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Scorpion EXO-AT960 Topographic Helmet Overview Abstract
Overview Abstract
Scorpion’s EXO-AT960 modular journey helmet solely prices $299 US. It’s additionally one of many few modular journey helmets available on the market. I prefer it, however solely to a degree, I’m afraid.
Regardless of the good worth and a few intelligent options, just a few outstanding design flaws maintain the AT960 again from being a top-tier journey helmet. Scorpion didn’t go far sufficient with the upgrades on the AT950, in my view.
Professionals
Inexpensive
Air flow is above common
The eyeport opening is huge
Can settle for Cardo or Sena units
ECE 22-06 certification along with DOT
Visor has okay fog resistance with out a Pinlock
Substitute components are cheap
An excellent number of Topographic colorways (4) can be found
Convertible design to swimsuit avenue or aggressive off-road driving
Cons
The exterior peak visor (solar shade) actually vibrates in turbulent wind
Slider swap for drop-down solar lens place inconvenient for Cardo/Sena set up
Anti-Fog visor coating is inferior to a Pinlock system
Heavy helmet at 4.16 lbs (1.88 kg)
Visor leaks like loopy within the rain
Chin bar latches/drop-down solar lens can freeze up in dusty situations
The consolation liner will get “funky” shortly and requires frequent washing
Scorpion EXO-AT960 Topographic Helmet Picture Gallery
Overview Abstract
- Scorpion’s EXO-AT960 modular journey helmet is a sexy and aggressive security hat on the $299 US worth level.
- The AT960 deserves a greater visor, visor seal, inside liner, and a carbon fiber or fiberglass shell, together with a stiffer solar peak.
- Maybe the AT960 offers up an excessive amount of within the identify of retaining the value so low? To me, it’s value taking this helmet to the next degree of refinement. Barring that, Scorpion ought to construct a separate model (name it the AT960+ Carbon perhaps?) which conceivably would make it the perfect modular journey helmet on the present market.
The Scorpion EXO-AT960 Deserves To Be Higher
Again in 2016 wBW founder Rick Korchak reviewed the Scorpion EXO-AT950 and bestowed a flattering 4.6 stars out of 5 upon it. At the moment (and even nonetheless at this time), modular journey helmets have been uncommon or almost non-existent and Scorpion brilliantly produced an reasonably priced and praiseworthy helmet that many journey riders readily embraced.
Extremely, I’ve by no means worn an AT950 however at all times puzzled if it lived as much as the adoration Rick and so a lot of my mates/acquaintances have expressed for it.
Enter the EXO-AT960 Topographic
My unfamiliarity with the AT950 offers me “cold-eyes” or an unbiased perspective with which to overview the brand new AT960— the up to date/improved model of the AT950. It’s been some time since I reviewed a modular helmet too, so I jumped on the alternative to do that one.
Securing an EXO-AT960 Helmet for Overview
Scorpion USA offered me with this good-looking EXO-AT960 Topographic helmet for gratis for the aim of writing an trustworthy, real-world wBW overview. As at all times, no punches will likely be pulled on this overview.
Thanks, Steven!
First Impressions of the AT960
Straight out of the field, the AT960 Topographic decal package deal was unattainable to not discover. The black and yellow scheme with a muted gray map of the world within the background jogged my memory of a wasp stomach.
The mix grabbed my eye instantly and ought to be vivid sufficient to announce the wearer’s presence successfully to the encircling public at giant. Or at the least, that’s what I hoped.
Spelling Is Exhausting?
One bizarre factor I observed was the misspelled “Topgraphic” phrase on the again of the helmet. In each different reference to this mannequin, it’s referred to as the Topographic AT960.
Scorpion must ship out an APB to trace down the AWOL letter “O” from my helmet.
The shifting components all have a nice mechanical circulate and function as meant. The helmet feels fairly hefty to carry however the polycarbonate shell has a cultured sheen to it with an general vibe hinting that it’s extra premium than the $300 US price ticket suggests… spelling errors apart.
May this develop into my new most popular journey helmet? That might be fairly a feat contemplating the 30+ mind bucket assortment I’ve to select from, however I’m desirous to get out on the highway and see.
Testing Situations
The AT960 received over-the-top testing consisting of a 4000 mile/6500 km journey that spanned two full weeks in various climate situations. Heavy rain, excessive winds, and temperatures starting from gentle to roasting warmth over 104 Fahrenheit (42 Celsius) all of which have been contributing elements to this overview.
I wore it off-road within the Black Hills of South Dakota (together with finishing the brand new 350-mile Black Hills BDR-X), together with high-speed maneuvers on blacktop by way of the Bear Tooth Go. If anybody is aware of what the AT960 is manufactured from, it’s me.
