Matte or Solid Helmet Paint?

What differences could I expect, if any, between the solid and matte finishes of the Scorpion Exo-700 helmet? Specifically, I am unsure if the finish would have any effect on the amount of wind noise or be harder/easier to keep clean.

Matte Black
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Solid Black
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I do not see the logic in putting my head in a matte finished black helmet on a 90 F degree sunny day, can you say poached egg?

stic3, Apr 11 2006, 06:31 PMI do not see the logic in putting my head in a matte finished black helmet on a 90 F degree sunny day, can you say poached egg?

Somebody needs to do a test and take 2 identical helmets only one is white and one is black and set them out in the sun and put a thermocouple lead inside each one to see what the temperature difference is.


I remember seeing a local broadcast that tested cars at a local car lot that way to see if the color made a difference inside the car. They were actually testing the sunblocker screens in the front window. There was only like 3 degrees difference.

I think as long as you're moving, it won't really matter much. I have a flat black and my head dosen't get hot at all, its more everything else biggrin.gif . By the way, I like the flat black.

All helmets will ventilate, regardless of color, if you are moving or if there is a breeze. Solid chrome will cook your egg if there is no airflow. Matte only looks good if your riding something matte. Otherwise it's just not that impressive (stealth or not). I just got an ICON Domain, and the matte didn't impress me, so I got the gloss black. Very slick.

I love that matte finish that Icon puts on some of their helmets but I'd have to worry it would be harder to clean bugs out of it, as it seems to be a little "rougher" then a gloss finish, more tiny spaces for dirt to get jammed into.

Besides the potential heat issues the #1 reason to skip the black helmet is of course visibility to cagers.

Growler67, Apr 11 2006, 07:45 PMAll helmets will ventilate, regardless of color, if you are moving or if there is a breeze.  Solid chrome will cook your egg if there is no airflow.  Matte only looks good if your riding something matte.  Otherwise it's just not that impressive (stealth or not).  I just got an ICON Domain, and the matte didn't impress me, so I got the gloss black.  Very slick.

offtopic.gif but how do you like the Domain so far? I have last years alliance model and I'm very fond of it but the venting leaves a little to be desired with the flip up vent. The Domain looks sweet and looks to have great venting, is this correct? Could be my next helmet... Again, sorry for the offtopic.gif

hawglet, Apr 11 2006, 07:10 PM offtopic.gif � but how do you like the Domain so far? I have last years alliance model and I'm very fond of it but the venting leaves a little to be desired with the flip up vent. The Domain looks sweet and looks to have great venting, is this correct? Could be my next helmet... Again, sorry for the� offtopic.gif

I have recently retired my Shoei X-8 Air (after nearly 10 years). After trying some on at a local shop, I mail ordered it (fit is very much like the Shoei's). I did a comparison test a couple of weeks ago. The noise level was about the same between the two (I alway use earplugs). However, the venting in the Domain was superior to what I had. Very good ventilation. Almost too good, until it gets really warm, I'll have to tape over the two in the chin bar. The little spoiler wing is kinda kewl too. Matches the wing on the back end of my bike (hehe, post #9).

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.p...st=0&p=225507&#

How would the Icon Domain compare to Arai Quantum, or the Shoei RF1000? Regarding venting, weight and wind noise.

benSV, Apr 11 2006, 08:06 PMI love that matte finish that Icon puts on some of their helmets but I'd have to worry it would be harder to clean bugs out of it, as it seems to be a little "rougher" then a gloss finish, more tiny spaces for dirt to get jammed into.

Keeping it clean is one thing I am interested in as well. Could anyone with a matte finish helmet provide some feedback?

justcoolen, Apr 13 2006, 11:52 AMHow would the Icon Domain compare to Arai Quantum, or the Shoei RF1000? Regarding venting, weight and wind noise.

IMHO it would not compare at all Icon helmets are made by HJC which I am not a fan of. I am Shoei all the way I do not like the fit of the Arai.

Not much vents like the RF-1000 except the X-11 and the weight is pretty low. I know my X-11 weighs the same as the HJC carbon fiber helmets.

I have a theory about helmets if they do not wear them during racing I aint putting my melon in it.

