I’m a little embarrassed to admit how unfamiliar I am with AGV so I did a little research on them. Hopefully, I’m not the only one who will benefit from a brief intro to this Italian manufacturer.
AGV or Amisano Gino Valenza has been around since 1946 making cutting-edge products for the world of motorcycling, primarily helmets centred around racing. In 2007 Dainese purchased AGV and has been adding their respected input as well. Add to that in 2008, 9 times MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi was named the honorary President of AGV because of how much he collaborates with their helmet designers and an impressive picture will form in your mind about what to expect from any AGV helmet.
First Impressions
Unlike some other helmets I’ve reviewed, this isn’t the first time I’ve handled the Sportmodular Carbon.
I first noticed the Sportmodular while doing reconnaissance of the other pre-eminent modular helmet specimens a few months ago. The Shoei Neotec II and Schuberth C4 were why I walked into the store, but after spotting the AGV nearby and picking it up for closer inspection I immediately got “butterflies” in my stomach and a strong feeling neither Shoei or Schuberth would be getting my hard earned money with this AGV option available.
I’ve been reaching out to AGV directly ever since, trying to get one to review because I was so impressed. AGV hasn’t responded to my requests to this point.
Revzilla came to my rescue (and we love them for that!) providing a Sportmodular Carbon Gloss model for this hands-on review.
This intermediate oval helmet is form-fitting, compact, strong, incredibly lightweight, packed with well thought out features/design aspects that jump out at you as you handle it. It is undeniably soooo comfortable to wear with no pinch points on my round oval head, despite the fact it’s classed as an intermediate oval shape.
Carbon Fiber Goodness
This is the first carbon fiber helmet I’ve ever worn, let alone carbon fiber modular helmet. There are other 3K carbon fiber modular helmets on the market but none where the entire outer shell is carbon fiber, including the chin bar.
Super Lightweight
This makes it the lightest modular on the market weighing in at a claimed 2.85 lbs, and when compared to fiberglass, carbon fiber is just as strong but also stiffer. In cases where a small degree of flexibility is desirable (like on a helmet) carbon fiber is the ideal choice even over fiberglass.
I measured the helmet’s weight on my own scale and found it was 3 lbs even, but my scale may not be bang on.
Fit and Finish
One Badass Looking Brainbucket
The black and grey, checkered-design of the carbon fiber encapsulated in the gloss coating are awesome to behold. It creates an illusion of motion even when stationary. I dig that and love the “space-age” technical appearance.
One odd thing about the woven pattern of fibers on this particular helmet is what appears to be a flaw on the right side. A sort of wave or wrinkle is very noticeable running 5 inches long. I wasn’t able to capture it in a photo clearly enough to share, unfortunately. I’m not sure whether this would affect the structural integrity or not but it’s noticeable.
The AGV tri-color logos are tastefully found front and rear on the helmet. They are sized appropriately and the red, white and green colors pop nicely against the dark carbon fiber.
The inner padding follows suit using two shades of grey with some black. I like the small touch of an Italian flag found embroidered on the chinstrap.
Italian styling is evident in this helmet without being too flashy or overbearing. Nice job AGV.
Fitment
Once installed on my head this helmet is almost forgotten due to it being so light and comfortable. I don’t even bother taking it off while taking breaks during rides. It’s that good for me.
It doesn’t fit like other modular helmets I’ve worn. The rear portion sits further back on my face with the chin bar locked open instead of having sections on each side reach forward along my jawline closer to the corners of my mouth.
That makes it a bit awkward to put on with the chin bar locked open for me because there’s nothing to grab hold of and pry apart with my fingers, but I’m getting used to setting it on the top of my head canted forward and then pivoting that back of it down into position.
I can’t put this helmet on or take it off without the chin bar locked open unlike any other modulars I’ve worn. The opening is just too small in diameter to do it. It’s made this way purposely to fit close and tight around the jawline and base of the skull/neck. If you’re claustrophobic that might irritate you, but I love it.
Chinstrap Issues
I think the main reason I find it tricky to get on is that usually I hold and pull apart the chinstrap on each side while donning any helmet and the straps on the Sportmodular are set back about an inch further than on most other helmets. This throws off the balance when I lift it up by the straps causing it to flop around in my grip.
Having the strap back so far might lead to fitment issues with some face shapes too. My friend tried it on and found that the strap choked him a bit due to the positioning.
