AGV Skyline Helmet Review

AGV Skyline Face Shield, Sun Shade, Eye Port and Outward Visibility

The size large Skyline appears to have a slightly smaller face shield or eye port than the XL Horizon, although I didn’t measure the two. Overall the outward visibility is good in both the horizontal and vertical planes.

The face shield is optically correct and the optical quality of the internal sun visor of the Skyline is better than our Horizon.

The internal sun shade rotates down to remain out of the rider’s line of sight, so it is a useful feature.

Like the Horizon, the AGV Skyline face shield is a model of simplicity and user-friendliness when it comes to removal or replacement.

The procedure is illustrated in the video below; pull down on the ring to remove the face shield and simply press the face shield back in to install it. The system works really well but there is no face shield lock on the Horizon, although it seals tight when closed.

AGV Customizable Visor Opening System

We somehow missed this feature in the AGV Horizon and Numo Evo reviews and AGV didn’t make a big marketing push about it (at least that we were aware of), so apologies for that.

The “customizable opening system” (which needs a catchy marketing name) includes 3 different plastic inserts in the helmet box, which are semi-hidden in the plastic bag that holds the owner’s manual and other documentation.

The owner can swap out the inserts to change the visor or face shield opening positions.

The inserts come in different colors, depending on the helmet, to compliment the helmet’s graphics and color scheme and they have different detent patterns molded into the upper portion.

The three inserts include the basic “touring” insert with 4 detents; a “city” insert that adds a small first defogging position; and a “race” insert with two detents, open and closed.

It’s an interesting idea, although the curvature of the thin plastic has some give, which makes some of the detents feel less firm than I’d like.

Also, the “race” detent is sort of a moot point, because neither the Skyline, Horizon or Numo Evo are racing helmets and they don’t have a visor lock anyway.

An insert with a solid first defogging position, then maybe a half-way open position and then full open would be more useful, in my opinion.

The “city” detent, with the defogging detent, is the most useful for street riders.

However, that first defogging position detent isn’t firm enough, so the face shield doesn’t readily hold the small first defogging position and the detent feels a little loose, which makes the face shield feel a bit loose also when it’s shut.

But AGV gets an “A” for effort on this. Perhaps a firmer plastic or a less “slippery” plastic than is currently used (it feels like nylon) or more sharply molded detents would be better.

Since we missed this feature when it was introduced on the first two AGV helmets, to make amends, we’ve created a short video that describes the inserts and demonstrates how to install them, available through the following links:

AGV Customizable Opening System (YouTube)  |  AGV Customizable Opening System (Vimeo Pro)

Score: The AGV Skyline visibility is better than average and gets a score of “Excellent”.

AGV Skyline Ventilation and Air Flow

The new AGV flush mount chin vent system found on the Horizon and Skyline are almost identical, other than slight differences in the mesh that covers the vents on the outside of the chin bar.

The system works really well, with four large slots flowing air directly through the chin bar.

The switch to open or close the vent is hidden up underneath the chin bar.

It solidly opens or closes the vents and when the chin vent is open, it flows a lot of air. Some air bleeds off towards the top of the chin bar and on to the back of the face shield.

The top vents on the Skyline are also very similar to the vents on the Horizon, with hard plastic sliders on the former and rubberized sliders on the latter. The two vents open independently.

But the efficiency of the upper ventilation is the main difference between the two helmets.

In the Horizon, the upper portion of the helmet liner and the EPS is molded and cut to allow the air to flow on to the top of the head and the helmet has a rear exhaust vent system.

The Skyline has four large channels down through the EPS to direct the air flow, but no exhaust out the back.

The Numo Evo does without a rear exhaust vent also, and this trend is one we’re not fond of.

Motorcycle helmet ventilation is problematic to begin with and removing the ability to exhaust the air in the low pressure stream makes the job that much more difficult.

The absence of the exhaust makes a noticeable difference in the upper ventilation performance of the Skyline. The vent system should flow a generous amount of air on to the rider’s head, with the big channels in the top of the helmet.

But it doesn’t, and we think it’s because there’s a pressure buildup inside the helmet with nowhere for the incoming air to go. Both the Skyline and the Numo Evo sorely need a rear exhaust vent system.

In addition, the top vents on the Skyline generate some whistling wind noise, whether open or closed, and we think this may be due to the air pressure building up at the vents with nowhere to go inside the helmet.

However, overall the helmet noise in the Skyline does seem lower than average.

Since the top vents on both the Skyline and Horizon (and the Numo Evo) are nearly identical in design, one ride with the Horizon shows that an exhaust vent is needed to gain maximum benefit of the system.

Score:  I’ll rate the ventilation system of the AGV Skyline as “Outstanding” for the chin vent and “Below Average” for the top vents.

AGV Skyline Sound Levels

The excellent build quality of the Skyline and the flush-mounted chin vent, along with the shape of the helmet help to keep noise levels low.

When the top vents are either open or closed, there is some wind noise but the smooth air flow around the chin and face shield and sides of the helmet, with good control at the bottom, help to keep the wind noise generally low.

Both the Horizon and Skyline have good control for the wind noise around the bottom part of the helmet.

Note that our helmet evaluations are a combined effort of several riders over time on different types of motorcycles with and without windscreens.

Evaluators wear correctly fitted, high quality ear plugs (even when evaluating motorcycle intercom systems).

Always protect your hearing when riding a motorcycle. See the wBW Earplug Reviews for more information on choosing and wearing earplugs.

Note also that perceived noise levels will vary, depending on the individual.

Noise can be caused by many factors, including helmet fit, the type of motorcycle and windscreen, wind speed and direction and even the rider’s clothing.

For more information on helmet noise, visit the wBW Motorcycle Helmet Noise page.

Score:  I’ll give the AGV Skyline an “Outstanding” rating for better than average noise control.

Helmet Weight

This size Large AGV Skyline weighs 1661 grams (3 lbs., 10-5/8 oz.). The Horizon in size XL weighs 1685 grams (3 lbs., 11-3/8 oz.), both good considering an internal sun visor is included.

The very comfortable liner and excellent fit, along with the thick padding and the aerodynamics help to make the helmet feel comfortable and nicely balanced.

Note that all of the helmets reviewed on webBikeWorld have been weighed and the weights are available on the wBW Motorcycle Helmet Weights page, along with a chart that lists the helmets by weight and shape on the wBW Motorcycle Helmet Shapes page.

Score:  I’ll give the AGV Skyline an “Excellent” rating for its relatively low weight and good balance.

Miscellaneous

The other main difference between the Horizon and the Skyline is that the former has a double D-ring for the chin strap retainer, while the Skyline has a micro-lock “quick release” type.

The padding is adequate and the length is good.

The Horizon meets both DOT and ECE helmet safety standards and the Skyline is marked as DOT only but in an update, AGV said the Skyline is also DOT and ECE approved.

Conclusion

The new AGV Skyline is basically a less expensive take on the Horizon.

Choosing one or the other is a bit of a tossup; the Horizon has better upper ventilation and a simpler, lighter, easier-to-use and proven double D-ring chin strap retainer.

Both helmets are beautifully made and have a quality feel.

The color and graphic choices are beyond reproach and the extras include the internal sun shade, chin curtain, customizable detent system and the micro-lock chin strap retainer on the Skyline.

I’m partial to the Horizon, but if you’re looking to save 50 bucks and you want the composite shell and most of the other features of the Horizon, the Skyline is a worthwhile choice.

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