BMW Sao Paulo Helmet vs Arai SZ-R VAS: comparison of these models

Looking to enjoy your motorcycle rides with a lightweight and practical helmet? Choose a jet helmet! And if you’re not sure which one to pick, don’t worry: we’re comparing two top-of-the-range models for you—BMW Sao Paulo and Arai SZ-R Vas.

Sao Paulo Helmet: the premium open-face helmet from BMW Motorrad

The BMW Sao Paulo helmet is the perfect blend of urban design, style, and technical performance, specially designed for riders who want to combine style and safety on their daily rides. Thanks to two shell sizes, the helmet is available from XS to XXL and adapts to every head shape, reducing helmet volume and improving ergonomics. In addition, this unisex helmet features fiberglass reinforcements that make it super lightweight (1350g) for the small shell.

The helmet’s structure is designed to reduce wind resistance, significantly minimizing rider fatigue, especially on long rides.

Designed for all-season use, the Sao Paulo features an integrated sun visor that effectively shields the eyes from glare, while its long visor is treated with anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings to provide full-face coverage—offering both protection and style in any weather conditions.

For thermal comfort and ventilation, the Sao Paulo is equipped with closable ventilation elements strategically placed on top of the head and integrated into the rear spoiler. These systems ensure efficient airflow, preventing heat buildup even on hot summer days. The rear spoiler not only improves the helmet’s aerodynamics but also contributes to stability at high speed.

In terms of comfort, the removable and washable inner padding is made from soft, breathable materials and perfectly conforms to the shape of the head to ensure a secure and comfortable fit.

This jet helmet is also designed with practicality in mind, as it is compatible with the ConnectedRide Com U1 communication system, allowing riders to stay connected during duo or group rides without compromising on safety.

In summary, the BMW Sao Paulo helmet is made with premium materials and represents a true evolution in the world of jet helmets, combining safety, comfort, efficient ventilation, and urban style to accompany every rider in their daily and city adventures.

Arai SZ-R Vas Helmet: An Efficient Jet Helmet

The Arai SZ-R Vas helmet is a premium open-face helmet designed to offer riders a perfect balance of safety, comfort, and performance. This helmet features a lightweight composite fiber shell, ensuring optimal protection while keeping the helmet light, thereby reducing fatigue.

The interior of the helmet features a soft and breathable inner lining, which is fully removable and washable for easy daily maintenance.

The SZ-R Vas features a ventilation system consisting of two large channels on the top of the helmet that provide a flow of fresh air, helping the rider stay cool even in summer.

It comes with a Pinlock anti-fog visor as standard, ensuring perfect visibility in all weather conditions.

Finally, the Arai SZ-R Vas is pre-equipped to accommodate a Bluetooth communication kit (optional).

In summary, the Arai SZ-R Vas helmet is an ideal choice for riders looking for a comfortable and safe open-face helmet, suitable for both urban and highway use, with a modern design and features.

What are the differences between the BMW Sao Paulo jet helmet and the Arai SZ-R Vas?

Here is a comparison table of the differences between these two jet helmets:

The BMW Sao Paulo helmet and the Arai SZ-R VAS helmet are two premium open-face helmets, but they differ significantly in their technical features, with a clear advantage for the Sao Paulo in terms of innovation and urban comfort.

The BMW Sao Paulo helmet features a reinforced fiberglass shell , which provides great strength while remaining extremely lightweight (around 1350 g for the small shell size). This two-shell size design allows for better adaptation to head shape, thus reducing the overall helmet volume for superior comfort and ergonomics. In comparison, the Arai SZ-R VAS uses a multi-layer composite fiber shell , also light and resistant, but with three shell sizes , which may result in larger volumes for some sizes and increased rider fatigue during long rides.

The BMW Sao Paulo helmet stands out with its closable ventilation system , cleverly integrated on top of the head and in the rear spoiler. These elements ensure optimal airflow while avoiding heat build-up, which is particularly appreciated during city rides or in hot weather. The rear spoiler also improves aerodynamics and high-speed stability. The Arai SZ-R VAS offers effective ventilation through two large top vents, but without a closable system or aerodynamic spoiler, slightly limiting thermal comfort.

The Sao Paulo helmet is equipped with a long anti-fog and anti-scratch visor , offering full-face protection from weather and UV. It also features a retractable internal sun visor, very handy for quickly adjusting to changes in brightness, a major asset for urban use. In contrast, the Arai SZ-R VAS does not offer an integrated sun visor, which can be inconvenient during bright sunlight rides.

The interior padding of the BMW Sao Paulo is removable, washable, and made with antibacterial materials , ensuring perfect hygiene and long-lasting comfort.

Both helmets weigh around 1350 g, but the two-shell design of the Sao Paulo versus three for the SZ-R VAS allows for better fitting and more precise adjustment, reducing fatigue during long use.

In technical terms, the BMW Sao Paulo helmet surpasses the Arai SZ-R VAS thanks to its optimized shell, its closable ventilation system, its integrated sun visor and its compatibility with an advanced communication system. The Arai SZ-R remains nonetheless a good open-face helmet.

Which open-face helmet should you choose?

While the Arai SZ-R Vas helmet is an excellent choice for riders seeking comfort and safety, the BMW Sao Paulo helmet clearly stands out with its modern urban design, premium materials, and advanced features. The Sao Paulo offers better ergonomics thanks to its two shell sizes, more effective ventilation with closable vents integrated into the spoiler, and a very practical integrated sun visor for city riding. Additionally, its long anti-fog and anti-scratch visor ensures optimal facial protection in all conditions. Finally, compatibility with the ConnectedRide Com U1 communication system enhances rider convenience and connectivity.

Discover all available colors and sizes for the premium Sao Paulo open-face helmet on our website and add your favorite to your cart!