Review: Scorpion EXO-1000

[Botch]

I put a deposit down on one of these puppies last August, it arrived two nights ago (a month ahead of schedule!) and fortunately the roads are still clear (BIG snowstorm en route tomorrow) so I got to use it a bit.

This is my first brand-new helmet, my first lid came with the bike, slightly used, a flat-black "G-Max" modular, that just happened to fit me OK. The Scorpion is a very good-looking helmet, I got a gloss silver with white and red trim, very classy looking. Oh, and a new helmet has a "new car" smell that's great!

I guess I don't have too much to say about the pump-up cheek system; when I put it on it fit my head perfectly as-is. I did pump up the pads but they just squashed my cheeks; guess I'm a jowly good fellow. It did seem to take quite a few pumps to feel a change, I'm glad I won't be using that feature. The helmet is much harder to put on than my old modular, but once its on it was very comfortable.

I was really anxious to see how the anti-fog faceshield would work. Wore it driving to work yesterday morning, it was 32 F on the nose. The faceshield didn't fog up at all, but about halfway to work I started seeing condensation droplets forming on the inside, which were almost as distracting. I got to work and started wiping them off, then noticed that I had ALL the vents closed! d'Oh!!! This morning was the same temperature; with just the front/bottom vent open, the faceshield stayed absolutely clear, even at long stoplights. I'm stoked about that, just hope the coating or whatever they use lasts a good long time.

Airflow/ventilation was fine, but the helmet was pretty loud (think I'd read that on another review too), just a bit louder than my old modular helmet, which was a bit disappointing. I usually wear earplugs on the Interstate so it won't be a big deal to me.

The integral flip-down sunscreen was one of the biggest factors in my buying this helmet. It works well, although the tint is a bit light; it worked fine mid-day yesterday, but that was under low-angle winter sun, don't know if it'll be enough next summer. Maybe if enough people complain Scorpion will come out with a darker sunscreen (they're easily removable).

All in all, I'm happy; if the antifog lasts I'll be extremely happy!

[Bo67]

Thanks Botch, I noted about the light shield tint on a previous post in another thread. Overall though, it seems like a decent helmet to me.
Was going to let the snow we're sending you be a surprise but seems like you already had some intel on that.....drats. Took the car today and will take it to work tomorrow since the roads are a little messy here. Have a good one.

[VEGASRIDER]

Did you notice anything unusual about the extra weight of the helmet. I've heard that the helmet is on the heavy side.

[Botch]

Originally Posted by VEGASRIDER

Did you notice anything unusual about the extra weight of the helmet. I've heard that the helmet is on the heavy side.

My trusty kitchen scale says it weighs 4 lb 3 oz, 5 oz more than my G-max. I haven't really noticed a difference while wearing it, and I took a 40-mile ride yesterday afternoon (it's been raining all morning here, and SNOWING in the mountains, Wo0T!!!)
Last summer I tried on a carbon fiber helmet (believe it was an HJC) that was wonderfully light, but it was expensive, and black.

EDIT: I just noticed on the webBikeWorld helmet weight chart they list the EXO 1000's weight as 4 lb 1/4 oz; I'm assuming their scale is more accurate than my kitchen scale full of marinara sauce...

[codeblue]

web bike world has a very good review on the EXO 1000.
But I'm more interested on the Schuberth J1. Does anyone have any experience with the J1 or heard of it... good or bad (like the price, ouch).

[reiobard]

do you have any pics of the hemet, i might be looking for a replacement to my Suomy come springtime.

[bd43]

Well, I couldn't take it any longer. I pulled out the cheek pads and helmet liner and gave them a wash. Something about it smells like chocolate in there when new? Botch, did you have a problem with the smell? The wash water didn't look to good afterwards either. I wonder what they do to it. Anyway, mine is the dark silver Apollo in medium and weights 4lbs, 2 oz, slightly higher than my old Bell Apex at 3lbs, 14oz. I haven't taken it on the road yet so I can't comment on ventilation or noise. Wearing it around the house I felt the cheek pads pressing in around my mouth and found after a while that I start to drool. I thought that would only happen while I was riding on the bike but this helmet does it for you. Overall, I am happy with the purchase.

[Botch]

Originally Posted by biker_dude43

I pulled out the cheek pads and helmet liner and gave them a wash. Something about it smells like chocolate in there when new? Botch, did you have a problem with the smell? The wash water didn't look to good afterwards either.

Congrats on your purchase! I didn't have a chocolate smell that I noticed.
Do have one update: first, Scorpion do sell several different sunshields, but I've found that the "light" tint on the stock one is just fine, driving around in bright sunlit snow didn't make me squint at all. It must have good UV filters built in or something.

[reiobard]

Nice looking helmet, looks very comfy.

[madmanmaigret]

I am not sure if the visors are the same on the exo-700 & the exo-1000 but for the 700 they have a photo-chromatic (auto tinting) visor. so if the flip down visor isn't quite enough get the photo-chromatic with it and you should be fine! nice lid!