ILM Motorcycle Dual Visor Flip Up Helmet Model 902 Review: The Ultimate Budget Modular Contender

There’s a specific moment every rider knows. You’re pulling up to a gas station on a sweltering summer day. The heat is radiating off the asphalt, and your full-face helmet feels less like protection and more like a personal sauna. You fumble with your gloves to take it off just for a moment of relief. Or perhaps you’re a glasses-wearer like me, tired of the awkward ritual of removing your specs, squeezing a helmet on, and then trying to thread the arms back through the padding. We crave the protection of a full-face helmet but desire the convenience of an open-face one. This is the eternal dilemma that sends us searching for the perfect modular helmet—a piece of gear that promises the best of both worlds. The challenge, however, has always been finding one that offers robust safety features, modern conveniences, and a comfortable fit without demanding a premium price tag. It’s a search for a true workhorse, and that’s precisely what led us to test the ILM Motorcycle Dual Visor Flip Up Helmet Model 902.

What to Consider Before Buying a Modular Motorcycle Helmet

A modular helmet is more than just headwear; it’s a key piece of safety equipment that directly impacts your comfort, awareness, and, most importantly, your protection on the road. It solves the fundamental conflict between the all-encompassing security of a full-face helmet and the breezy freedom of an open-face design. The primary benefit is versatility. With the push of a button, you can flip the chin bar up to talk to a friend, grab a drink, or simply get some fresh air at a stoplight, all without removing your helmet. This convenience is a game-changer for touring riders, daily commuters, and anyone who wears glasses.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a rider who values practicality and flexibility. This includes long-distance tourers who need comfort over many hours, city commuters who make frequent stops, and new riders looking for an affordable, feature-rich entry into safe riding gear. However, a modular helmet might not be the top choice for track day enthusiasts or aggressive sport bike riders who prioritize the absolute lightest weight and the structural integrity of a single-piece shell above all else. For them, a dedicated full-face sport or track helmet would be a more suitable, albeit less convenient, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Fit & Sizing: This is the most critical factor. A helmet that’s too loose can shift or even come off in an impact, while one that’s too tight will cause painful pressure points and headaches. Always measure your head’s circumference according to the manufacturer’s chart. We noticed that the ILM Model 902 can run a bit snug, especially in the cheek area, so if you’re between sizes, considering the larger size or preparing for a break-in period is wise.
• Safety & Certification: Non-negotiable. Look for helmets that meet or exceed safety standards. The ILM Motorcycle Dual Visor Flip Up Helmet Model 902 is DOT (Department of Transportation) certified, which is the minimum legal standard in the United States. This ensures it has passed rigorous testing for impact absorption, penetration resistance, and strap retention.
• Materials & Durability: The outer shell is your first line of defense. Most budget-friendly helmets, including this one, use a high-resistance Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) shell, which offers a great balance of toughness and cost-effectiveness. The inner liner should be comfortable, moisture-wicking, and ideally removable and washable for hygiene.
• Features & Ease of Use: This is where modular helmets shine. Key features to look for include the mechanism for the flip-up chin bar (is it easy to operate with one gloved hand?), a drop-down sun visor to combat glare, and an effective ventilation system. The quick-release strap on the Model 902 is a huge plus for daily convenience.

Ultimately, choosing the right helmet is a deeply personal decision that balances safety, comfort, and budget. The ILM 902 aims to hit a sweet spot in all three categories.

While the ILM Motorcycle Dual Visor Flip Up Helmet Model 902 is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Feature-Packed Helmet for an Unbelievable Price

Unboxing the ILM Motorcycle Dual Visor Flip Up Helmet Model 902, our first thought was one of pleasant surprise. The matte black finish on our test unit was sleek and uniform, giving it a look that punches well above its weight class. It feels solid in hand, not flimsy or cheap, despite its accessible price point. The helmet comes with a soft storage bag, a nice touch that’s often omitted in this category. Weighing in at around 5 pounds (2.3kg), it’s not the lightest helmet on the market, but the weight feels balanced and manageable. The padding inside felt plush and comfortable against the skin, and we were immediately impressed by the easily removable liner and cheek pads—a critical feature for long-term maintenance. Every mechanism, from the chin bar release button to the side-mounted lever for the sun visor, had a positive, tactile click. It gave us the initial impression of a well-thought-out design that prioritizes user experience, something we were eager to validate on the road. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of the initial quality people are experiencing.

