Recently, I needed a new helmet to wear at a press intro for a naked bike. It had to be something sporty, but I didn’t particularly want a wild’n’crazy, super-loud paint scheme. After perusing a bunch of web sites, the Icon Alliance SS caught my eye.

The subtle and tasteful paint scheme is available in red/black, blue/black, silver/black (shown here), and black/silver. A couple of small graphics feature the company logo, and why not? This helmet is affordable and well made, and it offers a number of good features. The rooftop vents flowing from top to back get the intake and exhaust jobs done without looking too outlandish. The only problem I’ve encountered is that the adhesive used to hold those vents isn’t terribly strong. But that’s nothing that a small piece of double-sided tape can’t fix. There’s also venting in the front chin bar, with two small rotary vent holes inside the bar, though you can’t really adjust those on the fly. And there’s a breath deflector to cut down on fogging.

The two-tone paint scheme carries into the interior, too, and I was afraid that the light-colored Nylex padding would become stained from sweat. Fortunately, the cheek pads can be easily removed for washing. Another easy-to-remove item is the visor. Two small levers open the keyhole ports that hold the visor, and it’s off in less than eight seconds with no tools. Installation is just as easy. The visor is adjustable in seven positions and stays propped open in place, even at speed.

The polycarbonate shell meets all DOT and Snell standards, of course. The finish is quite nice, and the hardware isn’t low grade at all. The overall fit was in line with what I usually wear, so getting the helmet via mail order didn’t pose any surprises. I have several helmets to choose from, and the SS has seen a lot of road time lately. RB

SOURCES

Alliance SS Helmet $200
ICON Motorsports
2040 Gillespie Way, Dept. RB
El Cajon, CA 92020
rideicon.com