I don’t know anybody who loves wearing a helmet, but most of us who do wear them appreciate their – shall we say – utility. And a motorcycle helmet is a lot more comfortable than the helmets the U.S. Army issues, though the purpose is the same – to save your life.
There are five basic types of motorcycle helmets: full-face, off-road, modular, three-quarter open-face, and half helmets, also called shorties. In 1956, I bought my first bike, and my mother bought me a shorty helmet – that was all there was. Then around 1959 Bell introduced the 500TX, which may have been the first three-quarter open-face. I immediately sprung for one and wore open-faces for the next 20 years or so. Until I got a job in the industry and was told photos would be done with a full-face. I am mildly claustrophobic, but I adjusted to the enclosed feeling, more or less. Then modulars came along, and I’ve been a fan of those for many years, being able to lift up the chinbar when idling through town or going slow on a wooded lane.
Scorpion’s EXO-GT930 is called the Transformer because it serves both as a modular, with the chinbar and visor opening up, and as an open-face. You can easily detach the chinbar and faceshield and put on the peak visor. I like using the open-face configuration while riding along paved roads on a warm day through the little-trafficked countryside with vineyards and cattle.
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Modular crash-hats tend to be heavier than full-face ones because of the hinges and locking systems. Scorpion uses three different shells for the seven sizes, from XS to 3XL, and I figure my XL uses the largest. The modular configuration weighs 4.1 pounds; the open-face with peak visor weighs 3.4 pounds. The outer shell is polycarbonate, and the life-saving crushable middle portion is multi-density expanded polystyrene (or EPS), which absorbs impacts should you have the misfortune to use the helmet for its intended purpose. Inside is a removeable, washable KwikWick comfort liner, and the helmet stays put with a traditional double D-ring chinstrap.
The mechanism for flipping up the chinbar works just fine, and when opened it can be locked in place. Removing the chinbar and attached anti-fog faceshield is merely a matter of holding down the spring-loaded levers just below the pivot point, one at a time, and then pulling the chinbar forward. Easily done after a little practice, as is installing the peak visor. A drop-down tinted sun shield can be used in either configuration.
Ventilation, comfort, and build quality are good. Solid colors retail for $249.95-$254.95, and the Modulus graphic (shown) in three colorways retails for $269.95. A matte black version with an EXO-Com Bluetooth communication system retails for $424.95.
For more information, visit scorpionusa.com.
Too bad Scorpion won’t certify the Euro EXO-Tech helmet. If LS2/Shark can do it, so should Scorpion. Loving my LS2 Valiant II, and I own both a Scorpion EXO-AT950 and Covert.
I’ll amplify Jeff’s comments above. Scorpion sells helmets in Europe with a ratchet latch that is easy to use with gloves on instead of the DD-rings they sell in the US. I’m considering buying from a UK distributor even though I’d lose US warranty.
I’ve been a fan of Mr. Salvadori’s work for what feels like decades, but I have to be a smarty here. I do enjoy wearing a helmet. Can’t ride a sportbike without one unless you like bugs and thrown stones in your face.
I barely like my face as a face, let alone a human eraser – even if the scenery is nice.
I just took a 1800 mile ride after getting this new version of the transformer helmet. Found two items I did not like. The older 900 version the face shield could be latched open in multiple points,, the new 930,, closes from any point once over 35 or so mph.. riding a bagger i wanted the air flow so had to either have full open or full close,, didn’t like. Second the sun visor continually started to come down and had to push it back up multiple times. Contacted Scorpion and got “Sorry no fix and new helmet face shield no additional ability to make other locking points hold shield up” So guess this might be the only trip for this helmet for me.