The clearance on the Scorpion helmets got me looking at new hemets again. I did not like the Scorpions. Just not my fit. I tried on an Icon Alliance that fit well, realy comfortable. I found a good price on it too, $130.00. Good reviews all over the interweb. I wish I could afford a premium helmet, but I'm kinda spending alot of money these days. Anyone have any 1st hand experience with Icon? Always kind of a squid brand, but anyway...
I have a Scorpion EXO1000; took a long time to "break-in"...seems it may be a bit rounder profile than some others. I've used many helmets through the years but I do remember a certain Icon I had for awhile being really comfortable...I think it was called "mainframe". It was a matte black so didn't look too squidly.
Motorcycle Helmets - webBikeWorld if you can't go with Shoei/Arai/Bell... I really like the insight these guys can give you on how well the helmets perform.
It's not a squid brand... Icon makes good gear, and because they sponsor a lot of stunters shouldn't brand them as 'squid.' A lot of their helmet shells actually come from the same company that makes HJC and a couple of others... I've had an Alliance for about a year now as my second helmet and I like it fine. It's not as good in most areas as my Shoei, but it was also less than 1/3 the price - for the money, I consider it to be a VERY good helmet. Removable/washable liner, good shield optics, good venting... I'd buy another one if I needed.
I'm using an HJC IS MAX with the flip up face and flip down tinted shade, it fits with my eyeglasses but I usually wear contact lens when riding. Put a dark smoke shield on it and with the flip down shade it gives double glare protection.
Nuthin' squidly about 'em. I've got an Icon Domain 2 Unlucky 13 helmet. It's a good quality helmet for the price that's loaded with features you'd find on much higher priced helmets. The padding is simply excellent. It's removable,washable,and it's all replaceable. There's plenty of adjustable venting to keep your head cooler or warmer if you choose. The helmet doesn't move your head around at speed. The visor is simple enough to swap out,it locks down securely,and it seals up tightly for no wind noise. And the excess chin strap locks back down to the D ring with a snap so it's not flopping around in the wind. It's a bit heavier than say a Shoei RF900 but no where near excessively so. I even like the funky little aero-wing at the rear of the helmet,makes a nice carrying handle. The padding on this helmet is so thick,snug,and comfy that you feel as though your head is literally cocooned inside it. In fact the padding coverage around the back and sides of your head is so good that with the breath deflector and chin curtain installed it makes an absolutely excellent cool/cold weather riding helmet. If you're looking for a reasonably good quality helmet with a few upscale features but don't have a whole lot of money to spend Ricko then Icon helmets are worth looking into.
I have the Scorpion EXO-1100 Kranium and have to say it rocks. Previous helmet was an Icon ... have to check what the model was... no comparison between the two. The Kranium is -comfy- (yes, I am a fan of the inflatable cheek pads) and has the built in sun visor. Cost? About $360 CDN (delivered, taxes in since none were available locally until September) and well worth it.
I just bought - haven't ridden with it yet - a Bilt (cyclegear's house brand) Speed - on sale $100 off. BILT Street Gear - Speed Air Pump Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet - Cycle Gear It has the pump up cheek cushions, internal sunshade and fully removable interior. It weighs about 5 oz less than the 7year old Nitro Racing helmet it will be replacing. The fit is very good - snug as you would expect for brand new. I will report back tomorrow after I ride to work with it see how noisy it is or isn't comfort, ventilation, buffeting, etc., and then report back again in a few weeks. This is my first non Snell helmet. The Nitro racing one it is replacing replaced an identical Nitro racing which saved my skull. Can't get a Nitro Racing DOT sticker helmet anymore, so technically I can't ride with a new version on base.
Well, after the first ride, observations: 1) more wind noise than the Nitro hwell: – rode w/o ear plugs this morning – afternoon ride home will be with ear plugs. 1a) Afternoon ride home with ear plugs - big improvement - seems quieter with ear plugs than the Nitro with ear plugs must be because of the different noise frequencies, and the noise reduction of the plugs based on those frequencies. 2) much lighter and maneuverable. :thumb: 2a) Hard to believe that 5 oz can make a noticeable difference, but it does. 3) tint on mirrored visor is pretty light, lighter than the Nitro 4) tint on internal sunshield is pretty light. 5) combined, the visor and sunshield are just about dark enough for bright Georgia sunshine. 6) fits my head well – no tight spots once the helmet is in place 7) No noticeable buffeting difference between helmets. 8) all in all a very good deal, even at normal retail - at 100 off - a great deal. :thumb:
I have a Scorpion EXO-1000 with the internal sun visor. It fits well with the inflatable cheek pads, and noise is average. Unfortunately it is falling apart after only 2 years of use. I have had to glue on the windshield seal, the bottom gasket/edging. currently the bottom edging is coming apart again. Looking for a new brand.
I've been wearing an ICON Mainframe for about six years and I love it! It is light and quieter than my last Shoei. I have never had a Shoei that fit my head properly. Always had the mid forehead burn after half an hour but I've done an 800 mile day in the Icon without any discomfort. Is it as safe as an Arai? Ummmmm really hard to say......
Almost bought one of those, but decided on the Bilt instead. So far, even if it only lasts 2-3 years, I will have done pretty well. My Nitro was old enough that it was time to replace it. Maybe my next will be a higher end helmet (another Shoei, or an Arai or AGV, etc). Remains to be seen. For the price, I am pleased with the Cycle Gear house brand.
A bunch of the CycleGear helmets are ECE 22-05 certified. That is better than DOT and maybe better than SNELL. SNELL tests to a high standard, but not all batches are tested, nor are they truly random. As far as I understand, ECE is truly random and per batch. So every helmet in the batch has to be ready to pass the tests. Not just a small handpicked sample for the entire production run.l I tried the Bilt helmets and they don't quite fit my very round shaped melon. The Seven-Oh-Seven's do fit pretty well, though. Jose
:soapbox: It's too bad the US & the DOD don't consider the ECE standard acceptable, or I would have ordered another Nitro. I would also have to consider the shipping from the UK to here & for some reason that's 50-80 bucks. OWWWW. :spankme:
Yup, knew that one... That even includes at least one of the Cyclegear Bilt line (just not the one I bought). I'm just frustrated that the ECE sticker alone is not accepted by the DOD as valid in the US. Thanks!
My Vega Attitude is DOT & ECE certified. It has alot of wind noise, & at 70+ it wants to remove it's self from my head. But I only paid a bit over $100.00 for it. Next year I will buy a better helmet.
The Halo might be the safest, but not necessarily the most comfortable. Motorcycle Helmets, Motorbike Helmets, Crash Helmets, Free UK Delivery
