ILM Full Face Motorcycle Helmet Review

The ILM is one of those lower-priced helmets that will give the potential buyer pause. While it comes loaded with some great features, the fact that it’s available at a lower price compared to competing full-face helmets gives buyers the impression that the helmet may not be on par with its competitors, but they couldn’t be more wrong. This model is not only incredibly comfortable and DOT approved, but it’s also available in a variety of sizes and styles.

Our Verdict: The ILM helmet is a full-face model that comes loaded with some great features including a top of the line ventilation system, a thick removable liner, and a quick-release clasp that makes it much easier to remove your helmet.

Despite being a full-face helmet, it’s surprisingly light and aerodynamic, so you won’t feel the helmet lift off your head on the freeway. The padding can make wearing your new helmet uncomfortable for the first week or two, but once the padding has been broken in, you’ll enjoy a nice comfortable ride.

Because this helmet has so many vents, you’ll also have to deal with high wind noise, which can be an issue for the rider looking for a quiet model that will allow them to easily hear music, phone conversations, or GPS directions.

The visors, while equipped with an anti-fog coating, do tend to fog up in humid conditions, so you may want to upgrade them later down the line, once the weather heats up. Overall, this is a great, well-built lightweight full-face model that provides the type of protection on the road that every rider needs.

Overview and Features

ILM is another leading manufacturer in the industry and one with a reputation for setting trends in the motorcycle world with its line of futuristic-looking helmets.

This is one of the best motorcycle helmets on the market. It comes loaded with some great features including a dual visor design that allows you to ride protected during the day and night, an aerodynamic design, and a quick-release clasp system that makes it fast and easy to put the helmet on or take it off. As I mentioned earlier, this model is DOT approved, so you know it will keep you well protected on the road.

ILM Full Face Motorcycle Helmet

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

  • Lightweight
  • Dual visors
  • Removable liner
  • Low price
  • Free scarf
  • Top of the line ventilation system

Design

This model features an advanced, durable, lightweight ABS shell, and a quick-release strap clasp that’s a much better alternative compared to models that use a basic D-ring strap system that can be difficult to adjust and tighten.

The helmet’s aerodynamic design means the helmet will not lift off your head at high speeds when you’re zipping down the freeway. The design allows the air to move over and around the helmet, so it won’t impact your speed.

The fact that the helmet is so light is another reason to buy since most full-face helmets can be difficult to wear for long periods of time. Overall, the helmet has the look of a higher-priced, tech-heavy model, but it’s available for a price that’s affordable.

Visors

Most models in this price range will come equipped with a single visor, whether it’s smoky or clear. This helmet gives you the best of both worlds, so you can engage the clear visor for night riding and the smoky visor for riding in bright sunlight.

The point of the face shields is to protect your face from windburn, flying debris, bugs, dirt, and more. However, during the day, the visor should also protect the eyes from sunlight that can blind you while you’re riding. The fact that this model offers two visor options will be a big plus for the rider who loves riding during the day and night.

However, while the visors do come with an anti-scratch and anti-fog coating, it doesn’t do much in terms of preventing the visors from fogging up, which can impact your visibility on the road. Fortunately, you can easily upgrade them, if you’re looking for more protection on the road. To learn more, click here to check out my guide that will walk you through how to select the right visor for your helmet.

Weight

This helmet weighs in at 4.85 pounds, which is much lighter compared to competing models of full-face helmets and modular helmets. One of the biggest drawbacks of a full-face helmet is the weight, which can quickly tire you out if you’re riding for more than an hour. The lighter design reduces user fatigue and prevents neck strain, both of which can quickly end a ride.

Lining

The helmet’s liner is removable, so you can toss it in the wash after a long ride. The ability to remove and wash the liner is definitely a plus since it prevents odors and mold growth. The impact protection padding is thick and comfortable, however, you’ll need to anticipate a breaking-in period.

When you first try on the helmet you’ll notice that the padding makes the inside of the helmet feel very tight. The padding itself also feels stiff and uncomfortable. Wearing the helmet for a period of twenty to thirty hours will work to mold the lining to the shape of your head, so it will progressively become more comfortable to wear.

Ventilation

This model comes equipped with vents located throughout the design, which will do wonders in terms of keeping you cool, especially if you’re riding around during the summer. Most full-face helmets have a reputation for causing the rider to sweat, especially when compared to half helmets, which allow you to enjoy the feel of the air on your face.

But the full-face helmet provides top of the line protection, so the hotter interior is often worth it when it comes to your safety. While this helmet won’t keep you as cool as an open face helmet, the vents definitely help. But the vents will also increase wind noise inside the helmet, which can make it difficult to hear music or GPS directions if you’re using a helmet communication system.

Extras

The helmet also comes with a winter scarf, which is a nice extra and one that you’ll come to appreciate once the weather turns cooler.

Color Options

The ability to choose from seven color options allows you to select a model that matches your bike and works for your style. You’ll have a total of eleven color options to choose from.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Pros

  • Seven color options
  • Aerodynamic design
  • Lightweight
  • Low price
  • Dual visors
  • Free scarf

Cons

  • Anti-fog visor coating is not effective
  • High wind noise
  • Padding will be uncomfortable until the helmet is broken in

ILM Full-Face Versus ILM Modular Helmet

The main difference here is that the competing model by ILM is a modular helmet, not a full-face model. The best thing about the modular design is the ability to remove the chin bar portion of the helmet to open the front of the helmet. This allows you to enjoy a little fresh air, once the helmet starts to make you sweat.

For a modular helmet, it’s also surprisingly light, weighing just five pounds. However, if you’re looking for a helmet that offers ultimate protection on the road, you’ll still need to stick to a traditional full-face helmet since the modular style has a weak point in its design, which is the hinge system.

The full-face model allows you to choose from seven color options, while the competing helmet provides eleven options and comes equipped with bright red LED lights located on the back of the helmet that’s designed to make you highly visible on the road. Both models have issues with high wind noise, due to the ventilation system, however, only the full-face helmet can provide top of the line protection.

Conclusion and Rating

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

ILM remains of the best motorcycle helmet brands, simply because they pay attention to what their customers want, and that’s a helmet that provides ultimate protection, breathability, and durability. But they also produce helmets that are reasonably priced and available in a variety of color schemes, so you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good-looking helmet that you’ll actually want to wear.

This full-face helmet features an extensive ventilation system that’s designed to keep you cool and comfortable on the road. It also offers a durable, lightweight aerodynamic design that will prevent user fatigue and allows the air to flow over and around your helmet, so you won’t feel your helmet start to lift off your head when you’re traveling at a higher speed.

This model is available in seven color options and four sizes, so you’ll be sure to choose a model that will work for your head shape, size, and your style. This model earned a rating of four and a half out of five stars.