TBar
New Member
I'm looking for a new helmet and I am seriously considering the variant. Any one have any comments?
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Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Icon variant is it a good helmet?
- Thread starter TBar
- Start date
KOCONUT
Riding like it's a giant supermoto
I just picked one up. Must admit, its the looks that are really the reason to get one. I have a Bell RS-1 that I love and have pretty much stuck with Bell since I've been riding. I love Icon gear so I decided to try the Variant. It's not a bad helmet, it just is more for rounder heads and mine is longer than rounder. It def noisier than my Bell, but it looks sweet and flows much more air than I thought it would. I have a Madstad mount with the stock screen which isnt ideal, but the variant doesnt care. No buffeting and you barely notice the peak at all while riding. By comparison, I had an AGV AX-8 and at any speed over 40 that thing would start flapping around pretty violently and would give me a headache. The Variant is a very good dual sport helmet. I guess for the majority of my riding (street/highway) the Bell RS-1 suits me better. If I'm doing any dirt though, the Variant would be my choice.
dietDrThunder
Why so serious, son?
I was considering one, and tried one on at a local shop a while back. I see no reason not to buy one if it fits you. Like pretty much all helmets, by far and away the most important thing is fit and comfort, so if it works in those areas, go for it. I thought the build quality was good, and it looked pretty sharp too.
Rusty Shackleford
New Member
I've had one for 3 years and I'm looking to replace mine. It has been a comfortable helmet, the problem is when you put it on and take it off...it will rip your ears off. It is a noisy helmet. Where it is tight on my ears, I can not wear ear plugs or install any communications. For me, it doesn't vent well, I've never been able to get the chin bar vent to work....I just completed a 2 week 4600 mile trip and that has made me want to get a new helmet. Reason being the noise and the torture on my ears while putting it on and taking it off.
juniorscott81
New Member
I had one too, for about a year. Wore it maybe a dozen times. Like Rusty said, no room for speakers or ear buds... and my problem wasn't necessarily on my ears as much as it was on my cheeks. If I did much talking in at stops with other riders it would literally bruise my cheeks. That said, they look awesome. I had the matte black "battlescar" graphic and got comments everywhere I went. It's not the Icon fit either, just that helmet. I wear an Icon Airmada that I've had for a couple years and I love it. Best fitting helmet I've ever owned. In fact, I just had it wrapped to match my bike because I can't bring myself to get rid of it... although I'm sure I will eventually get a proper "adventure" helmet sooner or later. If you don't have those same fitment issues then rock it!
taskmaster86
Active Member
I have tried and owned alot of different motorcycle gear brands. For me, Icon is at the lower end of the spectrum for quality and value and their helmets are no exception. Icon helmets seem flimsy, hollow and loud, especially for the price tag. If you are looking for a mid price/quality level helmet, HJC and Bell seem like a much better choices.
Where Icon makes up for the lack of quality is in their styling. Everything they make is modern and attractive, especially their helmets. They have some of the coolest graphic helmets I have ever seen. I came so close to impulse buying the Icon airmada thriller helmet, and I almost never impulse buy anything. I just wanted the icon thriller because it looked so cool and the gray and red colors would have really matched my S-10:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/69500/i/icon-airmada-thriller-helmet
Anyways, from a functionality and quality stand point, I don't recommend Icon but that doesn't mean they are horrible. Whatever helmet you buy, try to get it from a dealer with a good return policy.
Where Icon makes up for the lack of quality is in their styling. Everything they make is modern and attractive, especially their helmets. They have some of the coolest graphic helmets I have ever seen. I came so close to impulse buying the Icon airmada thriller helmet, and I almost never impulse buy anything. I just wanted the icon thriller because it looked so cool and the gray and red colors would have really matched my S-10:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/69500/i/icon-airmada-thriller-helmet
Anyways, from a functionality and quality stand point, I don't recommend Icon but that doesn't mean they are horrible. Whatever helmet you buy, try to get it from a dealer with a good return policy.