AGV Helmets 2016 – Comfort and protection from the ‘inside out’

AGV Helmets – ‘from the inside out’

There are AGV Helmets for every biker, graphic-conscious rider and those minding their purse strings. Every rider needs a helmet to legally take to UK roads so how about an AGV? If you aren’t in the know, AGV are an Italian brand carrying the Italian helmet reputation for quality craftmanship.

For 2016 AGV have held onto some of the more popular, classic styles from the past few seasons whilst upping the excitement with a few new additions. The theme of Rossi replication is still riding riot with bold tribute graphics (AGV Corsa, as are the Guy Martin options with the K3 sticking around and the new K5 joining it.

If your wheels haven’t taken you to the road for many years do you know the helmet you’re looking for? If not, are you willing to be surprised? Are you a newbie and don’t know a Pinlock from a lock with a pin – please read Pete’s or Ellie’s helmet intro guides for some primary background knowledge.

Which type of lid’s right for you?

AGV cater for all preferences. From the premium racing Pista GP helmet moving right along to the urban Hi-Jack helmets created in collaboration with Diesel. The former is recommended for those tied to the track and the latter was primarily created for those riding naked – though not free-spirited, unclothed, naked but the stripped back, bike sort – in addition to aggressive cruisers.

All of the lids in between cover each of the popular helmet genres – full face, open face, flip front (P/J homologated) and MX.

What are the features that make an AGV lid high quality and attractive to bikers?

• If you know AGV you’ll know their IVS, that’s the Integrated Ventilation System to the AGV biking world. Most of the helmets in the range have narrow channels dug into the helmet’s inside, hidden underneath so that anyone out of the know won’t be aware they’re there. But you will, when you feel the cool air rush through and your head’s temperature dwindle back down to comfortable. For the sports options, such as the Pista GP, these channels are permanently open, unless you plug them in pre-race. For other touring helmets there are subtle open / close mechanisms fitted which you can flick up or down without interrupting your ride.
• Then there’s the won’t-enhance-your-ride-but-might-save-your-noggin-so-it’s-still-really-important safety rating. All lids fit for UK and European roads need to prove it by having an ECE 2205 accreditation. If they’re racing-safe to the BSI Type A Safety Standard they’ll be awarded the motorbike racing world’s form of a gold star – the ACU Gold Sticker. More testing, for more confidence, comes from the governmental body SHARP – the Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme. All AGV helmets meet the ECE 2205 but keep your eyes open for the other two.
• Visors, visors, we all need to protect our eyes with visors. AGV Helmet’s visors, for many of the top spec’ options, offer a 15° wider field of vision than previous year’s models. This means more visor area to steam and block your vision, which is where you can add a Pinlock (or utilise the supplied one for many of the AGV lids). On many you can remove this from the helmet shell using the extra quick release system (XQRS).
• The racing lids AGV Pista GP and AGV Corsa, and sports-touring AGV K5 have a rear spoiler for racing. These improve your aerodynamics alone, really improve your aerodynamics if you’re wearing a race hump and will stablise you at high racing speeds. If you’re involved in an accident, for the first two it’s detachable.
• For scooting about the city AGV have added the appropriately named AGV City lid. With a deep, downward visor you’re protected against oncoming debris from forehead to chin without needing a full face option. A large visor needs a large rotating mechanism, offering you a headphone style. If the under-visor-breeze isn’t enough to keep you comfortable the lid has central air vents too.
• Beyond the inner features AGV love to experiment with outer graphics. They pay helmet homage to ‘the Doctor’ Rossi, national sweetheart and side burns-clad Guy Martin, along with Aussie rider Jack Miller and Moto3 MotoGP rider Niccolò Antonelli. Further respects are paid to Marco Simoncelli with a fierce AGV K3 SV design. The AGV K3 SV 5 Continents is a special tribute to the MotoGP with five sun tendrils, representing each host continent. The colours range from bold and bright to the more demure black or white.

How else can we help with AGV’s helmets?

If our descriptions aren’t enough AGV have created a few videos showcasing their lid talent…

• AGV Pista GP Helmet
• AGV Corsa Helmet
• AGV GT Veloce Helmet
• AGV K5 Helmet
• AGV K3 / K3 SV
• AGV AX8 Naked Carbon

…Or please give us a ring on 01623 627 600, drop us an Email us or stroll on into our Nottinghamshire (Mansfield Woodhouse to be specific) showroom.

Please note: We’re currently awaiting the arrival of some 2016 AGV Helmets, please see individual listings or contact us for estimated delivery dates