4. Superior Comfort: The Difference is in the Details

 

After 50-plus years of riding, I’ve learned that comfort can make or break a ride. AGV nails it in this department.

Moisture-Wicking Interiors: Stay Dry, Stay Focused

 

AGV uses high-quality, moisture-wicking materials for the helmet liners, so you stay dry even when you’re sweating it out on a summer day. The interior absorbs sweat and moisture quickly, and the liners are removable and washable, which is always a plus.

Custom Fit: Tailored to You

 

One of the features I’ve really come to appreciate is AGV’s customization options. On some models, like the Pista GP RR, you can adjust the fit with up to 17 different internal thicknesses, thanks to the exclusive 360° Adaptive Fit system.

It’s not just about a snug fit—it’s about getting a helmet that feels like it was made specifically for your head shape and riding style.

5. Materials Matter: From Carbon Fiber to Thermoplastic

 

AGV doesn’t cut corners when it comes to materials. They use carbon fiber in their premium helmets, like the Pista GP RR and Sportmodular, which gives you that combination of extreme strength and lightweight comfort. If you’re looking for something a little more affordable but still durable, AGV’s fiberglass helmets strike a good balance. And if you’re on a budget, their polycarbonate helmets are still a solid option, offering decent protection at a lower price point.

No matter the material, AGV ensures that all their helmets meet or exceed the top safety standards, so you’re always in good hands—or rather, on good heads.

The Legacy of AGV: A History of Innovation

AGV’s history is as rich as their innovation. Founded in 1947 by Gino Amisano, the company quickly made a name for itself by producing the first fiberglass helmet in 1954. That was a groundbreaking move in a time when most riders were still strapping on leather helmets. Fast forward a few decades, and AGV was at the forefront of racing culture, gracing the heads of legends like Giacomo Agostini and Valentino Rossi. Their helmets have become synonymous with racing success, but AGV has never been content to rest on their laurels.

One of the things I respect most about AGV is their ability to evolve with the times. From their early innovations in fiberglass to their modern-day usage of carbon fiber and Kevlar, they’ve always been ahead of the curve. They were one of the first to introduce a full-face helmet, and their approach to helmet design has influenced the entire industry. It’s not just about looking cool (though, let’s be honest, AGV helmets do have that Italian design flair)—it’s about creating helmets that push the limits of safety, comfort, and performance.

The AGV Experience: Who Are These Helmets For?

So, who are AGV helmets really for? In my experience, they cater to a wide range of riders. Whether you’re a daily commuter, a weekend warrior, or a track-day enthusiast, there’s an AGV helmet for you. Their lineup spans everything from entry-level models like the K1, which offers high-end features at a budget-friendly price, to the Pista GP RR, which is a MotoGP-spec helmet available to the general public.

If you’re into adventure riding, the AGV AX9 has you covered with its modular design, lightweight shell, and robust ventilation system. For sport touring, the K6 S strikes a perfect balance between performance and comfort, making it one of the most versatile helmets on the market. And if racing is your thing, the Pista GP RR is about as close as you can get to wearing Valentino Rossi’s helmet without being Rossi himself.

AGV vs. the Competition: How Do They Stack Up Against Shoei and Arai?

Now, it wouldn’t be a complete review if we didn’t compare AGV helmets to some of their biggest competitors—Shoei and Arai. These three brands are often considered the top-tier helmet makers in the world, but each has its own philosophy.

Shoei is known for their commitment to comfort and noise reduction. Their helmets are often a little heavier than AGV’s, but they excel in terms of fit and quietness. Arai, on the other hand, is all about safety. They have a very specific approach to helmet design, with a focus on maintaining a smooth, round shape to deflect impacts. While their helmets might not have the same aerodynamic flair as AGV’s, they’re often regarded as some of the safest out there.

AGV, however, strikes a unique balance. They offer excellent aerodynamics, superior safety, and a lightweight feel, all wrapped up in a stylish Italian design. If you’re after a helmet that performs at the highest level without sacrificing looks, AGV is hard to beat. Plus, AGV’s pricing is often more competitive, especially when you consider the high-end materials and features you’re getting.

Final Thoughts: Are AGV Helmets Good?

The short answer is yes—AGV helmets are not just good; they’re great! From their cutting-edge safety technology to their aerodynamic performance and unbeatable comfort, AGV has proven time and time again why they’re a leader in the helmet industry. Whether you’re a seasoned rider like me or just starting out, there’s an AGV helmet that’ll suit your needs.

