Arai MX-V EVO Racing #2 Approved for 2026 FIM Off-Road Racing

Arai’s MX-V EVO FIM Racing #2 becomes the brand’s first off-road helmet approved under the latest FIM FRHP-he03 standard.

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For decades, Arai has been widely regarded as one of the most respected names in helmet safety, trusted by racers across multiple disciplines worldwide. But reputation alone no longer carries weight in modern competition. From 2026 onwards, off-road racers will be required to wear helmets certified to the latest FIM standards, and Arai’s newest motocross lid has now officially cut.

The newly released MX-V EVO FIM Racing #2 has been added to the FIM’s FRHP-he02 approved helmet list, making it fully eligible for FIM-sanctioned off-road competition from 2026. More significantly, it is the first off-road helmet from Arai to comply with the updated FIM regulatory framework.

A New Safety Benchmark for 2026

While everyday street helmets commonly rely on the ECE certification for compliance, racing operates under a far stricter regime. For off-road and circuit competition, approval under the FIM’s FRHP (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme Racing Helmet Programme) is mandatory.

The MX-V EVO FIM Racing #2 satisfies all performance requirements tied to the FRHP-he03 safety standard, which will become compulsory for off-road racing in 2026. This places Arai’s latest motocross offering within a very selective group of helmets globally that have passed the updated impact, penetration, and rotational force tests.

Arai’s Signature “Glancing Off” Philosophy Continues

Despite the stricter safety benchmarks, Arai has stayed true to its long-standing design ethos. The MX-V EVO FIM Racing #2 continues to follow the brand’s well-known “glancing off” philosophy, centred on an egg-shaped outer shell designed to deflect impact forces rather than allow the helmet to snag and dig into the ground during a crash.

Although motocross helmets naturally feature pronounced protrusions such as visors and vents, Arai maintains that the smooth shell profile remains central to reducing rotational forces, one of the key injury mechanisms in high-speed off-road accidents.

Arai builds the shell using its Peripherally-Belted Complex Laminate Construction (PB-cLc2), delivering a structure that stays lightweight while maintaining high structural integrity. Compared to its predecessor, Arai updates the MX-V EVO FIM Racing #2 with a redesigned peak, improved airflow management, and refined ventilation channels to enhance cooling in extreme racing conditions.

Passing FIM Standards Is No Small Achievement

While the updates may appear modest externally, meeting the latest FIM safety criteria is far from straightforward. Arai has indicated that its existing engineering philosophy allowed it to reach compliance without radical redesigns but the fact that only a small number of helmets worldwide have earned FRHP-he02 approval underscores just how demanding the certification process truly is.

Alongside the Arai MX-V EVO FIM Racing #2, the current FIM-approved off-road list also includes:

• LS2 MX703 X-Force Pro
• Acerbis Airstrike FIM Racing #2
• Airoh Aviator 3 EVO
• Shark Aeron GP Racing #2
• Alpinestars Supertech S-M10

For circuit racers seeking similar compliance within the Arai range, the Arai RX-7V FIM Racing #2 also meets the latest FIM standards for short-circuit competition.

What This Means for Racers in 2026

With FRHP-he03 set to become mandatory for off-road racing in 2026, riders competing in professional and internationally sanctioned events will need to ensure their helmets appear on the FIM-approved list. The arrival of the MX-V EVO FIM Racing #2 gives motocross and rally riders another premium option that blends Arai’s traditional safety philosophy with the sport’s newest regulatory requirements.

As safety standards continue to rise, Arai’s ability to remain at the forefront without radically abandoning its core design principles reinforces why the brand remains one of the most trusted names in high-level motorcycle racing.