Scorpion EXO R1 Air Review: Big-League Performance, Half the Price
Stephen from MotoStories and More
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The Scorpion EXO R1 helmet isn’t just good value; it’s practically grand larceny.
Top-shelf, race-ready performance and comfort without needing to take out a second mortgage. How do I know? I’ve been riding since 1987, on and off the track: this helmet is like no other.
Here are the highlights:
- That inflatable cheek pad system sounds like a gimmick from the 90s, but it’s legitimately a massively useful feature: allowing you to get a snugger fit for aggressive riding, and a more comfortable fit for touring.
- It’s featherweight at about 3.1 lbs (1,400 grams) and beautifully shaped for the sportbike riding position aerodynamics.
- The only flaw is purely cosmetic: paint durability (more on that later)
- For dedicated sportbike riders, buying this helmet isn’t just a good option; it might be the smartest gear purchase you make all year.
Let’s get in to the full review.
ScorpionEXO R1 Air Carbon Helmet delivers high-end protection, comfort, and tech-ready features for serious riders.
- Lightweight carbon fiber shell for maximum impact protection
- AirFit cheekpad system allows for on-the-fly fit customization
- Bluetooth-ready speaker pockets for easy communication setup
- Massively underpriced for its quality
- Paint job is fragile
What makes this lid so special?
In 1989, Reebok introduced the Pump sneaker, a shoe that let you inflate air bladders for a snug, customized fit. Now, more than three decades later, Scorpion has decided to bring the same innovation to your head.
Yes, the EXO R1 Air helmet features an inflatable cheek pad system, and it’s an absolute game-changer in helmet design.
If you ride sportbikes, you can’t just slap on any old lid—you need a helmet designed for a forward-leaning, aggressive riding position. And that’s exactly what Scorpion has delivered here.
My Helmet Odyssey: 50+ Lids Later, We Arrive Here
I started riding way back in 1987. Since then, I’ve probably strapped close to 50 different helmets onto my head, maybe more. They’ve run the gamut from basic $50 half-helmets (yeah, I know) to eye-wateringly expensive $2,000 Arai race replicas.
Every single one had its good points and its bad points. The Scorpion EXO R1 Air is no exception. But here’s the deal: if you know what you’re getting into, this helmet offers performance that squares up against the big boys, but at a price that feels almost unfair to the competition.
Last season marked my return to the world of sportbikes after a long stint riding adventure bikes and cruisers. Suddenly, my collection of upright-focused helmets – Shoei RF-1400, my flip-up Shoei Neotec II, and even my versatile Scorpion EXO AT-960 felt… wrong.
On my Aprilia Tuono 1100 V4RR, they all forced my head down, making it feel like I was examining the fuel tank cap rather than looking through the next corner. The ergonomics were just off for that aggressive, forward-leaning posture. My neck protested, loudly.
I needed something purpose-built for the attack position. Having been genuinely impressed by the value and features of my Scorpion AT-960 ADV helmet, I decided to roll the dice on their top-tier sport offering, the EXO R1 Air.
Unboxing: Lighter Than Expected, Better Than Hoped
Pulling the EXO R1 Air from its box was the first pleasant surprise. This thing is light. Seriously light. The scale confirmed it: around 1,400 grams for my size: Large. That’s carbon-fiber territory, but without the carbon-fiber price tag.
The overall finish felt immediately premium. If you handed this to me blindfolded, I’d guess it cost at least twice what I actually paid. The multi-layered “Ultra-TCT” shell (a mix of fiberglass, aramid, and poly-resin fibers) felt solid and looked sleek.
I popped in the included Pinlock anti-fog insert (major bonus points for including that!), swapped to the dark smoke visor (also included!), and geared up. Clipping the strap, I immediately noticed the snug, secure “race fit.” It’s definitely tighter than a touring helmet, which is exactly what you want for spirited riding.
The first ride on the Tuono sealed the deal. As soon as I settled into the bike’s aggressive stance, everything just clicked. My eyeline was perfect, looking far down the road, not down at my instruments. No more awkward head angle, no neck strain trying to peer out from under the brow of the helmet. Just clear, unobstructed vision.
Putting It Through The Wringer: 500-Mile Days, Storms, and Seasons
A quick jaunt around the block is one thing; living with a helmet day-in, day-out is another. To really test the R1 Air, I aimed it towards the legendary curves of Southern Ohio for a proper 500+ mile Sunday flogging.
