AIR HEAD | Light and luscious

Words Pete Vorst and Photography Motohead Media & Cassons

Scorpion helmets have only just started flowing into the Australian market, but if the name rings a bell, that’s because they’ve been protecting some of the fastest heads in the world. MotoGP racer Alex Rins and World Superbike champion Alvaro Bautista both trust Scorpion when they’re pushing the limits, and that says plenty about the brand’s pedigree.

I may not be quite as fast as those boys – the understatement of the decade right there – but I’ve been wearing a Scorpion lid for a few years now, long before they officially landed here in OZ. Back in 2022, I flew to Italy to ride the MV Agusta range and meet the legendary GP rider Giacomo Agostini — exciting, right? Except the airline I was flying with had other plans, misplacing all my riding gear, including my lid, somewhere in the ether, leaving me with a few hours to source replacements in Milan before swinging a leg over some very exotic Italian machinery. Enter the Scorpion Exo-1400 Evo Carbon Air.

It caught my eye with its deep-gloss carbon fibre finish, light weight, and supremely comfortable and well-fitting interior. I took a gamble, and it paid off. The Exo has proved to be an excellent road lid, offering excellent ventilation without the deafening wind noise that so many other lids struggle to balance. Three years on, it still looks fantastic, has held up to all sorts of conditions, and remains one of my favourite helmets.

Now that Scorpion’s helmets have arrived down under, the crew at Cassons – the Australian importer – have asked me to test the brand's new Exo-1400 Evo II Carbon Air. The helmet has just landed, and I’m about to put it through its paces in the nastiest possible proving ground—Southeast Asia’s sweltering, humidity-drenched wet season. I’ll be wearing the helmet day in, day out in Northern Thailand for almost a month, with my trip culminating in a visit to Chang International Circuit to check out the 2025 MotoGP season opener.

So, what’s new? The Evo II builds on the strengths of the original Evo with a few key refinements. Scorpion claims it’s even quieter than before, thanks to a redesigned visor seal and some aerodynamic tweaks to the shell. The top vent has been completely reworked to allow better airflow while apparently still keeping noise levels down. Given how well the original managed airflow and noise, I’m curious to see if these improvements are noticeable in real-world riding.

In addition to those updates over the Evo I, the Exo II carries an ECE R22.06 safety rating, an Emergency Release System that allows for quick helmet removal in an emergency, and Scorpion’s Ultra TCT shell technology, which is responsible for the Evo II's light weight and impact-absorbing qualities. Plus a titanium D-ring closure system, a tool-less visor system with a Pinlock Maxvision insert, a retractable sun visor, and of course, there’s the ultra-comfy Kwikwick 3 liner that’ll be getting a thrashing in Thailand.

First impressions? The finish is every bit as lust-worthy as my original Evo. That thick clear coat over raw carbon looks and feels premium, and based on how well my old lid has held up over the years, I expect the Evo II to age just as gracefully. The Airfit system—Scorpion’s inflatable cheek pad technology—remains a standout feature, allowing for a truly personalised fit that enhances both comfort and stability on the road.

Before I head off, I’ll be fitting a mirrored Pinlock visor and slotting in my Cardo Packtalk Edge—thankfully, the Evo II is comms-ready, just like my original. I’ll report back with a full review after a few thousand kilometres in the Thai heat. Following that, the Exo II will be pressed into service as I test various bikes in Aussie conditions. Stay tuned.

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