Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Gear => Topic started by: jamanta on October 15, 2009, 07:48:42 AM

Title: AGV Helmets
Post by: jamanta on October 15, 2009, 07:48:42 AM
What do you guys think about the AGV helmets? Let me know, I'm thinking about buying one  [thumbsup]
(http://www.indysuperbike.com/image.php?productid=2158)
Title: Re: AGV Helmets
Post by: redial on October 15, 2009, 10:46:36 AM
nice price point, the blackstealth is pretty sexy, but black is kinda a bad idea

not sure how the quality is, but check
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/agv-stealth/ (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/agv-stealth/)
they give it a halfhearted "its alright" including a poor rating for noise, and also below average liner

also agv saves the really sick graphics for its more expensive models
(http://www.superbikesupply.com/pictures/483_agv_xr2_rossi_moto_gp_helmet.jpg)
(http://www.grandprixlegends.com/public/pictures/medium/AGV073.jpg)
Title: Re: AGV Helmets
Post by: Bellagio on October 15, 2009, 11:07:23 AM
I just bought the AGV Stealth in matte black.  I like the helmet.  Don't love it though.  I also own the KBC Stealth in matte black and prefer the KBC.  The big down side for me is swapping the visors on the AGV.  Although there are no tools required, lining up the tabs on a dark smoked mask is next to impossible.  Another con is how quickly the mask fogs up.  If it's a cool night and you've got it fully closed it's going to be pretty bad.  The Stealth has an "anti-fog" setting where you can lock the mask in with a VERY slight crack.  Unfortunatley, that crack allows air flow to go over your eyes and on a cold evening in less than primo visibility that can make matters even worse.  On the positive side... the helemet is light and the noise isn't terrible (I love hearing the bike when I'm riding though).  I also like the fitment, I've got an oval head, and it's snug on the sides and the chin bar is just deep enough.  I'd give it a 3.75/5.0.  best of luck picking the right helmet.
Title: Re: AGV Helmets
Post by: Triple J on October 15, 2009, 03:42:14 PM
I really like the S-4. It looks cool, is extremely light, meets EU safety specs (and DOT), and is fairly cheap. Unfortunately it also hurts my ears after about 5 minutes.  :-\
Title: Re: AGV Helmets
Post by: swampduc on October 15, 2009, 07:06:14 PM
I'm very happy with my GP Tech. I came from Arais and I won't go back. The AGV is lighter, fits more snugly and yet more comfortably, and is very high quality. It's very aerodynamic with excellent venting. A Quantum 2  fits me in Arai, for reference.
Title: Re: AGV Helmets
Post by: Airborne on October 17, 2009, 06:50:41 PM
I have the AGV s-4, its a great helmet. Its very light and there is minimal wind noise. Ventilation in the summer is fine as well. IMO they offer better protection than snell rated helmets, but I hope I'll never have to test that theory. I think I got mine for 150 bucks.
(http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=tbn&q=http://www.superbiketoystore.com/sport/images/uploads/agv-s4-race-hmt.gif&usg=AFQjCNGUNh5XMsQlLMex1x9WiIjYCGEzyw)
Title: Re: AGV Helmets
Post by: jamanta on October 19, 2009, 07:22:41 AM
Quote from: Airborne on October 17, 2009, 06:50:41 PM
I have the AGV s-4, its a great helmet. Its very light and there is minimal wind noise. Ventilation in the summer is fine as well. IMO they offer better protection than snell rated helmets, but I hope I'll never have to test that theory. I think I got mine for 150 bucks.
(http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=tbn&q=http://www.superbiketoystore.com/sport/images/uploads/agv-s4-race-hmt.gif&usg=AFQjCNGUNh5XMsQlLMex1x9WiIjYCGEzyw)