Design, Fitment, & Form of AT960 Helmet
Fitment
My 23” circumference (58.42cm), Spherical-oval-shaped head usually makes selecting the proper helmet measurement difficult. Sizing charts have a tendency to position my noggin proper between a Medium and a Giant, and that was the case with the AT960 as seen within the photograph above.
Scorpion despatched me a Giant AT960 and that was the suitable name regardless that my head measures 3.8 mm smaller (1/8”) than the minimal in that vary.
In case your head is between sizes or on the upper finish of the chart’s vary I’d suggest shifting up a measurement.
Word there’s no XS measurement accessible even supposing the AT960 makes use of three shell sizes.
Intermediate Oval Match
The AT960 inside form is on the slender aspect of Intermediate Oval. It suits my wider-than-usual head precisely like a number of Shoei helmets have. Particularly, I’d evaluate the width to the GT-Air, GT-Air 2, and X-Fifteen.
As with the aforementioned Shoei helmets, I needed to carry out surgical procedure on the consolation liner foam within the AT960 with the intention to keep away from feeling like my head was clamped tightly in a vice when carrying it longer than half-hour.
Inside Consolation Liner
Eradicating the froth from the higher cheek pads and sides of the crown liner made the AT960 match my head nearly completely. I couldn’t be happier with it now however to my shock, the KwikWick® C and 3D liner materials doesn’t look like anti-microbial based mostly on the aromatic fallout from 1000’s of miles of driving.
Get the Funk Out
After driving to Sturgis, SD for the RevZilla GET ON! Journey Fest rally the consolation liner has develop into fairly “funky” smelling and cries out to be washed. That’s not an unreasonable ask from a helmet liner, however I haven’t observed this identical diploma of necessity with any of my beforehand reviewed helmets geared up with anti-microbial liners.
If my different helmets don’t reek of my man musk after a protracted experience, then it’s my opinion the AT960’s liner might (and will) mirror that diploma of bacterial resistance too.
The Security Issue
Scorpion is an organization identified for constructing good high quality protecting headgear. They even have some high-profile MotoGP racers carrying their helmets bearing FIM certification stamps.
The AT960 takes a optimistic step up within the safety division (from the DOT-only AT950) within the type of twin certification for DOT FMVSS 218 and the newly minted ECE 22.06 normal.
In different phrases, this new AT960 ought to defend the wearer higher than the earlier North American AT950 would and that’s a very powerful job for a motorbike helmet. Bravo, Scorpion!
SHARP Testing
In case you go to the SHARP web site you’ll discover influence information gathered by an impartial UK-based helmet testing group. Sometimes, Scorpion helmets have earned a decent 3 or 4 stars out of 5 from SHARP and I wish to check with their web site in all my helmet opinions for an skilled opinion of a helmet’s degree of crashworthiness.
Sadly, neither the AT950 (named the ADX-2 exterior North America) nor the AT960 have been examined by SHARP but, however I believe they’d each rating 3 or 4 stars.
Weight
Let me get proper to the purpose concerning the weight of the AT960 by saying it’s a heavier helmet at 4.16 lbs. That bulk is noticeable, and undesirable however bearable to me. It weighs about the identical because the Shoei Neotec 2 and I haven’t heard anybody groaning about that helmet being obese.
There’s been numerous flap on-line about how the AT960 is heavier than its beloved predecessor the AT950. Sure, it’s technically true that the 4 lb AT950 (measurement Giant) is lighter than the brand new AT960 by 0.16 lbs.
Anybody who can legitimately discover a 2.56 oz (72 grams) enhance of their helmet weight should even be unable to sleep on a mattress with a pea beneath it. That is what I name Fairy Story degree consternation and certain only a juvenile worry of change manifesting.
Right here’s An Concept…
Having mentioned that, I’m 100% on board with the thought of Scorpion changing the heavy and hulking polycarbonate EXO shell on the AT960 with a lighter fiberglass mix and even carbon fiber shell. True, it will imply a worth enhance, however when you put on a 3 lb helmet you don’t crave something much less.
Chinstrap Latch
The chinstrap clasp on the AT960 is of the double-D ring selection and does its job with out fanfare or aptitude. All I’d point out about it’s how the snap on the top of it used to tie up the surplus size is usable, not like all the opposite ECE 22.06 licensed helmets I’ve examined this 12 months.
It’s good to know ECE isn’t forcing producers to put in the snap thus far up the strap that it’s unreachable.
