AGV T-2 Review

AGV T-2 Helmet Review Summary

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The AGV T-2 is new for 2010.

It’s one of two helmets in the AGV “Race” category and it uses many of the high-tech features of the AGV GP-Tech.

It has excellent ventilation and build quality; a composite shell in three sizes similar to the GP-Tech; and a mix-and-match liner system to dial in the perfect fit.

The AGV T-2 is new for 2010 and it has attracted a lot of interest among webBikeWorld readers who have been clamoring for a review.

The T-2 incorporates many of the features of the AGV GP-Tech, the company’s top-of-the-line helmet.

The T-2 uses the Carbon/Kevlar/Fiberglass “SSL” (Super Super Light) composite shell developed for the GP-Tech, along with other features I’ll describe.

The T-2 seems to be an evolution that also combines some of the styling and features of the AGV K-3 and the AGV Stealth, both of which were reviewed on webBikeWorld not long ago.

AGV said that the T-2 was “designed to be used on track and for longer journeys on the street” and it does seem to blend the best elements of both.

It also has a new internal shape, developed through some 3D computer-aided-design studies that AGV conducted of riders’ heads.

The three shell sizes that span the size range are a new feature for AGV for this type of helmet and each shell size is available with mix-and-match liners and cheek pads to dial in the perfect fit.

But, I’m getting ahead of myself here, so let’s take a closer look…

AGV T-2 Paint, Graphics and Overall Quality

The T-2 is currently listed on the AGV website in two blue graphic patterns, two red graphics, a white/gray/black graphic and solid colors including white, black and gray.

The “Multi-Shade Black/Red/Silver” pattern shown here looks good and the red fades from almost white to nearly black.

Motorcycle Superstore also currently has a few limited edition T-2 helmets, a Barry Sheene replica, a Giacomo Agostini replica and an Angel Nieto replica.

The graphics on our Multi-Shade Red helmet are perfectly applied on this example.

The clearcoat depth seems about average; it isn’t the “hard” feeling clearcoat found on some European helmets, and it’s probably not as thick as I’d like, but it does the job and everything looks first-rate.

In fact, the overall quality of this T-2 is excellent, with all the fittings, the face shield and the rubber gaskets all lined up and closely toleranced with no obvious issues. The liner also looks nicely made and stitched and fitted to the helmet.

The face shield is especially noteworthy; it has a nice, solid feel as it clicks through its 6 positions up or down and it opens smartly in the first position for defogging.

The small breath guard also fits perfectly into its slot atop the chin guard; this part seems to be difficult to get right on some helmets so it’s worth noting that this one fits.

The face shield also fits very tightly to the eye port gasket and the space between the shield and the helmet shell is nearly non-existent, which is remarkable also because the face shield moves up and down so smoothly.

This is a very good indicator of the type of tolerances and quality control apparent in the helmet.

The liner and the fit of the liner to the gasket around the bottom of the helmet is all nice and tidy also, and the large chin curtain feels more substantial than usual and fits tightly into the slot between the liner and shell.

Score: The AGV T-2 gets an “Outstanding” rating from me for overall for quality. See the Summary Table at the end of this page for a description of our rating system.

UPDATE: May 30, 2010 – The AGV T-2 scored a perfect 5 Stars in the SHARP helmet safety rating system!

AGV T-2 Helmet Fit, Comfort and Internal Shape

AGV goes to great lengths to describe the fit of the T-2 in their promotional material for the helmet.

They apparently conducted a series of 3D scans of the heads of various riders to develop the new fit which, compared to the other AGV helmets that have come through here, seems quite different. Good different, that is!

Like the GP-Tech, which was the first AGV helmet to be offered in 3 shell sizes across the size range, according to the company, the T-2 also uses 3 shell sizes.

Two helmet “crown” liners are available for each shell size and any of the four sizes of cheek pads can fit in any shell size for a bespoke fit.

More shell sizes and the additional liners and cheek pads means that more owners should be able to find that “perfect” fit.

That holds true especially for those who may find themselves on the borderline between one size and another, which can sometimes put them into a shell size that looks and feels too large (the dreaded “fishbowl” effect) or too small (lack of chin room).

The expanded range of shell sizes also allowed AGV to offer a smaller head size and a larger head size than is usually offered, with an XXS and XXXL framing the range.

The breakdown for the shell sizes runs like this:  XXS to M; L and XL; XXL and XXXL.

