Need Help Choosing A Helmet!!!

[97BlownSaleen]

Icon Airframe Inferno


Price: $330

Scorpion EXO1000 Apollo


Price: $350

both helmets are dot and snell approved

keep in mind that this is my riding jacket

[BluGixxer]

Things I think off when picking a helmet..
How bad do small scratches show
and can someone pick me out of a line up when the police ask who was speeding..

BTW I like the second..apollo..

Which one has better cooling vents..??

[97BlownSaleen]

im not a fast rider...more of a cruiser, so the police line up thing doesnt really affect me the venting are both actually the same and the apollo actually has a air pump sysptem for the check pads for your comfort

[Omahastylin16]

easy choice, icon lid looks ghey

[GixerJockey]

They're both junk.

Does either one of them fit your head correctly? The crown of your head.
The part where a baseball hat would sit. Forget about the cheeks, that's not what holds a helmet on your dome. As a matter of fact, take them right out of the helmet when trying for fitment (if you can).

If you can't positively answer that question, then you have more homework to do. Don't buy a helmet because it might match your jacket. But a helmet that:

A) fits you correctly
B) doesn't weigh a ton (Icon)
C) Doesn't try to justify the price tag by adding useless gadgets to the same 'ol POS helmet (Didn't Reebok abandon the "Pump" idea years ago?)

[97BlownSaleen]

the helmets both fit me comfortably...so style and appaence is my next option and these are the two helmets im choosing between and thank you for your opinion

[GixerJockey]

the helmets both fit me comfortably...

Notice I didn't say comfortably. I said correctly. I'm harping on this because most people don't know what correct fit is. If you leave it up to customers to judge fitment themselves, more often than not, they choose a helmet that is too large because they think it's "comfortable". That helmet that is too big will not stay on in the event of a crash and will not protect anything. Trust me. I help customers size helmets every day.


Here's a decent article on fitting a helmet.

[Sheppo]

Notice I didn't say comfortably. I said correctly. I'm harping on this because most people don't know what correct fit is. If you leave it up to customers to judge fitment themselves, more often than not, they choose a helmet that is too large because they think it's "comfortable". That helmet that is too big will not stay on in the event of a crash and will not protect anything. Trust me. I help customers size helmets every day.


Here's a decent article on fitting a helmet.

+1 Listen to Noel. I can't echo what he is saying enough.

[G21forme]

I was looking at scorpions but the fit and finish was kinda cheap not to mention some models are very heavy. Bought a shoei rf-1000 for 302$ shipped from these guys and effin love it. http://www.compacc.com/s/Bargains_Sp...ce.cfm/y/0/f/3


Hey Dave, was that you I passed riding 128 yesterday?

[Awesome]

Read the tags on your icon gear, then ask youself if you trust it with your brain. I forget if it was scorpion that had some older arai engineers working for them, but there is a good quality helmet company for pretty short money. Icon is a show brand not a safety brand.

[SRTie4k]

I think all too often people like to rag on Icon because they go crazy with their street designs, and they get dismissed as crap helmets that fall apart in a wreck. I've heard it a million times and it all sounds like the same nonsense as with Hyundai cars reliability or American cars build quality. Icon helmets all have the same crash test approvals that the others do (DOT, Snell2005, ECE) and are made of the same or similar materials. They may be a bit heavier (not noticeable with mine, but I'm used to wearing a kevlar helmet after having been in the Marine Corps for 4 years), but they still do the same thing.

I've read lots of accounts of lowsides, highsides and everything else where an Icon helmet held up just fine skidding across the pavement for 50ft. Obviously with every helmet manufacturer, there will always be a "bad apple" out of the bunch, and there will always be those few helmets that break up, I guess its just up to you to decide which you feel safer with. For some, it's Shoei, Arai or nothing. For others, riding in Icon or Shark helmets are just fine, all of them have proved their metal.

Find some helmets that you like, read some reviews on them ahead of time and then decide which is best for you. That's how I chose my helmet, and I have not been disappointed with it yet.

[hammadown]

Read the tags on your icon gear, then ask youself if you trust it with your brain. I forget if it was scorpion that had some older arai engineers working for them, but there is a good quality helmet company for pretty short money. Icon is a show brand not a safety brand.

+1 and +1 to noel, doug, and dave. If I had to choose between theses two it is scorpion all day long (assuming it fits correctly). Blacksquirrel races them and swears by them. He also has lots of experience crashing them and he is still walking somehow. I haven't the slightest how the Icon is even snell approved, but there is lots of controversy in that department anyhow. Its your choice, but I'd go with proven gear...especially when it comes to the mellon!

[Hauptman]

I agree with Jockey. Those are two of the heaviest helmets you can buy. The air pump system in the Exo is a novelty item but if it were between the two I say Exo 1000. If you're going to buy a Scorpion then save some money and buy a 700. It is lighter and doesn't have as much stuff to break. In reality you should look at the usuals...Arai, Shoei, Suomy, Shark and you'll be able to find a deal that puts you in the same price range. You'll even get super dope cool fly bombastic graphics too!!!! Also from what I hear, the 1000 is poor at ventilation.