Scorpion AT960 Visor & Area of View
I’m a visor snob, so if the windscreen fails to carry out as much as my excessive requirements there’ll be loads to examine it in my opinions.
The Eyeport Design
One factor I can’t gripe about is the scale of the eyeport on the AT960. The sphere of view is ideal for journey driving and it might probably accommodate a set of goggles if the rider so needs.
Nice job on this, Scorpion!
The Visor / Windscreen / Faceshield
The AT960’s ambidextrous EverClear® Faceshield claims to supply “state-of-the-art fog-free expertise” while not having a Pinlock lens. This novel tactic of including an anti-fog coating works pretty effectively on my Arai XD-4 faceshield, nevertheless it didn’t thrill me on the AT960 throughout my testing.
The visor did preserve fogging to a minimal within the rain at freeway speeds, however as soon as I received caught in site visitors with little to no airflow it fogged up absolutely and I needed to flip it open to get air on it earlier than it will clear.
Scratch Resistance
Regardless of seeing loads of very dusty driving situations, bug guts, gloved hand wipes, and even pea gravel impacts, the visor on my AT960 stays scratch-free!
This impressed me as a result of I’ve examined far more costly helmets with visors that didn’t maintain up as effectively underneath the identical hostile situations.
Visor Detent Mechanism
The AT960 visor solely has 4 detented positions on it which I’d describe because the naked minimal fascinating.
Fortunately when the visor is opened or closed I’m not tortured by any obnoxiously loud clunks and thundering pops that I’ve endured whereas carrying another helmets.
The visor does squeak a bit greater than I’d like now after a lot mud getting into the hinges, however I believe a few squirts of WD40 ought to silence that and easy out the journey as effectively.
De-Fogging Place?
The AT960 visor lacks my desired “barely cracked open” place which is a disgrace. The smallest attainable locked-in place for the visor is on the 1.5” open level as you possibly can see within the photograph beneath.
If the visor had the flexibility to relaxation simply barely above the absolutely closed place it will work wonders at retaining fogging in examine when mixed with the particular anti-fog coating inside.
Visor Mounting System
There’s no fast launch on the AT960 visor however I just like the metallic screws used to carry the face defend and solar peak to the helmet. These screws are stable feeling and proved as much as the duty of constructing elimination and set up of the visor straightforward.
As seen within the photograph above a Canadian two-dollar coin (a twoonie) is the best and most handy device for elimination and set up of the visor/peak retention screws.
The Detachable Solar Peak/Visor
The height may be eliminated and black plastic blanking plates put in instead should you desire to experience with out a peak grabbing crosswinds or within the case of the AT960 the height buzzing like a tuning fork.
Probably the most stunning shortcoming or quirk concerning the AT960 is the way in which the solar peak vibrates at freeway speeds.
It actually buzzes like an electrical toothbrush each time turbulent incoming air from off my 2021 BMW R1250 GS Rallye windshield hits it. Curiously, it stops vibrating once I get up on the footpegs and get my head in clear oncoming air.
How unhealthy is the height’s vibration? I can really feel my enamel chattering type of unhealthy. Having mentioned that, I used to be in a position to ignore this minor annoyance for essentially the most half whereas driving with the AT960.
For what it’s value, considered one of my mates who wears an AT950 tells me the height on it does the identical factor.
The Drop-Down Solar Lens
The built-in sun shades on the AT960 are good for my sun-blocking wants right here in Alberta, Canada.
The extent of tint on it isn’t going to be sufficient in actually vivid environments like desert driving, however that’s the norm.
The sliding swap situated on the decrease left lip of the shell strikes effectively even after enduring loads of dusty driving, however the tab on it did threaten to fall off as soon as throughout testing. To its credit score, the tab snapped again onto the mount and hasn’t been an issue since.
Modular Flip-Up Design
The flip-up chin bar on the AT960 is a shrewdly designed piece of package. I by no means struggled to find the purple launch button on the chin bar that’s used to open it, and shutting it to the purpose of participating the locking latches is aided by two small magnets constructed into the meeting.
The AT960 is twin homologated which means you possibly can experience with the chin bar raised and held open utilizing the purple lock swap on the left, rear aspect of the pivot level.
The solar peak strikes up and again at the side of the chin bar and has two giant patches of felt glued to the underside of it to forestall scratching the windscreen whereas all the pieces locks collectively within the raised place.
Individually, I can’t stand driving with the chin bar locked open. The neck pressure is off the charts with such a big and heavy “sail” put in on prime of my head.
Then again, flipping up the chin bar when stopped for fuel or resting on a protracted journey is an excellent luxurious I recognize.