Definitely try this one on before buying to gauge whether something specific to your features like a larger Adam’s apple, pronounced jawline or thicker chin/neck might make the AGV uncomfortable for you. That goes without saying for any helmet, but with an extremely close fitting one like this one, it’s especially true.
Tapered Shell Design
The lower part of the shell tapers inward noticeably. This is intentional with the goal of preventing collarbone injuries in the event of a crash. Something learned in the world of racing that was incorporated into this helmet design.
Integrated Sun Lens
How close fitting you may be wondering? Really close.
When I fully lower the integrated sun lens it touches the tip of my nose! It’s kind of a double-edged sword because having it come down so far means my entire field of view is shaded by the lens (excellent!), but whenever I ride over a bump the lens nibbles lightly on my nose. Not enough to cause pain or leave a mark, but it tickles a bit.
It’s not AGV’s fault because I admit freely to having a rather tall sniffer on me that is crooked thanks to me shooting my mouth off while playing hockey over the years and the ensuing fisticuffs.
The sliding switch that retracts or extends the sun lens is pretty easy to find and operate with my gloved left hand but the switch drags noticeably at the end of travel to hold the lens in position.
The tint on the lens is ideal for bright sunlight and distortion free as expected in a premium quality helmet. I like it a lot and compared to other integrated lenses I’ve looked through this is the clearest.
Visor
The visor is equally pleasant to look through and crystal clear even with the Pinlock installed. I had no fogging issues even when riding in the rain with the helmet, but found if I deliberately exhale in an exaggerated way out of my mouth I can momentarily fog up the visor due to how close it sits to my face. It clears immediately after I stop exhaling.
Annoying Locking Mechanism
The visor has a U-shaped tab hanging down in the middle that locks it to the chin bar unnecessarily. With the visor closed completely flush or just above flush the lock activates.
Why???
Luckily there’s only one small screw holding the U-shaped tab to the visor that could be removed to eliminate the locking feature and the need to push a release button to raise the visor each time. The button is hard to push with gloved fingers and the visor stayed put slightly open when it wasn’t locked. The lock is totally unnecessary.
Some other reviewers haven’t cared for the tab used to raise the visor being dead center and prefer a part to push on located on either side instead. I would agree that’s a better way to go, but I have no issue living with the tab in the middle, myself.
Quick Release Visor
This visor comes off and goes on like nothing thanks to the small release levers on the pivoting points for the visor.
It’s very intuitive to see how tugging down on the bottom lever releases the visor from the helmet. Putting it back on is just the same method in reverse. I love it.
I like how compact the whole mechanism is compared to other helmets too. Bravo!
Comfort Liner
The liner padding is the nice stuff with the washable, antimicrobial, fast-drying, moisture-wicking standard expected in any high-end helmet. There’s only one size available with the helmet, but it does come with two different sized chin curtains to choose from in making the helmet fit you properly. The chin curtain is effective at keeping wind and noise out of your facial “living room”.
The bottom of the padding features two colors of microsuede, but on the inside part that changes to a smooth, silky section around where my ears need to slide and not catch while the helmet goes on. It works most of the time when I put the helmet on to avoid having my ears fold up.
Plastic snaps hold the padding in place well enough and removal/installation is straightforward. One thing different on this helmet is that the padding is one piece. You can’t remove the left side without bringing the right along for the ride. That may irritate some people, but not me.
BlueTooth Speaker Pockets
There are pockets built into the sides of the helmet on the inside by the straps, specially made to house speakers for BlueTooth systems. They work very well and even have felt glued inside to make easy installation of the speakers that come with a SENA 30K system for example.
It is unfortunate AGV hasn’t partnered with SENA or Cardo to incorporate one of their systems into this lid seamlessly like on a Shoei Neotec II for example.
Ritmo and Shalimar Crown Lining
The liner located in the crown area is reversible. One side is a fuzzy microsuede to help keep you warm in colder weather and called Shalimar. The opposite side is the smooth Ritmo that stays cooler for hot weather riding.
Don’t worry about remembering what Ritmo and Shalimar mean since there’s a labeled tag on each side of the liner to remind you what side is for hot weather and vice versa.
I didn’t notice a huge difference after flipping the crown liner myself. I found the helmet warm in cool weather and cool in warm weather regardless of which way the liner was installed. Other reviewers who are bald have reported noticing a considerable difference, however, from what I’ve read about it online.
Wind and Road Noise
Ahh, here’s the big question on everyone’s mind, especially about any modular helmet.