What really distinguishes AGV for me is their relentless pursuit of innovation. They don’t just make helmets to meet safety standards—they exceed them. They think about every detail, from the visor mechanisms to the shape of the chin guard, to make sure you’re getting the best helmet possible.

If you’re in the market for a new helmet, I highly recommend giving AGV a try. Sure, you can spend more on an Arai or Shoei, but with AGV, you’re getting an incredible blend of style, performance, and safety at a price that’s often more accessible. And at the end of the day, that’s what we all want: a helmet that not only looks great but also keeps us safe while we enjoy the freedom of the open road.

So, gear up, ride safe, and I’ll see you out there—preferably in an AGV helmet!

Information for this article was partially sourced and researched from the following authoritative government, educational, corporate, and non-profit organizations:

• AGV 
• AGV Helmets Linktr.ee

As a rider who’s tried my fair share of lids, I can tell you AGV helmets really hit the mark, blending style, innovation, and top-notch safety like few others. Sure, Shoei and Arai have rock-solid reputations, but AGV brings something extra to the table—style. AGV helmets just look cooler—sleek, aggressive, and unmistakably bold. That’s probably why you see them all over TikTok, especially with younger riders showing them off. But way before “influencing” was even a thing, they were landing product placements in movies as far back as the ’60s, like A Place for Lovers by Del Sica.

The real beauty of AGV, though, is how they cater to everyone. Unlike Arai and Shoei, who mainly focus on mid- to high-end helmets, AGV covers all the bases, whether you’re looking for a beginner helmet like the AGV K1 or want to go all out with the AGV Pista GP RR (that’s MotoGP-level tech, by the way).

AGV’s history speaks for itself, too. They’ve been ahead of the curve since 1947, and they’ve made some legendary partnerships along the way. Remember Giacomo Agostini, the 15-time World Champion? He wore AGV. Kenny Roberts, Angel Nieto, and even the GOAT himself, Valentino Rossi—all AGV guys. The brand even crossed over to car racing, with the legendary Niki Lauda surviving his infamous 1976 crash wearing an AGV X1 Air System helmet. That says something!

And we must acknowledge AGV’s pioneering spirit. They were the first helmet manufacturer in Europe, they brought the first full-face helmet to the European market with the X3000, and they even introduced the first open-face helmet with the AGV Jet. Fast forward to today, and they’re still leading the pack with innovations like the first FIM-homologated helmet (the Pista GP RR), the first 100% carbon fiber modular helmet (AGV Sportmodular), and the lightest helmet ever—the AGV K6 S, which tips the scales at just 2.95 lbs.

All of these achievements are the result of AGV’s constant drive for innovation. And in 2012, they introduced their Extreme Safety standard, which emphasizes protection, better visibility, and an aerodynamic edge. It’s clear AGV is all about making sure you get the best of both worlds—style and safety that’s hard to beat.

So, if you’re wondering if AGV helmets are any good—the answer is a resounding yes. You’re getting cutting-edge safety features, killer design, and the kind of heritage that makes you feel like part of something bigger every time you throw one on.

5 Extreme Safety Design Protocols That Make AGV Helmets Good for You

As a fellow motorcyclist with more than 50 years of experience on two wheels, one thing has always been non-negotiable for me—a helmet. Whether it’s a quick run to the store or an all-day, long-distance tour, I never ride without one. Over the years, I’ve owned a lot of helmets—more than 200, to be precise—and a good number of them have been AGV helmets. My collection spans from the iconic AGV X3000, which honors the 14-time world champion Giacomo Agostini, to my current favorites like the AGV K6 S full-face helmet and the AGV AX9 Carbon touring helmet.

Why do I keep coming back to AGV? Because they focus on more than just meeting safety regulations—they strive to exceed them. And that’s where their Extreme Safety design protocols come into play.

Here are the 4 key elements of AGV’s safety protocols that keep you safe on the road:

1. Impact Protection: Not Just Following Standards, but Exceeding Them

 

Impact protection is the first thing that comes to mind when we think about helmet safety. And AGV has been pushing the envelope in this area since its inception in 1947. Over the decades, they’ve earned a reputation for being pioneers, not followers, in safety innovation. Their Extreme Safety protocol, introduced in 2012, was designed to go beyond just meeting the basic DOT, ECE, SNELL, SHARP, and FIM helmet regulations. Instead, AGV helmets are built to exceed these standards by a wide margin.mmmmmmmmm

AGV helmets undergo impact tests that measure safety performance at up to 15 points, including the visor. That’s more than 150% beyond what’s required by most certification bodies. And these aren’t just standard tests either—they involve higher speeds and various angles to simulate real-world crash scenarios. In short, AGV’s focus on impact protection gives you peace of mind that your head is in good hands (or, rather, a good helmet) when things get sketchy on the road.

