Oh, People on sportbikes.net were saying ICON helmets are garbage, what you guys think? What would you recommend?

Awesome pic on the snowboard, BTW.

And ICON stuff is just fine... I think the fact that it is typically some of the more "trendy" gear and endorsed by stunters brings out the elitist snob in some riders. Your main concerns with helmets is DOT/Snell certification and fit, not particularly brand or cost. More expensive usually means better quality paint/finish and plusher materials for the lining. But if it doesn't fit properly, even a top-of-the-line Arai may not adequately protect your noggin in a crash.

Did you have a salesperson help you when you bought the helmet?

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2005 Suzuki Hayabusa Limited Edition - lots of mods
2007 Suzuki GSXR600 - wifebeater and flip-flops optional
2000 Honda CBR600F4 - outfitted with the NRC case cover of invincibility
http://www.gleno.net

I did have a salesman help me, but I'm a little second guessing myself. I went and read the instructions for this helmet, then measured my noggin, and the book says I should be using a large, but mine is a extra large. I think it fits pretty snug, and when I shoved my head into the large one, I could tell I would get a headache after a while.I might go to a different store and try another on and see what the salesman says there.

try on different brands your head might be a large in a shoei and an xlarge in a bilt. so try on lots of brands your head might be fit closer to one brand over the other.

Thanks a lot for all the help everyone, I really appreciate it. Now on to my next question, Security. I know there is nothing I can really do if I'm out eating lunch and a bunch of dudes roll up with a truck and snatch the bike...But is it necessary for using devices to deter the average idiot looking for a joy ride? How easy is it for one person to unlock the front and hot wire a bike, or just walk off with it? I know common sense is going to play a factor, I'm not going to park a bike in the back where no one can see, will always park near a camera, my own view, or a highly visible place.

Is low jack worth it or even effective? Do you carry around a huge chain that only the hulk can break? I saw a couple devices such as a club type thing to lock the clutch in place, and locks for the back tire. One of the devices I looked up has a motion sensor with a ear-splitting alarm, that also sends a signal to a receiver I would carry with my keys...What is every ones opinion?

as far as security, here is a recent thread talking about that..

security for my bike

Yo! Good idea using your riding gear for carpetboarding...Im mean snowboarding. Snowboarding is dangerous son! hahaha Split ribs, major concussion, jacked up wrists and to this day there is a click in my neck when I turn my head a certain way. All form snowboarding trips.

Icon gear is just fine. I know first hand, I took a pretty hard hit with an Icon Airframe helmet on and it took the hit like champ. I flew and tumble 50ft from the accident and the helmet did its job well, my brains are still intact.

Congratz on getting your new bike man. It's cool to see someone as excited as I was when I got my first bike.

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I've never claimed to be Smart...just Lucky.

Carpetboarding...that just sounds like a idea ready to take off!! new summer sport!

looks like people are saying Icon helmet is still going to offer same protection as any other helmet, its just the finish on them that are different, I think I might stick with mine.

On a other note WOOHOO, Just found out I got my vacation days from work, Just signed up for my MSF class August 4th!! so psyched!!

The HD Riders Course is the same MSF-certified course as offered at CSN, just more expensive. So yes, you'll get the MSF card upon successful completion of the course and the DMV will accept it for your "M" endorsement.

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2005 Suzuki Hayabusa Limited Edition - lots of mods
2007 Suzuki GSXR600 - wifebeater and flip-flops optional
2000 Honda CBR600F4 - outfitted with the NRC case cover of invincibility
http://www.gleno.net

Yeah,the course they offer is 250 more than CSN, but looks like the next opening is in September. As expensive as this entire week has been, I don't want to wait a month to start learning.

DOOODD! Sweet ride!!!

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7+ year member - and still going.

"Sin City Sportbikes was founded by Las Vegas sport bike enthusiasts in response to a desire to promote a positive and safe image of the sport. Riders and enthusiasts from all over the Las Vegas Valley have joined together in an effort to give back to a community that has helped and nurtured us. "

-Sin City Sportbikes

Thanks!

great choice on the bike congrats

i learned on my hubbys cbr954rr. i rode it for like 2 years before i got my bike, a cbr600rr.

my bike scares the shit out of me when compared to his. yeah, his is bigger, but mine has more torque response. his accelerates faster, and will ultimately go faster, but mine is quicker.

and i am not small by any means of the term, either. i am 6-2 and weight more than 250. ( we will just leave it there (: for now)

the thing is, you need to go take the msf so you know how to ride, first. once you know the stuff, you can fairly effectively test ride. the test riding is going to be where you find comfort.

to be perfectly honest, the most comfortable bike i have ridden yet was a 2000 yamaha r6. it just felt like it was made for my big ass to zoom around on. and they look pretty damned good for being as old as they are... it was comfy like a recliner.

as far as gear, i have 2 sparx helmets, a shoei and an icon that i use intermittenly. they vary in sizes. its like shoes, different manufacturers size differently. also, the shapes of the helmets vary (like the shape of peoples heads)

icon is great gear. in a recent article in a sportbike mad they explained WHY they rarely make "track" stuff as there are so many others doing it, why beat a dead horse? they are just as good, sometimes better, so not to worry. they have track stuff that they have made and given to certain motogp riders, and they said they only do it once in a while to make nice nice.

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