I was thinking about this red and white one to match my red bike. thanks!
Title: Re: AGV Helmets
Post by: redial on October 21, 2009, 06:36:34 AM
Quote from: Airborne on October 17, 2009, 06:50:41 PM
IMO they offer better protection than snell rated helmets,

what exactly do you mean by that, and what are you basing that opinion on?
are you talking about ECE vs. SNELL?
Title: Re: AGV Helmets
Post by: hunduc on October 21, 2009, 02:33:16 PM

i have got that red-white S-4. i love it. lightweight, good ventillation - and my ears fit...  :)
Title: Re: AGV Helmets
Post by: Airborne on October 21, 2009, 03:37:11 PM
Quote from: redial on October 21, 2009, 06:36:34 AM
what exactly do you mean by that, and what are you basing that opinion on?
are you talking about ECE vs. SNELL?

the super abbreviated reason:
The snell rated helmets have to pass a double drop test, meaning that they smack it in the same place twice and it has to hold up. A plain dot or eurospec helmet doesnt require this test. Since its only hit in one spot once, the helmets foam can be less dense and absorb more energy. Statistics show moto crashes usually never involve the helmet striking in the same place twice, perhaps like it would in a car equipped with a roll cage.

There are a bunch of articles on it, one was just posted here but I forget where.
Title: Re: AGV Helmets
Post by: Airborne on October 21, 2009, 03:41:45 PM
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=30047.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=30047.0)
Title: Re: AGV Helmets
Post by: ducatiz on October 21, 2009, 03:52:06 PM
I have an AGV helmet and I like it, but it is smaller than my Arai.  Both are the same letter size but the AGV is definitely tighter on my head.

I forgot the AGV model, the Arai is a Quantum/f.  I am pretty sure they use the same head model for all helmets though.
Title: Re: AGV Helmets
Post by: NoisyDante on October 26, 2009, 02:38:26 PM
Worn by Rossi and Guy Martin, I imagine they can't be too shabby as far as safety goes.

I wore one for two days during some safety classes I took back in August.  My Shoei RF-1000 hadn't shown up yet so the store owner lent me an AGV Ti-Tech.  My only complaint was that it hurt my ears to take off, even though it was the right size once I got it on.

I wouldn't mind giving a different model a try.
Title: Re: AGV Helmets
Post by: EvilSteve on November 10, 2009, 12:44:49 PM
I wore a TiTech for 3 years before replacing it with a Shoei RF1000. To be honest, I prefer the AGV. The ventilation is better and the visor fogs a lot less. I'm not sure if Shoei was investing more in the X11 or RF1100 design or production to give a crap about the RF1000 but I couldn't recommend the helmet to anyone unless they were getting a great deal. I'm wearing a ML AGV & a M Shoei. When it's cool out, my RF1000 visor fogs almost instantly if I turn my head even slightly to the side. Even without the breath guard on the AGV (it fell out while riding when I was screwing around) I think it's still better. The vents in the top of the Shoei are directed straight onto your head, that seems fine but the airflow is distributed over a very small area and can be uncomfortable.

To give you an idea of how much the Shoei fogging thing is a problem (and how much it gives me the shits), I was doing a track day on October 12th, I was doing about 130 mph down the straight, turned my head slightly to the side & instant fog. I have to keep the visor cracked in order to stop it fogging while going straight ahead.

Cannot recommend it but honestly, the AGV was great. I'm going to try Arai next I think but we'll see.
Title: Re: AGV Helmets
Post by: motoliberty on November 11, 2009, 11:22:16 AM
They also have a K3 model with the Rossi Celebr8 graphics... the kicker on this one? just over $200 and at first glance looks very similar to the GP-Tech  [thumbsup]

(https://www.motoliberty.com/images/Prod_Images/k3_BLACK.jpg)
(https://www.motoliberty.com/images/Prod_Images/k3_BLACK_BACK.jpg)

Also comes in a Hi-Viz yellow but couldnt find any pics, may take some of the ones we have here in the shop.

Quote from: redial on October 15, 2009, 10:46:36 AM
nice price point, the blackstealth is pretty sexy, but black is kinda a bad idea

not sure how the quality is, but check
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/agv-stealth/ (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/agv-stealth/)
they give it a halfhearted "its alright" including a poor rating for noise, and also below average liner

also agv saves the really sick graphics for its more expensive models
(http://www.superbikesupply.com/pictures/483_agv_xr2_rossi_moto_gp_helmet.jpg)
(http://www.grandprixlegends.com/public/pictures/medium/AGV073.jpg)