I was told by a Aria technician to avoid Jap imports as they are made for Jap shape heads, not big European shape heads, shell is the same, but the lining is different due to physical differences in our head shapes.
Shop around for cheaper lids but go for European spec.
If different I'm sure someone will correct me if I was told wrong.
You've only got one head, so I'd go for a helmet made for European market.

Hi, thought you had 2 lids, so chuck one and use your spare, then if you want an arai, there are some new ones out just come out which are very reasonable for an arai, your local arai stockist will be more informed, but they start at about 249.99 even with good graphics :)

ain't that the truth!

Would ideally like to get one from a shop, and I dont mind paying a bit more to get the service and the right padding in there to suit ma bonce. Just dont want to shell out £400 in one hit at the moment. Will teach me to be so clumsy, but there you go, thats the way the big ball bounces, or is that "lid?"