Ride Icon - The Icon Moto Blog

Free Stickers!

2010-12-27T20:49:00.000-08:00

Hey - if you haven't done so yet, come on over to our new blog called LIMITER. Sign up in the community section and we'll send you a limited edition Apocalypse sticker.

Take it to the Limit

2010-12-20T07:50:00.001-08:00

We are no longer updating this blog - we've moved to a nicer neighborhood. Click the following link to check out the all new Icon site;

LIMITER

[Click here for the redirect]

Take it to the Limit(er)

2010-12-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

Bye bye blog. Hello LIMITER! We are pleased to announce our newest foray into the digital sprawl. We call it Limiter. Based on the Icon Moto blog, Limiter will encompass the same daily info feed as well as integrating some exciting new features. Foremost among these features is the new community section. Think of it as the old 'follower' section on HGH. Not only can you upload your photos to the community section, but you can add a write up to those photos. It's like having your own virtual bike lift within the Icon garage. Share your build story. Share pics of your favorite bikes. Share photos of your smoking hot girlfriend. Whatever you like. The member with the most recent post goes to the top of the community list. As a further incentive to post (as if you needed more incentive than fleeting internet fame) we will be selecting a community member each month for a shoutout and a box full of free Icon swag.

Other features of the new Limiter site include an integrated Facebook and Twitter feed to keep you up to date on all the latest Icon chatter. A new gear section highlights the latest offerings from the Icon product team. And a refined post tagging system simplifies the historical search process.

The final upgrade, which is already known to you if you are viewing this diatribe on a smart phone, is the Limiter mobile specific format. We've spent an inordinate amount of time to keep the mobile site format minimal yet still maintain functionality. All in all Limiter was a ton of work, but we feel it was worth the effort.

**As for those of you who are followers of this blog - we thank you for 'Riding Among Us' (digitally speaking). When you move over to the LIMITER site you will have to re-register in the community section. Yes - it's a bit of a PITA, but we weren't able to port your account over to the new site. The two site formats were not compatible, sorry. But we will say that the community section on LIMITER is way better plus you'll get a free sticker for your effort. Yay!

Take some time to check it out. We hope you enjoy Limiter and become a community member. Please update links to www.RideIcon.com/Limiter. Also, if you have any suggestions to improve Limiter by all means drop us a line at Limiter@rideicon.com

Thanks,
Team Icon

FYI - Keep an eye out in March 2011 for the next edition of Limiter magazine. The Icon crew has been hard at work designing, building, shooting, & riding - we've got gigs of new product and content. Stay tuned - it'll be saucy.

Sexy Time

2010-12-14T07:50:00.001-08:00

The following are a few roughs from our women's collection. To be more specific, they are a few roughs that never made it any further than concept drawings. That actually happens quite a bit. Putting in a full days work worth of conceptualizing only to be left with remnants of what could have been.

A cropped 3/4 sleeve riding shirt concept with full David Lee Roth denim pants

The MotoPirate look executed in stonewashed denim - it was gonna be the new thing

Concept riding gear for Angelina Jolie's upcoming Tomb Raider 4 - White PVC is the new black

Doing Dirt

2010-12-13T07:50:00.001-08:00

The Icon camera team has no fear. Whether dodging high velocity gravel shot from rear tires or extinguishing gas spewed onto red hot pipes or the pacifying the hostility of temperamental riders in need of graham cracker and a nap, the Icon camera team has conquered them all. Want proof? Check out the following out takes from the Container Yard Classic.

Ernie Vigil begins the day with a lesson in drifting old Harleys

Britton takes his turn at punishing the antiquated Icon Ironhead - Hamiester shield his eyes with $10K worth of Canon

Hoenshell supermoto'ing his pristine ZX6

Nick Apex goes full pigpen aboard the Snakecharmer

And finally Hamiester going in for a gas tank detail shot...honest

Busted & Broken - Crash Tested

2010-12-11T07:50:00.001-08:00

To Icon:

I had the misfortune of laying down my '01 Yamaha FZ1 the other day, but was wearing my gear. This includes the Alliance SS helmet, Motorhead Jacket, and Super Duty Gloves. All three items worked flawlessly. The helmet absolutely saved my life, while the jacket and gloves saved me from some serious road rash. I just wanted to take the opportunity to contact your company and thank you for putting such dependable products on the market. I will continue to promote Icon at every opportunity, and with a little luck, be back on the road soon.

Thank you again for your dedication to protecting riders.

Sincerely,
Dan
Newton, NJ

Sadie x ChopperDavePhotography x Icon

2010-12-10T07:50:00.000-08:00

Icon: So Sadie, how long have you been wearing full-face helmets?

Sadie: Most of my adult life really - I mean if you're gonna wear a helmet at all why would you take the chance of grinding off your chin or nose? Not me - I ride too fast. And besides, I'm far too pretty to take a chance with this magic [Sadie's hands vogue around open eyeport]

Icon: So you're truly a believer in the "Live Fast, Die Pretty" moniker? We got in a lot of trouble for that graphic you know...

Sadie: Oh yeah - I'm not sure about the Live Fast part, but Die Pretty was gonna be the name of my second band. Weird co-inky- dink. Why would you get in trouble for that graphic? It's a joke, right? Unless you really meant it in which case you guys are sick.

Icon: No, we meant it as a bit of dark humor, unfortunately a number of people failed to find it funny. They threatened us with a nationwide boycott - not unlike the naval blockade of Cuba I suppose.

Sadie: Hmmm, I don't think you guys are nearly as famous as Cuba. You shouldn't flatter yourself like that. Anyways, the graphic is funny and cute and I get the humor so that's all that really matters. Can I keep this helmet? I already licked the inside of the mouthpiece so that pretty much makes it mine.

Icon: Ummm, yeah ok, but it's not actually our helmet. But sure, you can have it.

Sadie: Awesome! Hey, do you follow tweets? You should follow me @sadiecrazybabe – It’s totally a good time.

Overlord v Tron

2010-12-09T07:50:00.000-08:00

We're getting pretty tired of all this Tron talk. Tron can throw a laser frisbee. Tron can battle grid spiders. Tron can ride a light cycle. Yeah, but can Tron do a triple digit stand-up whilst simultaneously posting a twitter update about said stand-up? I didn't think so. Icon may not have a 300 million dollar budget, light cycles, or ultra-hot cyber chicks, but we do have access to the color light blue. And computers. And hella technical motorcycle jackets. Combine all these things and you've got a worthy digital adversary to the almighty Tron. We call our program Overlord. In fact we're pretty sure Overlord would beat Tron's ass in a game of light cycle or laser tag. Peww-Peww.

The Overlord rules the light cycle arena aboard his '03 R1

Can someone ask Tron to do something about the Icon office internet speed - it is sloooowwwww

The Dance Commander

2010-12-08T07:50:00.000-08:00

Icon's pristine 1990 Suzuki GSXR750, in all her Hypersport beauty. Sex executed in plastic and aluminum. Her multi-tone blue and white paint as clean and purposeful as a razor. Twenty years on, and now dressed in 750RR plastics, she is still every bit as stunning.

