| Author | Message | ||
     Fltwistygirl |
Was checking out the condition of my beloved Nolan x lite helmet while gearing up yesterday and it's definitely time for a replacement. The sweat, heat, sun and rain of Florida summers combined with riding thru the MN construction zones has taken a toll on my gear, especially my helmet. Last summer I got my first piece of Icon gear, my riding boots, which have held up really well. That same visit, out of curiosity, I tried on one of the Jason Britton helmets. I liked the fit, the feel, and made note of the size, and kept it in mind for when I needed a replacement lid. So, we have been doing a little shopping on line, and this is what has my attention: https://www.denniskirk.com/icon/alliance-hi-viz-ye llow-helmet.p3303998.prd/3303998L.sku I'm converting all my gear to hi viz as it needs to be replaced. Never owned an Icon helmet, but I want something with excellent ventillation, fairly lightweight that does not tend to fog up. Anyone here have one of these or one that is similar? Pros/cons? Thanks. BeLinda. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
I have a couple of Icon helmets, if you're looking for a good ventilation one the variant is ideal, the airframe is good too and with the vent below the screen open it shoulden't fog up, but there are plenty of shields that have anti fog coating (even rubbing a potato would do the work). Don't have experience with the alliance but i'm pretty sure it's good as the rest of icon. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Thanks for the input, Pontlee. It's been awhile since anyone I knew/rode with had an Icon helmet. Here in the hot weather, good ventilation is key. The fogging issue is one I can live with if everything else about the helmet is great, but of course prefer not to. I was able to find a couple more reviews on the Alliance, and it was all positive info, so I'll most likely buy this one. | ||
| Balloyd66 |
In the October issue of RoadRunner magazine there was a little article about some helmet ratings and how Arai came in first for the seventh year in a row, but this year Icon tied with Arai for first, with Shoei rating just lower than them. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
If you look in to Revzilla, I'm sure there must be some video talking about the icon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9yw4DqvDkA&feature =relmfu | ||
| H2opatrol |
I bought an alliance earlier this year. It held together pretty well until the face shield decided to release on one side and flap like crazy on the interstate one day. Once I got home I took a look at the over complicated mechanism that locks the shield to the helmet. There are orange lock rings under the side covers that hold the shield on with a small tab that locks under a small piece of plastic when the ring is twisted. Well anyway one of the tabs sheared off. I did some research online and found it to be a fairly common problem. Ended up heating up a finish nail and pushing it through the ring to hold it in place. Also the inner lining in mine is a light gray color and shows dirt and sweat very quickly. But then again I sweat like a crazy so maybe its just me. Im not sure if they are all fitted with that color of padding inside but that may be something to check on. If you wash your helmet pads often it may not be an issue, but if I were you I would definitely educate myself on the problems with the shield locks. I usually wear a large helmet but the XXL fit me well with the alliance. After a couple hours though it feels like there is no padding on my forehead and the bottom of the back of my head. Hope this helps YMMV | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Balloyd66 and Pontlee77-Thanks for the info. I guess I need to get out more often or at least get out and do a track day. Until I watched the revzilla video on buying race helmets, I never understood why there was such a difference in price between helmets that have the same certifications and similar weights. Also, was not aware that some higher end helmets had emergency release systems (for the cheek pads). Cool idea, as long as the first responder is trained to identify them and how they work. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
"It held together pretty well until the face shield decided to release on one side and flap like crazy on the interstate one day". Uh, that's not good. Thanks for the heads up. "I did some research online and found it to be a fairly common problem." I'm gonna do the same before I pull the trigger on a purchase. All the reviews I've read have been from just after the release of the Alliance and glowing about all the upgrades. There's usually another side of the story after people have used a product for awhile in a real world setting. "Ended up heating up a finish nail and pushing it through the ring to hold it in place." Not surprised a fellow Bueller would have an innovative fix! Thanks H20patrol! | ||
| Pontlee77 |
Maybe the alliance he had was the previous ssr, the new one has a small metal tab that is like a lock for the shield, I have apart of helmets from icon 4 jackets ( 2 leather,2 textile), 3 pants ( 2 of them jeans), Gloves and a pair of boots. Icon fits on me like perfect. But there are many makes in the market, and for example Bell is produced in the US, has some models that at that price you saw could be better, but my suggest is to go a shop and try them on, and see how they feel, as every one has their own point of view. |