The cheek pads are available in 20, 25, 30 and 35 mm thicknesses and the “crown pads” are switchable within each shell size range; for example, the slightly thicker L crown pad can be used in the XL helmet to tighten it up or the XL pad can be fitted to the L helmet.

I believe what this does is allow a single shell size to be changed to another head size; i.e., the L helmet can be made into an XL and vice-versa, and different thickness cheek pads can then also be used to dial in a specific fit.

The size XL shown here has an internal shape that is slightly round, with a nice and comfortable fit up around the top but the newly designed AGV cheek pads provide a snug fit along the sides and down to my cheek bone and jaw line.

I may order the size L crown pad to snug up the fit around the top, but overall the T-2 has a very comfortable and roomy fit while still feeling snug all the way around and up and down the sides.

It’s not easy to build a helmet like this.

So I’ll call the T-2 a “Slight Round” shape in the Estimator chart above. Note that different head shapes and sizes can cause a helmet to fit or feel differently, depending upon the individual.

Other than perhaps the Icon Mainframe listed in the table above (but which I haven’t worn in some time), I can’t think of another helmet with a similar fit that I could compare to the T-2, other than perhaps the new Shark S900 that is currently in the evaluation process.

More information on helmet fit can be found in the chart that lists the helmet weights of webBikeWorld reviewed helmets and also by shape on the webBikeWorld Motorcycle Helmet Shapes page.

The liner material used in the T-2 is comfortable but not quite as plush as a typical Arai, for example.

The material feels smooth to the touch but seems to be slightly rougher than I expected when I’m wearing the helmet.

I have also noticed that the fabric around the edges on the bottom started to show some wear after only a couple of uses, perhaps scratching against my beard, so I’ll have to keep an eye on that to see if it causes any further problems.

Score:  I’ll give the AGV T-2 an “Outstanding” rating for overall comfort and fit and for the 3 shell sizes and fit possibilities with the differently sized cheek pads and liners.

AGV T-2 Face Shield

Who knows if the manufacturers read webBikeWorld reviews, but it sure seems as if the mechanisms that lift helmet face shields have been improved quite a bit over the last two years.

The face shield on the T-2 operates very smoothly and with precision; studying the mechanism tells me that the slots and tabs that run in those slots can make a difference.

There is little to no torque or twisting noticeable in the T-2 face shield as it is lifted through its six positions, and each opening feels solid.

It has a slight first opening also for defogging, and another sign of quality is how the shield can be snapped closed from this first position.

Some face shields will not do this and have to be first lifted and then manually snapped shut to form a seal when they are shut from the first small opening.

The face shield is also placed with a very close tolerance to the helmet shell, with just a tiny gap. In fact, looking at different helmets tells me that this is probably the closest fit I’ve ever seen on a helmet face shield.

The eye port gasket meets the inside of the face shield also and forms a water-tight seal. It passed the “water test” where we pour water across the top of the face shield to see if there are any leaks.

The face shield does not have indicate whether it meets VESC-8 standards but the helmet is labeled as meeting DOT and “E2205” [sic] standards. The eye port visibility seems about average in both the vertical and horizontal planes.

The quality of the optics is also excellent and the face shield includes tear-off posts. E

ight different shield tints are available, including the clear shield shown here. AGV says that the face shields are coated with anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings.

A racing face shield is also listed; it uses screws to attach to the helmet.

The eye port has better than average field of view, although I can see the edges of the shell in my peripheral vision. The view towards the bottom of the eye port is definitely better than average, so overall I give the T-2 high marks for visibility.

The AGV “XQRS” (Extra Quick Release System) holds the face shield securely in place and it’s designed to help prevent it from popping off in a crash or at high speed. As a result, the removal procedure is slightly tricky.

Pulling the spring-loaded release tab down doesn’t fully release the face shield. The plastic tabs molded in the face shield hold it in place in the slots of the release mechanism, and they must be levered out to remove the shield.

This is illustrated in the video below. When the tabs release, they make a loud “snap” noise which doesn’t sound healthy but so far the tabs haven’t broken and the system does its job in keeping the face shield tight to the helmet.

The weather is currently too warm to evaluate the anti-fog properties of the face shield, but I’ll put in a plug here for the easy-to-use and very inexpensive Clarity Defog It (review) anti-fog coating that overcomes any fogging problem.

Overall, the AGV T-2 has an excellent face shield design that is easy to use; the face shield has excellent quality optics and it is easy to remove and replace and it feels sturdy.

