Icon Airframe Pro Carbon Gold Full-Face Helmet

After 6 years, Icon have released the Icon Airframe Pro Full Face helmet, the successor to the previous Airframe. The helmet now has a more aggressive style and Icon have split the lining into 5 parts to improve comfort and fit. The Airframe Pro is DOT (US), ECE 22-05 (Europe), and PSC (Japan) certified, having met all Japan safety and testing standards. The Airframe Pro will compete with the AGV Pista GP RR, Shoei X-SPR Pro, Bell Race Star DLX, X-Lite x-803 RS Ultra Carbon, Shark Race-R Pro GP, Scorpion EXO-R1 EVO Carbon, Roof RO200 Carbon, HJC RPHA 1 and the Arai RX-7V Evo

Shell

The shell, made with precision assembly techniques, already shows a much more aggressive look. The chin has become longer so that the helmet is less convex and the previous Airframe’s large ventilation opening in the brow has been replaced by smaller openings making the helmet more aerodynamic and less loud, which was a downside with the previous Airframe. The Airframe Pro’s composite shell shows Icon’s dedication to mass reduction. In this case, this philosophy has led to a mass reduction allowing Icon to produce a helmet that weighs about 1700 grams in size XXL, and if a lighter helmet is required, there is also a carbon fiber shell version. The helmet also has 4 shell sizes which is very good. The more shells you have, the more compact the helmet is, and, since you have less unnecessary material used, this lightens the helmet. Moreover, a compact helmet also looks better. At the back, there are higher rear sets at the bottom of the helmet that ensures it features a fully tucked riding posture. The Airframe is designed for people who need a more oval to intermediate oval head shape since it has a more narrow fit.

Ventilation

The Icon Air frame Pro has many ventilation openings improving on the original Airframe. The Airframe Pro has a small intakes on the chin that you can open and close. Further up, there are also 3 ventilation openings on the brow, which have been adjusted, making it sportier and more aerodynamic. You can adjust each vent. At the back of the helmet there are also 2 exhausts that will let hot escape from under the large spoiler.

Visor

The Airframe Pro’s Icon Optics visor is not pinlock lens prepared, but the visor itself is anti-fog treated. A pinlock prepared lens can be purchased separately. The visor also has a mechanism to ensure that it stays in place and is pulled onto the shell, which also helps maintain visibility and stability, as well as noise reduction. The visor has also been place at an angle to maintain visibility. However, the visor closure mechanism may be more difficult to open and is not gloves friendly. You can easily remove the visor by setting it to the open position and pulling the levers on either side. If you want to change visors, you also have to the panels off from either side and snap them onto your other visor.

Interior

The Airframe Pro’s lining is divided into 5, which is something you don’t see often with motorcycle helmets, which feature more traditional three piece liners. This brings the added advantage that you can get each piece in different sizes so that you can have 27 fit combinations for one size, which means that you have a total of 108 combinations to get a greater amount of fitment. The liner, including the neck roll, is made of Icon’s HydraDry moisture wicking material. The liner includes 2 cheek pads, and the comfort liner has been divided into 3 separate pieces, which are also removable. This gives you the option to find your perfect fit in addition to the helmet’s double-D ring chin strap. Once the liner is out you can see the EPS channels, which are shallow, but should provide adequate ventilation.

Summary

With the Icon Airframe Pro Full-Face Helmet we’ve got a basic mid-range helmet. It’s not really bringing any super special features other than its price, but it won’t do terrible on the road either. The liner was comfortable enough and it ventilated fairly well. If you want to learn more about the Airframe Pro be sure to watch the Icon Airframe Pro Video Review and Road Test.