For this week's Ask The Editor feature, a reader asks us what makes the 6D ATR-1 worth $750 + tax. While we can't say for certain that all of their claims are true, we do our best to break down why the high MSRP:

Ask The Editors: What Makes a Helmet Worth $800? - ATVConnection.com

 

I'll take my chances with one that costs 1/20th as much.

 

I doubt that helmet was designed with the recreational trail rider in mind. I don't think many leisurely trail riders would justify paying 800 for a helmet just like most wouldn't pay 650 for a Leatt neck brace but if you are a racer, they are solid investments. The technology in general is great for the sport because sooner or later it will trickle down into the economy helmets.

The common problems with offroad helmet technology is that they are either too soft(vulnerable at high speeds) or too hard (leads to concussions on softer hits). Absorbers allow the makers to design a helmet that is both extremely impact resistant along with being forgiving when the strength may not be needed. They've bridged the gap so to speak.

 

You gotta $40 brain jumbofrank? We sold Shoei,Arai,etc OR rather ordered them for customers that could afford them,but kept plenty of HJC dirt and street helmets in stock as most people couldn't afford the high $ helmets. I've tried on some expensive ones and loved how light and how strong they were(or reported to be) but never could afford one even with my discount let alone an 800 buck helmet. Satisfied with my $140 HJC CL-Max2 but doubt it or even an 800 buck helmet would help if I got hit by a semi or layed one down at speeds like I've seen some of the crotch rockets guys race at. At the shop we just advised people to get the best one they could afford and especially one that fits right.

 

I just prefer one that fits right and is light .... less then 2 pounds

 

My brain is worth at least 40 bucks. That's what I paid for my Mossi motocross style helmet from the Sportsman's Guide catalog several years ago. It may have been a discontinued model but it fits me well and it's DOT approved. My open face helmet doesn't even have a name on it but I don't think it was that cheap. I used to wear that one in the winter when I was wearing a breath deflector.

 

I agree. I've been using a fox V3 and now a V4 for about 6 years now and I love how light and comfortable they feel in comparison to some of the cheaper ones.

 

I look for the DOT and Snell rating on a helmet.

I wear out street helmets, which is way better than having to replace them because I needed them.

My helmets come from the closeout sections. Picked up a Scorpion EXO 1000 for 34 bucks shipped. Not used, but not the latest version. Well, they stopped making them, so no latest version. But retail on them new was $300. I think the last off road helmet I got was from Polaris on their closeout. Picked it up for a spare so if someone road with us the didn't own one could still ride with one. 29 bucks for that.

My wife would probably say she's not sure if I have a $40 brain or not, but she can hear the changed jingle around up there.

 

$800 if I drove for Nascar for a living .

 

what's a helmet??