Scorpion Helmets

[Ken]

The price jump is due to the shell. The 400 is a polycarbonate and the 700 is fiberglass/Kevlar.

As for the tests, you can make some assumptions based on the outcome of the tests they did. That is, the harder the shell of the helmet, the worse the outcome is likely to be for your head. This basically means the better a helmet does on the Snell tests, the worse it is likely to protect your head against the kind of shock prevalent in MC accidents.

Basically, the reason is that the more flexible helmets transmitted less shock to the head because they absorbed more shock in the helmet shell. The fiberglass and other hard laid-up helmets did way worse than the cheaper polycarbonate molded helmets. The best helmet in their test cost under 100 bucks.

Best helmets in their test results:
Z1R: ZRP-1 (152G's) , Fulmer ADF-4, Schubert s-1 (161G) AGV: TI-Tech, Suomy Spec 1R (182G's)
Worst: Scorpion EXO-700 (211 G), HJC AC-11(204G), Arai Tracker GT (201 G's)

The 700 is 3 lbs, 10 ounces, not sure about the 400.

[Ken]

Scorpion EX700 arrived today.

First impressions after a couple of rides:

• Higher quality than I expected - liner, shell, and shield all very good.
• Shield take off mechanism works well, but will require some practice.
• Venting is superb. It was 85 today and I had no sweat whatsoever.
• Weight is good - 3 ounces more than my RF-1000 - but doesn't feel like it.
• Breath guard does the trick - no fogging at all despite high humidity
• Removable liner is great - in and out in a snap.
• Shield's grab lip is bigger than my Shoei - LOVE it.
• Color scheme attracts less sun than my black Shoei and is more visible.

All in all, my first impressions are very positive. I may just buy another for my wife. And at $119 (inlcuding shipping), I probably will.

[luvda6R]

I ordered the EX0-700 "raider"...should be here today (god I hope it fits! no one sells them so I couldn't try one on). I'll try to post a 'lil review after I take it for a spin.

[Katafer]

Originally Posted by Ken

Scorpion EX700 arrived today.

First impressions after a couple of rides:

• Higher quality than I expected - liner, shell, and shield all very good.
• Shield take off mechanism works well, but will require some practice.
• Venting is superb. It was 85 today and I had no sweat whatsoever.
• Weight is good - 3 ounces more than my RF-1000 - but doesn't feel like it.
• Breath guard does the trick - no fogging at all despite high humidity
• Removable liner is great - in and out in a snap.
• Shield's grab lip is bigger than my Shoei - LOVE it.
• Color scheme attracts less sun than my black Shoei and is more visible.

All in all, my first impressions are very positive. I may just buy another for my wife. And at $119 (inlcuding shipping), I probably will.

Great review! I can't wait to try one on so I can figure out my size!

[Odious]

Originally Posted by Ken

Scorpion EX700 arrived today.

First impressions after a couple of rides:

• Higher quality than I expected - liner, shell, and shield all very good.
• Shield take off mechanism works well, but will require some practice.
• Venting is superb. It was 85 today and I had no sweat whatsoever.
• Weight is good - 3 ounces more than my RF-1000 - but doesn't feel like it.
• Breath guard does the trick - no fogging at all despite high humidity
• Removable liner is great - in and out in a snap.
• Shield's grab lip is bigger than my Shoei - LOVE it.
• Color scheme attracts less sun than my black Shoei and is more visible.

All in all, my first impressions are very positive. I may just buy another for my wife. And at $119 (inlcuding shipping), I probably will.

Was there a difference in size between the Shoei and the Scorpion??..I have an XL Shoei RF1000 and would like to try something with more color...

[Ken]

My RF-1000 is an XL, and is just a bit too large -- when I tighten up the chin strap and shake my head -- it wobbles around just a little. The Scorpion XL fits me like a glove. At first I thought the cheek pads were too tight, but now after 100+ miles they feel great. This is, without a doubt, the most comfortable helmet I have ever worn.

Incidentally, my head is 23.5 inches when measured according to the procedure on the Scorpion site.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Ken

Basically, the reason is that the more flexible helmets transmitted less shock to the head because they absorbed more shock in the helmet shell. The fiberglass and other hard laid-up helmets did way worse than the cheaper polycarbonate molded helmets. The best helmet in their test cost under 100 bucks.

Nice to know somebody took the time to read the motorcyclist article .

Two corrections are in order though.

The more flexible shells allow the liners to absorb more energy.

The differences are also not as great in XXL sizes as they would be for a small or medium size helmet ( DOT has different standards for different sizes, snell has a one test fits all testing system.)

[SouthJersey600R]

Im gonna be putting away money now to get one of these. My HJC is most annoying at night when it fogs and is very dangerous cause I cant see jack when I start out at a light. Hate to go down over a little fog on my visor.

