Need a helmet Recomendation

[ColeGT]

Im looking for a new helmet so i can pass mine back to the passengers. I like the look of the Icon alliance, plus the price is really good. Anyone have anything to say about Icons or can you recomend me a different helmet. Im looking for just solid black.

thanks

[BottleRocket]

There are plenty of good helmets out, just make sure you dont get thermoplastic. That shit is worthless. Get a carbon/kevlar composite. When I bought my gear, I wasnt about to spend $400 on a helmet, so I got one that was nice and still affordable. I have an HJC AC-11. It was ~$200 and looks great. Its not solid black, but i love it. Also, you might want to get one from a local motorcycle shop and not online. Some brand helmets dont fit as well as others. Do you know of any shops around here that sell Icon helmets?

[spankustang]

I have a Shoei and I love it!! I have seen the Icon helmets!! They look good and the price is right. Plus, they make other gear that is excellent.!! :D :D

[chevyblazer5150]

shoei or hjc are very good helmets. aria is one of the best but obviously your looking for something cheaper. My buddy is the parts manager over at stadium yamaha off 183 in irving. ask for brian he'll hook you up!

[Thurston]

all my gear is icon and i love it. very stylish, plus they are comfortable. heres a pic of my black icon mainframe rubatone with a chrome windscreen.

http://dfwstangs.net/hosting/Thurston/icon_rubatone.jpg

[BottleRocket]

where did you get that helmet? I want an Icon Halo

[evil jose]

I've got an Arai Signet and had an older Shoei, both an XL.

The Shoei fit me loose but it was used so I can't tell if it was contoured better for the previous user or not. I sold it because it was so loose that it on windy days and speeds above 80 it tended to bounce my head around on the inside no matter how tight I had the chin straps.

My Arai fits me like a glove and has plenty of ventilation (two intakes on the top, two exhaust in the back, two intakes on the top of the shield above each eye to flow wind downward over the shield, a chin intake with two positions, and a chin spoiler; all can be opened or closed). My only gripe about it is the tool less removal of the shield which can be a PITA.

One thing you should note is that there are different head shapes. Arai has different models to fit different shapes of heads where as some companys have a one shape fits all (not talking about size but shape). Just one thing to note about the higher end brands.

I bought the Arai on eBay after trying it locally for fit. Locally they wanted $400+ for it while on eBay I bought it for $300 brand new. If you can find what you want locally, try it on and buy it online and you can save some cash like I did. I hate doing it as I'd rather support a local business but when we talk about a $100 difference in price I'm going with the cheaper one.

I've been thinking about picking up a Shoei RF-1000 to see how it compares to my Arai as far as fit and finish. Also been contemplating buying an HJC as a secondary helmet since it's cheap after my problem with my Arai and not wanting to be held up on a weekend of riding due to a part on the helmet

[8mpg]

Icon is a great company.. I had one and loved it. My buddy has had a few of them and he likes them too. THe price is pretty good and the new ones are really stylish.

[I Stang U]

head up to cyclegear and check out the ones there... you can try them on and get it local screw shipping... they will match prices tooo!!!

[evil jose]

head up to cyclegear and check out the ones there... you can try them on and get it local screw shipping... they will match prices tooo!!!

Will they match eBay prices? I mean $20 difference I'd buy locally but $100???? Shipping was $10 on my helmet :D

[99shestang]

Shoei is a very good name. Expensive, but very well made. It's worth the cash!

[BCNU]

Shoei is a very good name. Expensive, but very well made. It's worth the cash!

I second the Shoei.

RF1000 or RF900

[I Stang U]

Will they match eBay prices? I mean $20 difference I'd buy locally but $100???? Shipping was $10 on my helmet :D


well I wasn't talking ebay.... I sure wouldn't buy a used one though if you are in question if they had to "use" it... if it is like motocross if you take a nice spill they highly recomend you replace the helment....

[evil jose]

well I wasn't talking ebay.... I sure wouldn't buy a used one though if you are in question if they had to "use" it... if it is like motocross if you take a nice spill they highly recomend you replace the helment....

Maybe I didn't explain things right. I bought a brand new Arai off of eBay for $100+ cheaper than anything I could find locally. Brand new in the box with the warranty card and the plastic still stuck on the shield. I found a used Shoei on eBay that I won for $80 shipped that came with both a clear and smoke shield that I kept as a second helmet to see which one I liked better. Sold the Shoei, kept the Arai. I'd like to try some other helmets but haven't had time lately to window shop.

I'd be very picky on the fit of a helmet and make sure that it's got plenty of ventilation which is one thing the Arai has plenty of.

[ThreeFingerPete]

I have that ICON mainframe Rubatone, and I am very displeased, on the freeway yesterday, the chin vent decided it didn't want to stay open, and about a week ago, it fell from about 18" off the ground and the paint damn near fell off in about 6 places.

it howls and whistles on the road, but i'm not sure how bad that compares to the others in it's price range.

Icon said they will fix the helmet if i send it back to them, but I wouldn't recommend their helmets, they are made by HJC, so you might as well save your 50$ and get one.

i have only had this helmet two weeks, and i'm already looking to get a different brand.
It's a shame, because it looks pimp as shit, and if i get it back, i may just rhino-line it, a finish that actually is durable.


adam

[evil jose]

That sucks about the helmet Adam, how much did it run you? I've never heard of any problems with Icon but I haven't heard any high praise either other than from the guys on here. What size is your helmet?