The actual GSX-R750RR was fitted with a dry clutch, braced swingarm, and long stroke motor - only 500 were produced

The RR plastics have a slightly slanted nose with more recessed headlights - side panel venting is also different

We are suckers for solo race tail sections - the RR tail fits the stock GSXR subframe quite well with only a little modification needed to reinforce the seat pan

Purchased for $2000

Fitting the new plastics

Ernie Vigil performed the christening burnout in a North Vegas parking lot - period correct headlights & vintage Suzuki jacket

Past Glory

2010-12-07T07:50:00.001-08:00

Little to nothing has been made of the great flight of the Snakecharmer. It was an unkind ride aboard a vicious stink-wheeled ankle biter. The premix only beast was angry that day and someone had to pay the price. Luckily we have sacrificial stunt riders, such as Nick Brocha, who are willing ride any foul build we can summon. Leaking prodigious amounts of fuel directly onto it's twin plugged head, we sent Nick out to engage the gravel yard on it's own terms. The gravel yard won. To add insult to injury we were recently contacted by the EPA in regards to our 'careless use of petrochemical solutions'. Apparently they saw our video. But 'Careless Use'? We would much prefer the term 'Flamboyant'. Somehow it just seems more appropriate. Anyways, we acknowledged the EPA's disapproval of our two-stroke lifestyle by switching all future Icon custom bikes to the electric variety. Seriously.

Starting the Charmer is a three person operation - one to apply flailing kicks, one to work the fire extinguisher, one to shake head in disapproval

Britton, moments before upchucking his diet Mug rootbeer and Snickers lunch - riding in the gravel yard can bring even the strongest to their knees

Nick Apex giving the Snakecharmer the ol' dirty bird...

...and the dusty trombone

Builders Note : Channeling your Airtech universal Bimota tail will make your ass appear really, really big

Content is the face of a man who's been Snakecharmed

Pure hipster horseshit

It's All In the Pronunciation

2010-12-06T07:50:00.000-08:00

Wet pavement be damned - Britton going counter clockwise beneath the Broadway bridge. The plywood on the bottom side of the bridge is due to trolley construction. The water on the ground is because it's Portland.

Can Can

Nac Nac

Alienation

2010-12-05T07:50:00.000-08:00

Any takers? Anybody looking for some ghoulish outerspace musculature for their head? This is another concept that was left on the cutting room floor. Were we premature in extinguishing this concept? Did the world actually need a creepy horror alien helmet? If we can collect 50 likey's we will produce this helmet. Or even better - the competitor companies that scour our blog for ideas can copy this graphic and save us the trouble. Consider it a Christmas present from Icon.

Busted & Broken - Guardrail

2010-12-04T07:50:00.000-08:00

Dear Icon,

I want to thank you guys for making great looking gear that has just as much functionality as it does design. On Memorial Day weekend 2010, a small group of friends and I were going for a beautiful cruise through the Crest Highway which runs through the Los Angeles National Forest. We started heading through until a "Road Closed" sign about 30 minutes in. With no other option we had to turn around and head back through a detour. On the way back, my bike hit some loose gravel on a wide sweeping left turn. I went down and rolled a couple times then slid about 20 feet. My bike slammed into the guardrail and was totaled, however I was fortunate to get back up with only cuts and scrapes on both legs. The ONLY place on my body I didn't have on any Icon gear! My Alliance SSR helmet, ARC jacket, Sub Operator gloves, and Tarmac boots left those parts of my body unscathed and they all held up great to the road rash. You guys sure saved me a lot of potential pain. Thanks Icon! You guys got a fan for life.

-Kevin M.

California

Tight Quarters

2010-12-03T07:50:00.000-08:00

Nick and Vigil practicing at their new indoor spot - AllPowerSports. If your parents are going to be gone all weekend give the guys a shout - they'll be happy to circle wheelie in your living room for a small donation.

Looking for a Variant? AllPowerSports has at least two in stock

This is the closest Nick has ever been to an actual job

Shin Sequenced

2010-12-02T07:50:00.000-08:00

Shin Kinoshita operates in the fourth dimension. This makes photographing him extremely difficult. We've found the best way to capture Shin in action is with time lapse photography.

Endo to wall stall - most of us couldn't do this on a Mongoose - Shin does it on a Ninja

Shin fabricating an entire subframe with just a coat hanger and a Twix wrapper

Women find this stunt irresistible

Even Brando is envious of Shin's steeze

Justify My Love

2010-12-01T07:50:00.000-08:00

The Magnificent Bastard went under the knife last weekend. New F4i rear suspension, increased ride height, rebuilt forks, and new Avon rubber got her back into sporting form. Then it was on to the much anticipated cosmetic work. It's always fun mounting up new fiberglass on older sportbikes - so immediately gratifying. We've been using Airtech for all our old school plastic needs for well over a decade. They make quality glass with more fitment options than you could use in a lifetime. If that's not enough, their website features tons of hot 80's chicks modeling the retro kit. It's always amazing how radically different a few hunderd dollars of plastics can make a motorcycle look. Of course the Magnificent Bastard is a long way from completion, but as they say, the first cut is the deepest.

The end goal - incredible 80's hotness - because chicks dig V-Fours...

...and endurance racers

Airetch GSXR Yosh Tornado tail section - $250 worth of awesome

Reglassing the tail to shape it to the VF subframe

Crude photochopping for concept validation - she's gonna be magnificent

Patrol

2010-11-30T07:51:00.000-08:00

It's getting to be that time of year again. You can choose to drain the tank, pull the battery, and fog the cylinders - or - you can pick up a set weatherproof Icon Patrol gear and keep the dream alive. Granted it will be a wet dream, but a dream none the less.

Nick 'Apex' Brocha FAQs

2010-11-29T07:50:00.001-08:00

Nick 'Apex' Brocha hails from the great Pacific Northwest. His background is a mixed bag of action sport action. When not on the road you can find him relaxing in various parking lots throughout the greater Las Vegas metropolitan area. He loves Vegas and often talks about the cities unique charm and wholesome family environment. We (virtually) sat down with Nick to discuss various topics related to his life.

Q: What was your first BMX bike and how old were you when you first bunnyhopped another person?

A: 1982 Mongoose Supergoose. I never made it over anyone but I busted my lip on my neighbors mint Stingray Corvette. It looked better with that bar gouge.

Q: Riding styles are often compared to the moustache - are you a FuManChu, Pencil Thin, or Ridiculous Hipster?

A: Potentail Kung Fu Master, potential Douche bag, or Douche Bag. Is that a real question?

Q: Knife to a fist fight or Gun to a knife fight?

A: I don't own a gun but I've been known to impale my foot with a butterfly knife.

Q: Favorite Elvis song (other than 'In The Ghetto') and why?

