Apex & Armor

Best Scorpion Motorcycle Helmets

ScorpionEXO's lineup compared — the brand that puts DOT and ECE on almost everything it sells, at mid-market prices, from the R420 to the R1 Air.

By Stephen V.Last updated How we research

Scorpion’s position in the market is easy to state: they put both DOT and ECE certification on most of their range and price it in the middle. That is unusual. Plenty of budget helmets are DOT-only; plenty of ECE-certified helmets cost twice as much. A rider who specifically wants the newer European protocol without paying premium money ends up looking at ScorpionEXO more often than at anyone else.

The other thing Scorpion does consistently is feature density. A drop-down internal sun visor, Bluetooth-ready speaker pockets and a removable washable liner turn up on models where competitors charge extra or don’t offer them at all. What you give up is shell material at the lower end — polycarbonate where a premium brand would use a composite — and published weight figures, which Scorpion is notably poor about disclosing. Where they don’t publish, our spec tables say so rather than guessing.

Below is the range from a $150 sport full-face up to the R1 Air flagship, plus the 3-in-1 Covert 2 and the AT960 adventure modular. We have not crash-tested any of them; every certification was read from Scorpion’s published specification or an authoritative retailer on a dated visit.

How this is funded: we earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which gear we recommend, and we’ll tell you plainly when to skip a pick. Full disclosure.

Quick picks

Ranked on certification, spec and buyer fit. Select a row to jump to the full write-up. We haven’t crash-tested this gear — here is exactly what we do instead.

#GearBest forPrice
1
ScorpionEXO GT930 Transformer

ScorpionEXO GT930 Transformer

DOT + ECE 22.05

A genuine 3-in-1: run it as a full-face, flip it to a modular, or remove the chin bar for an open-face. DOT and ECE 22.05 certified, with a drop-down sun visor — versatile for riders who can't decide.

Best overall
$279.95 · View on Amazon

Price as of October 19, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

2
ScorpionEXO R1 Air

ScorpionEXO R1 Air

DOT + ECE

Scorpion's sport flagship, developed alongside their MotoGP program. DOT and ECE certified, a Pinlock shield in the box, and an aero shape designed for a tucked riding position.

Best sport
$449.95 · View on Amazon

Price as of October 19, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

3
ScorpionEXO T520

ScorpionEXO T520

DOT + ECE

A DOT and ECE approved touring full-face with a drop-down sun visor and comms-ready pockets, at roughly a third of what the flagship touring lids cost. The value pick for riders who tour on a budget.

Best touring value
$244.95 · View on Amazon

Price as of October 19, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

4
ScorpionEXO AT960

ScorpionEXO AT960

DOT + ECE

A modular adventure helmet — flip-front convenience with the peak and the goggle-friendly eyeport of an ADV lid. DOT and ECE approved, and the most versatile single helmet on this page.

Best adventure
$209.95 · View on Amazon

Price as of October 19, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

5
ScorpionEXO Covert 2

ScorpionEXO Covert 2

DOT FMVSS 218

A 3/4 helmet with a removable front mask, so one lid covers both the open-face look and a closed-up configuration. Certified to DOT FMVSS 218; Scorpion publishes no ECE rating for this model.

Best open-face
$239.95 · View on Amazon

Price as of October 19, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

6
ScorpionEXO R420

ScorpionEXO R420

DOT + SNELL

A DOT-and-SNELL full-face at a beginner price, with a drop-down sun visor most sub-$200 helmets don't include. A well-equipped first sport-street helmet.

Best budget

The picks in full

#1Best overallDOT + ECE 22.05

ScorpionEXO GT930 Transformer

A genuine 3-in-1: run it as a full-face, flip it to a modular, or remove the chin bar for an open-face. DOT and ECE 22.05 certified, with a drop-down sun visor — versatile for riders who can't decide.

Strengths

  • DOT + ECE 22.05 with dual homologation
  • Converts full-face → modular → open-face (chin bar removes)
  • Drop-down sun visor and a comms-ready shell

Trade-offs

  • Heavier (~1,810 g) thanks to the convertible hardware
  • Open-face mode has no chin protection — a fair-weather-only setting
Safety standardDOT + ECE 22.05
ConstructionAdvanced polycarbonate shell
Claimed weight1,810 g
Key featureDOT + ECE 22.05
Fit / sizingIntermediate oval; convertible
Best forRiders who want one helmet that converts between styles

Specs and certification read from the manufacturer and retailer listing, on July 21, 2026. “Check current listing” means the maker doesn’t publish that figure — we won’t guess it.

#2Best sportDOT + ECE

ScorpionEXO R1 Air

Scorpion's sport flagship, developed alongside their MotoGP program. DOT and ECE certified, a Pinlock shield in the box, and an aero shape designed for a tucked riding position.

