AGV has been in business since 1924, and is a leader in the field of motorcycle helmets. Their X3000 series of helmets were released in 2018, as the ultimate iteration of the company’s racing heritage.
The X3000’s construction and overall look will make it seem as if the design is rather retro, but it’s fully modern. The X3000 is the successor of the AGV X-Scar that was made famous by Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini, who helped design it.
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Other helmet manufacturers simply make something with a retro look to it. AGV has the reputation to back up their helmets. The X3000 is an actual duplicate of the original racing helmet, built for today’s bikes.
Some may say the X3000 is more expensive than other helmets. But do those that choose to purchase one probably won’t regret it? Find out in our AGV X3000 review.
Ratings
Comfort:
Visibility:
Ventilation:
Quietness:
Specifications
Outer shell material : Fiberglass
Shell size : XS-MS, ML-LG, XL-2XL
Liner : EPS
Weight : 3.3 pounds
Pinlock : Yes
Strap System : Chin strap features a Double-D ring
Safety Ratings
DOT : Yes
ECE : Yes
SNELL : No
SHARP : Not tested
Shape and materials
The AGV X3000 is Italian-made, so its shell is constructed from carbon fiber—one of the toughest materials out there, and one of the lightest, too. Most carbon fiber helmets are constructed with a one-piece shell.
The X3000’s shell is actually two pieces—an inner skeleton that’s fused to the outer shell to keep the helmet as strong as possible. The helmet’s padding and lining are made from moisture-wicking materials that keep riders comfortable and cool on even the hottest of days.
The AGV X3000 is the most modern flip-up currently being made by AGV. This helmet’s shell is offered in different sizes that will easily fit most people. But please be aware that the helmet might not accommodate those with extremely wide heads.
We'll start off by looking at the shell sizes. The X3000 comes in 3 shell sizes, ranging from XS to XXL. We recommend shell size XS if you measure about 21 inches or less, S if you measure about 21.25 to 22 inches.
M if you measure about 22.25 to 23 inches, L if you measure about 23.25 to 24 inches, and XL if you measure about 24.25 to 25 inches.
We've been seeing a lot of technical changes in the helmet industry over the last six months, as the big manufacturers have been trying to find a new way to make their helmets safer.
The X3000’s liner is made of a very comfortable and thick micro-suede material that’s soft and absorbent. It feels very high-quality, and is of course machine washable.
Things I liked
Things I don’t like
Thick leather padding surrounds the liner, and the hole piece has easy snap points for quick removal. It has built in ventilation which works quite well from front to the back.
The EPS-rated liner is also quite lightweight and tough, able to protect your head from hard impacts.
The AGV X3000 is a premium helmet that might be considered heavier than most of the helmets on the market. This is due in part to the premium materials used in its construction, including carbon fiber and Kevlar. The helmet also doesn’t have any external vents.
Yet, the helmet is still light enough so that it feels more like a comfortable glove when you slip it on. At around 3.3 pounds, you are not going to really notice any type of heaviness on your head.
The X3000 is one of the first helmets to use the Pinlock anti-fog system, which is becoming a popular feature among motorcycle riders. The Pinlock system uses a thin membrane in place of the conventional third visor, which helps prevent fogging on the inside of the helmet.
The system worked effortlessly, not allowing any sort of fog or steam buildup.
The X3000’s chin strap is a strong nylon material that acts as a double D-ring for a very comfy fit. The chin strap system features a plastic locking mechanism on the end of it so that you can easily release the strap if needed.
The chin strap also features a unique locking system that slides closed at the top to keep the strap from sliding up your face.
Let’s talk about comfort:
Overall comfort
Most riders are quite surprised by the way the helmet feels. It’s so light and secure, you can literally ride around with it all day and not get helmet fatigue. .
The strap is comfortable without being overbearing. It snaps snuggly, but doesn’t make you feel you’ve strapped a tank on top of your head. You never get the feeling that the helmet is going to slide around at any speed.
It’s also very comfortable when using nearly any type of bluetooth headsets. There seems to be plenty of room in the ear wells of the helmet. There’s no additional wind noise at all when you have the headsets on, and music/communications is crisp and clear.
Visibility
Of course, AGV is a brand that sticks to its roots: the AGV X3000 helmet is a throwback to the classic race helmets of yore. It's lightweight and has a vented, full-face design that offers exceptional visibility and field of view.
The X3000 uses a tried and true construction method where the exterior of the helmet is attached to an inner shell, and the interior padding is then fitted to that.
This offers great visibility at nearly any angle. The facepieces come in a huge variety of styles to suit just about anyone’s needs.
For those that are looking for a helmet that works well for a range of riding conditions and styles, this could be a great choice.
Quietness
The AGV X3000’s main selling point besides its looks, is the flip-up face shield. The thick rubber gasket going underneath the face shield provides excellent sound blocking of the helmet.
Coupled with the liner and comfy ear cushions, you’ll have very few problems concerning road noise. Of course, everyone has differently shaped heads, so the noise level can vary a bit.
Ventilation
AGV is also one of the first companies to produce a helmet that complies with the European ECE safety standard.
A lot of people look at an AGV helmet and wonder how air can possibly flow into and out of it. Especially since the chin bar/face shield assembly seems to leave so few gaps.
The truth is the AGV X3000 has a pretty well-designed ventilation system that includes several different methods to move both hot and cold air.
Safety
DOT
The AGV X3000 is a DOT certified helmet. This helmet has passed all Department of Transportation requirements. This means that the helmet is (very) safe to use on the road. It also means that the helmet should offer some of the best protection around if you should get into any type of accident.
ECE
The X3000 is fully ECE compliant. The ECE approval is a mark that is used to indicate that a helmet has been approved for use in the European Union. It stands for European Economic Community, which is what the EU was called when the first standard was passed in 1979.
It is also known as the 89/686/EEC standard. The ECE approval is required by law when importing a motorcycle helmet into the EU, but it is not required in North America.
SNELL
The X3000 is NOT SNELL certified. SNELL It does not have to be. SNELL certification is primarily for racing and track helmets. The AGV X3000 series helmets are not designed for racing, even though it's a duplicate of a racing helmet.
SHARP
The X3000 is NOT SHARP certified simply because the certification is not a US standard. The term stands for Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Program, which is a British government led effort to enhance helmet safety. The helmet is designed along the lines of the SHARP standard.
Conclusion
The AGV X3000 proved to be worth its price. It hit all the sweet spots as far as style, function and safety. Is it perfect for everyone? We would have to say no, although most people will love it.
The AGV X3000 helmet earned an outstanding 89.5 out of 100 rating. You simply won’t find many real contenders to take on this helmet. But you will no doubt see a few wannabees vying for position.
AGV has managed to make a nearly perfect helmet with the X3000. You’ll have no regrets purchasing one.
Where to buy this helmet :