate date night, or catch up with friends. see our menu.

In stock: Rolex Yacht-Master 42mm White gold. Reference: 226659 Year: 2024 #rolex #rolexyachtmaster #dubaiwatchclub #moscow. _IsStore_ · Original audio

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COMMENTS

  1. Arai Tour-X 4 Review

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    Arai Tour-X4 Comfort & Fit. I found the Tour-X4 to be a very comfortable fitting lid, which is no doubt thanks to the Facial Contour System and quality interior padding, which is removable (and therefore replaceable & washable), and a dry-cool liner. Also fitted are 5mm 'peel away' cheek, temple, and forehead pads to ensure a good fit.

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    This Arai Tour X4 is the most recent version of the Arai adventure helmet. It's been in their range for nine years already, but it's still going strong, making many riders very happy. ... Interior. It's typically an Arai. It's soft, comfy, and moisture-wicking, so it suits active riding rather than just laid-back touring. ...

  6. Review: Arai Tour-X 4, polyvalence with adventure spirit

    Screen and visor. As in any off-road helmet, the Tour-X4 includes a dirt visor, but this is also combined with a classical road screen. Thanks to this combination, the Tour-X4 allows us to remove the screen and use off-road goggles, making it a great all around. The dirt visor can be annoying at high speed, as is usual in any helmet with it.

  7. Arai Tour X4 helmet review

    4.9 (257) Review Conditions. Motorcycle: Kawasaki KLX250. Seasons Ridden: All year. Arai's Tour X4 is the latest version of the incredibly popular adventure helmet, with a redesigned shell shape and added ventilation over the previous Tour X3. The most immediately obvious changes on the Arai Tour X4 are a whole array of front and rear vents ...

  8. Arai Tour X4 Full-Face Helmet Review and Road Test and Video

    The Arai Tour X-4 's shell is made of Arai's Complex Fibre Laminate construction, which is Arai's own in house shell material that gives the helmet strength and impact flexibility. This also gives you a fairly light weight helmet since when we weighed the Arai Tour Ex-4, we got a weight of 1620 grams in a size M with all the extras.

  9. PDF araihelmet.eu TOUR-X 4 FEATURES

    TOUR-X 4 FEATURES General 4 Outer shell CFL Front ventilation 4 Dual intake 4 Standard brow vents** 4 Three position chin vent 4 Inner chin (bar) vent shutter ... All-day comfort with the Arai interior fit and shape together with the finest liner materials and the extensive ventilation system. And thanks to

  10. Tested: Arai Tour-X 4 adventure helmet review

    The Arai Tour-X 4's ventilation is outstanding. Generally, the venting on Arais tends to be good, but I've never seen a helmet with as many vents as this.. Open/closed central chin vent directs air up across the visor and to the brow. A vertical slider can be opened inside the chin to direct air straight from the chin vent to the mouth.

  11. Arai Tour-X4 helmet review

    Arai Tour-X4 helmet review. The Arai Tour-X4 is an excellent, top-spec ADV helmet with a couple of quirks. Published on May 12, 2020 09:00:00 AM

  12. Arai Tour-X 4 Depart

    The Arai Tour-X4 must be one of the most versatile motorcycle helmets ever: adventure riding, grand touring or off road biking, and without the peak looks pretty good on a naked bike too! ... Interior: Replaceable Cheek pads/Ear cups; Interior: Replaceable Interior; Interior: Replaceable Chinstrap covers; Interior: Facial Contour System (FCS)

  13. Arai Tour-X 4

    Now $74.10. Genuine Arai Helmet parts Interior Pad to Fit Arai Tour-X 4 & XD4 Arai skull liners or interior pads are the reason your Arai helmet is so comfortable, A key pieces to making your helmet fit properly,Free Delivery UK & Ireland, Fast Secure Worldwide Shipping, No Hassle Returns $95.99.Free P & P Available.

  14. Arai Tour X4 Helmet

    As the Arai Tour X4 may be used under extreme conditions, the ventilation system has been redeveloped for maximum efficiency. The new Facial Contour System offers more support and comfort to the lower jaw and creates a tighter fit. For an even better personal fit, there is a removable 5 mm surface foam layer on the cheek pads and temple pad ...

  15. Arai Tour-X 4

    35,539 reviews. Genuine Arai Helmet parts Interior Pad to Fit Arai Tour-X 4 & XD4 Arai skull liners or interior pads are the reason your Arai helmet is so comfortable, A key pieces to making your helmet fit properly,Free Delivery UK & Ireland, Fast Secure Worldwide Shipping, No Hassle Returns £56.99.Free P & P Available.

  16. XD4 SPECS AND FEATURES

    The XD4 has Arai's INTERMEDIATE OVAL (IO) interior fit shape.* *A Helmet needs to be tried on in order to determine a proper fit. XD4 SPECS AND FEATURES. Go Configure. The XD-4 offers three distinct confi gurations depending on rider preference or riding conditions. Change the look every time you ride — or even during the same ride.

  17. Arai Interiors & Cheek Pads

    Genuine Arai Interior pad: Tour X4. £56. 99. Quick Look. Arai Interior Pad Dry-Cool - Quantum ST. Genuine Arai Interior pad: Qunatum ST. £53. 99. Quick Look. Arai Cheek Pads - Eco Pure FCS Type. Genuine Arai cheek pads: Quantum ST Pro. £54. 99. Quick Look. Arai Interior Pad Eco Pure - Quantum ST Pro.

  18. arai tour x4 for sale

    Arai HELMET XD4 TOUR-X4 TourCross 3 Honda Africa Twin LIMITED Sena 10U Bluetooth. Brand New. $590.00. lee1062559 (295) 100%. or Best Offer. +$55.00 shipping. 2023 ARAI XD-4 HELMET ADVENTURE TOURING DUAL SPORT STREET DOT SNELL- SIZE/COLOR. In Stock - Ships Same Day If Ordered Before Noon EST.

  19. Arai Tour-X 4 Adventure Grey

    Tour-X 4 Adventure Grey. £499.99. The Tour-X4 adventure motorbike helmet has a complete new outer shell. Redesigned to be tougher, stronger and stiffer than ever. As the Tour-X4 may be used under extreme conditions, the ventilation system has been redeveloped for maximum efficiency. The new Facial Contour System (FCS) offers more support and ...

  20. arai tour x

    arai tour x. Discussion in 'Equipment' started by chirider, Oct 19, 2003. chirider, Oct 19, 2003 #1. chirider Been here awhile. Joined: Sep 21, 2003 Oddometer: 138 Location: Chicago. Looking for this helmet, where can I find the best price? I wear a XL shoei RF1000 DUHAMEL . Will I be comfortable in an Arai?

  21. arai tour x4 honda

    Helmet review: Arai Tour-X 4 tried and tested. The Arai Tour-X 4 is the latest in a long line of adventure helmets that reaches back to the original. It could well be considered t

  22. Motorrika

    Tour-X4 - один из самых универсальных шлемов в модельном ряду Arai. C установленным козырьком и визором, но может выполнять роль вседорожного Adventure-шлема. В тоже время, без козырька превращается...

  23. arai tour x4 size chart

    Is The Arai Tour X4 ADV Helmet A Cut Above The Rest? This Arai Tour X4 is the most recent version of the Arai adventure helmet. It's been in their range for nine years already,