So i right now only own a mx helmet that is dot and snell cert. so i am looking into getting a street helmet.

I am looking at spending > 250 USD
Looking to get one with a composite shell and snell 2005 cert.

i have found a few options

KBC VR2 sems like a good helmet about 216 USD

ICON mainframe some review of shotty quality but my dealer tells me its good 185 usd

HJC AC-11 same quality as ICON but a tad cheaper 166USD

Scorpion EXO 700 herd lots of good things and a good price 199 USD

The issue is that the dealers around me only stock ICON, HJC, Shark, and Shoei

I have tried on the KBC and found it fine but i really would like to get the scorpion

My question is what are you guys/girls using and what have you herd about these or other helmets in this price range

I own a Scorpion EXO 400, and I like it a lot.

i read something around the net that scorpion 700 failed a dot/snell test...i was lookin for scorpion to be my next one too....i have kbc...i like it but its noisy...i got an old model though..

I wear an Arai Astral-X.  What I like most about it is I can wear it for hours without it bothering me and the ventilation is great, and it's light.  It is probably about $100 more than your price point though. 

This is the only test that i can find that tests the exo 700 http://motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/hatz/

it is on the snell 2005 list http://www.smf.org/certlist/std_M2005.html
and it says its dot on their web site

if you can find the article i would very much like to read it

Here's the EXO-700 test report by the DOT: http://199.79.180.163/prepos/files/Artemis/Public/OVSC/2005/Test%20Reports/TRTR-637878-21805.pdf. 

It looks like it did fail, take a look at page 30 of the report.  It failed the low tempurature penetration test (it's kinda hard to tell exactly what's up, the rport is a bad scan, and hard to read).  That's a little worrisome.

Arai's are the only way to go!!!!!

I have an ICON mainframe and i love it

her is another pdf saying it failed
i am certianly gonig to email them asking if they did actually recive certification other wise the exo 700 is not actually legal to ride nor will i be purchasing it.

Quote from: ajgs500 on January 13, 2006, 09:46:06 PM
Arai's are the only way to go!!!!!

\

If i had thw money i would buy one but i just dont have 500 Usd to spend on a helmet.

Quote from: Simba on January 13, 2006, 09:59:34 PM

Quote from: ajgs500 on January 13, 2006, 09:46:06 PM
Arai's are the only way to go!!!!!

\

If i had thw money i would buy one but i just dont have 500 Usd to spend on a helmet.

Yeah but the difference is unbelievable.

Save for an extra two weeks or month- it's your brain bucket.  Upmarket helmets are worth it IMO.

I got a Shoei RF-1000 on eBay for $240. The "Storm" graphics model, too. Ahhh eBay.

I've only owned a Scorpion EXO-400, but I haveta say it's a great helmet. I crash tested one unintentionally doin 45 mphs, and it help up fine. I had to replace it, but my noggin's doin great =)

Quote from: AgentNitz on January 15, 2006, 02:40:58 PM
I've only owned a Scorpion EXO-400, but I haveta say it's a great helmet. I crash tested one unintentionally doin 45 mphs, and it help up fine. I had to replace it, but my noggin's doin great =)

you should replace it even if it didn't seem to have damage after doing a crash like that!

Soumy Ventura off ebay for 199.00 ..  Love it.

just got a scorpion exo400 and its a super sweet helmet. 

I also have a Scorpion EXO400 and would recommend it to others.  I tried on a bunch of Shoei's and Arai's and didn't think they fit me as well.  I wore a KBC for a while and it felt incredibly heavy compared to my scorpion...and felt like it pushed my head around much more in the wind on the highway (although it wasn't new when I got it and I didn't use it for very long, so YMMV).

The one complaint I've heard from several folks about the Scorpions is that the first notch the shield opens to is quite wide (it opens the bottom about an inch), which is a bit much if you just want to let a little air in while you're moving.  There isn't a way to open it "just a crack".  They are also noticably loud (wind noise)...but not a problem with earplugs.

Simba:  the advice that has been posted here repeatedly is to try them all on...every helmet you can get your mitts on.  What works for someone else might not work for you.  Wear one around the shop for 15 minutes or so to make sure it doesn't sqeeze in the wrong places (which could lead to headaches).  Try to pull it off your head (push up on the chin, pull up on the back).  Most of the premier helmets are going to provide similar features (lightweight, aerodynamics, configurable ventilation, anti-fog, etc.).  Many folks here also point out that the Scorpions have similar quality features, but at <1/2 the price of the likes of the Arai's or Shoei's. 

Try on helmets even if they're out of your price range.  Depending on your results trying them on, you might find it's worthwhile to spend the extra money on a premier helmet.  Then again, you might find that you don't have a Shoei-shaped head.

Quote from: solarpulse on January 15, 2006, 03:03:31 PM
you should replace it even if it didn't seem to have damage after doing a crash like that!

Yep yep, I agree. I took all the padding out to look at the foam insert, and it had several breaks in it. Kinda scary =P But yeah, I replaced it with another EXO-400, but this time it has neat lil graphics on it =P Mebbe the next time I get som
e cash, I'll start getting matching gear =P