For the seventh consecutive year, Arai motorcycle helmets rank highest in the J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study.
Arai receives an overall satisfaction index score of 811 (on a 1,000-point scale) and performs particularly well in regard to ventilation and styling/design. Shoei follows Arai with an index score of 795. Harley-Davidson and Nolan also perform above the industry average.
"Arai continues to produce high-quality products by making innovative, state-of-the-art advances in helmet comfort and design," said Todd Markusic, director of the Powersports practice at J.D. Power and Associates.
The study finds that the top two elements that most influence the decision to purchase a new helmet are comfort/fit and style/color. Overall helmet satisfaction for the industry increases for the fourth consecutive year to 728 index points in 2005, compared to 725 in 2004.
The study also shows that regardless of motorcycle make, HJC is the most commonly purchased brand of helmet, with more than 25 percent of customers surveyed indicating they purchased this brand. Based on the study, HJC, Shoei, Arai and Harley-Davidson brands constitute about one-half of the total helmet market.
Convertible style helmets, which typically have a retractable face plate, continue to increase in popularity, as 13 percent of customers surveyed indicate this type of helmet was purchased, versus only 3 percent reported in 2003.
"We expect this trend to continue, as more manufacturers are adding the convertible helmet to their product lineups," said Markusic.
Buying motorcycle helmets online is on the rise as 25 percent of those surveyed who had made any type of motorcycle-related purchase via the Internet report buying a helmet. Consumers who purchase their helmets online are more likely to indicate they "definitely will" purchase the same brand again. The study finds that online purchasers tend to pay up to $50 less for the same helmet than those purchasing elsewhere.
The 2005 Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study is based on responses from more than 6,000 purchasers of new 2004 model-year motorcycles who provided information about their most recent helmet purchase experience and helmet use.
