Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/949962
IN THE WIND P48 6D UNVEILS NEW ATR-2 HELMET 6 D recently unveiled its next generation of off-road helmet, the ATR-2. In an introduction held at Brian Deegan's Southern California compound, industry guests got a first look at the new ATR-2 and its evolved version of 6D's signature Omni-Directional Suspension system (ODS). The updates were heavily influenced by the work 6D completed inside the NFL's Head Health Challenge III Contest, in which 6D and testing partner Dynamic Research, Inc. were awarded the grand prize. The key feature of the ATR-2's Advanced ODS is more than the design, but the material used in the outer liner. The all-new outer liner is composed of Expanded Poly- propylene (EPP), a multi-impact material—one of the many samples tested by 6D in the NFL contest. The inner liner is also new, but still made from Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), a single-impact material. The two liners remain connected via elastomeric isolation dampers, but in the ATR-2, the EPP material takes over much of the energy-ab- sorbing duties in the form of damp- ing towers that are incorporated into the outer liner and capped by low-friction discs that slide against the inner liner. Here's why this is noteworthy: The EPP liner doesn't crush in an impact like traditional single-impact materials, but can absorb energy and return to its previous shape—a significant advance in helmet tech- nology. The ATR-2 not only does a better job of absorbing impacts both linear and rotational impacts, but can therefore extend the life of your helmet. Win-win, right? The second key feature of the ATR-2 helmet is the ability to have it rebuilt. In the event of a crash, you can send your helmet to 6D to be inspected, and to have the in- ner liner replaced if it is damaged. The rebuild, however, can only be done through 6D or a licensed distributor—not dealers or consum- ers. "It's a process that we have to manage and track," said 6D Hel- mets CEO Bob Weber. A rebuild will run you $125 (not including shipping), and comes with strict conditions. If the shell is not in good shape, they will not service the helmet. In that case, you either won't be getting your helmet back, or you'll get it back with the straps cut out of it, Weber explained. The ATR-2 comes with a host of other updates as well, including a structural brow rib to strengthen the upper eye-port area, while a strategically designed cervical protection zone is more compli- ant to help protect the neck and spine area. The new chin bar is made from EPP, and you'll notice a slightly different profile with the chin bar closer to the face. "Great… how much?" 6D could easily have jacked up the price to the four-digit range, but instead, they are offering the ATR-2 helmet at the same MSRP of $695, and announced they will lower the price of the ATR-1 (which they will continue to produce) to $525. 6D's ATR-2 helmets are al- ready available to buy. See www.6Dhelmets.com for more details. CN