So I Took and Bought a Scorpion Helmet

[XLR8]

You have to say it that way right? "took and bought"  

My last helmet was an Arai Profile and I have to say that...

This new Scorpion is a complete piece of junk. Don't waste your time. Yes, I said it. It really doesn't even compare. That's my review.

So now, I have to send it back and spring for a Signet-Q. You really do get what you pay for. Well, almost, because the Arai is overpriced but nicer.

[Sport-Touring]

[miles]

I think you need to get over to the "Who's drinking what tonight?" thread.

[XLR8]

I think you need to get over to the "Who's drinking what tonight?" thread.

This is kind of my return to ST.N and I'm finding it hard to come up with stuff to talk about. I thought my disappointment with cheap Chinese helmets was a good place to start. I'm really just bummed that I have to fork out $650 for a new lid.

[flips21]

XLR8,

There is still time.  You can find some Profiles on closeout.  Google is your friend

Really sad to hear that the Scorpian didn't work out.  I was hoping there would be another long profile out there for under $500.

Flip

[ConPilot1]

It's all about the price point. Is Scorpion a good quality helmet for the price point? Yes. Will it protect your noggin? Yes.
Are they as good as an Arai or Shoei? Probably not.

Is an Ebay EXL suit as good as an Aerostich? No. Will it do the job? Yes.

IMHO, My EXO700 is one of the nicest lightweight FF helmet's I've owned for 200 bucks brand new when they were new on the market. I'll never part with it for what I paid.

[garry]

What model did you buy and what don't you like about it?

I just bought a Scorpion EXO-750 "Live Fast" to replace a Suomy Spec-1R. I really like the air pump feature to dial in the cheek pad pressure. I thought it was quite the good value for $260. There are too many other things that need money thrown at them around here to spend $500+ on a helmet, so I was shopping for bang-for-the-buck.

I guess I'll see how it works out this season, as I've only used it for a couple rides so far.

[still kickin]

XLR8-- How does it feel to be in the minority?? Many riders who can afford to buy any helmet choose to wear a Scorpion. I just bought a new 1000 from New Enough for $159. Damn fine helmet.

IYO what makes the Scorpion "junk?"

[ChrisZRX]

I'm really liking my EXO 750.

[Cozye]

Ive owned a half dozen Arai helmets, used to be a dealer. When I've drawn the line with them though, they have out priced the market. They are well made, and I love the liner material they use, however there are a plethora of great helmets on the market for half the price. And almost everyone makes a lighter helmet than the Arai as well. I've sworn them off. Bought an hjc to replace a corsair v I damaged on the track for my race helmet. I'll be buying something else to replace my rx7 street helmet soon. F&ck Arai.

[2RR2NV]

I loved my EXO-400 until i broke off one of the top vents while wiping it down, getting all the bugs off...... with a paper towel. i still want another and i am looking at the EXO 1100. just need to try one out and see if i really want one. otherwise i'll go EXO 400, 500, 700, 750. i tried the 1000 when they first came out and didn't like the fit. don't know why, but the EXO-400 and 1000 fit differently enough to not bother. Wish there were dealers closer to me so i can try some out.

i "like" my RF1000 but it's old and needs replacement (and they are too expensive for what ya get, so.... not getting another). plus, i usually buy a new helmet every time i get another bike.... i'm weird like that.

[auggius]

I have had Arai Quantums E/F in the past and if Arai still made the Quantum I would have bought one, but their new model line-up don't fit my head like it used to. So I bought an Exo-700 which I got for $170CDN. Fits almost as well and has some new features like the fully removeable helmet liner. Only the cheekpads were removeable with the Arai.

Many cursed the Arai shield system but I quite liked it. It requires a bit of force but once you get the hang of it you can change the shield while wearing the helmet. Check out footage of Arai wearers in IoM during their pit stop. Pit guy lifts shield up and yanks it out, pops in new shield in less than 3 seconds. Admittedly a self-change takes a bit longer but easily doable.

The shield system on the Scorpion is one thing I don't like. Or more correctly, half dislike, because it's easy to remove the right side but awkward on the left. If they had just reversed the direction of the left knob to mirror the right it would be a non-issue.

Overall, the Exo-700 is a really good helmet, made better by its price. Check out the British website, SHARP, which tests helmets. The Scorpion rates higher than the Arai.

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/testhelmetlist?sharp-make=131&sharp-model=EXO-700&sharp-type=All&sharp-rating=1&sharp-price-from=0&sharp-price-to=9999&discontinued=1

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/testhelmetlist?sharp-make=99&sharp-model=Quantum&sharp-type=2&sharp-rating=1&discontinued=1

[Tyrroneous]

The shield system on the Scorpion is one thing I don't like. Or more correctly, half dislike, because it's easy to remove the right side but awkward on the left. If they had just reversed the direction of the left knob to mirror the right it would be a non-issue.

