Scorpion Helmets - Stay Away

[JC85]

This will be a bit of a rant. So I needed a new helmet for highway riding (I use a half-shell for just riding around my tiny town.) I've always preferred 3/4 over full faced, and I fell in love with the Scorpion Belfast helmet, because of its retro design, comfort reviews, and drop down sun visor. I ordered one from a trusted online retailer, but when it got here and I tried it on, I noticed something odd: the shell felt like it was sliding around, independent of the EPS foam. I pulled the cheek pads, and sure enough, the EPS came right out. After inspecting it, I quickly found the issue: there had only been ONE TINY spot of glue securing the shell to the foam, and it had never actually bonded. I contacted both the retailer and Scorpion. The Scorpion rep (of course) assured me that this was not up to their quality standards, and that the helmet would be covered by warranty. A little while later, the retailer contacted me and said that they would send me a return label, have another helmet shipped out to me, and deal with the warranty process on my behalf, for which I was surely grateful. Today, however, I learned from the retailer that they would, instead, be giving me a full refund, as EVERY SINGLE OTHER Belfast helmet in their stockroom turned out to have the exact same issue, so they are pulling the entire line from their store. So yea...Scorpion Helmets: don't recommend.

[twowheeladdict]

Go with Bell or Biltwell for retro styled helmets. 

[JC85]

Go with Bell or Biltwell for retro styled helmets.

I've always liked the style of the Custom 500, but I also like some modern features, like a drop down sun shield. I ended up going with the LS2 Spitfire to replace the Belfast. Almost identical look, and has the drop down shield that I like. They didn't have a good white option, so I had to go with black, which I'm not crazy about, BUT, it's ECE certified, whereas the Belfast was only DOT, plus has removable liner, a modern, metal quick-connect buckle, and some ventilation, unlike the Belfast, which had none of those features. And it was about $40 cheaper.

[Huzo]

Another example of why on line purchasing is full of pitfalls.
Again, if we all buy garbage on line to save a few measly bucks, the good old bike shop will not be there at 11 am on a Saturday morning when we are about to leave on a ride and find we need something.
Then there’s the rotten caper of going into a shop and trying on helmets, finding the one you want and walking out, only to subsequently buy it on line.
We sort of reap what we sow.
Rant over..

[JC85]

Another example of why on line purchasing is full of pitfalls.
Again, if we all buy garbage on line to save a few measly bucks, the good old bike shop will not be there at 11 am on a Saturday morning when we are about to leave on a ride and find we need something.
Then there’s the rotten caper of going into a shop and trying on helmets, finding the one you want and walking out, only to subsequently buy it on line.
We sort of reap what we sow.
Rant over..

I fully agree. Unfortunately, there's only one small Motorsports shop where I live, and their selection of 3/4 helmets is extremely lacking. 

[fotoguzzi]

I prefer to save face.

 

[twowheeladdict]

Another example of why on line purchasing is full of pitfalls.
Again, if we all buy garbage on line to save a few measly bucks, the good old bike shop will not be there at 11 am on a Saturday morning when we are about to leave on a ride and find we need something.
Then there’s the rotten caper of going into a shop and trying on helmets, finding the one you want and walking out, only to subsequently buy it on line.
We sort of reap what we sow.
Rant over..

My closest motorcycle shop is an hour away, and most shops around here only carry enough selection to sell to the guy who just bought a bike, but doesn't have a helmet.  That is usually the helmet they give with the bike when they sell to the next guy.   

[JC85]

I prefer to save face.

 

I prefer not to crash. 

Fully sarcastic, btw. I know that's the point of a helmet, so that you're protected when you DO crash. I have just never been able to get used to the closed off feeling of a full faced lid.

[Ncdan]

Where's it made? The answer to that question may say all that needs to be said.

[JC85]

Where's it made? The answer to that question may say all that needs to be said.

I'm not sure. I forgot to check for an origin, before sending it back.

[Ncdan]

I'm not sure. I forgot to check for an origin, before sending it back.

Their website indicates it's a US company but now days that's no indication of where a product is made or quality. They do get good rating and have some nice looking products.

[benebob]

I prefer to save face.

 

Nice, wish I had saved mine.  My shield was completely gone but after getting turned into by a drunk driver I must have slide on my face for quite some time.  My chin of the helmet was down to the last 1/4" of foam.  It is tough to rebuild an ugly mug and not make it worse. 

[JC85]

Their website indicates it's a US company but now days that's no indication of where a product is made or quality. They do get good rating and have some nice looking products.

That's what surprised me. They have solid ratings and tour their craftsmanship pretty highly. I'm still waiting to hear back from them as to whether or not they'll be issuing a recall on this helmet.

[davevv]

I have to say I'm a bit surprised by this.  I own one of the higher end Scorpion full face helmets and it's a good piece of kit.  I took a chance on it because I got it at a really low price on a closeout sale.  Seems well made and is comfortable, but is a bit noisier than the Shoeis that I have been wearing for many years.  I still mostly wear a Shoei, but I'm happy with the Scorpion when I do use it.

[kingoffleece]

Bad production run.  It happens.

[s1120]

Bad production run.  It happens.

Ya one bad run, or one bad vender can sink a company. I bet they are glad they found out before the lawyers came.

As for local or mailorder...  I have one shop close to me.. Ive been there twice and wont darken their door a third. not only rude, and unhelpful...  but 30 bucks for a qt of mobil 1?   I did buy my helmet from a shop though...  but it was 45 min away. the local guy?... ya not so much.

[larrys]

Where's it made? The answer to that question may say all that needs to be said.

Hecho en China?
Larry

[zebraranger]

That's pretty unusual for a Scorpion helmet, looks like a production problem with that particular model helmet. I've owned two Scorpion modular helmets (Exo 900 Transformers) since 2012 and found them to be of good quality, comfortable and well made. I don't use them anymore as I've gone with a lighter carbon fiber modular helmet.

[Vagrant]

That's pretty unusual for a Scorpion helmet, looks like a production problem with that particular model helmet. I've owned two Scorpion modular helmets (Exo 900 Transformers) since 2012 and found them to be of good quality, comfortable and well made. I don't use them anymore as I've gone with a lighter carbon fiber modular helmet.

what one? I've had 4 Exo 900's and loved them but I don't like the newer ones.

[flip]

The last 2 helmets I bought for my son were Scorpions and I recently picked up a Scorpion helmet for me to have a backup helmet and all 3 were well made or at least seemed to be.

[twowheeladdict]

I've always liked the style of the Custom 500, but I also like some modern features, like a drop down sun shield. I ended up going with the LS2 Spitfire to replace the Belfast. Almost identical look, and has the drop down shield that I like. They didn't have a good white option, so I had to go with black, which I'm not crazy about, BUT, it's ECE certified, whereas the Belfast was only DOT, plus has removable liner, a modern, metal quick-connect buckle, and some ventilation, unlike the Belfast, which had none of those features. And it was about $40 cheaper.

I have an LS2 modular that I am very happy with.  It is a long oval which fits me pretty well.  Can't wear those round helmets like the Bell retro full face ones. 

[Thirtyaughtsix]

Great for them to own up to it though, not the outcome I was expecting

[JC85]

Great for them to own up to it though, not the outcome I was expecting

Yea, the retailer I bought it from has been great, every step of the way.

[jpv7]

Been using a Snell approved EXO R2000 for a while and i like it better than the Arai products I've had....will replace with another.  Good quality.  Long Oval head..

[zebraranger]

what one? I've had 4 Exo 900's and loved them but I don't like the newer ones.

They were the original first generation purchased in 2012 & 2014.