Score:  I’ll give the overall face shield an “Outstanding” with the slightly fussy removal system rating an “Excellent”.

The T-2 uses the ” Integrated Ventilation System”, first developed by AGV for the Ti-Tech helmet that is being replaced by the T-2 in the AGV lineup.

Basically, the system uses air channels molded into the EPS foam liner to flow air through the helmet while it is extracted out the back through the large exhaust vents.

One of the most noticeable features of the system as it is implemented on the T-2 is the large chin vents, covered by metal screen mesh. The chin vent is controlled through a vertical slider switch in back of the chin bar.

It is accessed by reaching up under the helmet and over the chin curtain, which means it isn’t quite as easy to use as a slider placed in the usual location on the front of the chin bar.

But in this case, it’s worth it, because when opened, the chin vents flow a very high volume of air on to the rider’s face.

The air flows through the vents and then through four separate passages molded into the padding in back of the chin bar.

The top vents aren’t quite as efficient; the narrow slits in the two vents are opened and closed with sliders on top of each that move a toothed section of plastic back and forth to uncover the vents.

But something like half of the slot is taken up with the opposing teeth of the mechanism, which doesn’t leave a lot of area for air to flow through.

I can’t feel air flowing directly through the top vents and on to my head, but the extraction system seems to work well and the mesh panels on either side of the top padded section of the liner allow the air to move through the helmet and out the back through the channels in the EPS.

On the warm days we’ve had so far here this Spring, the combination of the large volumes of air through the chin vent, the moisture-absorbing liner material and the extraction system work well to keep the helmet comfortable, especially when moving.

Score:  The chin vent system on the AGV T-2 gets a score of “Outstanding” and, in fact, I’ll say that it flows more air than any other helmet I’ve tried.

The top vents aren’t quite as dramatic but the extraction system works well, so I’ll give it an overall rating of “Excellent” for ventilation and air flow.

The bespoke fit of the T-2 and the large chin curtain works to control the low frequency turbulence-induced noise that affects some helmets around the bottom. Of course as always, your mileage may vary, depending upon the type of motorcycle, fairing or windscreen and other factors.

The rear exhaust vents do add a little higher-frequency noise which I can eliminate by holding my hand over the back of the helmet. But it’s relatively minor and the front vents and chin vent are quiet.

The helmet overall though seems to transmit a general external middle frequency wind-rushing noise that doesn’t seem to come from any single source, just a louder volume than I expected.

It’s all relative though — the helmet is definitely quieter than most of the “race” oriented helmets I’ve tried, but about average compared to most of the street helmets I’ve worn.

There’s a slight amount of noise that comes from the lower rear of the helmet.

A general trend lately is to style the rear of a helmet with what might be called a cutout or scallop; my guess is that this is to allow some clearance for clothing when riding a sportbike in a leaned-forward position.

This shape makes it more critical to have a correct fit however, and if the rider’s head curvature in the rear doesn’t quite match the designer’s intent, the noise from the low pressure and turbulent area in the rear of the helmet can be heard.

This is the case for my particular head shape and the T-2 helmet — I do get some noise from the lower rear of the helmet that I can quiet by moving my head back or holding my hand in the rear.

The T-2 has relatively shallow ear pockets, I suppose because of the helmet’s racing genes.

This makes it slightly more difficult than normal to fit a pair of wire-framed eyeglasses inside the helmet and over the ears, but eyeglass fit will definitely vary, depending upon the match to the owner’s head shape and eyeglass type.

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:  Overall, my feeling is that the AGV T-2 is about average in terms of noise control, so I’ll give it a “Neutral” score.

Helmet Weight

The size XL AGV T-2 shown here weighs a relatively light 1558 grams (3.0 lbs. 7.0 oz.). See theMotorcycle Helmet Weights chart for more inforamtion. This is an excellent ranking, especially for a size XL helmet.

For comparison, a few of its neighbors on that chart include the Shark RSX (L) at 1553 grams; the Shark RSI (XL) at 1565 grams and the SparX S-07 (XL) at 1569 grams.

The light weight is surely a result of the composite shell used for the T-2 and the three shell sizes. The helmet feels well balanced and the weight is distributed evenly and the good fit keeps it planted on my head.

Score:  I’ll give the T-2 an “Outstanding” rating for its light weight.

See the wBW Motorcycle Helmet Weights page for a chart that compares the weights of all of the helmets we’ve reviewed. The wBW Motorcycle Helmet Shapes page lists the helmets by head shape and weight.