A: I'm not a huge Elvis fan but I'm a huge Little Richard fan. Elvis did his own “Long Tall Sally”, it's far from Richards, but it's the lesser of all evils. In fact it's terrible, Elvis's version.

Q: You were previously known as 'Otter Pop' during your pro snowboard career, why?

A: I could only afford Saltines and Otter Pop's during those great years. Many years later, nothings changed except what I ride.

Q: You have amazing balance - do you partake in dance or martial arts to enhance your skills?

A: I partake in lap dances while heavily inebriated at Diablos. That takes an awful lot of balance of holding ones food down and a Kung Fu grip on ones cash. Thieving dumpster diving strippers!

Q: Icon builds a lot of custom bikes from every genre - does it make you interested in building your own non-stuntbike custom?

A: Yeah, you bastards are completely responsible for hours of lost time hunting Craigslist. I forgot to add that stipulation in my 2011 riders contract for an Icon Sportster. Too late to revise!?

Q: How long have you been riding with teammate Ernie Vigil?

A: He's been there from the beginning of my freestyle days so over 5 years. 5 years for the rise of the gypsies!

Q: Your bikes are generally beat to within inches of scrap - how much time do you spend wrenching on them each week?

A: I'm always hunting for that last inch! I still crash a lot but I've learned to save the bike. I only need to put in about 6 hours a week plugging holes these days.

Q: Rumor has it you have a few supporting actor roles in Porno's in your past - confirm or deny?

A: That's what happens when you let Matt Lippincott use a search engine.

Q: Kawasaki has taken over the street riding scene - why?

A: They were the first manufacturer to capitalize on the growing lifestyle market. That and what I consider the 600/1000 glory years, 2003-2005.

Doomsday

2010-11-28T07:50:00.000-08:00

For a few months now we've heard that three wheels is the new two. While we can't say we have come to understand these tri-wheeled steeds, we can say that they no longer make us vomit uncontrollably - Just a little burp-puke is all.

Another creation from the crew over at AFG - The Gilera Fuoco in Sacrifice livery

The Mayan culture believed the proliferation of three wheeled vehicles signaled Doomsday

New Plastics

2010-11-27T07:50:00.000-08:00

Our friends at Hotbodies sent us some plastics last week for our new ZX10 bike project. Getting a fresh set of fiberglass in the mail was like an early Christmas. Allen lane, editor of digimag Sportbike Inc, wanted to expand the holiday spirit by going sledding. Unfortunately, being November in Portland, there was not an ounce of snow to be found. Improvise, adapt, overcome.

Could stair sledding be the next Festivus feat of strength?

Krazy Klowns

2010-11-26T07:50:00.000-08:00

Yeah, we had nothing to do with this. Except for the gloves. That was all us. Oh yeah, we did that helmet last summer - but we promise we won't do it again.

There is definitely magic up in this bitch

Icon is very sorry for this...sorry

North of 52

2010-11-25T07:50:00.000-08:00

A couple of cool shots from the North of 52 blog.

Freaktoons

2010-11-24T07:50:00.000-08:00

Anybody have any idea what this cartoon is about? (Yes, we know it's Russian)

What's the point?

2010-11-23T07:50:00.000-08:00

Icon's Skull Guy breaks down helmet graphic creation:

What really goes into making a graphic that might end up on a helmet? Looking at the slick new production samples is always a great artistic high. I get a buzz off staring at finished new images after so many weeks of brain frying clicking and dragging thousands upon thousands of points and curves that make up all the color layers. From the first sketches all the way through to final Illustrator layers I try to keep a basic idea on what the image will look like when its done. I try to set them up so that all the people who handle the files into the production process can see what I'm seeing and hopefully have little trouble translating the chaos. My small brain takes a beating attempting to process and direct the detailed tedium. But it wasn't always this way.

I grew up using only pencils and ink for finished images. Spent many hours in dark rooms with hand cut rubylith seps and diffusion transfer machines. Shooting halftones, bumping shots, choking and spreading exposures... not to mention changing fixer and developer all the time. I don't remember the last day I used a vacuum table or had to order a box of film. At some point I sat down to use a Mac and everything changed. I still love to use the pencils and inks for the lines but after a clean high rez scan... my little universe has completely changed.

The big buzz about the computer was how fast everything was going to get done. While it is quite true that operations go at lightning speed... My deadlines are just as tight, the work nights go as late as they ever did back then and the work never seems to get done any faster. So whats the point? Dunno... But it does looks kinda cool on a screen capture. Just for Kicks... Have a good damn day!

-Tanner

Tenere

2010-11-22T07:50:00.000-08:00

Dual sport - mono wheel. Jeremy at AltRider putting the new Yamaha adventure bike through the Hooligan test.

New product category: 12'o-clock travel bar

Your Helmet is the Best

2010-11-21T07:50:00.001-08:00

A sneak peek at the new Icon 'luchadore' helmet.

2010-11-20T07:50:00.001-08:00

This installment of Team Icon Talks features the steely eyed Ernie Vigil. The Hollywood stunt man is known for his exploits on the XDL circuit, supermoto track, and local drum circles. Check out his blog for more adventures in the life and times of E-Dub.

Busted & Broken - Christ Air

2010-11-20T07:50:00.000-08:00

I really gotta thank you guys for saving my head. This is my helmet after my head fell from over 10 feet in the air! I was standing on the tank, doing a christ, when a big gust of wind hit me and knocked me off the bike at 30 MPH. If it wasn't for the helmet I would be dead for sure. Thanks guys!!!

Stephan N.

Canada

Polaroid Fame - Take 4

2010-11-19T07:50:00.000-08:00

Rebel Jewelry v. Slabtown

2010-11-18T07:50:00.000-08:00

Every great while the Icon team heads under the 405 overpass to explore the rough and tumble world of the Pearl. It's a vicious place filled with organic fruits, fruity fruits, and cosmo fueled scenesters. Not the place a mildly sauced biker wants to find himself after dark. But with a fresh latte in hand, and a gut full of ~~Coors Light~~ courage, we embarked upon our trek to the opening gala of the Rebel Jeweler. We bought nothing, but we did very much enjoy the free hotdogs and PBR. Thanks for having us and sorry about the 'farewell' burnout - it was ill-advised and immature. You know what they say - you can take Icon out of Slabtown but you can't take the Slabtown out of Icon.

Giant green cock vs. Goldfish wall mural painted by Jason of Garage 31

A meeting of the minds

Pronounced Eva

2010-11-17T08:39:00.000-08:00

You'll of course remember the beautiful and talented Ewa Pieniakowska. Hailing from Poland she competes across the European theatre aboard her trusted CBR600F3 (read more about F3 stunting). Though far from the biggest name in Europe, she's got a ton of spirit and drive which is why Icon is proud to be associated with Ewa.

