A Post-Apocalyptic Review: ICON Motorcycle Gear
Motorcycling in a post-calamitous, resource-depleted existence requires the right gear. Provisions are low, so we’ve donned our ICON Motosports gear for today’s foraging. Before the Bang, we never rode motorcycles out of necessity, but it’s different now. Like draft horses or oxen of yore, our sidecar motorcycle has become the lifeblood to survival. Here’s how we suited up…
Not often we see transient gleaners pass through. Post-apocalyptic pirates. Most of ‘em wear makeshift layers of Army surplus and knife-cut Rambo shawls. Our ICON apparel unsettles them. We believe keeping people guessing is a good offense…and defense. And nothing says ‘maniacally unpredictable’ like Corey’s zebra-striped helmet besmeared with blood (re: ICON 1000 Variant Big Game).
The Ural Red October was our quirky company-vehicle long ago in 2014. Children would laugh and wave at our recreational playbike while smiling parents raised their thumbs. Now, its Siberian ute-roots are coming full circle, breaking sod in this whistling, barren landscape.
You need to have eyes in the back of yer head when things get all ill-boding. Traveling with a brother makes this possible. Here, (above) Casey stands watch at our Manitowoc Outpost wearing his ICON Variant Ghost Carbon helmet, ICON 1000 Akorp jacket and ICON 1000 Turnbuckle gloves. Yeah, the future looks bleak, but this getup looks dope.
Unnecessarily blasting snow banks and finding opportunities to throw the Ural around is a pastime for us despite the current ecologically-collapsed outlook. While searching silos, there’s always time for sidecar skitching.
Both jackets have a working-class classy look to them with Highland-coated canvas and premium leather panels. Avoiding a buttony facade, the storm flaps are held in place with strong, hidden magnets.
Snarky preppers may claim, “Those aren’t impact-winterproof coats!” Well, it was 26 degrees Fahrenheit on this day; with multiple thin layers underneath, the ICON 1000 Akorp and Beltway jackets kept the wind out between stops just fine, especially with the silky smooth removable quilted vest. They also sport the surprisingly strong and thin D30 “impact protectors” for any high-speed get-offs and tundra bashing.
Casey’s ICON Variant Ghost Carbon helmet screams, “I’m on some sort of mission.” Technically, we are. Though its stock form includes an amber-gold, endurance-tinted Optics shield, we outfitted both lids with the dark smoke shields for the whiteout conditions.
The Skelly ICON 1000 Turnbuckle gloves provide proper knuckle-security (same D30 armor that’s in the jackets) with an homage to old motocross heroes who used to block-pass and bar-bang in corporate-sponsored battles. They might not be the best hand-warmers for wicked-frigid weather, but the French cowhide stands up well to roughhousing. (Also available in the BA colorway “Covert Green.”)
After the canopy of whatever is floating in the sky jacked with things, an old sage warned us, “Keep thy feet in working order and run for your life.” Noted. The ICON 1000 Elsinore boots protect our piggies and surround our ankles with a thick cut of leather fused to a Goodyear sole. You can adjust the fat straps on the alloy buckles or quickly slip ‘em on via the inside zipper (which is up to snuff for a Paratrooper).
After a long day of stockpile dispersal, it’s time to brush off the fallout and regroup. If you’re a survivor in the Midwest, keep an eye out for us Wilkinson Bros. We’ll be in the unapologetically fashion-infused ICON Motosports and ICON 1000 gear flying the chair over frozen lakes, weaving an indecipherable trail to our shelters full of Beanie-Weenies, Moon Pies and Handi-Snacks.
(For a more cinematic photo experience, click on the images and flip through the larger pics.)
If you want Good Spark Garage to test your gear in the past, present or future, shoot us an email and we’ll send you our coordinates.
Behind the scenes video:
ICON 1000 Gear Review: Behind the Scenes from Good Spark Garage on Vimeo.
You guy’s should bring your Ural over and ride with us on the Indy westside levy, fun with the snow!! Been doing it it for many years and always looking for new places! I’ll admit, it’s about time to hit the guys up at Heindl Engineering for some new shoes!! Awesome pics you guy’s have and we’re still rockin with our 98″ Tourist on the Westside!! Those 14′ FE’s are tempting! Maybe one of these day’s?
Thanks, Nathan & Vee! I’ve never been out to the levy. Glad you’re still getting some fun out of the Tourist; we’re certainly having fun with our RO. -corey @ GSG
Dynamite photos and bike gear! The Ural looks great against the snow, too. And good read.
Lots of fun.