'B' Camera

Icon always keeps the film rolling on the B-Camera for occasions such as these. Good eye Mikey - good eye.

Crossbone Racers

7 Questions

What follows is a Q&A session with Super Street Bike Magazine and Icon's design director Kurt Walter:


Q: Your designs kicked off an industry wide trend for motorcycle apparel. Did you ever think it would be so widely accepted or did you think it would be disregarded by the community?


A: I felt like the motorcycle apparel at the time (late 90's) just didn't address people like me. I didn't care about racing and I had no desire to look like the Geico caveman. I know that Geico commercial is a joke but it kind of sums up the motorcycle apparel industry mentality, even to this day. Icon was built around the gear that I wanted to wear, something that would survive a crash, but had a contemporary style and fit. I know it's a selfish statement, but Icon gear was made for me, whether the market chose to accept it or reject it never really mattered.


Q: How do you feel when you see your designs being copied by other designers?


A: I have a fair amount of disgust when I see the poor attempts at copying Icon product or image. It's one thing to be influenced by another product or brand, that's a natural part of design, but to just blatantly knock off another brand is low.


Q: Where do you draw your influences from?


A: I am definitely a product of Midwest American culture and that shapes everything I do. My specific influences include science fiction movies, misplaced rebellion, late 80's Honda styling, and grossly over graphiced race vehicles. I think if you blend all those influences in a pot and add a good dose of "America" on top you have a recipe for Icon...or disaster. It's hard to tell until you cook it.


Q: How far can you push the limits before "the man" puts a stop to your designs?


A: I'd like to verbally bash "the man" and say that he keeps Icon down, but the reality is "the man" has been pretty accommodating to us. Icon has had a few issues in the past for which I've had to answer, but in the end things got worked out. We will continue to push our product, ads, and videos. Invariably that will cause some problems with certain thinner skin people. Oh well.


Q: What is the craziest design that never made it to production?


A: The infamous Aluminized TiMax Dragon Jacket. This was a TiMax jacket that was constructed from a material of woven aluminum fibers. It was definitely one of the most bizarre looking fabrics I've ever worked with. In the end the factory built one and refused to build anymore because of the cost involved.

Back to School!

Just in time to send the kiddies back to school comes this really cool Chinese Ebay version of the original Skull Mainframe. We especially dig the monotooth - nice touch. Just for the record this is not a real Icon helmet, although we have contacted the seller to see if their artist is available to ink up our new Trapper Keeper.

The original:

Gloves - Sub Dermal

Lately we've spent a lot of time exploring our 'innard' selves. A pathetic attempt to get in touch with our inner child. What we uncovered during these long couch sessions was the Sub Dermal glove. Not quite as gutted-up and Blistered as our previous offerings but disgusting none the less. And while we still cry ourselves to sleep it's somewhat comforting knowing that this is what exists just below the surface of Icon.

Wet Gear - Leather Care

It's that time of year again- if you’re in the North, you’re fogging the cylinders and hooking up the battery tender. The preparation for that prized December day when the streets are ‘mostly snow free’. For the luckier of us, the riding season lives on. Everyday the ride to work gets darker and colder. Everyday it gets a little harder to pull on your cold damp riding gear and throw a leg over the bike. It’s always worth it when you’re out there though - sure your fingers are freezing, sure people are texting with one hand and eating with the other and the fallen leaves, white lines, and manhole covers turn into the equivalent of snot on polished marble. But the look on your co-workers faces when you pull up on your gixxer in the pouring November rain, priceless. Sometimes even the best prepared can get caught out in the cold nasty without your PDX rain gear. If you do happen to get your leathers soaked, here’s what we suggest to make sure your gear stays fresh and mildew free;

• Hang the garment on wide or padded hangers to help maintain it's shape.
• Remove any dirt, mud, or other stains with Icon Leather Cleaner. Take care not to rub the grit or road debris into the jacket as this can damage the outer surface of the leather.
• When leather gets wet the oils that lubricate the leather form bonds with the water and they are washed away. Over time this can weaken the leather.  Icon recommends the use of Icon Leather Conditioner to replenish these protective oils.
• Do not use waxes, silicones, or other leather preparations that impair the garment's ability to breathe.
  
• Allow the garment to air dry in a cool, dry place. Do not apply any heat to the leather and never store your leathers in plastic or other non-breathable covers.
  

Busted and Broken

It was a typical morning commute to work on my motorcycle, except for the part where I t-boned a large whitetail doe at 60mph. Had I not been wearing proper attire, including my Icon jeans, I would be in the hospital ER right now. My Icon pants saved my hide!!! Thank you thank you thank you! -Patrick R, New York