Stunting Polska style

Yep, your dream girl does exist - she just lives in Poland

Ewa engaged in European competition

Welcome to the world of stunt riding

Spooled up and looking forward to the 2011 season

Lossa Engineering

2010-11-16T07:50:00.000-08:00

Straight from the Discovery Channels Cafe Racer motodrama comes the aficionados at Lossa Engineering - stacking mad Icon handwear style. While we're on the fence about the show - we commend the choice in gloves.

Icon TiMax

Icon Pursuit

Winter Projects

2010-11-15T07:50:00.000-08:00

Winter is here. Sure you could complain about how you can't go out and blast canyons at warp speed. Or lament the lack of parking lot practice time. Or even give a foul whiskey mouthed tirade about the dark cold rides home from the local watering hole. Or you can turn that frown upside down with the acquisition of some craigslist mechanical Prozac. You know the ones - 'Running when parked; Can't find title; Just needs carbs cleaned; Have to leave country and can't take bike'. The mere purchase of a yamahondasporty can do wonders for the spirit, while simultaneously decimating the joint checking account. Sorry honey - I know the kids wanted to go to Disneyland this winter - but daddy really needs another chop. With enough counseling the kids will understand.

So Team Icon has shown you ours - know you show us yours. What are you working on this winter? Send us your photos and your build story - best submission will get something cool from the Icon garage. Second best submission will get a slight nod and a "That's pretty cool" verbal acknowledgement. Worst submission will get publicly ridiculed.

The Icon Garage Team intends to get it's hands bloodied within the corroded bowels of the Magnificent Bastard - she is scheduled for extensive lap-band surgery

The Icon Shitester's complete makeover into 1200cc glory has already begun - front end courtesy of Boeing

The bastards over at Quad Cam prepping for the next build - we're guessing it'll be a Sportster of some kind

Keron, the artist behind the Airframe Siren, gets ready for a winter rebuild

Icon's Anemic gets it's annual top-end rebuild

Carlos, from Detroit Brothers, cannabalizing the remains of his crashed ride

Even The Beard, Icon's in house facial haired celebrity (true story), gets into the act with his once proud CB550 stripped down to the point of crushed dreams

Trick or Treat

2010-11-14T07:50:00.001-08:00

Halloween always brings out the ~~fools~~ ghouls and this year was no different. Thanks to Facebook we have a endless supply of Icon inspired costumes.

Iron man meets Arc Seventh Seal...

Voodoo Man meets Search and Destroy hoodie. The Metal God approves.

Busted and Broken - DUI

2010-11-13T07:50:00.000-08:00

Icon,

I headed out on a Sunday to ride with the guys from my bike club. I jumped on the freeway to head to our local meet spot and as I was cruising on the freeway I noticed a vehicle that was swerving from lane to lane. I eventually passed the car and as I exited the freeway the same car exited behind me. As I stopped at the red-light the car didn't. I was hit while sitting at the stop sign from behind at approx. 45 MPH. I was thrown off my bike about 50 feet! I saw the ground coming toward me and I braced for impact. I hit the ground and was knocked unconscious and next thing I know I'm in the ER. Yes the cops caught the guy who hit me and yes he was drunk.

Thanks,

Nick C.

Fontana, CA

Icon in Action

2010-11-12T07:50:00.000-08:00

Do you have a great photo of you in your Icon gear? If so, head over to the Official Icon Motosports Facebook Fanpage and post it up. We'll grab our favs and repost them on the blog. Then you'll be able to tell everyone your sponsored by Icon, which will be a lie, but we won't step on your game.

Icon Domain Decay

Icon Mainframe

Airframe Death or Glory

Choose a Side

2010-11-11T07:50:00.000-08:00

We aren't trying to start any beefs. We aren't trying to instigate an east coast versus west coast war. We just wanted a simple statement to indicated from which side you prefer to exit your bike. We only have a few of these tee's left - get one before they're gone. Hell, get them both and then head out to the supermoto track for a mad session like the following video.

Team Icon Talks

2010-11-10T07:50:00.000-08:00

The next installment from the Team Icon Talks collection - Jason Britton. JB talks about his most recent trip to the Portland HQ of Icon.

Variant versus Dirt

2010-11-09T07:50:00.000-08:00

Team Icon rider Ernie Vigil do'in it in the dirt with his Variant helmet.

Mai-Lin Monday

2010-11-08T07:50:00.000-08:00

Some additional photo's from Team Icon's Deutschland division. Mai-Lin Shi doing what she does best.

Icon Bombshell boots and a Hella Crossbone jacket - perfect

Twelving a ridiculously large German license plate into submission

The ubiquitous twin headlight shot...

Mai-Lin loves her a WR250X

Wanna watch Mai-Lin manhandle a Ducati?

Chopper Dave Photo

2010-11-07T07:50:00.000-08:00

Long time Icon cohort and friend Chopper Dave shows the world that not all pretty bikes are slow and unridden.

Never a finer helmet holder

No sleep til Brooklyn

Busted and Broken - Jacobs Ladder

2010-11-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

I'm driving on the highway on my 07 GSXR600 and some guy in a beat up pick up truck flys by me in the left lane, and I'm like wow what a douche. So seconds later after he is about 10 car lengths ahead of me I see a 22ft extension ladder fly off his truck, now as its bouncing and fliping around, I'm like WTF so I squeeze the brakes to slow down and hopefully avoid it, but it lands right in front of me the long way so I have no choice but to run over it. I make it over the ladder but lost control of the bike The bike fell to the right side then stands back up and high sides me off the left side. Luckily I was wearing my gear, mostly ICON (Hooligan Jacket, Victory Riding Jeans, and Field Armor knee and elbow pads) I had few brush burns but nothing serious and a few bruises but the gear is really what saved me from serious injury. The jacket had a few tears in it, and the jeans have a small blemish/scrape in the knee but didn't tear thru. I'll always wear gear while riding especially ICON because its the best in my opinion. I rolled on the pavement for 60-80ft and I'm truly shocked how well the mesh jacket held up, only had 2 tears and the rubber icon symbol scraped. also the riding jeans had one abrasion on the knee from the initial impact but no tears that went thru. I swear by these jeans!

Thanks,
Dave M.
Cheektowaga, NY

Starchild

2010-11-05T07:50:00.000-07:00

What's that you say? You've got a first generation Icon Alliance helmet that you're looking to spice up? You've been wanting to do a little something different with you're eye makeup? Well Tarina Tarantino has just the kit for you. The Starchild Odyssey Eye Palette has everything you'll need give your peepers a full Ziggy Stardust overhaul. We say lay it on heavy and thick you saucy tart!

Team Triple

2010-11-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

A reader 's Triumph 675 in Team Merc urban camo livery - Nice. Check out the original Team Merc Bikes here.

F'in Savages

2010-11-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

"Someday this war is gonna end" he muttered from behind the chinbar of his helmet. The sweet aroma of petrol slithered up from the increasing large puddle beneath the bike. Gasoline had never really smelled like victory to him. It's heavy bouquet usually indicated yet another rusted tank, failed hose, or stuck float. None of which remotely resembled conquest. But even the threat of a crotch full of gas was not sufficient to abort this mission.