This helmet is basically the modular version of the AGV Pista GP R race track helmet of proven protective and performance quality. Meaning optimized aerodynamic grooves, lines shapes and even an adjustable spoiler for calming turbulence at speeds above 80 mph. In my testing, I didn’t notice any difference while fiddling with the spoiler, to be honest.
As Quiet As Any Other Modular…For Me
The padding situated around my ears seal tightly and wearing this helmet makes me feel like I’m wearing earmuff style hearing protection. I’m sure I was speaking too loudly to everyone around me while wearing the helmet as a result. Kind of like an elderly person having a hearing aid issue.
That feature makes it seem quieter to me than it actually is for most other people at highway speed. For most of those who have my round head shape it’s basically as quiet as other premier modular helmets including the Schuberth C4. I would say it’s quieter for myself than the Neotec II as well, BUT again that’s not the case for most people when they wear it.
This exact fitting helmet also feels more comfortable than both the C4 and Neotec 2 which have tight spots and pressure points pressing on my head while the AGV doesn’t. Again, this comes back to headshape which can’t be undersold.
Ventilation
All I can say is WOW when it comes to airflow in this helmet. AGV prioritizes rider comfort and it shows.
Chinbar Vent
When I open the vent on the chin bar the air hits just below my bottom lip and in the fully open position sends in so much air I can develop a cold spot if the mercury is low. It has two positions to choose from.
There’s no buffer other than a large honeycomb grill made black of plastic in this vent which explains the massive amount of air coming through, but the downside is that when it rains water comes flying through it equally well unlike other helmets I’ve worn.
Bug guts from exploding insect thoraxes and abdomens can also enter through it. It could really use a layer of foam to cut this down, but I don’t mind just closing it when it rains to cope.
Other Vents
The upper vent flows nearly as much air and no water/bug gore along the top of my head perfectly.
The spoiler on the rear has two open positions to modulate exiting hot air from around my head and as I mentioned is intended to help smooth out turbulence. It worked well as an exhaust for me.
The Stubborn Chinbar
The all carbon fiber chin bar weighs virtually nothing, so there’s little force gained through momentum when you lower it using a standard hand motion. I find being gentle with it often ends in it not actually latching closed and I have to either slap the chin bar inward to lock it or open it up again and slam it shut.
It’s a bit disappointing and perplexing to me having to strongarm such a premium piece of headgear, but not the end of the world.
Final Verdict
I really love the strength, protection, fit, ventilation and weightless qualities of this AGV helmet.
If those are your top wants in a modular helmet then I predict you’ll be very happy buying and owning it, with an asterisk being whether the chinstrap and internal shape works for you individually.
Now that I’ve ridden about 400 miles in this helmet I’m convinced I was right about it being the modular helmet I would buy if I was looking to buy one today. It works for me on every level although I would like AGV to make a few tweaks for next year.
Some Minor Changes For Next Year
Improve the padding on the chinstrap, move it further forward, add a ratcheting closure and an integrated BlueTooth system to the shell. Maybe they can do something to make the latch grab easier on the chin bar when lowering it as well?
Those are small improvements on an otherwise nearly perfect helmet in my books. The danger in using the word “perfect” is that everyone’s head is unique like their fingerprint pattern. What’s perfect for me might be all wrong for you.
One thing I’m sure of is the Sportmodular is most definitely worth your time to test drive when helmet shopping.
Pros
- Lightest modular available at a claimed 1295 grams or 2.85 lbs
- 3 shell sizes available keeps this helmet compact and close fitting around the head
- Same aerodynamic design as the racing Pista GP R helmet
- Quiet on the road, ultra comfortable padding, and material
- Cool or warm to wear thanks to Ritmo or Shalimar reversible crown liner
- Terrific ventilation and equipped with a rear spoiler to deal with turbulence
- Carbon fiber makes it stronger and lighter than usual
- Visor comes on or goes off with little effort
- Pinlock anti-fog lens included with the helmet
- Titanium D-rings
- DOT and ECE 22.05 compliant
Cons
- Expensive $749
- Rain comes through the front vent when open
- Chin strap is set far back and padding moves off it leading to some chafing at times
- Chin bar doesn’t easily close
- The sun lens touches my nose when fully lowered
Specs
- Manufacturer: AGV Dainese
- Price (When Tested): $749.95
- Made In: China
- Alternative models & colors: Matte, Tri-Colore
- Sizes: XS-SM, MD-LG, XL-3XL
- Review Date: July 21, 2018