And here is how:

Side Protection: The Devil’s in the Details

 

 

One of the things I love about AGV is their obsession with even the tiniest details. Take the visor mechanism, for example. Most helmet brands leave the visor mechanism exposed, which can create a weak spot in case of impact. AGV, however, has developed a much smaller mechanism—up to 70% smaller than the market average, reducing the potential weak points, while also improving your peripheral vision since a smaller mechanism allows for a wider visor.

Speaking of visors, AGV doesn’t mess around. Their visors are up to four times thicker than those on standard helmets. And when you consider that the visor itself can be a crucial part of your face’s protection during a crash, this extra thickness is no small thing. On top of that, AGV equips their visors with a central fastening system that locks down securely, so there’s little chance of it popping off if you take a spill.

Collarbone-Safe Profile: Born on the Track, Available to Us All

 

AGV’s roots are in racing, and they’ve taken a lot of what they’ve learned from the track and applied it to everyday riders like you and me. One example is their collarbone-safe profile, which they first developed for MotoGP racers. It reduces the risk of the helmet injuring your collarbone in the event of an impact.

Now, this tech is available in their consumer helmets, including the AGV K6 S, and it’s something I really appreciate, especially after having taken a few spills myself over the years.

Safety in Shape: Aero that Actually Works

 

Helmets are about more than just crash protection—they also have to perform at speed. AGV designs their helmets in wind tunnels to ensure they’re not only aerodynamic but also stable at high speeds, reducing neck fatigue, especially when you’re pushing it on the highway or taking a long ride.

The aerodynamic appendages on some models, like the Pista GP RR, are designed to detach during an impact, keeping the helmet’s shape spherical and reducing energy transfer to your head. It’s an example of how AGV takes an all-encompassing approach to safety—covering both crash protection and performance.

2. Ultravision: Seeing More of the Road and the World Around You

 

Visibility can be a matter of life and death out there on the road.  And AGV knows this, which is why they’ve made their Ultravision tech a cornerstone of their helmet design:

Peripheral Vision: Beyond the Norm

 

AGV helmets offer an impressive 190° peripheral vision, which is huge compared to the 160° you get with most other helmets. Whether you’re carving up a twisty mountain road or navigating through busy city traffic, being able to see more of what’s happening around you can give you a real edge in terms of both safety and confidence.

Vertical Vision: For the Racers and the Speed Lovers

 

If you’ve ever been tucked in for an all-out sprint on your sport bike, you know how crucial it is to see what’s going on around you. Many helmets can limit your vertical field of vision, especially when you’re in that aggressive riding position.

But AGV has designed their helmets with an increased vertical field of vision—up to 85°, which is 12.5% more than what you typically get. It’s especially helpful for racing and sport riding, where every second counts, and you need to see what’s coming up ahead.

Visual Quality: Like Wearing Perfect Glasses

 

A lot of helmets out there have visors that distort your view just enough to cause eye fatigue over long rides. AGV uses Optical Class 1 visors—the highest possible rating—which means no distortion and no eye strain. It’s like the difference between wearing a cheap pair of sunglasses and a pair that actually helps your vision.

 

 

Antifog Performance: No More Fogging Up

 

AGV visors come equipped with Max Vision Pinlock® 120 inserts. If you’ve ever ridden in cold or rainy weather, you know how annoying visor fog can be.

With AGV’s Pinlock system, you don’t have to worry about your visor fogging up and cutting off your view in critical moments. It’s just another way AGV takes the small but important details seriously.

 

 

3. Design: More than Just Safety

 

Let’s shift gears and talk about performance because, let’s be real, helmets aren’t just about protection—they’re also about how they perform when you’re out there riding.

Aerodynamic Stability: Cutting Through the Wind

 

Every AGV helmet is designed with aerodynamics in mind. The chin design is wedge-shaped to reduce drag, and the aerodynamic appendages stabilize the helmet at higher speeds. Whether you’re tearing down the highway or leaning into a long, sweeping turn, the design of an AGV helmet keeps it stable, so you don’t get that annoying buffeting you sometimes experience with lesser helmets.

