Scorpion EXO-AT960, My New Helmet

     When it's time to buy a bike, it might be time to buy a new helmet. I checked and my last new helmet was in 2009.                                                                                                       

     This is my Scorpion EXO-AT960. It's a modular ADV (adventure helmet) and has a large viewing port, which makes it a lot easier for me to look over my shoulder. 

     

     It has a peak visor that really helps to block the sun, especially at this time of year when the sun is low in the sky.  A criticism of this peak visor is that it vibrates at speed, and it does vibrate a small amount, but I find that very easy to ignore. The peak visor can be removed for a more aerodynamic shape; however, I don't think I will be taking it off, I like it. 

        

    The helmet also has a dropdown sun visor lens. It eliminates having to fiddle with sunglasses. 

     I do have a few problems with the "no-fog Everclear face shield." It's true it doesn't fog easily, but condensation does form on the inside of the lens when it is cold. The droplets of water distort vision through the lens. 

     

    The helmet face shield detents are too far apart. The first stop leaves the face shield too far open, The real problem starts around the second detent, where the edge of the shield distorts vision to funhouse mirror proportions. Kinda dangerous if you ask me.

     I picked the Hicks version of the helmet in white and orange. It goes good with the bike's colors.

     

     I think the Scorpion EXO-AT960 is a good helmet and a good value. I think it was likely a redesign to meet the European ECE 22.06 standard. I also think the Scorpion EXO-AT960 should have had a few other details refined. I think that could have been done without adding a lot of cost. I think Scorpion missed an opportunity to make the EXO AT960 a great helmet.

Also see - My New Helmet, November 2009

El Diablo Run 2023

     I haven't been keeping up. I've been riding but not writing. One of the things I didn't write about was the El Diablo run for 2023. The El Diablo was a lot different than it has been.

     The ride to San Felipe hasn't changed. Greg rode his new KTM adventure bike. I rode my old Stampede bike, yea, still good.

  

     This year Ruben's Camp charged admission. There were no races. Rumor had it that because there had been racing injuries on the previous El Diablo, there would be no racing. The events would be low speed, like the keg push. the balance board and tire throw.

     So this year it was a rented house south of town. Very nice, on the beach. 

  

         I spent more time in town this year. Enjoying the less hectic life.

Triumph Tiger 850 Sport

I just bought a Triumph Tiger 850 Sport. I've been comparing bikes and thinking about what kind of bike I would like.  Here's what went into my decision to go for the Triumph Tiger 850 Sport.

I do still travel far and while I travel light, the bike had to be able to carry the stuff I need, change of clothes, sleeping bag, maybe my tent, etc.. The bike needed range and all-day cruising speed. I do want to explore unpaved roads, for which my hard tailed Sportster was unsuited.

I considered the large adventure bikes, they were all too tall, too heavy, too wide for that matter. I just couldn't see myself riding any of them.

 Then came the midsized adventure bikes, still too tall and most were more off road oriented. I want to explore some off road but don't want to bash around a 450ish lb. adventure bike. If I wanted a dirt bike, I'd get a Yamaha YZ250.     

Is that a KTM in the background?

l also considered value. Most of the midsize adventure bikes are around $5k more than the 850 Tiger. Seems that that extra cash goes into a lot more electronic rider aids and off road worthiness at the expense of long-distance comfort.

 I really like the grey with orange trim colors. The 2021and 2022 had red or blue trim, I think the only year for the orange trim will be 2023. Triumph has dropped color for the 2024 models, which will be all black and grey. I'm going to have to say, maybe black and grey with a little orange is pretty attractive.