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Icon Variant or Arai XD?

GooF2

GooF2

Active member
Joined
Oct 13, 2002
Location
San Francisco
Moto(s)
Tenere 700, TW200
Name
Matt
I'm looking for one of these helmet and the Icon is much cheaper but I'm a loyal Arai fan. Anyone tried the Variant? I've heard bad stories of Icon build quality...

What do you think?

Arai XD
arai-xd-650.jpg


Icon Variant
iconvariant.jpg
 
Try them both on and see what fits best.

What size are you looking for? I have a matte black Airoh S4 I'll sell you cheap. It's an XL and the shape doesn't fit me as well as my Arai XD.

S411.jpg
 
Last edited:
SuperMike said:
Try them both on and see what fits best.

What size are you looking for? I have a matte black Airoh S4 I'll sell you cheap. It's an XL and the shape doesn't fit me as well as my Arai XD.

S411.jpg
Click to expand...
I saw johnparjr's variant and it really looks nice.. He's happy with it. I'm looking for a DS helmet too.. Not sure I want to pay that much...
 
Yep, nothing can be known till you try them on. Fit is everything (at least the starting point).

I'd expect to like the ICON better, but...I'd have to check, if the face shield stays where you put it, when you wnat to have it open a tad, and the wind wants to close it.
 
Theres also the AFX FX-37 for $103

Its also the helmet that the one guy with the thread ?Baja Porque? or something wears on his trip to Baja, I'm also in the market for one of these helmets myself right now.

afx_37sm_solid_flatblack_side_light.jpg
 
The Icon Variant rocks Ive been ubber happy with it. Doesnt fog at all and the rain comes off really easy due to the rounded lense
 
Ailiaw said:
Theres also the AFX FX-37 for $103

Its also the helmet that the one guy with the thread ?Baja Porque? or something wears on his trip to Baja, I'm also in the market for one of these helmets myself right now.
Click to expand...

I got my dad one.. he loves it
 
Holy hell. I saw the XD before they actually started manufacturing them. Had one ordered and paid a fair amount for it.

I did not expect them to become some sort of standard.
 
Just ordered the Icon Variant! Got a special price from Cyclesector (BARF sponsor).
Got the flat black. :D
 
JO EBRMC said:
Holy hell. I saw the XD before they actually started manufacturing them. Had one ordered and paid a fair amount for it.

I did not expect them to become some sort of standard.
Click to expand...

You and me both... I ordered mine and paid like $600 for it (needed different cheek pads to fit it right +$60)

Now Arai is up to the XD3, the third (re)design. I really liked the dual sport features of the XD and I've worn it for about 26k miles now but it did have some short comings. Thrumming from the peak (solved with a 1 oz wheel weight attached underneith), and noisy (redesigns changed the vents shape and positions to reduce the noise level).

I'd like to try a new XD3 and see how it fares, but it is still an expensive helmet.
 
I have the XD and love em since they first came out...

on my third one now...

as for the Icon, sure, I'd get one to use as a commuter helmet so I won't care if it gets scratched up so I can keep the XD in good shape....:cool
 
I went around and tried on the Arai, Icon, AFX, Shoei, and even the Joe Rocket DS helmets.

IMO the fit for me and finish were by far the best with the Arai. I know your head and I'd bet it's the same.
 
I have an XD, best helmet i've ever owned. A second close would be the Quantum2. Fit and finish are superb.

I like it much more than my old Corsair that fell apart.
 
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