helmets

[SVRACER01]

i need a new helmet for racing.
ive been bouncing around the interweb and local shops and i do the usual, Shoei, Arai tap dance and then i see the price and get sticker shock. i also find myself fondling a lot of Icon helmets. i dont know who does their design work but i really like a lot of their designs whereas i find myself only liking a couple Shoeis ands a couple Arais.
im going to ask even though i know what type of answers im going to get.
What do you think of the Icon helmets?
ive spoken with reps from other companies and they tell me its basically an old HJC design that they remodeled. they arent plastic. they are not heavy. i find them visually appealing.they have washable liners. so why do they get such a bad rap?
i dont want to hear "pro racers dont wear them so they must suck". ive had an Arai save my head. ive had a Shoeis save my head. i realize that Icon is the new kid on the block but has anyone had experience with them?

[Doc]

No experience I have just heard that Icon gear in general is for posers.

The Jackets fall apart and are not fell constructed.

ALL HEARSAY of course but..

Have you looked at AGV Helmets?

Even HJC would be better than Icon IMHO.

Heck Maladin is rockin a SCORPION...

[OreoGaborio]

No experience

Guessing he stopped reading at that point.

[Doc]

Guessing he stopped reading at that point.

I think he has me blocked...

[mzdagrl]

Aren't the HJC AC line similar in style, composition and price? I think the track has done a pretty good job of keeping good safety standards for gear, so if they allow them....

Sorry, also no experience...

[SVRACER01]

No experience I have just heard that Icon gear in general is for posers.-is that your opinion, because i could say the same about Ducati owners

The Jackets fall apart and are not fell constructed.- i asked about helmets, not jackets, also ive read on here that JR sucks but thats what i wear with no issues.

ALL HEARSAY of course but..

Have you looked at AGV Helmets?-no. i dont like the way they fit/look

Even HJC would be better than Icon IMHO.-i dont like the look of HJC

Heck Maladin is rockin a SCORPION... -Mladin is a FAG!

[OreoGaborio]

I know stupidhawk races with an Icon. You can always shoot him a PM or somethin.

[JohnnyV]

The Jackets fall apart and are not fell constructed.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... whether or not their gear is for posers is for each to form their own opinion, but with regards to construction I've logged over 10k miles with my Icon jacket and the construction quality is top notch. This could be attributed to the fact that the jacket I have from them is closer to the top of their product line, but I have never experienced a broken zipper, pulled seam, or tear in the leather.

[Evil_Weasel]

I've had street riding buddies with them complain they are noisey and bounce around at speed but i have never owned one myself. i too have been looking at an icon helmet for racing (my old arai died in the line of duty at only 3 weekends old).they meet the no plastic requirements of LRRS and i think they look pretty niffty. i actually have a set of icon gloves that have survived 2 crashes at the track, being soaked countless times, and they still aren't dead.

[Pookie]

I have also got the very noisy rap and that was from someone selling them. I tried one on and that it was heavy as hell. If I was just looking for something cool I-------- You know I guess I still wouldn't buy one.

[eboos]

What dealership carries AGV instock? I have been curious about them as a possible replacement, but I have never been able to try one on.

[a13x]

Take it for what it is worth but after a full year of hanging around 'very knowledgable people' and 'some really fast dudes' at various MC events and paddocks around the USA... I've not heard one good thing about ICON gear.

I couldn't in good faith recommend one to you Brian.

[Doc]

I've said it before and I'll say it again... whether or not their gear is for posers is for each to form their own opinion, but with regards to construction I've logged over 10k miles with my Icon jacket and the construction quality is top notch. This could be attributed to the fact that the jacket I have from them is closer to the top of their product line, but I have never experienced a broken zipper, pulled seam, or tear in the leather.

Glad someone has a good review.

[klepsta]

Go with Arai or Shoei and put all your worries to rest. Icons are not a poor quality helmet, just compared to a company the likes of Arai who has been doing it for what seems like forever, and thats pretty much all they do, I trust them more.

[Evil_Weasel]

i hate to get off topic here but anyone know anything about bell helmets? they do a matte black thing that looks pretty nice. kevlar/composite shell. seems nice, but looks like it might be bulky. price is pretty good though, and bell has been making helmets forever.

[Doc]

Bell just came out with a New lid. Alex tested it out.

[a13x]

Bell just came out with a New lid. Alex tested it out.

Bell Star is a really high-end and featured-packed helmet. It's quite advanced and built to go up against the best-of-the-best market.

I've street ridden with it the last two days just to put some more time into the lid. I rode it for a full day at Barber during the 1098R launch and after 7 years in Arai's... it was sort of a culture shock changing up such a intimate part of your gear that quick.

So I felt I needed to spend some more 'quality time' with my head inside of the Star, hence recent street-riding. It's for sure a legit choice for anyone looking for a damn fine helmet. Visor pops on and off in like .2 seconds (even I could do it..), tons of venting, clear sight lines through the visor opening, nice padding, absolutely killer helmet bag (better than my Ogio), and good paint schemes.

Only thing I could 'gripe' about is it's rather noisy. This however tends to be the case with ANY and ALL well-vented helmets and the Star is no exception. So it really isn't a legit gripe since it's designed to move massive amounts of air around your cranium (which = noise). Normally I don't wear earplugs on the street (shame on me) but I'd probably make it more of a habit with the Star. Again thou, it's doing it's job of venting so....

[Evil_Weasel]

thanks alex

[tig720]

IF you have a $10 head then get a $10 helmet.

[Evil_Weasel]

IF you have a $10 head then get a $10 helmet.

some one get this man a cookie

[Pookie]

Alex, did I mention that you were my Hero.

[13]

Ok, I raced with an ICON mainframe a few seasons ago. It was inexpensive, comfy, a bit noisy and left my ears ringing after bouncing my head off the track in T1. It held up with a few pretty deep scratches. I used it for the rest of the season.

I've got a Shark now and it fits my head better, it's lighter and quieter. Haven't really tested it yet though. I don't plan on it either.

[13]

IF you have a $10 head then get a $10 helmet.

If your head is only worth $800 or so(the price of a decent Arai) then I guess you can use one. If I were to put an honest dollar value on my head and what's in it, I don't think I could find a motorcycle helmet that would cost as much.

Cost does not equal safety. I'm sure a solid gold helmet would cost alot more, would you use that because it's more expensive? Hmmm? HMMMMM?!

[The Crashing Tomato]

for what it's worth after 18 years with HJC's of all varieties I made the move to Icon just a few hundred miles and 4 TD's ago. it is a mainframe level helmet. I can hear myself think inside this helmet at any speed and with all vents open. the cheek pads are snap in with the right amount of grip so they don't just fall out. the nose guard does an ok job of keeping your breath off the shield if you're a nose breather. the under chin 'flap' definately makes a good seal which helps with noise and updraft at speed. the shield changes in like .4 seconds.

hope this helps

[OreoGaborio]

If your head is only worth $800 or so(the price of a decent Arai) then I guess you can use one. If I were to put an honest dollar value on my head and what's in it, I don't think I could find a motorcycle helmet that would cost as much.

Cost does not equal safety. I'm sure a solid gold helmet would cost alot more, would you use that because it's more expensive? Hmmm? HMMMMM?!

+1

I've never liked the stupid "10 dollar head, 10 dollar helmet" argument. It's stupid... I can't afford a bajillion dollar helmet.