The top of the line, apex predator AGV AX-8 DS EVO Grunge graphic helmet has arrived. It has a distinct G.I.Joe ‘Cobra’ vibe when you look at the overall shape and vent designs.
The AGV AX-8 DS EVO is advertised as a dual sport helmet. It has a dirt helmet DNA, but AGV has managed to mold it and adapt the base shell towards dual sport purposes with some changes in the design and features.
The Grunge graphic has quite a lot of dull colored elements and scratchy decals which comply with the name nicely. It has a matte finish and the graphic looks symmetrical on both sides except down the middle line where it has a scratchy, black Mohawk supported by two continuous grey accent lines on either side.
The overall look is a bit confusing for those not familiar with this kind of graphic because there is a lot going on, but it would fit nicely for someone who is at home with the torn ‘n’ worn jeans fashion.
The helmet is DOT and ECE 22.05 rated, so you can wear this proudly in the EU zone as well as US and Canada.
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What Would You Love?
You can feel the extra attention given to this helmet by its manufacturer, not only in the build quality, but also in some features which would otherwise just feel like extra add-ons.
One such feature is the rubber padding at the bottom of the chin guard. In the case of a particularly bad crash wherein your head rolled in a position that led the chin guard impact of your sternum, this rubber padding can absorb some of that trauma and perhaps save you from cracking one of your ribs.
The Top Features to Look Out For
Here’s the breakdown.
Shell
The AX-8 DS EVO is made of tri composite material (Fiber glass, Kevlar and Carbon). It weighs in at 3 lbs. 4 oz., which is in fact lighter than similar helmets out there.
The fit is intermediate oval, which means that most of you will be able to plop this on your melon without any major issues. But the tight fit and contoured cheek pads mean that you might have to order one size larger than your head.
AGV has provided 3 shell sizes for finding that comfort fit. The additional advantage is that some rating agencies consider this as a plus point as far as safety is concerned.
Visors
Moving ahead from the AGV AX-8 EVO, the DS actually has a visor system which was absent in the former, what with it being a dirt helmet and all.
A flat dual face shield made of strong, polycarbonate material and it does its work fine. The visor mount system looks a bit complicated and the removal might be a pain for people who are accustomed to the quick release systems that most other helmets have in common.
But the visor has wide field of view and is optically correct, which is distortion free for you.
Ventilation
There is a chin vent now instead of a roost guard, which can be opened and closed. This is your main air inlet. A removable nose guard is also included, which acts as a breath deflector to prevent your breath from fogging the visor from the inside.
Two brow vents and two chimney vents support ventilation by a larger central vent at the top, behind the peak end for additional air flow.
The peak is removable and is fit on the helmet with the help of double aluminium screws on both sides.
The exhausts at the rear have been kept in the same position as the original AGV AX-8 dirt and are effective in sucking out the warm and moist air from the helmet.
The IVS (Integrated Ventilation System) is what sets this helmet and its dirt counterpart apart from others. There are two distinct ridges on the top of the helmet which look like an inner bevel. These are built into the EPS which means that the bevel goes underneath as well. So in addition to the air channels, this bevel connects to the Venturi exhausts through the joint where the inner liner and shell composite are supposed to conjoin.
We have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.
Padding and Lining
Inner fabric is of Dry-Lex make which has received a generous ‘sanitized’ treatment. Both the inner liner and cheek pads can be removed easily and washed without any problems.
Cheek pads and comfort liner have been improved by contouring them properly and increasing their thickness to make the helmet fit your face more comfortably.
The comfort liner feels solid and has suitably placed mesh areas that facilitate the airflow from the IVS.
Customer Reviews
Nitpickers always exist. In this helmet, they have managed to find out that the peak catches some side wind and vibrates a lot when travelling at speeds. There is also the issue of wind noise and air flow, but it’s not like you are going to become deaf at that level. Others complained about the fiddly process of replacing the visor as well as the dubious anti-fogging abilities.
Bottom Line
It is a fantastic looking helmet, but there have been reports of botched up models shipped without proper Q and A. So before plunging in because of its looks, better read up on experiences of other riders who purchased this helmet.