Triumphrat

cheapbastard · 03-08-2007

Alright fellers, who's got one, and what did ya have before? I've got an Arai now, but it's over the 5 yr mark, and I can't spend lots of money on a lid right now. So I tried on some helmets yesterday, and I really liked the fit of the Scorpion EXO-700. Actually fits similiar to my Arai. I really wanted a KBC VR2 helmet, but when I tried it on, I'm not so sure I'd be 100% happy with it. So what's yer take on the cheaper helmets? I'm look'n at keep'n it around $250 or less. :-D

R100Pilot · 03-08-2007

Co-worker here has one and digs it. But that may be because its color matches his FJR perfectly.

Consider something by Z1R, if you're truly Cheap.

Not sure if you bothered to read the big article in Motorcyclist that caused the folks at Snell to go ballistic, but they conclude that the DOT helmets may actually be better for you. And the best in their test was a Z1R

Also, keep an eye on closeouts. Motorcycle Superstore has Icon mainframes on closeout - $99 for blue, red or yellow, $129 for black. Not bad for a helmet that originally retailed starting at $220.

Garyhjd · 03-08-2007

Well,

I bought a exo-700 as my first helmet after doing a ton of research and reading about them. This was before the article in Motorcyclist. I looked and tried on several brands and found I liked the Scorpion the best for the price. It fit well and offered a lot of features for $180.

I always wear earplugs when I ride, so I can't comment on noise level as I don't really care. I does flow a ton of air though, so that will make it a louder helmet. But it also keeps you dry and cool.

I "tested" the helmet last summer and came away with no injuries. I didn't slide on the helmet or anything like that I went over the handlebars and landed head first on the ground. No real damage to the outside of the helmet but the foam inside was nicely compressed. I replaced it with another exo-700.

Next time I buy it will probably be a suomy as they just fit me so well. And I don't think I will buy another Snell helmet. I would rather have one that meets the BSI standard.

I also am not one to follow the "you get what you pay for" mantra. In fact when some one uses that as a reason for having purchased X I instantly regard that person as an idiot and all things they utter from that point forward as useless drivel. A little harsh perhaps, but if that statement was true then OCC and custom choppers would be the greatest bikes in the world as they seem to be just about the most expensive.

So in saying that I think Scorpion gives you a lot of value for the money, but only if the shape of the helmet fits your head.

Gary

pabonne · 03-08-2007

A riding buddy has the cheaper Scorpion (not sure what the model is) and loves it. I tried it and it just didn't fit my head. A little too tight. I went with a KBC TK8 for the fit (and cheap cheap cheap). The Scorpion definitely looks cooler... especially on a hell raiser S3!!

Andhedrew · 03-08-2007

Hey Cheap,

I've got a 400 model Scorpion that I purchased "like new" for $52 delivered off from ebay last spring. It was my first street helmet (flat black) and it truly was like new. Its pretty comfortable but seemed to catch a lot of the wind with the stock bars on my S3.

Later in the summer I bought a new Icon alliance on one of the websites in medium that fit pretty tight but was quieter and had less wind resistance so long as I didn't try looking back. I ended up selling it this winter.

I recently purchased a "slightly used" Shoei Diabolic 1 from ebay delivered for $296. Now, it may seem kinda icky to some of you guys to buy a used helmet but for the savings I've been willing to take a chance with the "slightly used" models. And in both cases I've been lucky because again this helmet truly is like new.

My point with this last part Cheap, is that if you are willing to spend $250 bucks then you might be able to get yourself a deal on a "slightly used" bucket on ebay. I let a "like new" silver Shoei x-eleven pass that sold for $220 because I didn't like the color. Deals can be had with perserverence.

I like my Scorpion enough that I'll keep it around as a spare.

Will · 03-08-2007

I am thinking pretty seriously about an HJC AC-12. It fits fairly well- not great but better than it could, and it will break in. It is cheap for what you get. New Enough has them for less than $200.

cheapbastard · 03-09-2007

Andhedrew, don't think I'm too good to buy a used helmet, my current Arai RX7rr Harada replica I got fer $200 slightly used. :-D If I can find another deal like that, I'm sold. :-D

iandel · 03-10-2007

G'day,

I got the Scorpion 700 helmet about a year ago and I have mixed feelings about it.

First the positive.
1. It was the right price, especially with the 20% off which brought it down to around $140.
2. It fits my head, but the 400 didn't so they (the helmets) are different shapes. Your results may vary.
3. Noise levels are reasonable, but not great. IMHO.
4. The vents work very well.
5. It has a really great feature in that if you pour water into the helmet before you put it on, then ride it with the vents open, it acts as a very good evaporative air-conditioner on hot days. This really does work.

Now the negative.
1. The first click open on the visor is waaaay too open.
2. The no-fog visor worked for about 6 months. Now it fogs like any other visor. Anti-fog cleaning spray does work tho. (Sadly, even when the visor did not fog up in the first six months, my glasses did.)

Am I glad I bought it? Apart from the visor opening too wide when you just want to crack it open issue, I am. Will I get another one next time I get a helmet? I think I will try something else. In the price range it is probably still a good buy.

seumas · 03-11-2007

Cheap,
I have two helmets, a Shoei and the Scorpion 700. The Shoei is a little lighter but the Scorpion has better ventilation and is quieter.

Last summer I took a 2300 mile trip to northern California and back in 100+ temps. I wore the Scorpion. Nuff said?

Farron · 03-12-2007

Just walked into a local shop that sells the Scorps (which I have one) and he was all jazzed that they (www.scorpionusa.com) are putting out a new helmet call the EXO-1000. Go to their website and check out the video. They shop guy said it is still in Snell testing but should be out soon but mostly in solid colors. The cool thing about the helmet is the first click is not four inches wide (like another posted listed as a neg, and I agree) but just a bit. It also comes with what I call a fighter pilots visor. A touch of a button and shades pop down.... there are a couple of good thing also but check out the site and video.