Errand boys sent by grocery clerks to collect a bill - prepping the latest batch of team Icon bikes for the 2011 Spring collection street shoot

Heading up the river with a completely rashed silencer and a precariously mounted gun camera - some would find the Icon method unsound

Rogue

2010-11-02T07:50:00.000-07:00

Icon Rogue Jacket - Circa 2006

Words...just words

2010-11-01T07:50:00.001-07:00

You'll remember Heather McCoy, editor of Sportbikechic.com. Heather's the woman that modified her Bombshell boots with a platform sole for increased stoplight stability. The following is an excerpt from an interview I did with her about Icon women's gear. Click here for the entire interview.

Bring Out 'Yer Dead

2010-10-31T07:50:00.000-07:00

Prior to departing for Europe we reached out for any tips on a few good motorcycle friendly dive bars in Amsterdam. Jeff at COC and Perry at Urban Chopshop pointed us to Excalibur Cafe Bar. During our merrymaking at Excalibur we witnessed all levels of red light debauchery. Dirty thick late thirty something Swedish school teachers making out on the bar with a newly acquired bedazzled silicone friend. An utterly annihilated forgotten son of Wales telling us tall stories of Sean Connery's sister. And a seven foot tall 330lb ex-KGB courier who shot his projectile vomit half way across the canal. This town doesn't exactly want to kill you, but it is up for a little bit of maiming. Needless to say we arrived on foot and left by taxi. Thanks for the tip guys.

Outside there were several indicators that Excalibur may have some club affiliations...

...though the cheery carnival facade seemed inviting enough

Inside Excalibur the walls were decorated with the dead...

...and the bar stools were adorned by those who soon would be

Barkeep Zeed set us up with his preferred elixir, tequila shots with orange slices and cinnamon - unfortunately our money ran out long before our thirst (Rick Steves travel tip - It is VERY expensive to get liquor drunk in Europe)

Busted and Broken - BMW'chowda

2010-10-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Icon,

Here in New England, on Route 1 going north bound, I was going home and was on a stretch of road where the speed limit went from 35 mph to 50mph. I looked in a driveway of this supermarket to make sure no one was going to dart in front of me and all of a sudden this BMW 325 appeared. There was no way I could stop. I hit my brakes, hit the car, and was airborne. I hit the pavement on my right side - sliding and ripping holes in my jeans. Thank God I had on my Icon Skull jacket and Icon Super Duty gloves. I have to say I was a little shaken up but I was physically fine. I had road rash on my knee and thigh but my elbow and hands were fine. Thanks Icon for saving me a trip to the hospital.

Achtung Baby!

2010-10-29T07:50:00.001-07:00

You know what Falco said about Munich girls, right? No? Well no matter because Mai-Lin isn't from Munich, or any other part of Bavaria for that matter. Nope, she's a northern girl. Northern as in Hamburg, Germany. A dreary port town with little in the way of sunshine or fun. Except for the following article - which is all about the motorcycle 'Fun Faktor' (which literally translates to Fun Factor.) Straight from the pages of Motorrad magazine, the Fun Faktor pits Icon team rider Mai-Lin as the lone stuntpilotin competing against four very serious looking German riders. In other words she is the Farfegnugen to their zeitgeist. Truthfully we have almost no idea what this article actually says...namely because we didn't pay very much attention in German class. Sorry Herr Gerstenslager, you were right, we will actually need to sprechen sie Deutsch as adults.

Team Icon Talks: Nick Brocha

2010-10-28T07:50:00.000-07:00

Team Icon Talks is a short interview series conducted with Icon Team riders. Think of it as a podcast. But without the pod or the cast. A couple weeks ago we featured Eric Hoenshell talking tank topping. This installment features Nick Brocha talking stunt riding. Look for Nick's 'Porn-Face' around the 1:23 mark, it's disturbing. Actually don't do that, in fact forget we even said that. But do stay tuned next month for the third installment where Ernie Vigil will talk about the first two episodes. You just can't get this kind of programming on basic cable.

1%ers v. Fashionistas

2010-10-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

(Oct. 26 (Bloomberg) -- The Hells Angels motorcycle group sued fashion design house Alexander McQueen and retail chain Saks Inc. for trademark infringement for selling handbags, jewelry and clothing using the club’s death-head design.

Hells Angels Motorcycle Corp. said McQueen’s company, New York-based Saks and retailer Zappos.com Inc. have been selling infringing products in stores in California and online, according to a complaint filed yesterday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

The motorcycle club said it has been using the death-head mark, a skull with wings, since at least 1948. The Hells Angels have authorized the use of the marks on jewelry, apparel and “promotional and entertainment services,” according to the complaint.

Saks, McQueen and Zappos have been selling items including the Hells Angels Jacquard Box Dress and Hells Angels Pashmina that deploy the trademarks, according to the complaint. The jacquard dress is listed on McQueen’s website for $1,595 and the pashmina scarf for $560.

A woman’s handbag designed by McQueen called “Hell’s Knuckle Duster” is listed on Zappos.com’s site for $2,329. Zappos is owned by Seattle-based Amazon.com Inc.

McQueen, the designer for whom the fashion house is named, died in February.

Julia Bentley, a spokeswoman for Saks, said the company had no comment on the complaint. Diane Coffey, a spokeswoman for Zappos, said the company has no immediate comment.

Representatives of Alexander McQueen, based in London, couldn’t be reached for comment. McQueen is a unit of PPR’s Gucci Group, based in Amsterdam.

The case is Hells Angels Motorcycle Corp. v. Alexander McQueen Trading Ltd., 10-08029, U.S. District Court, Central District of California (Los Angeles).

Yes, this dress is hideous and the Angels have a right to be pissed...

...but the Hells Knuckle Duster clutch is dope

And while the HA attorney is at it - he might want to look into this beauty. Nothing says 'Please shoot me off my motorcycle' like an unsanctioned deathhead on your chinbar

HiViz

2010-10-27T07:50:00.000-07:00

The Icon Alliance HiViz helmet and Victory Jacket gracing the latest issue of Super Streetbike magazine.

INTERMOT

2010-10-26T07:50:00.001-07:00

For the three brave Icon representatives from Portland, Oregon it was just another day colored by jet lag and whiskey hangovers. Our souls were still days behind us, caught in the ethereal void somewhere above the North Atlantic. We were behind enemy lines once again. It wasn't the first time mind you. Not so long ago Team Icon slipped onto the floor of our domestic tradeshow to do battle with established intellengencia. The nay-sayers and roadblocks. The waterproofed minions in their drab black garb. We were disgruntled riders in our own land. It was no wonder that our dissatisfaction quickly turned into an armed resistance. Now we entered a new theatre, not as underdogs, but as formally trained statesmen with a well known penchant for the gutter lane. "It can't be helped" we thought aloud, as we stumbled from the darkened Kolsch Cantina. We were ready to commence Operation Overlord and the mission is good.

