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Scott_in_nh
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 10:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

So I need a new helmet, in fact I should have replaced my AGV last year as it now has 5 seasons on it and even worse, the cheek padding has broke down to the point that the wind can easily push the chin bar against my chin.
I am not a big fan of the current Snell rating as I think it is too stiff, but I have to have a Snell helmet to drag race. I thought about buying 2 helmets, but one is all that is in the budget right now so it has to be Snell. Maybe next year I will add a Euro spec helmet with that star rating system that Rocket posted about.
Here are my criteria:
$300 or less
In descending order of importance to me;
Safety
Looks and Weight (equally important)
Venting and Noise (equally important)

I was very interested in the Scorpion EXO-1000, but after reading a review I don’t like the weight, don’t need the cheek pump and think the tinted visor thing could have been done better. Same review mentioned that the EXO-700 didn’t add much that the 400 didn’t have, so maybe I will take another look at that 400.
I have some CF on my S3, but am not addicted to it, and have taken another look at the HJC Carbon. It reviewed very well and meets my criteria. I know some have take issue with the quality of their visor system, but I have a bigger concern.
There is a persistent rumor that HJC helmets in general are too stiff and that has lead to injuries. I’ve even heard the rumor (though I do not personally believe it) that NHIS (NH International Speedway) does not allow HJC helmets after several head injuries to riders wearing the brand.
Thoughts on Scorpion and HJC?
What other lids should I be looking at that meet my criteria?

(Message edited by scott_in_nh on February 01, 2008)
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Ducxl
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 10:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

AAAaaaayyyyy...again with the drag racing
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I'M KIDDING! I'M KIDDING! Don't Slaughter me!

Raise you spending limit to $600 and get an outstanding ARAI
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Scott_in_nh
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 10:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I see no evidence that the extra $300 will buy me anything (and I don't have it so it is a moot point). Some say better build quality, others disagree.
Stop being a wuss who's afraid to lose and bring that X1 to the track with us!
Or be a real man and bring that Duc!
: ]
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Typeone
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 10:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

i bought my Shoei X-11 local for $350 a few years ago. best helmet ive ever owned (for my head at least), it's light weight, vents incredibly well, shields are easy to operate, liner is removable and washable.

mighta been a fluke but i found it at Performance Cycle in Shrewsbury, MA. now that i think of it, those guys always seem to have great deals going on gear and supplies.
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Redponcho
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 10:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I was very happy with my Icon Mainframe. Good fit and quality. It even held up very well when I went down. I replaced it with the Icon Decay carbon fiber. I think the decay has more wind noise and not much lighter than the mainframe. If I had to do it again I would buy another mainframe. Plus I like there designs.
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Xl1200r
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 11:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Scott -

I really like my Icon as well, but they are on the heavy side for the most part.

I just bought a new helmet - picked up a Suomy, which are not Snell but still pass all kinds of euro spec rating and are passed by racing organizations, etc. This isn't important to me, so as long as it has some third parties stamp of approval on it I'm good with it. Plus, they are generally known for being very light weight.

I have the Spec 1R which will cost a little more than your budget, but they have other models in the range that will fit your budget (Ventura is $300 on helmetcity.com).

Of course none of this really matters unless the thing fits you well, so it all depends on what your head is shaped like.
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Xb9er
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 12:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

scorpion exo-1000 $319 after tax best helmet ever
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Henry_the_8th
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 12:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Check out the Scorpion lids. I tried on the EXO-700 and loved the fit, very comfortable. The helmets have been getting good reviews, although I don't own one. The thing felt almost as light as the Arai and Shoei. They look good and seem well built. Check out the helmet reviews on http://www.webbikeworld.com
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Doerman
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 12:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have a Scorp 400. The fit, venting and light weight is great. The negative is some wind noise (not too bad) and a clunky shield release mechanism. I think it's a great deal at $160.
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Scott_in_nh
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 12:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

scorpion exo-1000 $319 after tax best helmet ever

I have thought for the last six months that this would be my next helmet, but after reading a review on webbikeworld I tend to agree with their findings as noted in my original post.

I briefly tried on a EXO-700 while I was in San Fran last spring and liked the quality and the shape was good, but I felt the XL was just ever so slightly to large and the L was a bit small.

To the others that responded, I think that Icon are made by HJC so it would be the same questions as the HJC.
I would be happy to buy a helmet meeting Euro race standards but only Snell is recognized by the IHRA at least at my local track.
The Shoei X-11
is nice, but is it $90 nicer than the HJC Carbon?
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Xl1200r
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 01:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I think that Icon are made by HJC

Icon is a brand that sits under Parts Unlimited. Not sure if the helmets are outsourced to HJC or what, but I would be surprised if they were - the two feel totally different in my hands and on my head.
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Scott_in_nh
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 01:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

but I would be surprised if they were - the two feel totally different in my hands and on my head.

