Helmet MT Atom flip-up review

[Agusts]

 

I bought this helmet about a month ago to go on our long trip from Phuket up north to Chiang Mai, what a trip over a few weeks that was, about 5000km by the time back here - that needs another report if I get a chance...

 

But back to this helmet, Spanish company but like everything else made in China. First the positives , very well made, solid, good material interior and all moving parts work well, spring loaded sun visor (and not too dark), also has a lock to ride with flip-up open, chin and front and back vents etc...

 

I had open face helmet before with sun visor, but I was getting too much wind noise and maybe some turbulent wind inside at high speed, so wanted something better ( I think that open face was one size too big as well...!).

 

I like the flip-up because putting it on and off is so much easier, I can do it even with my prescription glasses on, I can never wear normal full face, too much hassle ...

 

Anyway, first impressions of MT Atom was great, new colours came out with even cheaper price of 4800b (couple of years ago I looked at it , it was selling 5100b - exact same thing but just different colours !).

 

Now, first it was very claustrophobic, the viewing angle is very much restricted from open face, up, down and sides. It's also very tight and hot inside - once pick up speed is cooler, the vents worked opposite as well, but maybe that's my lack of intuition...! On correct position can feel the air venting through a bit....???? 

 

Now as far as wind turbulent getting in at high speed, 100kph or more, nothing at all, almost zero..., I think this will be really good in a cold country, nice large neck collars, your head is well cocooned inside...(perhaps a bit too hot at traffic light and city, I just flip it up there, the mechanism is very hard, no need to lock it at all - maybe loosen up later...)

 

So here comes the problem, anything over 80 or 100kph, there is a terrible howling wind noise specially on the left side where the sun visor mechanism is...., it's really loud, quite unbearable without a really good ear plug. I had to use my best ear plugs and make sure it fitted really well all the time to be comfortable...! ????

 

No winds get in, so I think the shell acts like a drum and causes this noise, if I put my hand next to or under sun visor keys the noise stops...!!! ? Or move my left shoulder up a bit it stops....????

 

No windshield on my old model Forza, so no wind buffeting, nothing to do with what I wear either..., although it gets better or worse depending on windy days or wind direction, but generally I'm not happy with at all, I wish the designers or engineers try their helmet at least once, I'm sure they would notice this as a big issue ...!? I can't believe all the flip-up are like this...

 

In this hot country I realized now, it's not bad to get some air in the helmet, but l lost that comparing to my open face, and still have loud wind noise - so no advantage really ...!!! , ok , I guess it's safer for my face/chin, but I wouldn't buy another flip-up helmet unless I can test it at 100kph....! Good business idea for someone , I happily pay 200 or 300b to test a helmet for 30min on a highway before buying...., anybody !!?

 

By the way, my friend bought the new Zeus Carbon open face in Chiang Mai (Taiwanese I think), for 4500b , it's very light weight...., his only complain is the sun visor is very dark..., he was also given extra main shaded visor in the box, but never used it...

 

 

 

[rankric]

Decent review and it does seem the full face style helmets have a major design flaw with the restricted view. I wish that could get solved.

[warrima]

3 out 5 stars on the Sharp test - so ok/average. Bad is the 50% stat on the chin bar opening up on impact. Its effectively an open face with them odds. 

 

[Hummin]

You get what you pay for, and I doubt it is possible to get a decent modular for less than 10 -12k

 

With noise, ventilation, safety rating and acceptable view angle. 

 

 

Edited March 1, 2023 by Hummin

[Agusts]

Just to add I don't have a lot of experience with full face or modular flip up helmets, but I think the viewing angles and restrictions are actually normal on this helmet, I was just a bit surprised coming from a open face, which is natural and expected....

 

Not sure what the sample size of that Sharp test is for 50% rating...! Did they try and smashed 4 of these, or 400, it makes a big difference in statistical analysis and reporting... 

[Hummin]

On 3/1/2023 at 4:50 PM, Agusts said:

Just to add I don't have a lot of experience with full face or modular flip up helmets, but I think the viewing angles and restrictions are actually normal on this helmet, I was just a bit surprised coming from a open face, which is natural and expected....

 

Not sure what the sample size of that Sharp test is for 50% rating...! Did they try and smashed 4 of these, or 400, it makes a big difference in statistical analysis and reporting... 

When you had your first good helmet, and often brand and price indicates a good helmet, you will not go back to a cheap one. The comfort is important, therefor test every helmet on your head with glasses before you buy, and if you going to buy new frames, bring your helmet!