MO Tested: 6D ATS-1R Helmet Review

Evans Brasfield
by Evans Brasfield

Further refinement of a novel approach to head protection

My experience with the 6D ATS-1R started at WSBK weekend at Laguna Seca where I bumped into Bob Weber, who I worked with 20 years ago at Petersen Publishing. Since then he’s gone on to become one of the cofounders and the CEO of 6D Helmets. Bob asked me if I’d seen the latest version to the ATS-1, and I sheepishly admitted that I didn’t know it had been updated. I knew that Tom Roderick had really liked the original 6D ATS-1 back in 2016 when he tested it, but that was all I knew.

6D ATS-1R Helmet

Editor Score: 92.0%
Aesthetics 9.0/10
Protection 10.0/10
Value 8.25/10
Comfort/Fit 8.75/10
Quality/Design 9.5/10
Weight 9.0/10
Options/Selection 9.0/10
Innovation 10.0/10
Weather Suitability 9.5/10
Desirable/Cool Factor 09./10
Overall Score92/100

MO Tested: 6D ATS-1 Helmet Review

Well, in the time since Tom’s review, 6D has made some changes in its unique Omni-Directional Suspension (ODS) helmet design. In fact, the company’s name comes from “the engineering term 6 Degrees of Freedom, which refers to the ability to move 3-dimensionally in space about the Cartesian coordinate system of X, Y and Z, including rotation about each axis.” Essentially, the ODS is a suspension that separates two different layers of expanded polystyrene (EPS) inside the helmet. Separating these two layers of EPS are isolation dampers that allow the inner liner to float and rotate in any direction within the helmet, and in the case of glancing impacts, absorb angular accelerations that can cause rotational brain injuries. Also, by constructing the inner liner from a softer EPS, 6D claims its helmets do a better job of absorbing low-threshold impacts that would typically be transmitted through the stiffer foam of traditional helmets.

The cutaway shows how different the ATS-1R is from traditional helmets. The low-density liner that protects against low-impact forces floats inside the high-density EPS that protects against high-impact forces. These are allowed to rotate relative to each other during an impact while still maintaining the feel of a traditional helmet thanks to the isolation dampers.

For the ATS-1R, the ODS was further refined. Where the original street version utilized 29 elastomeric isolation dampers, the ATS-1R has reduced the number to 10. This represents significant weight savings. In fact, 6D claims a 200-gram weight reduction from the previous models, putting it in a similar weight range to the Shoei RF-1200 and X-14 or the Arai Corsair-X and Signet-X. On my home scale, the ATS-1R weighed in at 1638 grams (lighter than 6D claims), and my Corsair-X tipped the scale at 1710 grams (heavier than 6D claims).

Due to the helmet’s unique construction, the outer shell is larger than comparably-sized helmets. For example, the Large ATS-1R tested here is larger in exterior dimensions than either my XL RF-1200 or XL Corsair-X – but not significantly, though.

The baseplate system holds the visor snuggly closed and offers a variety of cracked open options. Swapping visors is extremely easy.

The cutaway photo illustrates why this is the case. The carbon fiber shell has a high-density outer EPS liner bonded to it. There is an inherent gap between the shells which are held in place by the isolation dampers that connect the low-density inner liner to the outer components. One of the positive side-effects of this construction is the ATS-1R vents better than any helmet I’ve ever used. The natural gap between the shells allows more space for air to move. Four adjustable intake ports direct the cool air through 15 internal transport ports before flowing out of five exhausts. A removable cover at the rear neck roll assists in this hot air egress. Really, quite impressive on scorching SoCal August days.

When I was having the construction and the effects that it has on the venting explained to me, I was fairly certain that the ATS-1R was going to be a noisy helmet with all that atmosphere moving through it. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong. The ATS-1R is actually one of the quietest helmets I have ever worn. Putting the rear neck cuff back in place makes it even quieter, but I’ll keep it out for the tail of summer heat. If I wanted even more airflow, I could remove the chin curtain, but I prefer to keep it in for its noise-damping effect.

With the neck cuff removed, you can see the unique shape of the EPS liner. The space between the EPS towers shows how much room there is for flowing air on hot days.

One of the features that aids in the helmet’s quietness is the close-fitting shield. In the update to the 1R, the baseplates were modified, as was the shield-to-shell sealing. The result is no annoying drafts or whistles. Also, switching to a tinted shield (or back) is extremely easy and didn’t require a YouTube search for a tutorial.

Close readers may have noticed the different sizes of helmets listed above, and this is one of the oddities of my experience with the ATS-1R. In almost every helmet I’ve owned, I have worn an XL helmet over my long/intermediate oval noggin. In the case of the 6D, an XL was too loose on my head, and I ended up using an L. The fit is approaching what I call a race fit, in that it is super snug on my head. Typically, that means I’m destined for hot spots front and rear, but not so with the ATS-1R. When I take off the helmet after an extended ride, I do have a red spot on my forehead, but that has never translated to an uncomfortable fit – just an extremely snug one. So, when buying an ATS-1R, I recommend actually trying it on to make sure it fits correctly.

Like most high-end helmets, the 6D ATS-1R comes with quick removal straps for the chin pads to allow for safer helmet removal after an accident.

In my time with the 6D ATS-1R, I’ve found it to be a comfortable, though snug, fit that I’ve been happy to wear on longer rides of more than an hour. (I haven’t had a chance to tour in it yet.) The venting is stellar – as is the quietness. It ships with a nicely appointed carrying case and a Pinlock visor. The ATS-1R’s price of $695 for solid colors and $745 for graphics puts it in the premium helmet category. While 6D may not have the name recognition (yet) that manufacturers, like AGV, Arai, and Shoei do, the build quality and premium additions put it in the premium range as far as features are concerned. If you’re looking for a helmet that is pushing head protection technology in new, important directions, go test a 6D ATS-1R for yourself. You may become a convert.

Shop for the 6D ATS-1R Helmet here

Here are the design options for the ATS-1R.

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Evans Brasfield
Evans Brasfield

Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.

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  • Appliance5000 Appliance5000 on Sep 29, 2019

    ODS like mips, is concerned with rotational induced brain damage, but unlike mips it is also compressible and can attenuate low impact forces in the concussion zone: Forces like falling off the bike - the distance between your head and the pavement - which is generally one vector in any crash scenario. This is the zone that leads to NFL players' permanent and progressive brain damage, and most helmets do not address it.

  • Alberto de la Torre Alberto de la Torre on Nov 30, 2019

    There are a few huge shortcomings which have not been addressed in the newer helmet.
    1 - If you wear glasses, there is no cutout/relief for the arms.
    2 - The finish on the double-d rings is crude. Compared to my Bell, they are much more difficult to fasten and unfasten.
    3 - The smoke shield is NOT CLEAR. Side-by-side to my bell shows like it's always slightly fogged. I ordered another one about 1.5 yrs after getting the helmet, and it is still the same.
    4 - It doesn't vent worth a damn. Good in winter, sucks in summer.

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