With the introduction of the ATR-3 in 2024, 6D Helmets has expanded its lineup to cater to a wider price range while maintaining its commitment to exceptional safety standards.
Each helmet in the 6D range—the ATR-1, ATR-2, and the latest ATR-3—has set benchmarks for safety and performance when first launched.
While the ATR-3 takes centre stage as the latest premium offering, its predecessors, the ATR-1 and ATR-2, remain highly capable and reliable options. These models continue to deliver outstanding safety features, making them valuable choices for riders seeking top-tier protection at various price points. Don’t overlook the ATR-1 or ATR-2 when considering your next helmet—they still stand strong as industry-leading options.
Let’s give you the cliff notes off the top for those non-reading types.
ATR 1 – $599.00, Tri composite Shell, ODS, Removal Liner
ATR 2 – $799.00, Tri Composite Shell, ODS, Rebuildable Helmet, Removal Liner, Improved ventilation, Improved chin pads and collarbone protection, and comes with a Helmet bag.
ATR 3 – $1149.00, 3k Carbon Composite Shell, ODS, Rebuildable Helmet, Removal Liner, Improved ventilation and brow venting, Eject System compatible, Hydration tube compatible, Speaker spacing, 120g lighter than ATR 2, Mud visor extension, and comes with a pocketed Helmet Bag for storage.
*Pricing was retail price from AMXsuperstore.com.au as of December 2024.
Inspection Pick of the bunch
- If money is not an issue. The obvious answer to best in the range is the ATR 3. But if money is a factor for you. My favourite of the range in all-round value and safety would have to be the ATR 2.
Let’s get into a deeper inspection of all three models from 6d Helmets Australia and help you understand what makes each model unique. What stands out about each model and why one of them might be better suited to you than the other models?
ATR 1
The original 6d Helmet that started the movement of better control of angular forces by a helmet during a crash. Its ODS (Omni Direction Suspension) system was the first of its kind in dirt bike helmets and set the bar for helmet protection. ODS works by enabling three-dimensional displacement of an inner suspended liner during an accident, and subsequently recentering itself once the loading event is concluded. This dynamic capability of ODS allows for optimal protection and response to impact forces.
Across all three 6d Helmets. The ODS system is in place in various forms of design that have been refined since the ATR 1 was first released to the market in 2013. The ATR 1 has 27 dampers that are glued into the helmet. The helmet on close inspection looks to have two thin inner shells. But this is the technology of the ODS and the damper system that attaches to these.
The dampers are an elastomer material that helps absorb forces due to their elastic nature and their shape. This ODS technology is what underlines the 6d Helmets. Despite the ATR 1 having the oldest version of the technology. This compared to many other helmets on the market in the similar price range will be a much safer option to put your head in if you have a limited budget to operate within.
The ATR 1 has the usual helmet spec list. Removable helmet liner, large goggle port opening, emergency release cheek pads, hear away visor screws and a durable tricomposite helmet shell. These things are all standard across the ATR 1, 2 and 3. Although the Shell is different on the ATR 3.
What you should know about the ATR 1 compared to other brands is that it was once the top-of-the-line offering from 6d. It also has a Clavicle (Collarbone) cut out to protect it during a crash. Along with sternal pads on the under chin bar area of the helmet to also lessen the impact of the helmet onto the sternum and chest wall during a crash. Some features are focused on safety not just performance and style.
What about the fitment and ride experience?
The ATR 1 is a nice fitting helmet. I would call it a neutral-fitting helmet. It’s not narrow or wide. If you have a regular-shaped head this will suit you down to the ground. I take a large in every helmet I have ever worn since about 15 years old and this helmet is true to that sizing.
The Goggle port was easier to navigate goggles on and off than the other two models. But the venting and airflow from the front of the helmet in around the goggles were not as good on a hot summer day as the other two.
Despite the ATR 1 being the heaviest of the three helmets by a mere 100ish grams. The weight of the helmet to carry, put on and ride with was barely noticeable. For an adult without any prior neck issues, I’d say the weight aspect will not be noticed. For younger adults or people with weaker or developing neck muscles, you may notice this and factor this into your purchase process.
The ATR 2
The ATR 2 was released in 2018 to build on the momentum and fanfare of the ATR 1. It took on a more modern shape and some new technology to not just be a new model in name and graphics only. The ATR 2 stepped onto the market with further safety in mind. A redesign of the ODS system was point one. From 27 dampers in the ATR down to 11 in the ATR 2.
The position and shape were again refined to work with the newly shaped shell along with no longer being glued in place. The Shell and redesigned ODS allowed for the ATR 2 to become a rebuildable helmet. Where the inner EPS shell, liner and visor etc. could all be replaced following a crash. So long as the outer shell was deemed to be in working order.