On the highway sections, droning along at speed, the helmet was impressively stable. No annoying buffeting or lift, just smooth airflow. Wind noise was present, but surprisingly subdued for such a light, race-focused helmet – quieter than many touring lids I’ve owned.
Once we hit the twisties, things got interesting. This is where I engaged the R1 Air’s party piece: the AirFit inflation system. Tucked away inside the chin bar is a small rubber bulb. A few pushes inflate internal air bladders behind the cheek pads.
Sound silly? I thought so too, initially. But inflating those pads snugged the helmet down perfectly, eliminating even the slightest wiggle during rapid transitions and when hanging off the bike. It felt absolutely planted, giving me one less thing to think about while focusing on hitting my apexes.
Later that day, Mother Nature threw us a curveball. A sudden microburst unleashed a torrential downpour, soaking the roads in seconds. I quickly slammed the R1 Air’s vents shut. Despite the deluge and the temperature drop, the Pinlock insert did its job flawlessly – zero fogging. More importantly, the visor seal held firm. Not a single drop of water found its way inside.
Over the course of last season, I racked up thousands of miles in the R1 Air. I rode it on scorching 98°F days and chilly 42°F mornings. Through it all, the fit remained consistent, the padding didn’t pack out excessively, and it stayed comfortable – even after 10+ hours in the saddle.
ScorpionEXO R1 Air Carbon Helmet delivers high-end protection, comfort, and tech-ready features for serious riders.
- Lightweight carbon fiber shell for maximum impact protection
- AirFit cheekpad system allows for on-the-fly fit customization
- Bluetooth-ready speaker pockets for easy communication setup
- Massively underpriced for its quality
- Paint job is fragile
The Best Bits: Why the EXO R1 Air Impresses
Let’s break down what makes this helmet stand out.
AirFit Pump System
Okay, let’s tackle the elephant in the room first. The pump. For track days or aggressive canyon carving, being able to dial in that extra bit of snugness on the fly is brilliant. It keeps the helmet perfectly stable when you’re moving around on the bike, far better than just hoping standard pads are tight enough. It’s not a gimmick; it’s functional performance.
Premium Feel, Mid-Range Price
I keep coming back to this, but it’s crucial. The materials, the construction, the finish – it all feels like it belongs on a helmet costing $800-$1000. The fact that Scorpion delivers this for around $400-$500 is astounding.
Accessories Galore
This is a huge value point. You get a clear visor and a dark smoke visor in the box. Plus, a Pinlock anti-fog insert is included. That’s easily $100-$150 worth of extras that other brands make you buy separately. They even throw in a decent helmet bag.
Slippery Aerodynamics
Scorpion clearly spent time in the wind tunnel. At high speeds, the R1 Air cuts through the air cleanly with minimal drag or lift. Just as important, head checks are smooth and effortless, with no sudden grabbing or buffeting from side winds. This is vital for situational awareness, whether on track or on the street. The aero-tuned shell shape and rear spoiler aren’t just for looks.
Featherweight Champ
At roughly 1,400 grams (just over 3 lbs), this helmet feels incredibly light on your head. You really notice it at the end of a long riding day. Less weight means less neck fatigue, letting you focus on the ride, not the ache building between your shoulders. That advanced Ultra-TCT shell keeps the weight down without compromising protection.
Effective Ventilation
The venting system works well. On those sweltering 98°F Ohio days, opening the dual ram-air intakes and the chin vent provided a noticeable cooling flow across the scalp and face. It wasn’t like sticking your head in a freezer, but it definitely kept excessive heat and sweat buildup at bay, channeling air through the EPS liner and out the exhaust vents. When closed, it sealed up nicely on colder rides too.
The Not-So-Great Bits: Where It Falls Short
No helmet is perfect, and the R1 Air has a couple of quirks.
Fragile Finish
The clear coat on the paint is soft. Too soft, in my opinion. Even using high-quality microfiber towels and gentle polish seemed to introduce fine scratches easily. My guess is this is a side effect of keeping the weight down – thinner paint, less weight. Silver lining? It’s purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect safety or performance. You just need to be extra careful cleaning it, or maybe consider applying a clear protective film if surface perfection is a concern.
Action Cam Challenges
If you like mounting an action camera to your chin bar, the R1 Air’s aggressive, angular chin design presents a challenge. The curves and vents make it difficult to get a flat, secure surface for standard adhesive mounts. Even some helmet-specific mounts I tried struggled to get a solid purchase. The alternative? You’ll likely have better luck with a top-mount or side-mount setup for your camera.