[yzf1k]

i wear HJC, my old one was HJC, and my current one is a HJC - good helmets without spending a bunch of cash -
HJC fits me well, and is good on visibility, noise, and ventilation - my current one is a CL12, i think it's been replaced by a newer model #, but they should be pretty much the same now (it's 2 (?) years old) -
Shoei's are really good helmets, but more $$ -
Arai's have a good reputation, but cost comes with the name and reputation, so they're more for high rolling moderators than for us regular middle class working guys... :p - at least they're not the first choice for someone on a budget, if money is the main concern -
unfamiliar with Icon, never tried one -
i'd vote for HJC, or at least say try one if you never have - Shoei if you don't mind spending a little more -

best bet is still just go to bike shops and try helmets on until you find the one that fits the best and has good visibility - nothing worse when riding than having to jack with a helmet all day -

[Thurston]

well first off i also have a problem with the chin vent not staying open on the highway, but thats no biggie to me. second, the helmet is a matte finish, meaning its not clearcoated so what do you expect with keeping it clean. its going to be a bitch. and you saying hjc makes their helmets, hjc is the largest helmet producer in the world. they produce helmets for numerous other companies, basically every company besides arai, shoei, and suomy. for the price i am pleased, by the way i bought it from kneedraggers.

I have that ICON mainframe Rubatone, and I am very displeased, on the freeway yesterday, the chin vent decided it didn't want to stay open, and about a week ago, it fell from about 18" off the ground and the paint damn near fell off in about 6 places.

it howls and whistles on the road, but i'm not sure how bad that compares to the others in it's price range.

Icon said they will fix the helmet if i send it back to them, but I wouldn't recommend their helmets, they are made by HJC, so you might as well save your 50$ and get one.

i have only had this helmet two weeks, and i'm already looking to get a different brand.
It's a shame, because it looks pimp as shit, and if i get it back, i may just rhino-line it, a finish that actually is durable.


adam

[ThreeFingerPete]

keeping it clean doesnt mean anything to me, that's not a problem.
the "durable" finish coming off everytime it touches anything is.

HJC does make alot of helmets, but how many of them are in the same price range as this helmet?

the padding inside the helmet is so soft that after 1 week, the helmet sits on my chin while i'm moving, where as it didnt when i bought it, (one of the main reasons why i bought it)

I don't know, i have a goofy head and maybe i just got a bad one.


adam

[evil jose]

Arai's have a good reputation, but cost comes with the name and reputation, so they're more for high rolling moderators than for us regular middle class working guys... :p - at least they're not the first choice for someone on a budget, if money is the main concern -

High rolling??? If you only knew :( I liked what I read about the Arai's from people who had them and liked the fit when I tried one on that was fit for my shape of head. Found it on eBay for $300 and couldn't turn it down as I figured it was money well spent and way cheaper than I could buy it locally or even mail order.

[ThreeFingerPete]

don't let him fool you, he's got a gold plated zipper on his tank bag. BLING BLING!

[_mach_]

Go up to MOTO LIBERTY and talk to Matt, he'll get you exactly what you want, tell him Grayson sent you up there and he'll give you 10%off. They have the best selection and can get you anything made. I prefer Arai, they are the most comfortable and lightest, but also the most expensive

[yzf1k]

don't let him fool you, he's got a gold plated zipper on his tank bag. BLING BLING!


...and a bunch of unobtanium parts on his bike too, i'm sure - i hear he's also in the market for a hydraulic automatic 24k gold swingarm stand... :D
j/k Jose - we know you try to keep it real so us po' folk don't feel too bad... ;)

and speaking of which, any idea whatever happened to the guy on here that was going to be producing the front and rear stands ? i'm sure the thread died with the board crash, and i don't remember who it was that was making them - (i'll start a new thread in case not everyone sees this) - thanks -

[evil jose]

As long as you don't make fun of my tank bag than we are allright :D

...and a bunch of unobtanium parts on his bike too, i'm sure - i hear he's also in the market for a hydraulic automatic 24k gold swingarm stand... :D
j/k Jose - we know you try to keep it real so us po' folk don't feel too bad... ;)

and speaking of which, any idea whatever happened to the guy on here that was going to be producing the front and rear stands ? i'm sure the thread died with the board crash, and i don't remember who it was that was making them - (i'll start a new thread in case not everyone sees this) - thanks -

[BCNU]

, i may just rhino-line it, a finish that actually is durable.


If you put that Rhino-lining on your helmet, make sure its not the "rubbery" kind.

Helmets are designed to slide on the road surface. Thats one time when you probably wouldnt want traction.

My neck hurts just thinking about it! :eek:

[evil jose]

If you put that Rhino-lining on your helmet, make sure its not the "rubbery" kind.

Helmets are designed to slide on the road surface. Thats one time when you probably wouldnt want traction.

My neck hurts just thinking about it! :eek:

Ouch! That would hurt! Although I would think that it wouldn't be able to provide that much traction to be an issue with it "catching". Fuck it! Black primer that biatch!

[BCNU]

I would think that it wouldn't be able to provide that much traction to be an issue with it "catching".

You might be right. It would probably grind off pretty quick...That hard drying stuff would be cool though.

[yzf1k]

As long as you don't make fun of my tank bag than we are allright :D

it's a deal -
(i usually put my bag on the back seat anyway, where she doesn't block my view.. :D) -

[ThreeFingerPete]

I'm pimpin this now.

[evil jose]

Adam, that's the exact same helmet I was looking at getting for a secondary. What size do you wear and how much did you pay for it? I'd defintely wanna check it out on Sunday.

[ThreeFingerPete]

large, and i paid 360+tax.


adam

[AbecX]

IMHO, any helmet out there today that is both dot and snell cerified ( which is pretty much all of them ) is a good helmet. The only way to really know which is a good one for you is to go out and try them on. I've had an Arai, HJC, Icon, and a Shoei helmet before and I honestly liked the Icon the most, but that could be because it was the only one I bought new. Also, when buying a helmet, make sure you buy one that is semi snug to your face, it will stretch out eventually and you never want to buy a helmet thats loose.