New tires and Helmet.

[Thaloc]

Well, picked up a nail in my rear tire last week. So I have a new set of Pilot Road 3's on the way. I also broke my Osbe last month and have been suffering using my old, ******, Icon Alliance since then. So now I have an Icon Variant otw as well.

New pics coming soon along with a review of the tires and helmet.

 

[noone1569]

Love my Variant. Just be careful above 90.

 

[pur pony]

i love the Icon Variant helmet.

I was wondering.. can the visor be taken off if needed?
Below 90... does your head jerk around alot or is it stable?

 

[noone1569]

Below 90 it actually creates a bit of downforce that keeps your head in place very well. I experience no jerkieness even moving side to side.

The airflow is exceptional with all the vents open. Noise is better than my Shoei RF-1000. It is the most comfortable padding I've ever had in a helmet.

I'm not sure if the peak can be taken off like the AGV-8 Dual or not, but it appears it could. I like the peak, so I've never tried.

I've had this helmet up to about 125 and it does creat some lift above 90, but if you get in a good tuck you should be fine.

 

[iman501]

Gahh!!! I want what your getting lol I'll need a new front tire soon and I want a variant so much! Maybe I'll use the $ from my spare race ECM and race pipe towards those....or just have my sister get me the helmet since I gave her a car for her birthday last month lol...

 

[GOduc]

The only things I hate about my variant---

by far the loudest bucket I've ever worn

Wish the visor locked down

Other than that I love getting compliments about it

 

[dave_xb12r]

Pics or it didn't happen

 

[Thaloc]

So!

Icon Variant is the ****. Amazing air flow, awesome look, fits like a glove. The MX style visor is awesome on sunny days, just chin down and no problems(Old boxer)

I had her up to...triple digits, and didn't feel ANY wobble lift or weird jerking.

The tires on the other hand were...my fault. This will get into a rant a little bit here so bear with me. I check and re check my suspension setting's once or twice a season. I did earlier this year. Then I fouled a plug, and sent it to the HD shop. Then my kickstand fell off(I blame the HD shop) as I had just picked it up from them, rode straight to work and it ******* fell off and my bike tipped over. ANYWAYS!

Got the tires Monday, installed that night. Took it out today. I was riding WAAAYYYYYY to hot on a brand new set of PR3's with less than 20 miles on them. I was supposed to be taking just a slow ride to scrub them in, but I hadn't rode in almost a month so.... you know the story. Came into a 30mph corner at about triple that....(Im with stupid) and the front tire started to wash out, the dirt rider in me kicked in and I made it through shiny side up.

So I get home, tires are at 32psi.... front and back...

My suspension is set up for a 250lb +++ rider.... 7th notch on the rear shock... at least 3-4 turns on all my compression and rebound. I almost rode to the HD shop and went postal...

Needless to say, I went back over my suspension and re did everything. Corrected the tire pressure and went for a short ride to some super close twisty's. Everything felt AMAZING!!! How damn long was I riding on those settings? Prolly along time, and I have no idea how I didnt catch it earlier.


Anywayz the bike feels like my old girl all over again. No more tire probs and she falls in perfect.

Just passing along this fine yet scary story.

 

[iman501]

Ok yOu convinced me to clean up my race pipe and pit it up on eBay to be able to buy that helmet!

 

[netty2424]

So what adjustments did you make to your suspension? Curious how much more you can go?

 

[Thaloc]

dropped my rear shock notch to 4, 1.25 turns on my rear compression and rebound. 1.5 turns on my fork compression and rebound, with five lines showing.

 

[Thaloc]

Update on this little write up O-mine as I'v put a few more miles on these.

Icon Variant:

About the same noise level as most Icons. As in, semi noisy. But with the de-silenced Hawk on my bike, I wear earplugs...

Great air flow! I could imagine a little too much air flow for those with eyes sensitive to the wind.

All in all I like it alot. I wish I would have gotten the Black, as the blue skull shizz is a bit flashy for me.


Pilot Road 3's:

Great tires! Iv ran PR2's for a long time and these tires feel like the next step up. They said main steps forward with this tire was wet traction. And on that point I would have to agree. I went through the fall season without a slip, and so far none on any rides this year.

My only gripe with these tires so far has prolly do with the fact that the wet traction is that much better. It kicks a tremendous amount of water onto my back... I of course got rid of my stock plate holder and relocated the plate under the tail long ago, so there is nothing but a brake light stopping the water... Which did I mention was ALOT?

Im thinking about actually buying a legit plate relocator now.