Donning and Doffing the AT960
Some modular helmets just like the AGV Sportmodular Carbon can’t be donned or put in in your head with out first elevating the chin bar which is so annoying.
The AT960 then again, is constructed with a neckroll opening giant sufficient to permit the wearer to skip elevating the chinbar when placing this helmet on or taking it off. You’ll be able to deal with this helmet as if it’s simply an bizarre full-face helmet if you want.
I guess you a greenback someplace out there’s an proprietor who doesn’t even notice they’ve a modular helmet and has by no means raised the chin bar…
Examine Your Chin Bar Latches
After many miles of ferocious off-road driving, I observed one of many latches used to carry the chin bar closed was seized shut.
I solely discovered this as a result of once I went to open the chin bar that day one aspect moved up earlier than I had pushed the discharge button.
The latch arm popped again out with out a lot coercion and nonetheless works simply high quality, however I point out this as an issue for AT960 wearers to observe for. In case you’re concerned in a collision with just one locking mechanism engaged it’s extremely probably the chin bar will pop open and your face will join solidly with one thing more durable than it’s.
Air flow
When driving off-road on extra technical trails, riders want plenty of airflow with the intention to keep away from overheating. The AT960 does job of supplying mentioned airflow. In truth, it beats its dearer EXO-XT9000 sibling on this division fairly handily.
The Higher Vents
The higher vent swap on the AT960 is straightforward to find and manipulate by way of the 2 positions it affords utilizing gloved arms.
The airflow by way of the higher scoop is sweet sufficient to maintain the highest of my head sufficiently aerated whereas shifting at larger speeds however doesn’t create chilly spots on my head the way in which different helmets just like the Klim Krios Professional and Arai XD-4 do.
It’s not likely a good comparability contemplating the exorbitant worth of these different two helmets, however they’re the perfect examples of high-flowing higher vents I can consider.
The Chin Bar Vent
The chin bar vent on the AT960 pleases me with its easy sliding and easy-to-actuate swap together with the above-average airflow it brings into the helmet.
There’s a second swap on the within of the chin bar used to direct the incoming air or dial again the airflow relying on what your necessities are. Even with each switches closed there’s a good circulate of air coming contained in the helmet directed on the visor to restrict fogging.
Good job Scorpion! This vent is nearly as good as on every other helmet I’ve examined.
Scorpion AT960 Hello-Visibility
For sure this yellow Topographic trim visually pops out on the highway and Scorpion additionally has reflective stripes and logos on the neckroll space to extend visibility.
Some research have concluded that vivid colours and 3M reflective supplies aren’t efficient at growing visibility, however I can’t imagine it doesn’t appeal to at the least some further eyes whereas out on two wheels.
The Topographic AT960 lineup has 3 different accessible colours to select from (beneath) should you don’t just like the yellow/black.
The Scorpion AT960 On and Off-Highway
I can’t lie… There have been a few instances out on the highway once I longed for my common journey helmet as a substitute of the much less refined AT960 Topographic. I already touched upon a variety of issues just like the fogging points, smelly liner, vibrating peak, and extra weight, however there’s extra.
Highway Noise
Noise is a really subjective criterion that I don’t place almost as a lot deal with as I used to as a result of many riders now put on earplugs.
The AT960 is fairly common for noise ranges when in comparison with different modular helmets. It’s not quiet, but in addition not painfully loud. Highway noise isn’t considered one of my complaints about this helmet, and it’s stunning I didn’t discover any bizarre droning sounds coming from the perpetually trembling solar peak at freeway speeds.
Rain Using
The windscreen/face defend on the AT960 leaks like a sieve. Streams of rain poured down from the highest of the visor so usually that I thought-about planting seeds alongside the chin bar to see whether or not they would sprout after driving by way of a few significantly heavy storms throughout my testing.
The one lip seal used to maintain water and wind exterior of the AT960 isn’t as much as the duty and must be upgraded to a twin lip seal and even higher a rounded comfortable rubber seal.
What I’d love Scorpion to do is put the terrific windscreen meeting from their XT9000 on the AT960. That might clear up the fogging and leaky seal issues in a single fell swoop.
Buffeting, Elevate & Pull
Any helmet geared up with a big solar peak/roost peak and an prolonged chin bar nostril goes to be affected by crosswinds, however to my shock, the AT960 shrugs off these neck-straining gusts higher than different journey helmets I’ve worn, together with the XT9000.
This helmet doesn’t really feel cumbersome and enormous to put on (with the chin bar down) regardless that it’s on the heavy aspect. The shell exterior is usually easy and I believe that performs a big function in its environment friendly mitigation of buffeting, carry, and pull forces performing on it.