Strengths

  • DOT + ECE certified with a Pinlock-ready shield included
  • Aero profile and airflow tuned for a head-down sport position
  • Emergency-release cheek pads and comms-ready speaker pockets

Trade-offs

  • Scorpion doesn't publish a weight for the standard (non-carbon) shell
  • Sport ventilation makes it loud at highway speeds
Safety standardDOT + ECE
ConstructionTCT composite shell
Claimed weightCheck current listing
Key featureDOT + ECE, Pinlock included
Fit / sizingIntermediate oval; sport fit
Best forSport riders who want a race-shaped helmet under premium-brand money

Specs and certification read from the manufacturer and retailer listing, on August 11, 2026. “Check current listing” means the maker doesn’t publish that figure — we won’t guess it.

#3Best touring valueDOT + ECE

ScorpionEXO T520

A DOT and ECE approved touring full-face with a drop-down sun visor and comms-ready pockets, at roughly a third of what the flagship touring lids cost. The value pick for riders who tour on a budget.

Strengths

  • DOT + ECE approved — both the US legal floor and the European standard
  • Drop-down internal sun visor at a mid-tier price
  • Bluetooth-ready speaker pockets and a removable washable liner

Trade-offs

  • Scorpion doesn't publish a weight for the T520
  • Not as well sealed against wind noise as the premium touring helmets
Safety standardDOT + ECE
ConstructionPolycarbonate shell
Claimed weightCheck current listing
Key featureDOT + ECE, internal sun visor
Fit / sizingIntermediate oval; touring fit
Best forTouring riders who want dual certification and a sun visor for mid money

Specs and certification read from the manufacturer and retailer listing, on August 11, 2026. “Check current listing” means the maker doesn’t publish that figure — we won’t guess it.

#4Best adventureDOT + ECE

ScorpionEXO AT960

A modular adventure helmet — flip-front convenience with the peak and the goggle-friendly eyeport of an ADV lid. DOT and ECE approved, and the most versatile single helmet on this page.

Strengths

  • DOT + ECE approved with a flip-front chin bar
  • Removable peak and a drop-down internal sun visor
  • Bluetooth-ready speaker pockets sized for a full intercom

Trade-offs

  • The flip hinge adds weight over a one-piece ADV helmet
  • Scorpion doesn't publish a weight for this model
Safety standardDOT + ECE
ConstructionPolycarbonate shell
Claimed weightCheck current listing
Key featureDOT + ECE, modular ADV
Fit / sizingIntermediate oval; removable peak
Best forADV riders who also commute and want to flip the chin bar at every stop

Specs and certification read from the manufacturer and retailer listing, on August 11, 2026. “Check current listing” means the maker doesn’t publish that figure — we won’t guess it.

#5Best open-faceDOT FMVSS 218

ScorpionEXO Covert 2

A 3/4 helmet with a removable front mask, so one lid covers both the open-face look and a closed-up configuration. Certified to DOT FMVSS 218; Scorpion publishes no ECE rating for this model.

Strengths

  • Removable mouth cover converts between 3/4 and mask configurations
  • Drop-down anti-fog sun visor, with a clear one included for night riding
  • Two shell sizes across XS-3XL and Bluetooth-ready speaker pockets

Trade-offs

  • The removable mask is a wind and debris cover, not a certified chin bar
  • DOT only — Scorpion publishes no ECE or SNELL rating for this model
  • Scorpion doesn't publish a weight figure for this model
Safety standardDOT FMVSS 218
ConstructionAdvanced polycarbonate shell
Claimed weightCheck current listing
Key featureDOT, convertible mask
Fit / sizingIntermediate oval; 2 shell sizes XS-3XL
Best forRiders who want one open-face helmet that converts for weather and wind

Specs and certification read from the manufacturer and retailer listing, on September 20, 2026. “Check current listing” means the maker doesn’t publish that figure — we won’t guess it.

#6Best budgetDOT + SNELL

ScorpionEXO R420

A DOT-and-SNELL full-face at a beginner price, with a drop-down sun visor most sub-$200 helmets don't include. A well-equipped first sport-street helmet.

Strengths

  • DOT + SNELL certified polycarbonate shell
  • Integrated drop-down sun visor and Pinlock-ready shield
  • Removable, washable KwikWick liner

Trade-offs

  • Scorpion doesn't publish the exact weight
  • Superseded generation: Scorpion lists the EXO-R430 as the model that replaces this one, with DOT plus the newer SNELL M2025 — confirm current stock and sizing before buying the R420
Safety standardDOT + SNELL
ConstructionAdvanced polycarbonate shell
Claimed weightCheck current listing
Key featureDOT + SNELL
Fit / sizingIntermediate oval; roomy
Best forBeginners who want a sun-visor helmet with a SNELL rating

Specs and certification read from the manufacturer and retailer listing, on July 21, 2026. “Check current listing” means the maker doesn’t publish that figure — we won’t guess it.