Deep Dive: Putting the ILM Model 902 to the Test on the Open Road

A helmet can look great on a shelf, but its true character is only revealed after hours in the saddle, battling wind, sun, and changing road conditions. We spent several weeks and hundreds of miles with the ILM Motorcycle Dual Visor Flip Up Helmet Model 902, testing it in city traffic, on winding back roads, and during long highway stints to build a comprehensive picture of its performance.

Modular Functionality and Everyday Convenience

The core appeal of the ILM Model 902 is its modularity, and in this area, it truly excels. The chin bar release is a single, large button located right at the front of the chin. It’s intuitive to find and easy to actuate, even with thick winter gloves. The mechanism is smooth, allowing for a one-handed lift that locks securely in the upward position with a reassuring click. This simple action transforms the riding experience at low speeds. Pulling up for gas, asking for directions, or just getting some airflow at a long red light becomes effortless. For riders with glasses, this design is a revelation. We were able to put the helmet on and take it off with our glasses in place, completely eliminating a common point of frustration. The drop-down sun visor is equally well-executed. A simple slider on the left side of the helmet deploys or retracts the tinted inner shield. While some users noted it could be a bit smoother, we found it perfectly functional and an indispensable feature for riding into a low sun. The only real ergonomic quirk we found, which was echoed in numerous user reports, is the chin strap. The micrometric quick-release buckle is fantastic for fast and secure fastening, but the strap itself is excessively long. For most riders, this leaves a significant tail that needs to be tucked away or, as many have done, trimmed to size. It’s a minor but persistent annoyance in an otherwise highly convenient design.

Comfort, Fit, and Noise Abatement

A helmet’s comfort is paramount, and the ILM 902 delivers a respectable performance, especially given its price. The interior liner and cheek pads are soft and feel good against the face. They do an admirable job of wicking away sweat on warmer days, and being fully removable and washable is a huge plus for keeping the helmet fresh. However, sizing is a crucial point of consideration. We found the helmet fits true to the sizing chart for head circumference, but the cheek pads are exceptionally snug out of the box. One petite female rider noted her medium was “really tight along the sides of my face,” a sentiment we can confirm. This tightness does lessen after a break-in period as the foam compresses, but be prepared for a firm fit initially. On the flip side, we found ample room inside for installing a Bluetooth communication system, with dedicated speaker pockets that made the process straightforward. The one area where the helmet’s budget nature becomes undeniably apparent is wind noise. At speeds above 45-50 mph, the noise becomes quite pronounced. One user described it as “crazy bad,” and we agree that for long highway journeys, earplugs are not just recommended; they’re essential. While the sleek, aerodynamic shape is designed to reduce wind noise, it can only do so much. For city commuting and casual riding, it’s perfectly acceptable, but highway warriors should be aware of this limitation.

Safety, Durability, and Proven Protection

When it comes down to it, a helmet has one primary job: to protect your head in a crash. The ILM Motorcycle Dual Visor Flip Up Helmet Model 902 is fully FMVSS-218 and DOT certified, meaning it has withstood a battery of tests designed to simulate real-world impact scenarios. The high-resistance ABS shell is the industry standard for helmets in this category, providing a tough and resilient outer layer. But the most powerful testament to its protective capabilities comes from riders who have unfortunately put it to the ultimate test. We were particularly struck by two accounts. One rider went over their handlebars at 20 mph, breaking their clavicle but walking away with their “head, face, and neck” completely fine, attributing it directly to the ILM helmet. Another was involved in a wreck where a car pulled out in front of them, and they stated the helmet “performed phenomenally” and saved them from serious injury. These real-world crash testimonials provide a level of assurance that no spec sheet can match. While some users mentioned the helmet “feels cheap” or that small plastic covers can break off over time, its core protective structure has proven to be incredibly sound when it matters most. For the price, getting a DOT-approved helmet with a feature that really sets it apart in terms of proven safety is an incredible value proposition.

Visors and Ventilation Performance

The dual-visor system is a headline feature of the ILM 902. The main clear face shield offers a wide, largely unobstructed field of view. It’s treated with an anti-scratch and anti-fog coating. In our testing, the anti-scratch held up well against minor cleanings, but the anti-fog performance was mixed. As one user noted, “with vents open it still fogs but not horrible.” In cool, humid conditions, we experienced fogging when at a standstill, which cleared quickly once we were moving again. The helmet’s ventilation system, composed of six vents, does a decent job of circulating air. The chin and top vents are easy to open and close with gloves on and provide a noticeable breeze, which is a blessing in hot weather. The integrated sun visor is a fantastic convenience, though we did find some merit in the user comment about its “poor optical qualities.” There is a very slight distortion, particularly at the periphery, but for its intended purpose of cutting glare quickly, it’s more than adequate and far safer than fumbling for sunglasses. We did see one report of the clear visor developing stress cracks after a year of light use, which suggests that long-term durability might be a concern for some units, but this was not a widespread complaint in our research.