Scorpion AT960 Bluetooth Communicator Integration
Scorpion designed the AT960 with particular pockets and passages within the shell to accommodate their $190 EXO-COM® BLUETOOTH® COMMUNICATOR KIT which is constructed by UClear. I haven’t but examined it myself however Brandon had some good issues to say about it in his overview of the Scorpion EXO-T520 helmet so I’ll refer you to his findings if that’s your chosen system in your AT960.
The Cardo Packtalk Edge is at the moment my highest advisable in-helmet communication system and I examined it within the AT960. It was no bother to put in utilizing the identical passages and speaker pockets the EXO-COM usually would.
I did should clamp the mounting bracket for the Edge 1.5 inches additional again than I’d have most popular as a result of location of the slider swap for actuating the drop-down solar visor. The adjusted location didn’t trigger me any grief since I at all times use voice instructions to regulate my Cardo Packtalk Edge.
Speaker Pockets
Microphone Placement
As seen within the photograph above the increase mic for the Cardo PT Edge needed to be positioned as proven with the intention to operate effectively within the AT960. I additionally needed to flip the sensitivity all the way in which down with the intention to keep away from disrupting everybody’s music that was linked through MESH to me as a result of fantastic chin bar airflow offered by the AT960.
From what I learn in Brandon’s overview of the EXO-COM it comes with a high-tech mic that mounts within the cheek pad liners and it really works completely while not having to be positioned touching the wearer’s mouth.
Normally, my opinion on built-in comms methods is that it’s a nasty thought for producers to go down that highway as a result of the built-in methods by no means absolutely measure as much as the clamp-on type items available on the market. Till I expertise one thing totally different that’ll proceed to be my suggestion about them.
Last Verdict
The AT960 isn’t my favourite journey helmet, or my favourite modular helmet, nevertheless it belongs within the dialogue.
If I’d by no means tasted the proverbial caviar that’s the Klim Krios Professional, or the Arai XD-4 then the AT960 may attraction to me extra. That is likely to be my monetary privilege talking and I’m cognizant of the good price ticket issue of the AT960, however I imagine figuring out an trustworthy rating is relative to the extent of the competitors. So my scoring and evaluation are based mostly on utilizing the perfect options of the perfect helmets I’ve examined to gauge the AT960’s caliber.
Don’t get me improper, the AT960 nonetheless will get the job achieved and has some good options on it together with a stable security endorsement from ECE to its credit score, however that’s not sufficient for me to make it my on a regular basis headgear.
I’m nonetheless giving it a reasonably stable rating as a result of my case towards it isn’t robust sufficient to sentence the AT960. I simply see untapped potential in it.
Please Polish the AT960 Diamond Some Extra
Scorpion is the perfect firm for providing bang-for-your-buck gear and I imagine they will do higher. This one wants a renovation however positively not a whole intestine and rebuild to make it a dream helmet. It truly is near being nice!
There’s an excellent basis to work from and I’d wish to see them construct an upscale model of it for riders like me who’re keen to pay $500 US for a modular journey helmet. Possibly proceed constructing this model for individuals who have extra limiting budgets as effectively as a result of that’s the smart factor to do.
My theoretical “AT960 Carbon, or AT960+” has received to weigh lower than 3.5 lbs, and have a high quality visor just like the XT9000, a legit anti-microbial inside, and a solar peak that stands resolute even in turbulent airstreams.
Yeah… now that’s an AT960 I’d like to put on day-after-day.
Professional
- Inexpensive
- Air flow is above common
- The eyeport opening is huge
- Can settle for Cardo or Sena units
- ECE 22-06 certification along with DOT
- Visor has okay fog resistance with out a Pinlock
- Substitute components are cheap
- An excellent number of Topographic colorways (4) can be found
- Convertible design to swimsuit avenue or aggressive off-road driving
Cons
- The exterior peak visor (solar shade) actually vibrates in turbulent wind
- Slider swap for drop-down solar lens place inconvenient for Cardo/Sena set up
- Anti-Fog visor coating is inferior to a Pinlock system
- Heavy helmet at 4.16 lbs (1.88 kg)
- Visor leaks like loopy within the rain
- Chin bar latches/drop-down solar lens can freeze up in dusty situations
- The consolation liner will get “funky” shortly and requires frequent washing
Specs
- Producer: Kido Sports activities
- Worth when examined: $299 US
- Made in: China
- Sizes: SM to XXXL
- Colours: 4 choices
- Security Designations: ECE 22.06, and DOT FMVSS 218
- Overview Date: August 2023
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