ProMed, Apr 13 2006, 11:57 AMKeeping it clean is one thing I am interested in as well.  Could anyone with a matte finish helmet provide some feedback?

I have last model year's Icon Alliance in a flat/rubatone. It's the one with the red stripe going over the top of a black shell. I'ld say compared to previous helmets it's a very slight amount harder to clean but not enough to make any real difference. I just use some baking soda and water and come clean real quick.

justcoolen, Apr 13 2006, 10:52 AMHow would the Icon Domain compare to Arai Quantum, or the Shoei RF1000? Regarding venting, weight and wind noise.

I am not in a good position to make a comparison. I have a history with Shoei helmets and have not ever found an Arai to fit very well (for me), much less owned one. As for the RF-1000, honestly I don't know. As I mentioned, I have replaced a nearly 10 year old X-8 Air. That comparison I can make.

Weight feels about the same, but I haven't put either on a scale for accurate comparison. The foam thickness (and overall physical size comparison) is thicker in the back portion of the Icon (more protection for the back of ones egg is my guess), and that make the overall helmet slightly bigger. I rode a short test distance near my house with my old X-8 Air. I took notice of feeling ventilation on the top of my head, whether or not I had to crack the faceshield to prevent fogging and tried to notice the ambient noise levels during acceleration and while idling. When I got home, I took off the X-8 Air and left my earplugs in. Switched helmets and rode the same route making all the same kinds of mental notes I did just minutes before.

My unscientific conclusions so far are:

Weight, feel and comfort - very similar to the X-8 Air, not a lot of cross wind during my evaluation (still ongoing), but very comfortable. More room around my ears so they don't feel as scrunched up.

Fogging - Well they say it is fog free. Not so, however, when moving it does clear breath fog very much better and quicker than the Shoei. I had to crack the Shoei when stopped, not so for the Icon.

Noise - audio levels from inside the helmet seemed about the same between the two. I did not notice any difference (I alway wear earplugs).

Ventilation - My X-8 Air had been the best venting Shoei I have ever owned. The Icon ventilation was far superior to what I had been used to. I have never owned nor ridden with an RF-1000, so I cannot say what if any difference there may be.

Having read a recent article that went behind the scenes into the HJC factory, I gotta say that they have come a long way very fast. I do not have any facts that Icon helmets are produced by HJC, so I'll just say that if this is the case and after what I read, I am not worried about my egg. DOT and SNELL 2005 rated and more affordable than the top of the line Shoeis. SNELL is not an easy endorsement to get, so it ain't junk. I have nothing bad to say about Shoei. They have been very good to my egg over the years. I have always felt that one should buy the best protection that they can afford. I can say with clear conscience that I feel good about my purchase and the new home my egg resides in.

Just an update. Taday was WINDY. 25-35 kts, gusting to 40 kts. On the ride into work I caught wind from just about every angle. With the helmet (ICON Domain) I did not experience any lift and hardly any buffeting, not to mention no deflection. The bike on the other hand was moving all around especially when catching crosswinds. Still diggin' the new helmet.

I have a matte black Arai Quantum II helmet and it is very easy to clean. I just use Honda Pro Cleaner & Polish to clena it and it works fine.

I have an Icon Mainframe in gloss black, that I'm very happy with. My next helmet will probably be another Mainframe(or maybe the Hooligan smile.gif ), but it will definately NOT be black. It just scratches too easy.

I have (on the shelf now) the scorpion in the matte black to match with the bike. I have not had any issues with it at all. I havent noticed my head becoming hot or anything, maybe a few days in stand still traffic where i had to lift the visor up. The helmet is good, it saved my face last wknd. I love the fact the visors are inexpensive and very simple to change. The matte black was not hard to clean....just a little soap and water. 1 thing i didnt like much was the weight and wind noise. Overall it is a good buy. It just comes down to which color you like. Hope this helps.

I've got a Scorpion 700 in matte yellow and black and it's no harder to clean the bugs off than any other helmet I've owned.

MATTE

Matte or shiney is inconsequential to me, is it bright enough to be seen by cagers at night? Matte black helmet on a bike at night esentially makes you invisible down to the bike level, and if that is matte black as well, forget it. You're an accident waiting to happen IMO.

Give me something bright or reflective.