Rated: Scott MX550 Helmet

Rated = a product the Transmoto team has tried, tested and would recommend to a mate.

WHAT IS IT?

The MX550 helmet is the latest release from Scott to feature a polycarbonate shell. It’s a step up from their previous model (350 Pro), and it features advanced safety technology you’d expect from a more expensive helmet. When you buy a new helmet, the number one priority when choosing the right one should be how safe is it? Then, how good does it look? Then, of course, what does it cost? There’s a lot of competition in the helmet market these days, and after using Scott’s MX550 for a few months, it’s clear that Scott has put a lot of time and energy into this lid’s design and offering value for money.

PROS…

Design: Overall the MX550 is a cool-looking helmet with nice lines, a modern and edgy shape, and an elongated visor that integrates seamlessly with the outer shell. It offers good peripheral vision, a generous-sized eyeport that’ll fit all goggles, and it’s lightweight – our scales weighed it at 1.36kg (3lb). The liner and cheek pads can be easily removed when you want to wash the sweat and odour out of them after a ride, plus the helmet’s surface/paintwork is durable and easy to clean.
Safety: The MX550 features Conehead technology. It’s a unique construction with two different densities of EPS and a unique geometry between the two, which increase the impact protection of the helmet. It also uses MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), which is a leading slip-plane technology inside the helmet, designed to reduce rotational forces that can result from certain impacts.

Ventilation: Scott benchmarked the MX550’s ventilation in a wind tunnel scenario against its key competitors, and they spent countless hours testing, modifying, and re-testing prototypes until they were happy they achieved their goals of outperforming its competitors. We can’t prove whether the MX550 is better than its competitors as we didn’t test them all back-to-back, but after a few rides on some hot days, it certainly didn’t disappoint in the ventilation department, and our heads were not cooking at the end of a 20-minute moto. It also comes with the option to fit foam in the air intake to prevent dust from entering the helmet.

Comfort: All heads are different sizes so with any helmet it takes a few rides wearing one before your head beds into the foam and shape of the shell. Okay, some helmets just don’t feel comfortable the first time you put them on, but we liked the MX550 straight up as it felt pretty snug with plenty of room around the ears, and it hugged the jaw-line with a nice amount of pressure, which kept it firm and steady on the melon.

CONS…

It is hard to fault the Scott 550 lid. The only thing we could pick on with this helmet is the lack of an emergency removal system in the case of a big crash. First pioneered in top-of-the-line helmets, technology such as easily removable cheek pads have found their way into mid-level lids over the past couple of years. But implementing technology like this comes at an extra cost that would push this helmet into the $300+ price range. In saying that, the Scott 550 comes with the MIPS safety system, which will protect your noggin in a range of different crashes at various speeds. So for a helmet that will set you back less than $300, we think it’s a pretty damn good package.
With less-than-average airflow ports in its visor, the MX550 does catch the air more than average at really high speeds. This may be an issue for desert racers (many of whom modify their visors to allow more airflow anyway) or guys who plan to use the helmet for road and off-road, but it’s not something that trail or enduro riders will notice.

PRICE & AVAILABILITY

The Scott MX550 helmet offers exceptional value for its $299.95 RRP. It’s got market-leading ventilation, and is packed full of safety features to ensure your head has the best chance of surviving a nasty accident. The five different colourways – Hatch White or Black Orange, WoodBlock Grey/Yellow/Grey/Blue, or Camo Black/Yellow – look cool, and with sizes ranging from XS (54) through to XL (64), there’s plenty of options to fit your head. It’s available from all good motorcycle stores. If you’d like more info, check out www.ficeda.com.au