How the Scorpion range breaks down

Street full-face: R420 and R1 Air

The EXO-R420 is the entry sport full-face — DOT and ECE certified, with a Pinlock-ready shield and speaker pockets, at a price that competes with DOT-only helmets from other brands. The EXO-R1 Air sits at the top: a TCT composite shell, race-derived aerodynamics and a Pinlock insert in the box, developed alongside Scorpion’s MotoGP program. The gap between them is shell material, aero refinement and finish, not the certification.

Touring: GT930 and T520

The EXO-GT930 is a 3-in-1 — full-face, open-face, or with the peak fitted — which makes it one of the most versatile helmets anyone sells, and it is our overall pick here for exactly that reason. The T520 is the conventional touring full-face: DOT plus ECE, internal sun visor, comms-ready, at a genuinely mid price. If you want a single Scorpion for commuting and weekend distance, those two are the shortlist. Compare them against the rest of the market on our touring helmet roundup.

Adventure: AT960

A modular adventure helmet is a rare thing, and the AT960 is the most common way to get one. Peak, flip-front chin bar, internal sun visor and DOT plus ECE. It is heavier than a one-piece ADV helmet because of the hinge, and Scorpion doesn’t publish the figure. For riders who commute and also ride dirt roads, the versatility is hard to argue with — see how it stacks up in our dual-sport picks.

Open-face: Covert 2

The Covert 2 is the interesting one. It is a 3/4 helmet with a removable front mask, certified to DOT FMVSS 218. Unlike most of the range it carries no ECE rating— Scorpion’s own product page publishes DOT only, and we corrected an earlier claim to the contrary on 20 September 2026. Be clear about what the mask is: it is a wind and debris cover, not a certified chin bar. More context on our open-face page.

Where Scorpion is weak

  • Published weights.Scorpion rarely publishes shell weights, so most of our weight cells say “Check current listing.” That’s a real gap when you’re comparing against brands that do publish.
  • Shell material at the low end. Polycarbonate rather than composite means more grams for the same protection, which matters most on long days.
  • No SNELL.Scorpion doesn’t chase the SNELL rating. If that voluntary standard matters to you, look at Bell, Shoei or Arai instead.

Where Scorpion is strong

Dual DOT/ECE certification at mid prices, feature density that usually costs more elsewhere, a genuinely wide range covering sport, touring, adventure and open-face, and a consistent intermediate-oval fit across the line — which means if one Scorpion fits your head, the others probably will too. For a lot of riders that last point alone is worth more than a brand badge.

How to read our safety notes. We have not crash-tested any of this gear — nobody honestly can on a review budget. Every helmet and armor pick names the certification the maker publishes (DOT, ECE 22.06, SNELL, or a CE level), which we read from the listing on a dated visit. Certification is the floor, not a guarantee; fit and condition matter as much as the sticker. What the standards actually mean.

Frequently asked questions

Are Scorpion helmets DOT and ECE approved?

Most of the range carries both. DOT (FMVSS 218) is legally required for on-road sale in the US, and Scorpion adds ECE certification on a majority of its models — the R420, GT930, T520, AT960 and R1 Air among them. The open-face Covert 2 is the exception: Scorpion publishes DOT FMVSS 218 only for it. That dual certification at mid-market prices is the brand's main structural advantage. Scorpion does not pursue SNELL certification on its street helmets.

Which Scorpion helmet is best for touring?

The EXO-T520 is the conventional answer: DOT plus ECE, a drop-down internal sun visor, comms-ready speaker pockets and a removable washable liner at a mid price. The EXO-GT930 is the more versatile answer, because it converts between full-face, open-face and peak configurations — useful if your riding varies more than your budget allows for a second helmet.

Is the ScorpionEXO Covert 2 a full-face helmet?

No. It's an open-face (3/4) helmet with a removable front mask. The helmet is certified to DOT FMVSS 218 — Scorpion publishes no ECE rating for it — and the mask is a wind and debris cover: it is not a certified chin bar and should not be treated as chin protection. What makes the Covert 2 notable is the two-mode design, not its certification.

Why doesn't Scorpion publish helmet weights?

We don't know, and we're not going to speculate. What we can tell you is that Scorpion publishes weights far less consistently than Bell, Shoei or Arai, so most of our weight cells for Scorpion models read 'Check current listing' rather than carrying a number we invented. If weight is a deciding factor for you, that gap is a real reason to look at a brand that discloses it.

Are Scorpion helmets good for beginners?

The EXO-R420 is a common first helmet for good reason: DOT and ECE certification, a Pinlock-ready shield, speaker pockets and a washable liner, at a price close to DOT-only budget helmets. As always, fit outranks brand — measure your head, check the shell sizes, and buy the helmet that fits your head shape rather than the one with the best spec list.

Sources

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