[Ken]

Don't risk it. Until you have the money for a fog-free helmet, get one of these for $20. They work great. I use one in April and October here when my morning commutes are 40 degrees and less - no fog, at all. Well worth it.

http://helmetharbor.com/gear/respro/foggy_opening.htm

[michaelvZX6RR]

Actually, the EX400 and EX700 weight almost exactly the same, by the "hand scale". If anything, the 400 is slightly lighter. The difference, as pointed out above, is the materials used in constructing the shell.

The EX400, being a slightly softer shell, did better in the Motorcyclist crash tests than the 700 (i.e. passed less impact to the head, abosrbing more in the shell).

[SouthJersey600R]

Originally Posted by Ken

Don't risk it. Until you have the money for a fog-free helmet, get one of these for $20. They work great. I use one in April and October here when my morning commutes are 40 degrees and less - no fog, at all. Well worth it.

http://helmetharbor.com/gear/respro/foggy_opening.htm

I'll have to check that out if I still have this helmet by next fall. I dont have any problems at night now since its been warm out but I will most def look into that item in the future. Thanx for the link.

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by michaelvZX6RR

Actually, the EX400 and EX700 weight almost exactly the same, by the "hand scale". If anything, the 400 is slightly lighter. The difference, as pointed out above, is the materials used in constructing the shell.

Good to know. Anybody tried both and have any sort of comparison of noise between the two?

The EX400, being a slightly softer shell, did better in the Motorcyclist crash tests than the 700 (i.e. passed less impact to the head, abosrbing more in the shell).

That's why I'm so interested in this model. I saw that both passed the Snell and DOT standards, while doing quite well in the G-Force testing.

[camneely8]

I bought a 400 Warhawk (large). Love the helmet. Air venting is good, which is impt for me cause I sweat like a pig in the summer heat, its comfortable, perfect fit for me and looks pretty kewl. Plus you really cant beat the price. I also felt good about the DOT and Snell certifications. The safety reviews I read before I bought it were all good but lets hope I dont ever have to test how well it holds up in a fall

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by camneely8

I bought a 400 Warhawk (large). Love the helmet. Air venting is good, which is impt for me cause I sweat like a pig in the summer heat, its comfortable, perfect fit for me and looks pretty kewl. Plus you really cant beat the price. I also felt good about the DOT and Snell certifications. The safety reviews I read before I bought it were all good but lets hope I dont ever have to test how well it holds up in a fall

Thanks for the info. How's the noise level? Refresh my memory, is the liner removable on that helmet?

[luvda6R]

Originally Posted by CTRider

Thanks for the info. How's the noise level? Refresh my memory, is the liner removable on that helmet?

I can probably help you out. The liner is removable, pretty easy to remove once you know how (3 parts...2 side pieces, and the crown piece...some plastic snaps and plastic inserts to fit together). There is some wind noise due to all the venting, but I guess that's part of the deal....more venting, more air, more wind noise. I also thought they run kind of small. I had a L helmet before my scorpion, and took an XL scorpion - I started out with an L and thought I was going to have a brain hemorrhage b/c it was so tight. i compared with different brands of XL helmets at the store (HJC, Shoei, Icon) and the Scorpion seemed to have noticably tighter fit. However, I talked to a sales guy at scorpion and he said the liner will break in a lot, so I guess time will tell what the fit is like in the end. btw, the diff between the L and XL is only in the liner thickness..the shell is the same. Also, from what I've seen, scorpion seems to have great service - the guy I talked to was very helpful and seemed to want to make sure I got the right fit in the helmet. Anti-fog lense is great too. Overall I'm pleased with the helmet.

[Green Knight]

I can only agree with what luvda6R said. The venting is awsome. If it weren't for my cheeks being pushed together and the edge of the helmet out of the corner of my eye I would sware I didn't have a helmet on. Atleast is almost sounds the same as no helmet. Yeah, without ear plugs it can be a little noisier than my HJC but I love the venting. And its nothing an ear plug won't fix either. I'm very happy with him helmet. It NEVER fogs up. I can't tell you how important that is.

[camneely8]

Uhhhmm..right...what they said )

[CTRider]

Thanks everyone - looks like that's a helmet I'd take a serious look at. If it meets all the safety standards, is comfortable for me to wear, comes in a color I like and the price is right, I see little reason to pay more for what is perceived as a better helmet. With what I would save over a Shoei, I could afford a more versatile armored jacket that would offer more comfort over a longer riding season.

[AZDude]

I'm just a newbie but bought a Scorpion helmet and in the store the guy breathed on one of the faceshields until a big fog was on it and I watched it completely vanish in less than a second. I also used it in my MSF class in 90-100+ degree whether and even sweating and breathing hard never had a single bit of fog at all and we never got over 15 miles an hour (so ventilation didn't play much part in it..lol). The anti-fog deal is awesome.

[dakman2000]

I have been riding with an Exo 700 for about 3 months. I love the helmet.

The venting is very good, the NO FOG faceshield works works works!

I only have one real complaint about this line of helmets, the cheesy cheesy "S"
on the front of the helmet gives it a cheap look.

The helmet is worth its weight in gold for sure.

Just my opinion