AGV GP-Tech
Peter Stevens Motorcycles in Melbourne is a very large shop and it's usually the first stop on the way to Phillip Island. It'd be a lot easier to list the brands they don't sell, but they are agents for: Harley Davidson, Buell, MV, Cagiva, Honda, Suzuki,Yamaha, Kawasaki, Triumph, KTM, Hyosung, Gilera, Piaggio, and Vespa. Sorta bikers heaven?
In the event that there's nothing there that appeals to sir, the Ducati and Victory boutiques are just up the road. And I do mean boutiques, there must be less impressive premises selling Armani, Gucci, Louis Vuitton et al..
Peter Stevens also have a large collection of Dainese gear as well as less expensive brands for the less well healed.
Of particular relevance in this instance, they also have a very large display of helmets including AGV. Of special interest were the ones with a sticker on the visor saying “Tested by Valentino Rossi”. I spent a very long time looking at those, and they did have several Rossi replicas in a full range of sizes. Ultimately I decided that while I would like one, it was a lot of money.
There was a full length action replay on the way back from Phillip Island too. Same result.
A few weeks ago I saw reference on a UK bikers site to a “Five Continents” AGV GP-Tech helmet. I had no idea what that was so I looked it up on Google, as you do. Bugger! Now I had a serious problem...
The Five Continents thing refers to those continents to which the GP circus travels during the year. Each is represented in the design and having recently been to the Moto GP I was familiar with the design as seen from a distance.
I checked around the Interweb to check prices and there was a significant difference. An email was sent to the most reasonably priced supplier that I could find requesting details of freight costs from the UK. Next morning I had my reply (a good sign) but it was accompanied by a warning that the helmets would likely all be sold out immediately. (Tui ad?)
By way of a check I called into my local Honda dealer and asked the question. Aaron phoned the importer and gave me a price. That price with my HRCNZ discount, meant the helmet would be cheaper from my local dealer than the price including freight from the UK. The importers rep also mentioned that they they could only get two of each size, but that they would all be sold before they landed. (They're consistent?)
I had a quick chat to Santa and then said “Get me one”. And I don't even buy lollies on impulse at the supermarket...
Buying a helmet without trying it on is obviously risky, but I had checked the AGV sizings and I was hoping for the best. It didn't help when I saw advice on KB that an AGV needs to be two sizes bigger than otherwise. This helmet was costing almost double what I paid for my black Shoei XR1000 so it was not an inconsiderable investment. Fortunately, that advice re sizes proved to be wide of the mark.
The box arrived, with the comment that the entire shipment had indeed sold before they arrived. It then sat under the Christmas tree until the appropriate time.
Man that thing is bright! The photos don't do the dayglo and gold dust colour scheme justice. The finish is brilliant in more ways than one.
The AGV is physically larger than the Shoei XR1000 which in turn is larger than the Shark S500. The GP-Tech is an elongated tear drop shape. It does not however seem any heavier but I weighed them on my bathroom scales. The AGV and Shoei weigh in at 1.3kg and the Shark at 1.5kg. (Size XL)
The acid test: the collar around the bottom of the helmet is really tight as it goes over the ears but the rest of the lining is firm but comfortable with no pressure spots. Although I have only been on rides of an hours duration so far the helmet is comfortable. Very comfortable in fact.
On neither of these rides have I been able to appreciably exceed Warp Factor 1 but at that speed there was no buffeting. On a purely subjective basis I think there is more wind noise in the GP Tech than the Shoei but there is less engine/road noise due to that cuff around the bottom of the helmet.
There are also a lot less draughts inside the AGV. On cold days at speed there are enough draughts in the XR1000 to induce tears in the eyes and that tends to limit the speed at which I can travel. Or should...
The AGV comes with things that cost extra for an XR1000 but then I guess it would. It has a breath guard and what Shoei would call a whisper kit as standard, except the AGV one works better.
Based mainly on the feel of the visor I think, like HJC and Shark, AGV now have fog proof visors. Although there is no mention of this in the literature. It certainly doesn't fog under any provocation I've been able to give it thus far.
Due to some unpleasant experiences many years ago I have avoided using dark visors. This particular helmet though just has to have a dark visor, and since the importer didn't bring any in with the helmets there is one on order, due later this month.
Visor removal and replacement is simple once you realise it isn't quite the same as a Shoei.
The only problem so far relates to that cuff round the bottom, it is so tight as it passes the ears that it pulls out the earphone that connects to the radar detector. KB member Swima showed me the screamer he had installed by a mutual acquaintance, an SP rider, and it looked like a very professional job. I must give the SP owner a ring...
So is this helmet worth double what my XR1000 cost? Probably not, but then I never found myself sitting staring at my Shoei.
Note to Hitcher. I didn't put an apostrophe in the name of the motorcycle shop because they don't, and I didn't want to make an arbitrary decision and get it wrong.
There is a grey blur, and a green blur. I try to stay on the grey one. - Joey Dunlop
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Gixxer 4 ever
Originally Posted by rachprice
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