The most visually notable difference between the ATR 2 from the ATR 1 is the overall shape. The ATR 2 has become known as a bit of a bobblehead helmet. The shell design is a bit larger than many other helmets, along with an overall rounder look. However, this shape gives a much different fit experience than the ATR 1 and ATR 3. It’s a much more roomy helmet inside.
The helmet size remained the same for me. Still a Large. But the helmet felt spacious without being loose. I’m finding it hard to put the right words together to describe the fit differently. But I could feel the rounder shape of the helmet around my ears. The outer shape of the helmet was also somewhat noticeable when I was transitioning between helmets.
I could feel the roundness of the helmet. Not a feeling of weight but a feeling of size. Something that If I had not been going back to back with the other two helmets, I doubt I would have noticed. It’s also something I became familiar with after a minute or so of putting on the ATR 2 so was essentially a moot point. This shape of the ATR 2 leads me to think that people with bigger, or rounder-shaped heads would also prefer this helmet model the most in the 6d range.
The ATR 2 has other additional features over the ATR 1 list. Most notably the Cervical spine relief – rear lower shell incorporates a compliant zone at the cervical spine location. Giving protection to the spine in a hyper-extension movement during a crash. But what you won’t get from just reading the specs list is that the features that carried over from the ATR 1 to the ATR 2 also got some improvements. The collarbone cut-out is positioned better and is softer on its edges. The sternum pads on the underside of the chin bar have been beefed up in padding and surface area to further spread/accept load.
What about the ride experience?
The ATR 2 had a much wider, but marginally shorter goggle port. The goggles still fit perfectly. But what that shape did to the ventilation in combination with the larger chin bar and repositioned venting made for a notable improvement in air flow over the ATR 1.
The ATR 2 Is a very nice, comfortable helmet to ride in. It works nicely with the goggles, as in there are no major hitches to getting them on or off. The D rings and strap restraint clip are all pretty stock standard and work perfectly well. Overall I really liked the ATR 2 Helmet. It’s just a great all-round helmet in both safety and function.
ATR 3
Released in recent months. The ATR 3 is 6d’s all-new, all-conquering helmet. The ATR 3 has had some refinements and some improvements or upgrades to make it ideally another step forward on the ATR 2 in terms of helmet safety.
The ODS system for the ATR 3 has again been revised and improved. It continues to be the only rebuildable helmet on the market. But the ODS system is now down to only 6 dampers. This redesign has helped a few aspects of the helmet. One, the weight is now down a further 100ish grams on the ATR 2. Two, the centre of gravity of the helmet is improved helping with force absorption during a crash and three, the ODS is now reportedly even better in managing rotational forces. So overall that adds up to further safety improvements with the ATR 3 in the event of a crash.
The ATR 3 also has the following new features
- Mud visor extension
- Eject system compatible (this is the little inflatable bag that is installed in helmets for easy removal of the helmet in the event of a serious crash).
- Magnetic chin strap clasp.
- Speaker pockets in the helmet for those using communication systems
- Drink tube loops to allow your hydration system straw to be held in your helmet.
Of the new features. One of the simpler and not so much safety related, yet very effective is the magnetic chin strap clasp. It makes looking for that little red clip with your gloves on so much easier. Just get the magnet in the general area and boom it’s clipped into place.
The ATR 3 has a lot of redesigned air vents. Notably over the brow area. With these additional vents, the airflow is improved over the even nicely ventilated ATR 2. Don’t worry, the helmet is still a very quiet helmet to ride in.
What about fitment?
The sizing has remained consistent. In all three models, I am a Large helmet. But what’s noticeable with the ATR 3 is the slim-down shell shape. The more modern-looking ATR 3 is a bit thinner than the rounder ATR 2. When wearing this ATR 3 you could really tell it was a more fitted feel. It leads me to think that if you were a borderline size Large in the ATR 2. You may potentially need to go up a size in the ATR 3. But that is what you can check out in the shop when you are browsing the new colour range in person.
One thing I did notice and something I had to get used to was the goggle port and visor on the new ATR 3. The goggle port is a bit tighter to get into due to the chin bar sitting what seemed a little higher. Also when taking the goggles off I initially caught the strap on the edges of the visor at its attachment point to the helmet. These aren’t problems. They are just something that you should be aware of when you start out and you may need to alter your method of putting on and off your goggles to not cause an issue in the process.
Overall all of the Helmets from 6d are more than capable of looking after you or your loved one’s heads in the event of a crash. Yes the ATR 3 is the new model with a 3k Carbon composite shell and new paint jobs. But both the ATR 2 and ATR are perfect options if your budget is a bit less than the ATR 3 or if you just prefer the colour ways of the previous models.
Find 6d Helmets at your local dealer or find out more via https://www.mcleodaccessories.com.au/brands/6d-helmets/