Miscellaneous

The T-2 has a double D-ring chin strap retainer and a plastic snap keeper. The padding under the chin strap is relatively thick.

The T-2 meets DOT and ECE 22.05 safety standards. UPDATE:  May 30, 2010 – The AGV T-2 scored a perfect 5 Stars in the SHARP helmet safety rating system!

The helmet has a 1 year warranty from date of purchase and 3 years from the date of manufacture.

Conclusion

The AGV T-2 is a high-quality helmet with most of the features of the top-line AGV GP-Tech but at a lower price.

The potential for adjusting the fit and the outstanding air flow through the chin vent, along with the light weight should make this helmet very popular with street riders, racers and track day fanatics.

NOTE: The AGV T-2 has been updated. See our AGV Grid review.

Owner Comments and Feedback

From “M.W.” (September 2013): “Some comments on the AGV T2 and GP Tech (both use the same visor latch). I love the helmet, great fit, looks good, good venting, and the visor doesn’t fog up as easily as other helmets I’ve had.

One big design flaw, however; the visor latch mechanism on the side of the helmet is too fragile. I’ve now broken two of the little red tabs that hold the visor on when it’s open. First time while installing the visor, second time by simply bumping the visor.

First time was when it was new and AGV did not honor their warranty – pretty much said it was my problem/my mistake.

They were happy to sell me replacement parts though. I gritted my teeth and got the parts. They don’t sell just the little red tab, you have to buy a complete set of left and right visor latch mechanisms.

I guess my problem/mistake was buying an AGV helmet.”

From “S.G.” (11/10):  “An “XXXL” that actually fits an 8 ¼” head!

Finding a quality XXXL size helmet that actually fits an XXXL (8 ¼” hat size) head had been a hassle until I found the AGV T-2. My head falls in the “egg” shaped category (wide forehead tapering down to an average chin).

Other XXXL/3XL models I tried didn’t come close; the Scorpion EXO-1000 left part of my chin exposed; the XXXL ICON would not even fit over my forehead!

In contrast, the AGV T-2 has fits snugly enough to be safe without uncomfortable pressure points. The fit, finish and quality of the AGV T-2 are incredible. I purchased the Agostini replica.

Although a bit pricier than the solid color or graphics options, the style is an attention-getter. Aside from being a conversation piece with other riders, if the bold colors attract the attention of an otherwise inattentive driver it will be an added safety feature.

It should also be noted the AGV T-2 is possibly the only full-face helmet offered as a XXXL in all style/color combinations; competitors in this price range limit options to (at most) Black, White and Silver.

An added bonus is the T-2 comes with a helmet bag that can either be carried by hand or worn as a backpack – a nice touch since, at over $500, this is not a helmet I’d lock to the bike. The AGV T-2 rivals or exceeds anything else in its price range.

If you are having trouble finding a helmet in the 8 ¼” size range, this model should be at the top of your list. Even if the price seems a bit over your budget, the comfort, quality and safety you get for the price is money well spent.

From “B.Z.” (5/10):  “3 months ago I bought beautiful red AGV T2 helmet. It’s a great helmet with great ventilation. It’s not hot at all.

The only thing that’s making me (big) problems is the noise!

From 100 till 130 km/h. Upper vents are whistling a lot during this speed, before and after it’s ok. If I pull back my head (between 100 and 130 km/h) it’s ok as well, no noise at all, but on my bike (Yamaha R1) I have to be leaned forward.

Perhaps I should try out earplugs. I don’t wear them, I just never tried them out. The helmet is also absolutely stable at 299+ km/h speed. 😉 It seals very good in rain. No water inside the helmet. Also no fogging at all, no matter if it’s hot or cold outside.

In general, it’s a great helmet with only one problem – noise. This can be “fixed” with changing of head position, but that’s not a good solution. In fact it’s not a solution at all. Luckily, in my case whistling appears just at certain speeds.

I suppose that no helmet in 100% silent. I have to say that this is my first premium helmet, so perhaps I’m not the best man to judge.

Editor’s Reply:   Motorcycle riding is a noisy sport, no doubt about it. So if you are not wearing ear plugs when riding, you will certainly experience a great deal more noise. Also, you are taking the chance of damaging your hearing!

I urge you to wear good quality ear plugs that are properly fitted. It may take some time to get used to them, but they will help protect your hearing. See our Ear Plugs and Hearing Protection page for more information and reviews on many types and brands of ear plugs.