What Other Users Are Saying

Scouring feedback from a wide range of riders, a clear consensus emerges about the ILM Motorcycle Dual Visor Flip Up Helmet Model 902. The overwhelming sentiment is that this helmet represents one of the best values on the market. One long-time rider summed it up perfectly: “In short it’s a great helmet for the money, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it again.” Many users, particularly those who wear eyeglasses or require frequent stops, praised the modular design and the quick-release strap, with one highlighting its “ease of use at low speeds one handed operation.” However, the feedback isn’t without its criticisms, which provides a balanced and realistic picture. The most common complaint by far is the “crazy bad” wind noise at highway speeds. Another frequently mentioned issue is the excessively long chin strap, which many owners have resorted to cutting. A few users also noted minor quality control issues, such as a small plastic cover breaking off or the sun visor mechanism feeling less than smooth. Despite these flaws, the positive experiences, especially those involving actual accidents where the helmet performed perfectly, tend to far outweigh the negatives for most buyers. As one user aptly put it, “It’s not a five star helmet but it’s a five star VALUE for a helmut.”

How the ILM Motorcycle Dual Visor Flip Up Helmet Model 902 Compares to the Alternatives

While the ILM 902 offers a compelling package, it exists in a crowded market. Understanding how it stacks up against other options is key to making an informed decision for your specific needs.

1. 1Storm HB89 Arrow Pink Modular Full Face Helmet

The 1Storm HB89 is a direct competitor to the ILM 902, targeting the same budget-conscious rider who wants modular functionality. Both helmets feature a dual-visor system, a DOT-approved ABS shell, and a modular design. The most obvious difference is the bold, aggressive graphics of the 1Storm compared to the more subdued, solid colors of the ILM. For riders looking to make a style statement, the 1Storm might have more appeal. Functionally, they are very similar, with users reporting comparable levels of wind noise and comfort. The choice between these two often comes down to aesthetic preference and which brand’s sizing chart fits your head shape better, as both offer an incredible set of features for their price point.

2. ILM Youth ATV Motocross Helmet Goggles Gloves

This alternative serves a completely different rider. The ILM Youth set is designed specifically for young, off-road enthusiasts riding ATVs, dirt bikes, or engaging in motocross. It’s not a modular helmet and is not intended for street use. This package includes a lightweight, heavily ventilated off-road helmet, along with matching goggles and gloves, providing a complete safety starter kit for a child. A parent looking for a helmet for their kid to ride dirt bikes would choose this over the ILM 902. The Model 902 is for adult street motorcycle riders, while this ILM Youth package is the perfect choice for getting a young rider geared up for the trails safely and affordably.

3. ILM Adult Dirt Bike Helmet Full Face DOT Approved

This helmet is the adult counterpart to the youth package above, aimed at motocross and off-road riders. Like the ILM 902, it is a DOT-approved full-face helmet from the same brand. However, its design is purpose-built for the demands of off-road riding. It features a large eye-port to accommodate goggles, a prominent peak to block roost and sun, and significantly more ventilation than a street helmet. It lacks the modular chin bar and integrated sun visor of the 902 because those features are unnecessary and add weight for off-road applications. A rider who spends their weekends on trails and motocross tracks would choose this helmet for its specialized design, while a street commuter or tourer would find the ILM Motorcycle Dual Visor Flip Up Helmet Model 902 infinitely more practical.

Our Final Verdict on the ILM Motorcycle Dual Visor Flip Up Helmet Model 902

After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the ILM Motorcycle Dual Visor Flip Up Helmet Model 902 represents an almost unbelievable value in the world of motorcycle gear. It successfully delivers on the promise of modular convenience, offering features like a flip-up chin bar and a drop-down sun visor that are typically found on helmets costing two or three times as much. It backs up this convenience with proven, DOT-certified protection that has been validated in real-world crashes. It is not without its flaws—the wind noise is significant at speed, and the chin strap is awkwardly long. However, these are manageable trade-offs for the immense functionality and safety you get for the price. We highly recommend this helmet for daily commuters, new riders on a budget, and casual tourers who prioritize versatility and value above all else. It’s a workhorse helmet that gets the job done reliably and safely.

If you’re looking for a helmet that can adapt to nearly any street riding situation without emptying your wallet, the ILM Model 902 is an outstanding choice. We believe it’s one of the smartest purchases a budget-conscious rider can make. You can check the latest price and available colors right here.