Dynamic Weight: Lighter Than It Feels

 

AGV helmets are already lightweight, but here’s the thing—they actually feel even lighter when you’re moving at speed. That’s because they’ve designed the helmet to take advantage of airflow, which helps reduce neck strain.

For example, the K6 S, weighing 2.95 pounds, feels like it weighs almost nothing at 90 km/h, and the Pista GP RR basically becomes weightless at 160 km/h. Yes, it’s a big deal if you’re doing long rides because, after a few hours, every ounce starts to feel like a pound.

Ventilation: Cooling Where You Need It

 

I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to pull over during a summer ride just to get some air into my helmet. AGV’s ventilation system, though, is top-notch. They’ve designed it to take advantage of the high-pressure areas on the front of the helmet to maximize airflow, while the rear exhaust vents create a low-pressure zone to pull hot air out. A particularly noticeable on their sportier helmets like the Pista GP RR, where airflow makes all the difference during a hot track day or a summer ride.

Venturi Effect: The Science of Airflow

 

Speaking of airflow, AGV incorporates the Venturi effect into their helmet design. By creating low pressure in the rear extractor area, they enhance ventilation even further. It might sound like some high-level engineering talk, but in practice, it means that the hot air inside your helmet gets pulled out more efficiently, keeping you cooler for longer.

If I only commute to get off work in the city, and occasionally cross the county and city for 100-110 kilometers (round trip) to go back to my hometown
The trip takes about 1.5-2 hours and I only ride a white-plate scooter (TIG Champion Edition)
I don’t go mountaineering, nor do I drive on expressways or elevated roads
I don’t ride heavy motorcycles with yellow or red plates
I only ride fast motorcycles from time to time…that’s all

Which one would you recommend?

Height 187 cm, weight 70 kg, head shape should be considered large, I don’t know if it is related but I still attach it. In addition, I may install Bluetooth headphones or
“a dash cam installed on the helmet”

The current hat is a SOL ordinary coke hat worth 2-3 thousand (bought 12 years ago, and it has paid off…)

Recently, I want to change my helmet because I changed my motorcycle, and I want to try imported full-face helmets. I paid attention to the following three helmets, which all look good…

SHOEI Z8
SHOEI X15
ARAI RX7X

Because I want to buy a high-priced helmet for the first time, I am still looking for your opinions.

Seeking advice from former users

Also, I am not particularly looking for a player’s hat or any painted ones

I just like blue. If there is no blue, then white or black is also OK. I don’t want something too fancy.

I have two of these three, the Arai RX7X and the Shoei X15.

I will compare these two.

Ventilation:
I also ride a scooter.
In the scooter riding position, the air intake effect of the X15 is poor, especially on the top of the head.
But as long as you are willing to press your head down, like riding a racing bike, the air will rush in.
The problem is… who would ride a scooter in this position for commuting?
The air intake feeling on the top of the RX7X is not particularly strong, but it is stable and not stuffy.
But I think the chin air intake is very noticeable. In the first section, letting the wind hit the lens is actually quite comfortable.

Field of view:
The X15 is obviously designed for competition, and the upper field of view is comparable to that of the AGV Pista GP RR.
This will relatively result in a poor lower field of view.
Of course, this depends on whether you often look down at the instrument when riding. If you don’t look down often, the impact will be small.
I think the RX7X doesn’t have such obvious field of view adjustment, so I still prefer it in this aspect.

Coverage:
Although I think commuting caps don’t need such good coverage.
But Arai is better than Shoei in this regard.
The cheek EPS is made on the cheek pads, how can it not be covered?

Bluetooth headset reserved slot:
Shoei definitely beats Arai in this regard.
Arai’s headset reserved slot is to directly open a hole in the cheek pad sponge, and you can insert the headset after pulling it out.
But in fact, the headset that can be inserted will be very limited and the wiring is more difficult to handle.
Shoei is a common method of directly opening holes in the cheek EPS for reservation, which is relatively more user-friendly.

Mechanism complexity: Sheoi is relatively simple in all aspects, while Arai is much more troublesome.
In terms of cleaning, it is very troublesome to remove the lens alone, and you must be careful not to damage the EPS when removing the cheeks.
In daily use, if you clean it too frequently, this will be a magnified pain point.

In conclusion, for street use, I can only choose from these two caps, and I would choose RX7X.
But… among these three caps, I would choose Shoei Z8 in a second.
The overall design is more suitable for street use and scooter riding posture, and it does not have the shortcomings of Arai.
However… If you love track caps and want to use them for commuting, I personally recommend HJC RPHA 1N.