Things You Need To Know
Fit is True (and Snug): I wear a size Large in most major helmet brands (Shoei, Arai, HJC), and the Large R1 Air fit me perfectly. Keep in mind, this is designed as a “race fit,” meaning it’s intended to be quite snug, especially around the cheeks initially. It should loosen up slightly as it breaks in.
Hunt for Deals: Scorpion updates their graphics and colorways pretty often. This means you can often find great closeout deals on last year’s designs if you’re not set on the absolute latest pattern. Same great helmet, lower price.
Safety First Features: Beyond the protective shell, it has an emergency cheek pad release system. This allows paramedics to remove the helmet more easily and safely after an accident, minimizing potential neck movement. Small reflective panels are integrated into the cheek pad piping for a bit of extra visibility.
Ready for the Track: It comes with tear-off posts pre-installed on both the clear and smoke visors. If you plan on doing track days, you’re ready to go right out of the box (just add tear-offs).
Glasses Wearers Rejoice: I wear prescription glasses, and they fit comfortably inside this helmet. There are channels in the cheek pads that allow glasses arms to slide in easily without pressing into my temples. My specs stayed put comfortably.
Comfy & Cleanable Liner: The Kwikwick 3 liner material is soft against the skin, does a good job wicking away sweat, and is antibacterial. As you’d expect, the entire liner and cheek pads snap out easily for washing.
Solid Safety Ratings: The EXO R1 Air is both DOT (US standard) and ECE (European standard) certified. Importantly, it also scored a very respectable 4 out of 5 stars in the independent SHARP helmet safety testing program in the UK. That’s excellent reassurance about its protective capabilities.
How It Stacks Up: The Competition
So, where does the R1 Air fit in the broader helmet landscape?
Arai RX-7V Evo
This is often considered the gold standard for track helmets. Impeccable build quality, legendary comfort (if the Arai head shape fits you), and top-tier safety features. But… it costs roughly FOUR TIMES as much as the Scorpion. Is it four times better? For most riders, even serious track enthusiasts, the performance difference is unlikely to justify that massive price gap.
Nolan X-804
Another strong contender in the race helmet category, often priced a bit higher than the Scorpion. It’s a well-regarded helmet, but its styling and features perhaps feel a little less current compared to the R1 Air, especially lacking something like the AirFit system. A solid choice, but maybe not quite the value punch of the Scorpion.
Shoei RF-1400
I own and like this helmet, but it serves a different purpose. It’s a fantastic sport-touring helmet – comfortable, quiet, great quality. However, as I discovered on my Tuono, when you get into a full sportbike tuck, the top edge of the visor aperture can obstruct your view down the road. The R1 Air’s eyeport is clearly designed with that aggressive posture in mind, offering a better field of vision when leaned forward. The RF-1400 is for sporty riding; the R1 Air is for sportbike riding.
Our contributor Carl also did a review of the RF-1400 after four years riding in it: full review.
- Staff pick at Revzilla
- Excellent build quality
- Thick noise-sealing cheekpads
- Airtight visor seal
Verdict: Buy it or Not?
Yes. Emphatically, yes.
The Scorpion EXO R1 Air is an exceptional motorcycle helmet that delivers far more performance, features, and quality than its price tag suggests.
ScorpionEXO R1 Air Carbon Helmet delivers high-end protection, comfort, and tech-ready features for serious riders.
- Lightweight carbon fiber shell for maximum impact protection
- AirFit cheekpad system allows for on-the-fly fit customization
- Bluetooth-ready speaker pockets for easy communication setup
- Massively underpriced for its quality
- Paint job is fragile
It comfortably competes with helmets costing hundreds more, making it one of the best performance bargains on the market today.
If you handed it to me without logos, I’d genuinely guess it was an $800-$1000 helmet based on the weight, feel, and features. Finding it regularly available for 50-60% less feels like finding a glitch in the matrix.
While I thankfully haven’t had the opportunity to test its crash protection personally, the quality construction, advanced materials, safety certifications (DOT, ECE), and strong SHARP rating give me plenty of confidence.
This helmet has quickly become my go-to lid for any ride involving my sportbike. It solved my ergonomic issues, provides fantastic comfort and stability, and comes with everything you need right out of the box.
If you ride a sportbike, whether primarily on the street or hitting the track, and you want a helmet that delivers genuine top-tier performance without obliterating your gear budget, the Scorpion EXO R1 Air should be at the very top of your list. It’s simply too good to ignore.