Icon exposes itself on the main floor - luckily in Germany this is not a crime

So that's how it is - Well played, Pirelli. Apparently in Europe the gloves, as well as the tops, are off. Icon will do great things here me thinks...

Modern Cologne is relatively new city...

as a result of Allied Force's urban planning division - thankfully the Koln Cathedral was spared

The Koln Cathedral today - The Metal God approves

There can be no doubt, we are in Germany - dance puppet dance

Looped

2010-10-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

AFG Moto can't stop won't stop. This time they're at it on the Sacrifice 2-smoker. Hoshi shows a local Toyko variety show what's up. And down.

Busted and Broken - Sha_DOH!

2010-10-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let you know that your helmet saved my life! I was involved in an accident this past weekend. A lady driving and SUV decided to make a right turn without using her turn signal directly in to my bike. I ended up doing a front flip off of the bike and landing directly on my head, continuing my roll forward and eventually landed directly on my face. Had I not been wearing my Domain 2 Sha_do helmet I would not be able to write this email to you guys today.

It is my firm belief that you guys make the best protective gear for riders out there to date and I wanted to give your company a thumbs up.

I am a SSgt in the USAF and have been riding for about 6 years now, this is the 2nd time I have been down on my bike and both times I was wearing your protective gear and I'm still here to tell the stories today. When I get the bike fixed and the money saved back up I will definitely purchase another ICON helmet to protect my head.

Thanks again!

SSgt John R.

USAF

Engine Engine #9

2010-10-23T07:50:00.000-07:00

We like naked Ducati's. Not Monster naked mind you - nothing of the prefabbed factory stock nudes. No, we like fine Italian supermodels that have been shucked of their couture outerwear. Stripped fashionistas that are at once both shamed and brazen. Such unholy conglomerations as the following trellis framed lolitta. Check out the wonderful world of BikeEXIF for the more of #9.

Resistance is Futile

2010-10-22T07:50:00.000-07:00

After the apocalypse there won’t be that many people left so efficiency is going to be key. We’ll have to clear the roads of ashed out Escalades, remove the gold from fort knox, and of course there’ll be the matter of fending off the invading aliens/zombies/dinosaurs or what have you. Thinking ahead, the boys over at Raytheon strapped on a Domain Helmet and decided to build themselves an apocalypse preparedness suit. Bring it on Judgment Day...bring it on!

The Magnificent Bastard

2010-10-21T07:50:00.001-07:00

Straight outta Salinas comes our latest steed - a 1986 VF1000R. We've long since admitted our prediliction for all things 80's Honda. The first VFR is arguable the pinnacle of that era. Not pinnacle in that it's a great bike - it most certainly is not. In fact this particular one sat on the dealership floor until 1990. Not exactly the mark of desirability - and for good reason, it's an absolute tank. No, when we use the pinnacle label it's more in relation to style and steez. Thick & saucy, with a throaty smokers cough reverberating out the twin Yosh, it demands attention. She was built as a homologated production race bike meant to do battle in the endurance race classes. Unfortunately the Honda engineers missed a few key elements on their merry way to fatville. But twenty five years later, dressed in fine HRC race livery and hitting the scales at an impressive 600 pounds the VF has truly become a Magnificent Bastard .

We've got big plans for the water whale. Stay tuned for her makeover into a RS850 x RS1000RW x GS1000 x MFP endurance pursuit bike. Yoshimura Tornado seat with exposed battery tray, a pair of external mount PIAA's, staggered cans, yellow plates, and maybe even rebuilt carbs. Yeah, she'll still be the fattest girl at the dance - but she's got a cute face, big chest, and she puts out. Once you reach a certain age you'll realize how desirable that combination can be. Viva la VeeFour.

Red conventionals with a drop out axle - so race

An Autumn blast through the pretty side of the Slabtown district

Spooling up Avon's always seems so classy - in a British accent kind of way

Oury's are the mandatory dress code at Club Icon

Inspiration #1 - FWS1000/RW1000RS

Inspiration #2 - RS850R

Inspiration #3 - Sexy eyepatch

Inspiration #4 - Staggered asymmetrical pipes

Inspiration #5 - Bol d'Or

Inspiration #6 - Bold lean angles

Inspiration #7 - Mean GS1000R

Inspiration #8 - Dual spots and twin raccoon burners

Inspiration #9 - The Bronze KZ1000

Anemic

2010-10-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

Years in the thinking, weeks in the making - say hello to Anemic -she's a '80/'83/'85 Ironhead powered oxymoron. Don't blame the Hodaka boys for this creation - they had nothing to do with it. No, this fine bit of engineering is all Team Icon. Starting with a Craigslisted ironhead powerplant we knew that horsepower would not be her strong suit. In fact nothing says anemic like the word 'Anemic' written in tire pen on your frame. With her medieval ergonomics she's a fine steed no doubt . What's that you say? Hardtail drop seats are so fat tire. Dammit - that is time critical information - we need to get on a better tweet feed!

P.S. - Jockey shift has since been removed. We'd like to give a big ups to the Washington State Highway Patrol for pointing out the multiple engineering flaws. We'll dedicate our next I-5 standup to you brother.

P.S.S - Do not stunt your Ironhead. Not once, not ever. The Container Yard Classic, though both highly entertaining and universally vilified, managed too take out two previously fantastic running sportys. It seems sustained RPM's and antiquated Harley engineering is not a love connection. Who knew?

Walk Softly, Carry Big Knife

2010-10-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

The Domain2 Ronin from Lukas. It was a cool idea that didn't quite make the cut. Pun intended. Thank you - we'll be performing here all week.

Snake River

2010-10-18T07:50:00.000-07:00

In order to promote the Speed Cretin helmet we thought about jumping Snake River Canyon. Until we realized we don't own a SkyCycle (yet!). So instead of jumping the river we just bungeed above it. Yeah... decidedly less dramatic but we're on a strict budget.

Redline!!!!

2010-10-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

Some dope looking animiation! Anybody over in Japan have any additional insight on this movie?

