My previous tests of Scorpion products have led me to expect quality gear at prices that don’t pinch the pocket. I’ve been pleased with each one and looked forward to a similar experience with its EXO-AT950 adventure helmet.
Out of the box, this lid was everything I want in a helmet. Fully dressed with its wide-view face shield and rakish visor peak, the look and function are perfect for exploring on my BMW F 800 GS. Although the peak fluttered a bit under certain highway conditions aboard that bike, on others it was rock steady.
Without it the AT becomes a street helmet, perfect for my Yamaha sportbike, while swapping the face shield for goggles makes it dirt ready. Scorpion makes it easy to change the shield—this one goes on and off in seconds with only a nickel for a tool (to remove the peak).
Inside, the AT950 provides a cushy head bed with a soft, anti-microbial Kwik-Wick lining that pops out for cleaning. After swapping the original, too-thick cheek pads for the thinner set that now ships with the helmet, an over-snug headspace became comfortable for long rides.
Senior Editor Greg “Dangerous” Drevenstedt installed a comms system in the available speaker pockets in his AT, describing the task as “easy.” In warm weather, the AT’s comfort gets a boost from a wide spring-loaded top vent large enough to find and operate with a gloved hand. Pop it open and air courses through channels in the dual-density EPS liner for noticeable top-end cooling, exiting via twin exhaust vents at the rear.
When installed, the flow-through peak doesn’t hinder the flow. Up front, the chin vent is screened to prevent bug intake, and directs a modicum of air to the face.
The AT features a matte-finish, proprietary polycarbonate shell, said to minimize weight (our size small test unit weighs 3.8 pounds) and disperse impact (not tested, any volunteers out there?). Its sculpted form helps control wind noise, and doesn’t catch neck-snapping air during head checks.
By making three shell sizes for sizes XS through 3XL helmets, Scorpion minimizes exterior dimensions throughout the range. At first glance, most people don’t notice the AT950’s modular design, very handy for gas stops or a quick drink. The chinbar opens via a central button and secures with two full-metal latches, though it lacks EPS foam inside.
My favorite AT attributes are the expansive eye port and its distortion- and fog-free face shield. Anti-scratch hardening is standard for the tight-sealing shield. Second is the drop-down sun visor, sporting a dual-sided fog-free coating and a short-throw slide control. It’s a welcome assist when the sun is searing my eyeballs, dimming the blazing orb and allowing me to concentrate on the road.
Scorpion’s DOT-approved EXO-AT950 is a versatile helmet that met my high expectations, and I look forward to wearing it on many future rides. MSRP is $269.95 for solid colors and $289.95 for the Neocon (shown) and Battleflage models. Scorpion covers the AT with a five-year warranty.
For more information, see your dealer or visit scorpionusa.com.
I bought this helmet to go with my V Strom with aftermarket windscreen. Despite all that I really like about it, the fit, the look and the versatility of it, I found one thing I really don’t like about it.
Ventilation.
More accurately, the lack thereof.
At anything less than highway speeds, I find my self leaving the visor up all the way at low speeds and open ‘one click’ )(about 1 inch, maybe less.
When I do this, I found my ears ringing after a full day’s ride. Wasn’t sure why, but then I got some very good earplugs.
What the earplugs revealed was a very low frequency beating from the wind entering the helmet. I hadn’t noticed it before due to the use of my cardo crankin’ out my ridin’ tunes.
When the visor is all the way down, there’s no problem, other than I feel like I’m running out of air, but maybe that’s just me.
There’s no issue with fogging up even on colder mornings unless the vents are closed.
For me, it’s almost the perfect helmet. Almost.
Now I’m looking for another helmet. One that breathes better and is quieter with the visor or chinbar up.
After about a year of steady use I’m still very attached to the Scorpion Exo AT950. This was going to be a temporary helmet until I got my beloved Shoei Neocon fixed. As it turns out, getting a small sun visor clip replaced on a Shoei helmet is a big deal and an even bigger hassle. Shoei wont send the part, I have to send them the helmet and potentially get denied repair because of scratches. So, thus it’s still sitting on the shelf.
Most of my riding is local commuting with plenty of stops and helmet on and off several times during jaunts. Occasionally 2-3 hour rides with no helmet issues on the AT950. It’s quite comfy and my Cardo speakers work well inside. My bike has a wind shield and I do leave the visor up quite a bit unless behind trucks, on the highway, etc. It’s probably my riding style but I haven’t had noise or ventilation issue as mentioned above.
Scorpion gets huge points from me on customer service! Recently the pull lever for the chin bar broke, so I simply called Scorpion customer service and without question or hesitation they sent out a replacement that day. Not just the lever but they sent an entire chin bar to make the repair quite easy. Thanks Scorpion – You Guys ROCK!!!
Scorpion Exo helmets are very attractive in the under $200 price segment. In my sixteen year’s riding experience without ventilation, it was my best helmet. Thanks for this great review.