I'm not implying they are the same helmet re-branded, just that they are possibly OEM'd by HJC.
Ski boots are that way - completely different brand name, fit and features fro
m the same factory...
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Lastcyclone
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 03:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

After three Scorpions, I think they are the best buy and value for the price.
But this past year, I have converted to a flip up and I think they are the greatest thing going. If Scorpion made one, I would get it.
They don't, so I chose a KBC FFR.
Took a little to get used to it.
Slightly heavy, a little noisy.
But, you flip it up at low speeds, to get fresh air, when you need to talk to someone, when you need to sneeze or spit.
Theese benefits more than made up for the drawbacks.


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Phat_j
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 08:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

try the scorpion again, the cheek pads are interchangable so you can get the fit adjusted to you.... not to mention, they have THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE I HAVE EVER HAD AN EXPERIENCE WITH PERIOD.... EVER.
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Jramsey
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 09:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Whats your head worth?
What shape is your head? round? long oval? something in between?
Buy what fits and is comfortable,graphics and paint jobs can be added later.
I myself won't wear anything that doesn't have a fiberglass or carbon fiber shell,preferably the former.
If you drop it on the floor from a short distance say 12" and it bounces whats your head going to do in a crash?scrambled egg's come to mind, their supposed to absorb impact, not keep your ears and scalp on so you can have an open casket funeral.
Helmet are a one time use item as far as damage is concerned.
I've ruined three so far in the past thirty eight years and I still function reasonably well thanks to Bill Simpson.
Like I said whats your head worth?
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Brumbear
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 09:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

sorry bro I can not find the article I am looking for they make a new helmet with the PUMP remember the sneakers same cocept looked pretty cool if you like that form fitting feel I will keep looking post it if I find it
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Brumbear
Posted on Friday, February 01, 2008 - 09:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

exo 1000 seems to be it
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Scott_in_nh
Posted on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 09:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ok, so I might get an EXO-400 that I found a great deal on, but I cannot find anybody anywhere close where I can try them on again. My head measures 58.42 cm (23 inches).

My AGV is a large and I believe it has (or had) a proper, but not overly snug fit and was comfortable right away around my head and tight on the cheeks until the cheek pads broke in. They call for 58cm for med. and 60 cm for large.

In HJC I would also wear a large. I own a med. HJC passenger helmet and I can get it on but it is uncomfortably snug. Their large is for a 59-60 cm. and for reference their med. is for 57-58 cm.

I’ve also tried on Shoei and need a large. They are showing again 60cm. for a large and 58 cm for a med.

From what I remember from when I tried on the Scorpion, I put on a large and I was expecting it to be more comfortably from everything I had read about them. I remember having trouble closing my mouth as the cheeks were that snug and it was very tight around my head, with maybe a pressure point on my forehead. They call for 59-60 cm for the large.
I put on an extra large and it was snug on my cheeks and I could close my mouth but I cannot accurately recall if it was snug enough around the noggin. It wasn’t loose at all, but I’m not sure if it was tight enough. They list xl as 61-62 cm.

I would say my head is between round and oval, but closer to round.

What size do you Scorpion owners wear and what do you measure (please include your measurement - it doesn’t do me any good without it, inches are fine)
Thanks

(Message edited by scott_in_nh on February 04, 2008)
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Wolfridgerider
Posted on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 09:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My head measures 58.42 cm (23 inches).

I just measured my grape twice and came up with 23" each time.

I have had 3 EXO X-Large helmets.
1 EXO 700, crashed, my head is still intact
1 EXO 400, crashed, no different (my head is right where I left it)
I hope the 3rd one doesn't visit the pavement any time soon....

For the $$$.$$ I would go with the EX400
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Doerman
Posted on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 10:44 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My head is 22-3/4".
I wear an EXO 400
In size L

(almost sounds like a AA introduction)

The L is just appropriately snug on me and fits me very well. I agree with you, it is kind of disturbing to buy a helmet w/o trying it on first.

CycleGear (www.cyclegear.com) lets you order and if it does not fit, you can send it back OR take it back to the local store. The closest local stores to you is Manchester and Orange, CT.
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Xb9er
Posted on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 11:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

my exo 1000 has the sneaker pump
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Scott_in_nh
Posted on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 12:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

my exo 1000 has the sneaker pump

How do you like it? How about the visor?
What size do you wear and what measurement is your noggin?
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Badlionsfan
Posted on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 04:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

are there any shark rsx users around?
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Xb9er
Posted on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 06:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

not sure of my melon measurement but my exo is a XXL, for comparison i have a airborne 2 kbc and it is a XL. I love the sneaker pump, it helps the pads perfectly form to your face. the inside sun shield is great, but when your riding towards the sun there is a glare. I am very very pleased with this helmet
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Scott_in_nh
Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 09:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ok so I just bought a EXO-400 Radium Titanium in XL from sportbiketrackgear on ebay for $99.95 and free shipping along with the Aeroskirt for $6.95 and free shipping with the helmet.
I wasn't going to buy a helmet yet but they only have a few left on closeout....
thanks for your input!
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