Busted and Broken - Streetkore

2010-10-16T07:50:00.001-07:00

Icon,

Here's some Busted and Broken for y'all to revel in. When Icon first hit the scene in the early millennium, I fell in love with the Ti Max line. I snagged up 2 pairs for the Ti Max OG gloves when they first hit the dealers. 1 shorty and 1 full gauntlet. 8 years later, and they have served me well. Rain, shine, freezing cold and the high deserts. They are the most comfortable and well designed gloves I've owned. About 3 years ago, on a beautiful Thursday morning full of empty freeway, I put My Ti Max Full gauntlets and Field Armour vest to the test. Entering the freeway aboard my trusty 900RR Streetfighter, AKA: Damage Control, I noticed not a car in site for miles. Without hesitation, I opened the flat slides and let her rip for a quick blast on my way to work. Unfortunately, that trip was short lived. The front tire managed to find a recent bit of wavy patch work in the road way, States tax dollars hard at work that night, which sent my beloved fighter into the most violent tank slapper I have experienced in 10 years of seat time. I tried fighting off the shakes with no resolve. With a death grip on the bars and every bit of energy I had trying to wrangle the bike back to the straight and narrow, the front end still twisted from lock to lock. Eventually, the momentum transferred into my body and started shaking me as much as the front wheel. At that point, there were 2 choices. Ride it out and get high sided, or bail and hope for the best. I decided on the latter. I slide off to the right side, landed on my shoulder and began tumbling at 90mph. After a few revolutions of sky, ground, sky, ground visuals, I began the slow slide to a stop, and landed in the right shoulder from the far left lane of a 3 lane freeway. My worst injury was to my left foot which took a pretty good thrashing once my shoe came loose. The rest was bumps and bruises and some skinned knees. The Field Armour vest saved my back, as my jacket slide up during the slide, and also kept my shoulder and spine from taking the abuse of the initial fall. And those gloves that I had been riding with for years before... They saved my hands 10 fold. Not so much as a blemish. Being a bike tech, I need my hands to make a living. I was grateful I had those gloves and that they stood up to the abuse I put them through. As for the bike. It actually fared the wreck better then I did. Dented tank, busted handle bar and a twisted radiator was the only damage. It managed to park itself against a guard rail about a mile down the road from where I landed. I had it road worthy the day after I was up and walking around again. There's a couple pics of the bike before and after included.

My Ti Max Shorties I have recently had to retire, sadly. I deffinitly got my money's worth out of them. 8 years, thousands of daily ridden miles all over the country, through every kind of weather you could think of. Along with late night 50cc racing and regular BMX and MTB thrash sessions, they have survived it all. They're pretty battered and tattered now. Most of the leather has worn away from the joints and my fingers are falling out the ends. They've been great. I was thrilled to see that they have been reintroduced. I need another pair in the worst way.

I also picked up a set of the Ti Max II Shorties after that wreck. They served well for a few years also. Unfortunately, They were retired last season as well. I managed to wear the palms out of them. I guess Kangaroo's aren't built as tough as good old cow hide.

Keep up the great work over at Icon HQ. Looking forward to the 2011 release.

Shaun "Scrapyard" K.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Icon Decor

2010-10-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

We would be a lot more interested when our wife is watching HGTV if the interior designers used Icon in their room redesigns. Hello Antonio! We're talking to you!

A craftsmen white trim would set the Krazy Klown/Speed Cretin combo off quite nicely.

Sleeping in the Top Bunk

2010-10-14T07:50:00.001-07:00

In the first issue of Limiter we made reference to Eric Hoenshell's "top-tanking" ways. Most thought this was a reference to a stunt riding technique involving positioning oneself atop the fuel tank. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our thanks go out to Eric for enlightening us, and the Icon bathroom, to the classy world of the upper deck. Cheers mate.

Race the Base

2010-10-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

Race the Base was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Icon sponsored rider Ethan Barkley. Eighty-five of the worlds fastest exotic cars from all over North America came to participate in this prestigious charity event held at Cold Lake Air Force Base.

Ethan was fortunate enough to have been invited by the military to make exhibition passes on behalf of the Canadian Motorcycle Drag Racing Association. This was a car only event so he was the exotic among the exotics! Read the full report on his website.

Too close for missiles...switching to guns.

French Stuntin'

2010-10-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

Nick Apex turned us on to a rider in France that goes by the name 'GuyGuy'. Which translates literally to 'DudeDude'. Do you have video of your mad parking lot skills? Send us a link.

Wide circle action set to a magnificent score

Crossbone Racer

2010-10-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

Kelly Callan over at Ultimate Motorcycling knows how to look good while going fast. Jump on over and read her reviews of the Hella Crossbone gear.

The Street Triple is not a girls bike!

Low Down and Shifty

2010-10-11T07:50:00.000-07:00

A little something we started over what seems an eternity ago. One designer, three fabricators, two mechanics, two machinists, and one artist have contributed to this magnificent XS. Even Motoczysz was kind enough to donate a set of his C1 exhaust pipes - apparently he no longer needed them. Very soon our precious ~~650~~ 750 will get her day in the sun (or more likely rain). It will be a day of glory and a time of heroes. Hopefully the frame doesn't crack.

Gangster Bob

2010-10-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

Gangster Bob is all go and no show. Except for his chrome German helmet - that is very much show. So you may ask - why is Bob gangster? The fact is that Gangster Bob refuses to wear gloves, regardless of the weather condition. 28 degrees outside, snow flurries, and Bob ripping thru the night on his hardtail springer...No gloves. Pissing ice cold Portland rain, 75 mile run back from the coast, and jaw frozen in a defiant snarl...No gloves. An early spring blast thru the Columbia river gorge, razor sharp gravel daggers hurled from logging truck tires...No gloves. Friends - that is why Bob is a gangster and you are not.

Please Hammer, don't hurt 'em

Busted and Broken - Family

2010-10-09T07:50:00.001-07:00

I awoke August 1^st to a beautiful day for a ride. I had been planning to go on this early morning pre work hours ride for some time now. I wanted to get the feel for my new KTM rc8 prior to my track day at Motegi the following week. So I headed to the glorious sweeping turns of the mountains in Okutama. I made the 45 minute trip to the base of the mountains parking area with ease really learning what this machine has to offer. To this point I only had put 300 kms on her during commuting back and forth to work, this would be my first pleasure ride on her.

As I pulled into the parking area, all other riders were fixated on my sweet new machine and possibly my sweet Icon gear (I was wearing Icon leather pants, a Contra jacket, Accelerant gloves, and a carbon Lifeform helmet). I hung out at the parking area as normal and watched a few other riders arrive and some head out to tackle the mountain.

I then decided its my turn to go rip the twisties…..this is the point where my memory of the days events stops and I will be providing info as it was told to me. You see just a few seconds after I pulled out from the parking area I was hit by another rider and his bike which he lost control of and pitched his new Z1000 Kawi right at me from the opposing lane. Yes a head on collision. Of which I have no memory or recollection at all.

My body took the brunt of the hit from his airborne Kawi. Next thing I remember briefly is hearing the rotor wash from a helicopter. I was told I died in route and was successfully revived while on the medivac flight.

I woke up 9 days later from a medically induced coma. The whole time I was out the doctors had been telling my wife to contact family because I wasn't going to make it. And if I did make it I wouldn't walk again or be the same guy I was. I had a collapsed lung, torn stomach, destroyed kidney, multiple fractures in my left arm, and a shattered pelvis. I was hooked up to every machine the ER had! Fortunately I had been flown to the best ICU in Japan, Tachikawa’s Disaster Response Hospital, where all the top docs are. They did several emergency surgical procedures to keep me amongst the living. The new scars I have will make a constant and daily reminder to me of what occurred and how fortunate I am,

So here I sit in the hospital a month and a half later, lots of recovery and rehab needed, but happy to be alive. My arm has some major nerve damage and my pelvis has to mend with time. My internal damage is mended they say and I can eat and drink as I please. I must say the docs and everyone here are shocked about how much progress I have made in such a short time.