This is my main complaint too!  I've had two EXO 700's.  Both bot on closeout for around $100.  For that amount, they are outstanding helmets...just a bit on the heavy side.  But they have better than average ventilation and are not too terribly loud and fit my head perfectly.  

[X1Glider]

I have the money to buy whatever helmet I want but I bought 3 Scorpions.  Why?  They fit my head shape better than other brands I've tried on, no matter the price point.  I have 2 Exo-900s and a Exo-1000 which gets little love as the flip ups are more important to this allergy sufferer.  So far, fit and finish have been quite good and they hold up under normal use.  Even Shoei's Multitech didn't score as high as the Scorpion at twice the price.

[greench440]

Boy, really brought out the Scorpion Fanboys with this one.  I bought an EXO-1000 and thought it was a waste of $$.  Heavy and loud.

[Dan K]

My everyday helmet is an Arai Corsair V.  Ridiculously expensive.  

I bought a Scorpion EXO-1000 on clearance a year or two ago for $99.  I think it's pretty close to the Arai in quality, but I haven't used it as much.  I usually use it on the track, as it's tighter on the ears and keeps my glasses higher on my nose even when I'm bending down in the more aggressive position for my Daytona.  Don't see any flaws, maybe the little lever for popping the shield open...Anyway, to say they're junk is a bit overboard from what I can see.  A little heavy, but not noticeably so.  Does have a whistle at high speed.  Still like it.

-Dan

[Max Wedge]

I have a Profile and LOVE it. Tried on a Signet-Q as a possible replacement--but the fit was nothing like the Profile. I actually went down a size to get close (as many people have said) but it wasn't the "ahhh" fit I got with the Profile. Not many left on closeout, I looked, but if you XXS or XXXL and don't care about the colors, you might find one. Tried on a Bell RS1 (?), and it was very close, and pretty well made. I bought a closeout XD3 for the summer until a qualified Profile replacement can be found.

[chosemerveilleux]

I have an EXO-700 that I use in the colder months.  I haven't had any problems with it quality wise, although I fumbled it once walking down into my basement and ripped off the shield.  Totally my bad, and a new visor from Revzilla and new mounting bits from Scorpion (free, shockingly enough-their customer service rocks) and it was good to go.  Sure, I like my Evoline and my Nolan helmets better, but that's because they're modulars, which I honestly prefer to a FF.  I've looked at the Shoeis and Arais, and given their price premium, I damn sure don't think they're worth 3x the price of a EXO-700, not by a long shot.  I'll never buy a Shoei or an Arai when I can purchase a Shark Evoline all day for less than $400, never mind the new Nolan 104, which I just pulled the trigger on for $350.  I've never had a problem paying for quality, but IMHO the quality difference between an Arai or Shoei and a Nolan is nonexistent so the extra $$$ is poorly spent.  And while there is a difference between a Scorpion helmet and an Arai, the difference is negligible when compared to the logarithmic difference between many cheaper helmets and a Scorpion.  Their mid line stuff is a very good buy, period.  Can't ever say that about Arai or Shoei, unless they're the only helmets that fit you.  Just my 2 Sesterce, mind you.

[X1Glider]

Boy, really brought out the Scorpion Fanboys with this one.  I bought an EXO-1000 and thought it was a waste of $$.  Heavy and loud.

I agree with you.  Looks like it should vent well, but it flows air for crap and fogs up extremely fast in the cold.  One of the reasons it hangs on a hook in my garage with very low hours.  Not a buy again item.

[flips21]

I have a Profile and LOVE it. Tried on a Signet-Q as a possible replacement--but the fit was nothing like the Profile. I actually went down a size to get close (as many people have said) but it wasn't the "ahhh" fit I got with the Profile.

The Profile fits my head better than any other helmet I have tried or owned since I started riding in '79.  Now that I know how good it can feel, I fear I will never be satisfied again.  I hope someone has something out there that has a similar fit.  But I doubt it exists.

Flip

[jeepinbanditrider]

I've owned a few Scorpions.

EXO700-  Probably one of the best single helmets I've ever owned.  Vented well, comfy, fairl lightweight.

EXO500-  Heavier than the 700 and the chinbar was a little close to my face.  Internal sunvisor is a huge selling point for me I hate carrying extra shields with me.  Vents ok.

EXO900-  Not a horrible helmet but not great.  Noisy as all get out though not a huge deal for me as I wear ear plugs.  HEAVY.  It now mostly sits in the barn and my EXO500 is back on my head.