On May 17th, 6D Helmet co-founder Robert Reisinger succumbed to injuries he sustained following a high-speed crash while racing his motorcycle at Glen Helen Raceway.
As we remember Robert, we think of him in many facets of life. First and foremost, he was a racer. In the late 70s, he was a top pro rider on the fast-paced So. Cal motocross circuit. Not only was he good enough to earn factory support from Kawasaki to compete on the national circuit, but they also relied on his technical prowess for the important R&D role of developing their production bikes.
By the late 80s, a new type of two-wheeled competition was surging in popularity as the mountain bike revolution had arrived. Robert wasted no time in applying all that he learned from racing motocross, as well as a degree in manufacturing engineering he earned from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, to develop some groundbreaking technology for the pedal pushers.
It was in 1991 when he rolled the first edition of his Pro-Stop disc brake and Suspender inverted suspension fork into the offices of Mountain Bike Action Magazine. The editors were immediately impressed with the advance in both braking and suspension technology that had never been attempted in cycling.
However, despite the advanced steps that his front-end components made in the sport, Robert realized it was the hardtail production mountain bikes of the day that were inhibiting riders from realizing the true performance advantage of his moto-inspired components. For this dilemma, he already had a solution which, once unveiled, would again change the face of what a mountain bike would not only look like but, more importantly, how it would perform.
With the sport of mountain bike racing growing in worldwide popularity, and the courses becoming increasingly rougher and faster, there existed only a handful of bikes that rose above what the big-brand mountain bike companies were selling. Among these modern bikes that borrowed more from a motocross bike than a traditional bicycle was Robert’s purpose-built Mountain Cycle San Andreas. With its massive aluminum monocoque frame, elevated chainstay, and bolted-on seat pod, Robert’s wild creation looked unlike any other bike of the day.
Eventually, Mountain Cycle grew from a one-man start-up to an established bike brand that employed 30 people in the American manufacture of the innovative bikes. In addition to refining the San Andreas with longer travel suspension for downhill and dual slalom racing, Robert also developed new models for cross-country riders as well. In every venue of mountain bike competition around the globe, there were racers battling for podium positions wearing Mountain Cycle jerseys.
Eventually, Robert sold his bike brand to a larger company in need of mountain bike technology that they were unable to develop themselves. With the task of running a company behind him, Robert was now free to move on to a host of other projects that captured his keen mind for engineering and development.
Robert reflects on the early days of Mountain Cycle, Suspenders suspension, and Pro Stop Brakes during a Swap Moto Live interview with Bob and Donn Maeda.
As much as his mountain bikes earned their place in the history books, it wasn’t until 2011, when he was approached by another former pro motocross racer, that Robert’s innate talent for design truly changed the world as we knew it.
That was the year when Bob Weber approached Robert with the idea for a new helmet design that would usher in a combination of rider safety and performance that had never been previously achieved.
With its signature Omni-Directional Suspension system, which Robert helped engineer, 6D Helmets altered all that was previously known in providing breakthrough head protection. In addition to the improved performance features, for Robert the goal at 6D was to simply provide a higher standard of safety not only for dirt bike riders like himself but for all forms of two-wheeled competitors and enthusiasts.
Between his interests in bicycles, motorcycles, and even aeronautics, Robert was the rare individual who foresaw the future of new technologies before they arrived.
To be sure, through all the facets of his life, it was his commitment to family and friends that always took precedence and for which he should be remembered most. Robert was as fierce a competitor on the track as he was a friend off it. His smile and readiness to aid fellow riders with technical advice will be the legacy for which his co-competitors will fondly recall.
Robert is survived by his son Nicholas, wife Kristina, his father, and four siblings.
As testimony to a life dedicated not only to improving the world of sport in a variety of ways but more so the safety of so many motorcyclists and cyclists that he never knew, we kindly ask you to offer your support for his family in this time of need. To do so, please visit Robert’s page at: www.Road2Recovery.com
Words by: Zapata "Zap" Espinoza
zapbikemedia.com
Remembering Robert
Insights and Reflections
Listen to Bob and Robert discuss the early days of 6D in our first introduction video. Robert shares tidbits about his start in motocross and briefly explains Omni-Directional Suspension.
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