It’s amazing how much support, well wishes, and even monetary donations I’ve received from around the globe. When times are tough you really see how much you have and who cares about you.

So why are you reading my story on Icon’s site you may be asking? Not only was I wearing all Icon gear, it is a fact that Icon is my family. I have been directly affiliated with Icon for the past 6 years. It is why I’ve never hesitated to entrust my life to Icon when I go out to ride. I know the folks behind the scenes, those that truly care about the people that buy and wear Icon products, the family that is ICON MOTO. Everything is from riders too riders, from the street for the street as the motto entails. You’ll never find a more dedicated bunch of people.

In closing I just want to say THANK YOU to Icon for saving my life. My family also extends the same sentiment as I am still here to watch my daughter grow, witness my un-born son’s birth, and my wife’s glorious smile as I will be here to take care of my family. The road to recovery will be long and difficult but, I must not forget that that I will certainly be able to put the saddle back on, turn the key, crack the throttle, and….RIDE AMONG THEM once more.

J. Fullington

Tokyo Japan

RCate

This should make for a neat streetfighter project

Airframe Carbon Lifeform shows the scars of the massive impact it withstood

The Contra Jacket performed it's duty well

The remains of a prototype set of Icon Overlord Leather Pants - post paramedic scissors

Polaroid Fame - Take 3

2010-10-08T07:50:00.001-07:00

Variant Versus Vtwin

2010-10-07T07:50:00.000-07:00

A few of the Vtwin royalty rocking the Variant lid. Seriously - if you put down some serious urban miles you will love this helmet.

Motopunk Rob via Quadcam Bastards

ChopperDave via Church of Choppers

FTWCO Racing

2010-10-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

Team FTWCO Racing's blog is full of our kind of race coverage - grass roots. Sidehacks, straightliners, flat track, speedway, you name it, it's all there.

Eric Bennett seen here atop his Bennett's Performance salt flat machine with his Icon Domain helmet.

Contrary to popular belief, Santa actually lives at the Salt flats

Jud Linder lining up for the half mile in Canton Ohio in his Icon Mainframe helmet.

Someone needs a shield cleaning kit! Part Number 0136-0010

Represent

2010-10-05T07:50:00.000-07:00

We're always honored when we see someone adorn their skin with our artwork via a million pokes of a needle.

Truly Representing

The Icon Alliance Represent. Available with six Different city names, none of which were your city so you complained about it non-stop on our Facebook page not even stopping to think about how difficult it is to inventory six different helmets.... are we ranting here? Sorry.

Patrol Contest

2010-10-04T07:50:00.001-07:00

To kick off the winter riding season, which is from October 1st to May 1st here in Portland (sigh), we've launched the Patrol line of foul weather riding gear. And now it's contest time!

This time around one lucky winner will receive their colorway and size choice of a Patrol jacket. That's a great start to building yourself the ultimate gnarly weather riding ensemble. All you need to do is identify the following five motors by name and model. We realize this contest is pretty hard so we'll be zooming out on the photos over the course of the month. Keep checking back if you're stumped or take a shot at the answers now in the comments section. As soon as someone gets all five correctly we'll announce it on the blog, Facebook, and twitter accounts.

Motor #1

Motor #2

Motor #3

Motor #4

Motor #5

See site for official rules and regulations

Domain Mechanica

2010-10-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

The Domain Mechanica was one of the best selling Icon helmets ever produced. It featured innovative chrome graphic reveals and an intertwined wicked cyborg chick. Who would have guessed that chrome + topless chick would equal such huge success ;)

Flattrack Femme

2010-10-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

A hot chick, some Icon chaps, and a flat track'd Ducati. Fun times at the Indy mile.

Miss AMA Pro Flat Track - Randi Shelton

Damn - we love chaps (on women)

Busted and Broken - Steel Magnolias

2010-10-02T07:50:00.000-07:00

As hatred boils from my insides, I write the post I hoped to never make. Have you seen those dorks who put tape on their top triples that say ‘new tires!!!’? Yeah, I have too, - f*ck those guys - I thought to myself as I zapped off to work aboard my pristine 50th anniv. R1. A few corners, some braking, dry roads (for portland) and my favorite ‘chicane’ section coming up, I figured the new Rosso’s were good to go. People talk about time slowing down, seeing their life flash before their eyes, violent ragdolling over the asphalt. It wasn’t like that...more like how people describe the final moments of drowning when everything gets peaceful and quiet and death slowly takes over. Brushing myself off and surveying appendages, a concerned granny says something I can’t hear her due to the sound isolating headphones. As I finally get the music stopped, she says “what happened? You weren’t even going fast.” Later, loading up the wreckage, an old man (likely granny’s husband) says to me “hey, I put those steel posts there for a reason.” Yeah, thanks buddy. Next time, I’m putting the tape message on the triple....”don’t crash again dumbf*ck.” Thanks to myself for wearing Icon from head to toe and staying intact enough to be pissed about my bike, not hospital bills.

Branden. L

PDX

....because the posts are steel and he crashed into someone's magnolias.

Annie

2010-10-01T07:50:00.001-07:00

What the hell happened to summer? Oh well, we'll always have you Annie.

Feels like it's time to head back to Vegas

Annie, Mark, and some other dude enjoying the 70's

El Blanco Diablo

2010-10-01T07:50:00.000-07:00

When El Blanco Diablo showed up on the doorstep of the Icon garage we were horrified. First off, she wasn't 'blanco' - she was actually a sickly stock black. Ducati refers to this fine shade of mica flaked obsidian as "Hipster Default Dark"...we just call it lame. There's an old adage in the Icon garage - if stock is for suckers, then stock Ducati's are for supersuckers. Being neither gentlemen nor scholars it was easy to take our liberties with the virgin S2R. Though 'no means no' in most garages, her Italian whimpering was lost on our cruel hearts and greasy hands. Slashing up the base model Ducati was very easy - for indeed, we had done far worse to much nicer. The stock silencers were immediately yarded with no intention of replacement. The incredibly awful stock suspension and brakes were eBay'd to make room for not quite as awful Supersport components. Belt covers, license plates, indicators, and any other component ripe with the stench of DOT conformity were condemned to the shite bin. Finally, like the little tease she is, we lathered her in a fine coat of white pearl and defamatory scribbles. Eventually she would be shipped back east from whence she came. With her name changed and all record of her past indiscretions buried she would make some fine young man an angelic bride. Only the Icon garage team would know her true story. And we aren't talking.

Fragged

2010-09-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

Another Detroit Bros chop in the PDX. Sporting a very cool pineapple grenade tail light. You know what they say - fragmentation is the new red.

Chops ain't dead - they're just unpainted now