Scorpion EXO-400 Helmet Review

Ya know we named our site Cheap Motorcycle helmets online for many reasons but some people are confused by the term "cheap."  Cheap does not have to mean inferior and that is definitely the case with the Scorpion EXO-400 helmet.  It is the entry level offering from Scorpion but I have to tell you, you wouldn't know it to wear it.

Ya see, Scorpion makes some pretty darn nice helmets and the EXO-400 is one of them, despite the fact that it is their entry level helmet.   I'd rank Scorpion helmets base model ahead of some other much "higher end" helmets from some high profile brands.

We've already reviewed the Scorpion EXO-700 and the Scorpion EXO-1000 so we figured why not get our hands on the little brother and complete the EXO lineup.   The bar was set pretty high with both of those helmets so it will be interesting to see how the little brother stacks up.

Let's Get to It.

First Impression

I always love opening a new helmet box and it's amazing how often the first impression sets the stage for things to come.  The Scorpion EXO-400 did not disappoint as it simply felt good in my hands on the first touch.  It feels like a quality helmet, it looks well put together and the fit and finish was pretty darn good for what is supposedly an entry level helmet.

I am a bit of gear snob as I like to ride with quality stuff both for the protection factor as well as the envy factor....yep I can admit it.  I like having cool stuff so my friends will want one too.  Petty...maybe....uncommon....definitely not.  I have to say though that this 150 dollar helmet was NICE.  It could easily fill the need of a guy that only has the bones for one helmet.  This is a cheap motorcycle helmet that really is cheap but is also high quality.

However, beauty if only skin deep and first impressions don't mean everything so let's dig a little deeper.

Paint and Graphics

Like most helmets you can save a few bucks by buying it in a solid color but what's the fun in that.  Scorpion offers several graphic combinations that will give your helmet a nice visual pop that most riders crave.  Our favorites from the Scorpion lineup were the Scorpion Sting, Scorpion Tribal and last but not least the Scorpion Octane.  Each of those graphic combinations are available in different base color combinations as well, so you are sure to find the perfect helmet for you.

You will be happy to hear that the decals are applied perfectly and they look far better in person than the pictures do them justice.  The clear coat is smoothly applied and looks an inch thick so it's sure to keep your helmet protected from nicks and scratches as well as the fading effects of the sun.

First impression........sweet!

Helmet Shape and Interior

Helmet fit is always very subjective because what feels great to one head shape, is not so comfortable on another head shape.  I would describe the EXO-400 as a neutral shaped helmet.  It's not round but rather slightly oval and should fit the majority of riders head shapes very well.

The helmet liner is made of a moisture wicking material that Scorpion calls "Kwik Wik" and it's both removeable and washable along with the cheek pads as well.  We were surprised to find that the cheek pads were removeable, which is uncommon at this price point of helmet. The liner had a nice smooth feeling and the padding was very plush and very comfortable....no disappointment here.

Also if you've never bought a new Scorpion helmet before, they smell like chocolate.  Yes....you read it right....chocolate.  The first time we smelled a Scorpion helmet, we thought it was a mistake or a fluke but after reviewing a few and talking with other Scorpion owners, its obvious that it's an OEM feature.  I have to say that I found it annoying and not a nice addon.

Scorpion...whatever the joke is.....lose the chocolate smell.

Helmet Weight

Helmet weight is another one of those features that is overrated in our opinion.  Sure a helmet shouldn't be too heavy but in some cases, it shouldn't be too light either.  As long as your helmet feels good on your head and is made correctly, you will barely feel it under power anyways.

Because it is important to some though, we try to include it in all of our reviews.  Our XL Scorpion EXO-400 weighed in just under 4lbs coming in at 3 lbs and 14 oz.  This is definitely no lightweight but we were not surprised at this price point for the weight to come in right around that mark.

If it needs defending though, I have to say the Scorpion EXO-400 does not "feel" like a heavy helmet and under power, we barely felt it on our head.  That is the sign of a well designed helmet though, the aerodynamics should make it almost weightless as is the case with this one.

Polycarbonate helmets are traditionally heavier than a fiberglass or carbon fiber helmet and the Scorpion sports a polycarbonate shell, so no surprise.  It should be noted that regardless of the weight or the shell material, the EXO-400 carries both DOT and Snell.

Scorpion EXO-400 Visor

The Scorpion EXO-400's visor gave us little to write about other than to say it's thick enough to feel quality and clear enough with no distortion to also function like a quality visor.  It fit against the eye port very well and sealed nicely.  The lifting mechanism only has 5 detents with the first one being wider than I prefer but certainly no deal breaker.

One of the few dings I would give the Scorpion helmets is the visor removal system.  Now don't get me wrong, none of them are all that difficult but the Scorpion "SpeedShift" system is just one of those that takes some fiddling to get the visor off.  I suppose after you own the helmet for a while it would be a simple process but it seemed overly fussy to us.

Scorpion's website claims that the visor is treated with an anti-fog coating.  We didn't experience the right kind of weather during our test to give it a try but I am sure considering how well put together the rest of the helmet is, that it works as expected.

Scorpion Helmet Noise

If you are a noise junkie then the Scorpion EXO 400 is not going to be a disappointment.  It exhibited typical noise characteristics of similar helmets and we found it to be much quieter on a bike with no fairing than a bike with a fairing but this is not that uncommon.

The fairing can dump the airflow right under your chin and this is bound to make most helmets noisier than if the flow was directed up or around the helmet shell.  I didn't notice any kind of whistling around the venting system as can be typical on some helmets.

Helmet noise is another one of my pet peeves when it comes to writing these reviews.  You can take the same helmet on the same bike on two different riders and get vastly different interpretations of the noise.  Suffice to say, the Scorpion EXO-400 was at least as quiet as any other helmet that I have tried in this price range and actually quieter than some higher end helmets.

Scorpion EXO Venting

Anyone who has read any of my previous reviews knows that the venting system is important to me.  I live in Georgia and it gets HOT in the summer.  I love helmets that flow a LOT of air and despise helmets that don't.

The top vent on the Scorpion EXO-400 has a horizontal tab that opens and closes the top vent and a small rocker lever operated the two vertical vents.  Too complicated and too many levers in my opinion.  They are small and hard to find and operate if you wear gloves.  It might be easier once you own the helmet for a while but I was annoyed at this feature.

The chin vent also has a small vertical switch that operates the vent but the vent is small and exhausts onto the back of the visor only, nothing across your face.  The EXO-400 is also equipped with two rear lower exhaust vents as well as a top exhaust vent that can be closed via an on/off switch.  I still can't figure out why manufacturers allow this vent to close, it would seem that it could be open full time with no repercussions but maybe it's a cold weather thing?  Who knows.

I have to say I was disappointed in the venting system of the Scorpion EXO-400.  It is functional and maybe to an average person I am sure it would be just fine.  I just like huge volumes of air flowing across my head, it's a personal preference.

Conclusion

All things considered, the Scorpion EXO-400 is probably one of the best bangs for the buck you can find in the motorcycle helmet world.  It's a cheap motorcycle helmet if you consider price but I would say it's a heck of a deal and a quality helmet if you consider what you are getting for your money.

It has a few small flaws like the chocolate smell and the mediocre venting system but these are pretty minor in the overall scheme of things.  It's a quality helmet from a quality company and I am sure you would be happy with the Scorpion EXO-400 helmet if you give it a try.

MSRP is about 170 bucks....so see what you can find for a bargain below: