Icon Hyper Sports reminds us why we love old GSX-Rs

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The guys at Icon recovered this 1990 GSX-R 750 from an impound lot, restoring it to near-stock glory with the help of some new Airtech plastics, a Racefit silencer and Pirelli Diablo slicks. Not only does it make us pine for our old ’94 Evo ‘Blade replica, but brutish, uncomplicated ’90s sportsbikes in general.
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We’re constantly impressed with the diverse motorcycle taste
demonstrated by Icon; it ranges from the completely ridiculous Warthog
ZX-10R to the Harajuku-ready Rockets Dead Glare Honda Reflex, but is
always utterly awesome. While we’re a bit perplexed by its range of
products — items like the Pursuit and TRX gloves are incredibly cool,
but stuff like the Death or Glory jackets make us retch — Icon has some
of the best advertising in the industry. The burnout shot above (click
for a large version) is a great example, perfectly embodying an
aspirational lifestyle its products are attempting to exemplify.

Icon via MotoFlash

  • http://www.rumblestripradio.com The Duke

    If you want a nice clean 94 ‘Blade, let me know, I have mine for sale

  • Phil H

    AWESOME! Love them 90s superbikes!

  • PBXorcist

    Icon has actually done more for the industry than most people give them credit for. They made cool gear for urban riders and got more riders into safety gear than would normally wear that. For years the only option was to look like:

    A. Ricky Racer
    B. Biker Billy

    Icon really changed that by fusing both of the aforementioned styles with urban and dirt influence and coming up with some fresh ideas. Sure some of it is over the top, but its not like motorcyclists or their target market is actually a conservative bunch.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes

      Agreed, and we’ve made that point before. We admire what they do even if we’d like to see them move in a classier direction.

      • http://www.designronin.com Design Ronin

        “…even if we’d like to see them move in a classier direction.”

        Yea but obviously that’s not where their key demographic is at Wes.

  • geonerd

    my pants are shrinking.

  • http://raresportbikesforsale.com RareSportBikesForSale

    Bike looks awesome — except for that pipe! I think a period correct aftermarket pipe would’ve been a better fit.

    I’ve been keeping my eyes open for old GSX-R’s and there are lots of good examples out there for sale: http://raresportbikesforsale.com/tag/gsx-r/

    dc

  • http://setthemfree.tumblr.com Sasha Pave

    Beautiful! As garish as some of their clothing is, you gotta give them credit for taking chances.

  • thomashenny

    Very nice, I’ve always had a thing for the twin headlights and the blunt tail.

  • stu

    Both these burnouts and wheelies/donuts while wearing a t-shirt are hardly the sort of thing a company focussed on rider safety would use to promote its products. Their designs are out there enough to attract their target customer. the bottom line is that their strategy is the polar opposite of what’s been claimed on HFL. Their strategy is to be the hooligan brand of choice by promoting risky behaviour while wearing their gear. DUH