im about to to purchase my second helmet. im stuck in the middle of buying a scorpion or icon airframe helmet. which one will be the better buy?

I haven't used the Airframe, but I have a Scorpion Exo500 Ardent and I am very happy with this helmet. My previous one was an RF1000 Diabolic 3, so that's my point of comparison. I find it very comfortable, pretty quiet, and it has great features, including the internal sun visor and inflatable cheek pads. The lenses are really good at not fogging. Plus I get compliments on the graphics for it all the time. At a price tag under $250, it's a pretty awesome value.

The one downside I've found are that the original lens was pretty fragile - I was a little surprised at how easily my original one got scratches on it. I had a scratch on it, right in front of my eye, and when I used my fingernail to see if I could just rub it off, my fingernail scratched it more. I bought a colored replacement for $55, which felt pretty high for a helmet I only paid $200 for.

I've had the helmet for about 4 months and in that time I put a few thousand miles on the bike and so far the helmet is in great shape - no real wear to speak of on the padding, no scratches or chips, though I do take pretty good care of it. But like I said, I have replaced the lens once already.

All in all I really like this helmet a lot and definitely recommend it.

C

I have the icon alliance harbinger helmet which has the airframe shell and shield the helmet is amassing when it comes to air flow but is loud and it is a little tricky to get the shield off but once you figure it out it is easy and it has no fog! I say if you can try on both on buy the most comfortable because every helmet has a different shape just like every person has a different shaped head!

Agree with COOTs, my Icon sheild seems to fog up far less than the Shoie or the Zox helmets I have. I have the Icon Domain and it is loud. Big vents take in air well but also they make some freaky noises in the wind. Earplugs should be worn all the time anyway. Takes care of noise issues, pretty much.

I've had Icon's, Scorpion's, Bell's, and Shoei's, all I can say is you get what you pay for. Shoei is the best quality lid I've had by far. My Scorpion started falling apart after only wearing it a handful of times. If you are trying to save a few dollars you should go for the Icon, but if you can afford it I would go for Shoei or Arai.

I like my new one.
Craig

Have used Shoei pretty exclusively over the past 25 years. I picked up a RF1100 in metallic black (matches the 2012 14 ), it is a solid helmet once you never fog the lens. Quiet, solid, good ventilation and lens changes are a snap.... It wasn't cheap, if I remember correctly think I paid $350.

Seno, any chance you could take a picture of yours next to the bike, would love to see how close it matches.

Thanks again.

shoei always, have an x-spirit ABE rep. but its old now, lookng at thew xspirit 2 in black,we only get gloss and matt black here, you guys get a metallic black,
ive had an arai rx7...too noisy,fiddly visor change.

* Last updated by: motero on 7/25/2012 @ 9:22 AM *

Had a Scorpion Exo-1000, now have a Shoei X12.....NEVER going back to Scorpion!

I wouldn't having a shoei or something similar, but I'm trying to stay in the price I want to pay which is about $350

you can buy Shoei qwest for less than 350 dollars.

I got an Arai Quantum for around $300 (when they were normally going for 500+)a couple years ago from these guys:
http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/categories/outlet/street-closeouts/street-helmets

No huge deals currently, but keep checking back.

If I were gonna spend $600 on a lid I'd def look for a way to get my hands on a Nexx. Now there is a lid that is different from all the rest.

IMO, they all ventilate pretty well. They all offer acceptable protection if SNel, DOT approved...and none of them will save your head if you hit a stationary object at +25 mph anyway. They all are friggin noisey in the wind....that goes with the territory and the primary reason we all should wear earplugs all the time.

Buy a lid cuz it looks cool and is lightweight. Nexx. Satisfies all your needs. Doubt if I would own 3 helmets at this time if would have bought in of those in 08.

You'll really notice helmet quality at higher speeds, like at a track day for example. Noise? not so much.

This is the reason I will only wear Arai or Shoei. I, or anyone who gives a shit about walking away from a crash, certainly don't need the distraction of a cheap-assed helmet while on the track, nor it's lower ability to save my melon in any crash scenario.

* Last updated by: ZRXDarryl on 7/25/2012 @ 10:28 AM *

Arai Vector closeout at Bike Bandit for $369

http://www.bikebandit.com/motorcycle-helmets?f=6&utm_source=website&utm_medium=topnavigation_nhp&utm_content=specials&utm_campaign=closeouthelmets

* Last updated by: ZRXDarryl on 7/26/2012 @ 5:01 AM *