[DaSarge]

Everyone in this thread made great points, think about the advice that was given. AGV also makes some helmets in that price range you are looking at, check 'em out.

PS This guy needs a lesson in poll making...Beet is nekkid, bemused???

[BluGixxer]

I have a shoei rf 1000 and 2 rf 900, very simmiler , vents need some work along with the weight.. I found that when leaned over the back base of the shoei rubbed the collar of my jacket , witch made it feel heavy , and worked my neck muscles to much.. arai didn't seam to have that problem..

[Kurlon]

I agree with Jockey. Those are two of the heaviest helmets you can buy. The air pump system in the Exo is a novelty item but if it were between the two I say Exo 1000. If you're going to buy a Scorpion then save some money and buy a 700. It is lighter and doesn't have as much stuff to break. In reality you should look at the usuals...Arai, Shoei, Suomy, Shark and you'll be able to find a deal that puts you in the same price range. You'll even get super dope cool fly bombastic graphics too!!!! Also from what I hear, the 1000 is poor at ventilation.

I've worn both the Airframe and a Corsair 5 back to back, if there is a weight difference, it's not much. The Airframe is Icon's attempt to compete with Arai on features, including replaceable cheek pads and a fully removable/replaceable interior. My only complaint, it seemed to have less of a view angle than the Arai, visibly cutting into my peripheral vision. I ended up with Icon's 'hooligan' instead, as I preferred the lack of pin lock on the visor, it fit my head shape a touch better, and it had slightly better peripheral range of vision. It's still not noticeably heavier than the Arai XD it'll be replacing for the track. The dealer I bought it from knows me, and recommended it knowing it was going to be my race helmet. More importantly, he knows my wife, and wouldn't advise a helmet if he didn't trust it. He's an Arai fan and dealer as well, so it's not like the option wasn't there.

So, that said, I know nothing about Scorpion helmets so I can't give any advice there. On the Icon, try a Mainframe out as well, as the head shape seems to be slightly different than the Airframe line. As noted already, go with a helmet that fits properly.

[97BlownSaleen]

im getting a really good discount on these helmets thats way im choosing between the 2...th shoie and aria that i like are way out of my price range even with the great discount i already get...the place i deal with wouldnt let me buy any of these if they felt they werent reliable helmets as...thank you all for the great information and helping me make a decision

[97BlownSaleen]

PS This guy needs a lesson in poll making...Beet is nekkid, bemused???

Care to explain???

[GixerJockey]

Care to explain???

Every poll must have a third choice of either: "Bemused" or "Beet is naked"...


That's the rules...

[Mondo]

ICON = :ooogayed:

[97BlownSaleen]

Every poll must have a third choice of either: "Bemused" or "Beet is naked"...


That's the rules...

i must have missed that tps report...good to know for next time

[Pigman]

Arai Nuff said.....ebay all day long

[marshdrummer]

I used to have an Icon domain decay...Until I lowsided. Held up perfectly seeing I went face first on the tar for 30ft. Was a bit heavy (have a Suomy now) and fogged up ALOT, but nothing raising the visor 1/8" didn't cure. Air flow was pretty good and was comfortable (fit my head well). Can't comment about the Scorpion, sorry...

[Awesome]

I think all too often people like to rag on Icon because they go crazy with their street designs, and they get dismissed as crap helmets that fall apart in a wreck. I've heard it a million times and it all sounds like the same nonsense as with Hyundai cars reliability or American cars build quality. Icon helmets all have the same crash test approvals that the others do (DOT, Snell2005, ECE) and are made of the same or similar materials. They may be a bit heavier (not noticeable with mine, but I'm used to wearing a kevlar helmet after having been in the Marine Corps for 4 years), but they still do the same thing.

I've read lots of accounts of lowsides, highsides and everything else where an Icon helmet held up just fine skidding across the pavement for 50ft. Obviously with every helmet manufacturer, there will always be a "bad apple" out of the bunch, and there will always be those few helmets that break up, I guess its just up to you to decide which you feel safer with. For some, it's Shoei, Arai or nothing. For others, riding in Icon or Shark helmets are just fine, all of them have proved their metal.

Find some helmets that you like, read some reviews on them ahead of time and then decide which is best for you. That's how I chose my helmet, and I have not been disappointed with it yet.

Have you ever seen anything icon on a racetrack? If you're going to disagree and discount my advice you should give some kind of evidence that supports your 'just as good' statement? Snell and DOT ratings mean next to nothing, you can get a half shell beany with a snell rating.

I used to have an Icon domain decay...Until I lowsided. Held up perfectly seeing I went face first on the tar for 30ft. Was a bit heavy (have a Suomy now) and fogged up ALOT, but nothing raising the visor 1/8" didn't cure. Air flow was pretty good and was comfortable (fit my head well). Can't comment about the Scorpion, sorry...

The impact is what makes the difference, anything out there that covers you is going to protect from scrapes.

[MissTwisties]

marshdrummer...THAT is a scarry picture. Ouch...I can only imagines the damage to a face without the helmet...ugh