To a motorcyclist, the helmet is their most important accessory. Even more so than gloves or boots, it's the first line of defense against life and death on the open road.
The AGV Pista GP RR is a different helmet altogether. It’s not “sort of a racing helmet”. It’s a real racing helmet and unashamedly so as it should be!.
Helmet maker AGV knows what a race helmet should be like, and they also realized that even regular riders want the same exact premium features too.
Enter the Pista GP RR:
- Carbon fiber shell
- Metal vents
- Off the board safety ratings
- Out of this world styling
And much, much more
This review will discuss the ins and outs of the AGV Pista GP RR and determine if it's really worth all the talk, and give our final recommendation.
Ratings
Comfort:
Visibility:
Coolness:
Ventilation:
Quietness:
Overall rating:
Specifications
Outer shell material : 3K Carbon Fiber
Shell size : XS- 3XL
Liner : Antibacterial, Moisture Wicking
Weight : 1.3Kg (2.9lbs)
Pinlock : Pinlock and tear-off ready
Strap System : Double-D ring fastener
Safety Ratings
DOT : Yes
ECE : Yes
SNELL : No Tested
SHARP : 5 Star
FIM: Yes
First, we need to make it blatantly clear that the AGV Pista GP RR is not your everyday helmet. It is a flagship product. Absolutely top of the line.
Who’s it for? Anyone really, especially those that crave the very best and of course, attention. The design of this helmet is like setting off a nuke just to blow out a match. The helmet is offered in four shell sizes and that’s saying a lot.
This is one of the only FIM certified helmets that regular folks can purchase. It boasts advanced technology that far surpasses the competition. The head supports are designed to actively move back and forth on the helmet, dramatically reducing the air flow over the helmet.
The middle skull pad can be adjusted in three positions. The metal venting alone puts most other helmets out there to shame.
Shape and materials
The AGV Pista GP RR features a modern three-color styling. The helmet has some sharp angles with smooth edges on the front and sides.
There is a subtle look of, not only blue, but also gray accents around the front lens. The material seems to be a highly reflective matte finish on the front and gray matte on the sides.
The AGV Pista GP RR sports both AGVs traditional sans-serif typeface (Aerodynamic Design) and their trademarked, more user-friendly, two-dimensional typeface (Contact Design).
This is a pure carbon fiber helmet. The vents themselves are metal, which is highly unusual, but fitting for this type of helmet.
Overall, the company has given this helmet a unique design that seems to make it stand out and protect the rider's head from a variety of sources. There are other bright colors for those who don't want to hide their helmet away in the darkness of winter.
Things I liked
Things I don’t like
The built-in hydration system is something that’ll surprise normal riders, but it’s a great addition which will probably spoil you rotten.
If you normally don’t like drawing attention to yourself, then this is not the helmet for you. You will instantly be noticed, very much as any true superstar sojust be prepared for it.
Overall comfort
AGV provides extra padding around the ear pieces and in the hinge area of the helmet. In order to accommodate for the interior padding, the helmet's interior hinges have a fair amount of space, which is a good thing when it comes to comfort.
The padding does make for a snug fit, but it's not a cramped or restrictive fit. AGV includes a bungee strap which can be used to tighten the helmet down, which works well.
The helmet fits tight. We mean really tight. It will take some getting used to. You should expect this, as the Pista is meant to protect racers going hella much faster than us regular folks would ever dream of going.
At least the Pista comes in a phenomenal 4 shell sizes.
We would definitely recommend at a minimum measuring your head accurately before purchasing if you plan to do this online. It would be great if you can get out to a brick and mortar store to try a few different sizes before making your final size decision.
Visibility
The AGV Pista GP RR has excellent visibility features. The visor is extremely wide allowing for greater side to side vision. We’re talking about at least 190 degrees from the horizontal plane.
Furthermore, the vertical viewing angle is a stunning 85 degrees. These measurements are what humans normally are able to view, so when you put the Pista GP RR on, you won’t normally find any type of visual blockage.
At five millimeters thick, this is one tough visor. It could probably stop a tank in its tracks if you smacked it just right.
The helmet is pinlock ready, and we especially like the fact that a pinlock anti-fog lens is included inside of the box. We wish all so-called pinlock ready helmets included the actual visor.
Quietness
The AGV Pista GP RR has a patented Airframe that includes a synthetic rubber polyurethane foam. This plastic foam in combination with a vacuum seal bladder gives the AGV Pista GP RR much quieter and more vibration-free interior than many other helmets on the market.
This component has actually received worldwide acclaim, being featured in automotive and motorcycle magazines. Another major feature that’s considered noteworthy is the quick-drying shell construction and removable molded foam vent.
But make no mistake about it, the Pista GP RR is a loud helmet no matter how you put it. But that’s OK. This is a racing helmet after all. It’s not meant to be super quiet. All racers have their own communication systems or high quality ear protection to take care of any noise.
You on the other hand will definitely want to invest in some really good ear plugs. FYI, there’s no sort of communication system for the Pista so don’t be shocked.
On the AGV Pista GP RR, the shell is made of a special carbon fiber material that should absorb the impacts while preventing air in and heat out.
Ventilation
The helmet, to date, is rated by AGV to be up to five (5) degrees cooler than a standard helmet with the same density. There’s one ventilated section for the chin and three vents in the forehead area.
This airflow serves to further reduce drag from air flowing over the helmet. AGV also markets their Pista GP RR as a wet weather helmet. We did not test the helmet in that mode, but we can confirm that the airflow is sufficient to reduce the temperature, as well.
This feature provides additional protection from the elements. A water-resistant lining is also included.
The chin vent opens and closes, but the forehead vents are fixed. The do have rubber stoppers that you are advised to set up when you get your helmet.
Safety
The bottom line is this: the AGV Pista GP RR is by far the safest helmet we’ve ever reviewed. Of course, we’re not surprised by this because AGV built this helmet from the ground up to be a professional racing helmet.
Not only is this helmet DOT and ECE certified, but it has also earned a five-star rating for the SHARP certification. To top all of this off, the Pista GP RR is FIM certified as well.as mentioned earlier in this article. Let’s talk briefly about what FIM certification is.
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (International Motorcycling Federation) is the group that sanctions motorcycle racing and regulations all over the world. This basically means that a helmet that is FIM approved is the best of the best when it comes to being safe.
It also means that if you purchase an FIM helmet, you are getting exactly what the professional racers are wearing. Posers and fakers need not apply!
Conclusion
Thanks for reading our review article on the AGV Pista GP RR helmet, we really hope you enjoyed it. As you already know, this is one incredible helmet. Safety is always a good thing, and AGV is right about their Pista GP RR offering up an optimal blend of protection and functionality. This is considered by many customers to be the ultimate helmet.
We can easily recommend this helmet for anyone who wants the ultimate protection or the ultimate styling out of a helmet. AGV has easily made one of the most fantastic premium helmets available today.
Where to buy this helmet :