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Icon Variant Helmet Review: Mid Range Helmet For Street Riders

Icon Variant Helmet

Icon designs helmets to inspire modern day bike riders who give equal importance to performance, style, and safety. Urban helmet deals are different from traditional helmet requirements.

Modern day bikers want to conquer the streets and enjoy the adventurous rides with the same zeal. The enthusiasm must not be dampened by a poor quality helmet. The Icon helmets are preferred for their stylish design and aerodynamic properties.

The Icon Variant helmet review investigates the various features of this helmet which make it an ideal choice for street riders.

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Icon Variant HelmetWe have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.

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Benefits

The Variant helmet is a mid-range helmet priced at ~$350. It is for those motorcycle riders who don’t mind paying a few additional dollars to get a helmet with excellent design features.

Even though this helmet is not a premium helmet, it offers all the qualities you expect from a premium helmet. If you don’t want to break the bank, but still want a stylish and superb helmet, you won’t be disappointed with this one. The designs are great, and it can surely last half a decade with you, if not more.

Features

The Icon Variant helmet is a full faced helmet that weighs about 3.79 lbs. It falls in the lightweight category of helmets, and it feels surprisingly lighter compared to its competitors. The helmet has an intermediate oval fit that suits most head shapes. Most of the Icon helmets are made for the American market that consists of motorcycle riders with a long and narrow face.

If you have a round head, you should not purchase Icon helmet without trying it once. By following the size guide, you can enjoy maximum comfort and fit while wearing this helmet.

Build quality

The shell is made of fiberglass carbon fiber Dyneema material that is super rigid and lightweight. The shell design ensures that the helmet fits comfortably on your head while providing optimal protecting.

The dual density EPS liner provides adequate cushioning and protection from impact accidents. The EPS core offers impact energy management to distribute the force so that your head stays protected at all times.

Ventilation

The Icon Variant helmet provides industry’s leading multi-inlet ventilation system. The chin and top vents provide excellent airflow within the helmet.

Your head will always feel cool even if you ride in the hot sun. The air is channeled beautifully to promote ventilation inside the helmet. The anti-lift visor design provides a complete seal, promoting proper airflow within the helmet.
The helmet is wind tunnel tested to ensure proper ventilation and aerodynamics.

Buy from a Badass Helmet Partner

Icon Variant HelmetWe have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.

RevZillaBuy  AmazonBuy  2WheelBuy

Visor design

The helmet ships with an anti-fog optically correct visor that also provides UV protection. The integrated EPS air channels in the chin area also help in minimizing fogging.

The visor stays shut once it is closed using the anti-lift system. The removable chin curtain is also useful in reducing fogging in this helmet. There is no sun visor with this helmet, which means that you have to manage with sunglasses.
Some bikers are not happy with the way their ears fold within the helmet. You have to flip your ears back, and this tightness may not make it easier to wear additional sunglasses. Also, the removal of visor and face shield is not as easy as its counterparts.

You need to truly understand the mechanism to change the face shield without causing any damage. It is not an ideal helmet if you want to swap face shields a few times in a day depending on your riding conditions.

Interior design

Similar to other Icon helmets, the Variant helmet has a plush molded interior that fits your face like a glove. The HydraDry moisture wicking liner feels soft against your face while wicking away moisture quickly. The cheek pads are comfortable, and they fit properly as long as you choose the right size. The white interior is not loved by many motorcycle riders because it can get dirty quickly.

The removable and washable interior can be quickly washed for a throughout cleaning. The ear pockets are good for adding an intercom, but some riders feel that it is not spacious enough to hear music comfortably.

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Safety

Safety is one of the uncompromising factors when it comes to the Icon Variant helmet. It exceeds the expectations of DOT and ECE standards. In Australia, it can be purchased with SAI AS1698 certification, and in Japan, it comes with SG protection. Those who have been in a crash accident are satisfied with the way this helmet protected their heads.

Other factors for consideration

The motorcycle riders praise this helmet for its superior build quality. Many riders have gotten into crazy impact accidents and emerged unscathed because of this helmet. The helmet scores well in terms of safety, and it is one of the most important factors to consider while purchasing the helmet.

Changing the face shield is not an easy task, which can turn out to be an annoyance if you ride in the sun in the morning and want to change the visor at night while returning from work. The helmet also fogs up a bit in cold weather unless you open the lens.

The Icon Variant helmet is one of the popular choices for new age motorcycle riders. The helmet feels light while providing a steady protection. Many motorcycle riders prefer this helmet over others because it looks very cool.

Wind noise is controlled with this helmet, and it is a great choice for street riding. Some bikers are not very comfortable with this helmet with a naked bike, so you can get another helmet if you own such a bike.

Buy from a Badass Helmet Partner

Icon Variant HelmetWe have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.

RevZillaBuy  AmazonBuy  2WheelBuy

Also Available in Carbon Fiber