Icon Mainframe Helmet Review

Bill — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:05:50 +0000

The Icon Mainframe Hooligan Helmet might be the perfect compromise between buying a high end motorcycle helmet or cutting costs and going with a cheap motorcycle helmet to save bucks. What we are saying is that it's a great bang for the buck.

Icon Mainframe Hooligan Specs

This Icon helmet sports both DOT and SNELL ratings which tells you right out of the gate that you are dealing with a quality helmet from a safety point of view. It sports a Dyneema/fiberglass composite shell for strength and has removable cheek pads for comfort and washability.

The Mainframe also sports a fairly sophisticated venting system that works very well. As many of you might know we live in Georgia so it's HOT and a great venting system is an absolute must. In fact my preference is towards helmets that flow a LOT of air.

The Icon helmets also sport a "no-tool" replacement visor system that makes swapping your face shield a quick and simply operation and to top it off it also includes a removable anti-fog breath deflector. I personally don't care for these and usually remove them but to each their own.

So that's the basics, let's see if the Icon Mainframe series of helmets lives up to their billing.

Icon Helmet Sizing

Proper sizing of your helmets is one of the most critical factors in how happy you will be with your helmet selection. I am fortunate that I have a normal shaped head that is slightly oblong...which is the most common head shape there is.

Finding your proper size is very simple and you can check the Icon Sizing Chart to make sure you order the right one for your head.

Icon Fit and Finish

One thing we could almost guarantee that you will be ecstatic with is the appearance of your Icon Helmet. Icon is quickly making a name for itself when it comes to putting out a very attractive helmet....hot might be a better term.

The Hooligan that we tested was simply an awesome looking helmet. The orange-flame design combined with the chrome base is simply cool. Old school flame job combined with hot contemporary graphics and materials.

I could barely go anywhere without someone commenting on the helmet so if visual appeal is important to you, (and we KNOW it is) then the Icon Mainframe Hooligan will not disappoint. Quality paint, superb clear coating and nice construction combine to make an attractive looking helmet.

Icon Visor System

I am not going to say anything on the visor system other than to say that it is exactly what Icon bills it to be...the simplest visor changing system on the market. Changing a visor on an Icon Mainframe helmet is a piece of cake.

It's billed as an optically correct 7 position visor as well. I like visors that offer a wide range of options when it comes to the detents and this one does not disappoint.

You won't be disappointed.

Icon Venting System

The Icon venting system sports the usual array of vents found on helmets of this type. A chin vent handles incoming air for the face and visor while a three position forehead switch acts as an additional ram-air vent to significantly increase the overall cooling of the helmet.

I found the top vent system to flow a decent volume of air. As I told you earlier, I like a LOT of air and this helmet does an admirable job of keeping air flowing around your head.

The only thing I wasn't all that impressed with was that the vent appear to be a bit on the fragile side and I fully expected them to break.

I must admit they've held up admirably over the last few months and I have no complaints.

Icon Mainframe Noise

I really hate talking about noise when it comes to helmet reviews as noise is so subjective. What is a loud helmet to one rider might be perfectly acceptable to another. It's a topic that is always asked about though so I usually address it.

To me, the Icon Mainframe was a bit noisier than some of the other higher end helmets. I suspect it to be the top vents that stick out in the wind a bit but it was neither excessive nor was it out of the ordinary for a helmet in this price range.

Icon Mainframe Hooligan Conclusion

Overall I think you would be very happy with the Icon series of helmets. I have had the chance to review an Icon Airframe helmet and I really liked it. I think Icon is going to have a bright future in the helmet world as they are already making a dent and selling more helmets every month than the last.

The Icon Mainframe Hooligan is a nice blend of old school style and contemporary flair. The flame job reminds you of the hot rod days of yesteryear but the styling and chrome overlay is hot enough to let you know that this is definitely not an outdated helmet.

Judging by the amount of comments that I received on this helmet, there is no question that it's a hot style that is sure to make you the envy of your buddies on the Saturday ride.

Product: Icon Mainframe Hooligan Helmet
MSRP: $300
Buy It Now: Icon Mainframe Hooligan Helmet