Favorite Helmets & Goggles for the Atom

[Kim]

With almost a year and 4,000 miles of Atom ownership, I've had the opportunity to try out various helmet and goggle combinations with varying success. For the record, I wear goggles when scooting around town and a helmet when driving extended distances on freeways, for example.

Having tried everything from jockey goggles (Kroops which are also popular skydiving goggles) to military HALO goggles to mid-century motorsports glass goggles, the best I've found are SORZ, which are built expressly for skydiving.



SORZ are lightweight and distortion free with a soft cushion around the edges for an airtight seal. The polycarbonate lens has an aerodynamic shape that cuts through the wind and it has an adjustable headband to fit anyones head. They also look 'high speed/low drag' and are more compact than most competitor goggles.

SORZ come in a variety of colors, though my preference is to carry one smoke tinted and two clear lens goggles in my Atom (one being for a passenger).



As for a helmet, I own two: One is an Arai GP-6, which I use for racing and is too heavy for street use and the Ariel. For the Atom, my go-to helmet for the highway and long-distance driving is a Nolan N43 Trilogy, which serves the purpose of shielding my eyes and face from wind, rain, and most importantly road debris. It is not intended to provide the same level of protection in the event of a crash as the Arai, but then it isn't used in racing conditions.



The German-built Nolan is DOT approved (but not Snell) and is very light weight with exceptional outward visibility. It has several unique features, including an interior sun visor – fighter-pilot style; a removable chin piece that converts it from a full-face helmet to an open-face helmet; decent top ventilation; and it is pre-configured for a Bluetooth communications package so you can talk to your passenger. It also isn't as goofy looking as some other helmets marketed to the Atom crowd, IMO anyway.

The Nolan is noisier than the Arai, but its other features - especially its light weight and visibility - make up for that inconvenience.

What goggles and helmets are favorites with the rest of you?

[Gage]

Thanks for Sharing Kim.

I used Ski Goggles on a regular basis, but your suggestions look better and safer.

[silver]

I get all my goggles from

http://cglasses.com/

I love that place, they are cheap, last a long time and shipping is fast......and they have a huge selection

[bolus]

I still use my Davida aviator goggles since they can take prescription lenses

[Norm]

Just a quick plug for the large of head. Does anybody know of any extremely large helmets, full face, that are light? I am using a Shoei 4xl as I barely fit and it has been the only full face street helmet I have found that kind of fits. Yes, I am ready for the eminent Darth comment

[MadMaxAtom]

Norm,try a Simpson Stingray in CF. Ultra lightweight (3lbs) in XL and very comfy for "big" heads. You can find deals on them every now and then for <$500. No..not cheap,but not much today is..that's any good!

[Norm]

Thanks, Max! I had a Simpson rep tell me several years ago, that don't even bother with us, ... and well I guess I have taken him at his word

[mrwoolery]

My favorite combo for the street is still my Davida vintage half helmet/leather half mask/goggles over a simpson balaclava. Lightweight and extremely comfortable, I can wear it ALL day and not suffer any fatigue.

Yeah, it does look wierd, but I don't care...if anything, it's a benefit.

[MadMaxAtom]

Norm,I have had my Stingray CF for two years and 100% love it. Super- light,great ventilation/visibility and comfy,but supportive.That rep must have been a turd.

[DarthChicken]

Just a quick plug for the large of head. Does anybody know of any extremely large helmets, full face, that are light? I am using a Shoei 4xl as I barely fit and it has been the only full face street helmet I have found that kind of fits. Yes, I am ready for the eminent Darth comment

Too easy