AGV Veloce S motorcycle crash helmet review.

AGVs GT Veloce was a great helmet. Designed to be their entry-level sports helmet with a look of all those track-developed beaky AGVs like the Corsa R and top of the range Pista GP-R, it delivered supreme safety and lots of useful features all finished off with a great low price tag.

Now, the GT Veloce has been replaced by the Veloce S. Apart from a new range of graphics and a slightly fatter price tag, you’ll be hard-pressed to tell the two apart. But with new internals, EQRS and with a Pinlock in the box, the Veloce S promises to be a major step forward over the old helmet.

• Carbon/aramid/fiberglass shell
• Full face sports/street helmet
• Not Snell certified
• SHARP 5 star safety rated (maximum)
• Class one optical shield
• Pinlock antifog in the box
• EQRS
• Double-D ring fastener
• 3.1lbs (1.4Kg)
• 5 Year warranty (*see ‘other stuff’ below)
• Expect to pay $599-$749

[xyz-ihs snippet=”Text-AGV-Top”][xyz-ihs snippet=”Text-AGV-Top-2″][xyz-ihs snippet=”BTO-AGV-pic-sml”][xyz-ihs snippet=”Az-AGV-pic-sml”]

Safety

The AGV Veloce S has a ton of safety features, backed by AGVs fantastic reputation for making safe crash helmets.

So far, AGV is our joint second placed top safest helmet brand.

AGV doesn’t submit its helmets to Snell for testing, so we can’t get any results from there. However, the UK’s SHARP testing team buys in helmets independently for testing (without the nod from the manufacturer) so we can get independent safety data from them.

The Veloce S’ predecessor, the outgoing and excellent GT Veloce, scored top marks in the SHARP helmet test and because the Veloce S has the same helmet shell, we saw no reason that the Veloce S wouldn’t score just as well.

Well, after weeks in the SHARP testing labs, they’ve scored the Veloce S top marks again. Meaning, if you’re after a helmet that keeps you looking pretty as a priority (OK, it’s in the eye of the beholder, right!), then you can very much trust an AGV.

In fact, looking back over the years, you’ve gotta go back to an ancient AGV K-Series helmet to find one that scored less than four stars in SHARP testing.

Much of that will be down to those race-developed helmet shells. And while the Veloce S is more of a street/sports crossover helmet and not an out-and-out track helmet, the lessons learnt making helmets for the likes of Valentino, Pol Espargaro, Andrea Iannone and Jack Miller (actually, the list goes on and on) won’t have been put to waste on making helmets for the rest of us.

The shell’s a composite of carbon, aramid (i.e. kevlar) and fiberglass. It’s shaped in-line with many of their highly rated track helmets like the Corsa and Pista-GP and it’s backed by a multi-density shock absorbing lining. It also comes in four different shells sizes to make sure each fitment size is as close to optimal in terms of helmet size and lining. All these are GOOD THINGS.

There’s plenty of other features that will, hopefully, mean you make it round the track – or block – in one piece.

There’s a 3.3mm thick class 1 optically-correct shield for clear, distortion-free vision, backed by a Pinlock ready shield with Pinlock included to keep your vision fog-free from the get-go.

AGV also reckon they’ve redesigned to bottom of the helmet/neck roll to stop it hitting your collarbone in an impact (tbh, I kinda hoped all helmet makers would do this but now AGV’s raised it – maybe not!).

And should the worse happen and you do have a spill, the Veloce S is fitted with EQRS so paramedics can remove your helmet without upsetting your head and neck too much.

All in all, in terms of safety, that’s a stack of ways AGV has tried to make the Veloce S perform well. So in pure ‘check box’ terms, the Veloce should pretty well offer as much protection as you could hope for in a crash helmet.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

Obviously, the Veloce S is a sportsbike helmet. And when it comes to designing a sportsbike helmet, quietness is usually very low on the list of priorities.

And that’s proven to be the case with the Veloce S. By far the majority of owners reckoned it’s noisy.

It’s probably not helped by all those great ventilation holes letting in a stack of air (see below) but if you get towards freeway speeds, the noise really ramps up and never stops building.

Of course, stick in a great pair of ear plugs and you should be OK. But don’t buy a Veloce S expecting it to be quiet and cosseting, because it ain’t.

Ventilation

Like most of the latest range of AGVs, the Veloce S is fitted with their IVS or Integrated Ventilation System.

All that really means is the Veloce S uses a system similar to most other modern helmets – i.e. vents in the shell allow air to pass through the shell where channels in the EPS polystyrene lining direct hair around the head. Air is then removed from the helmet by the two exhaust vents at the back of the helmet.

The configuration of the vents on the Veloce S looks similar to that on the outgoing GT Veloce – twin chin vents and triple forehead vents. On the previous GT Veloce helmet, owners seemed to think ventilation was OK though the switches on the vents were a bit fiddly.

But on the Veloce S, ventilation’s rated as excellent with the redesigned internals doing a fantastic job at circulating air around the helmet.

So if you’re planning to use your Veloce S doing lots of sweaty track days – or if you spend most of your days in the sunshine – then you should find yourself riding in a happy (and cool) place.

Shield

Like the GT Veloce, the Veloce S has AGVs Race 2 shield – that’s a nice large and wide shield that’s 3.3mm thick for added safety, and is optically class 1 correct for distortion-free vision. It’s also Pinlock and tear-off ready and, unlike the GT Veloce before it, the Veloce S comes with the Pinlock anti-fog insert in the box so you’ll never have your shield steam up (hurrah!).

The shield on the Veloce S is quick release and it operates without a ratchet. Fully closed, there’s a central locking mechanism which you have to disengage before opening the helmet.

The shield on the Veloce S is quick release and it operates without a ratchet. Fully closed, there’s a central locking mechanism which you have to disengage before opening the helmet.

That’s a safety feature to stop the shield opening during an accident or while on the track. A couple of riders found it fiddly at first, but once you get the hang of it the shield lock works pretty well.

The opening tab is in the middle of the shield which is a decent place for it and means you can open your shield with your right hand when you’re stationary and pulling in the clutch.

Once you open the shield, it cracks open to allow some air in and help reduce misting. But the next point up is fully-open because the Veloce S’s shield doesn’t work on a ratchet.

You’ll have to decide if that’s OK for you – some of us prefer a ratchet to keep the shield open at different stages, others don’t – it’s very much down to personal preference.

One great thing about the face shield on the Veloce S is that it’s mega wide and tall. A couple of riders said they’ve never had a helmet that’s so unobtrusive because you don’t see the sides at all. And because it’s so tall, forward vision in a tuck position is excellent.

Comfort & Sizing

The Veloce S – like most helmets on the market – is a slightly oval fitment. Most of us have heads that are longer than wider and that’s the head form the Veloce S works best with.

Inside, AGV have gone to lengths to make a comfortable liner, using a few technical fabrics to keep things dry and fresh.

The cheek pads use an antibacterial fabric that’s moisture wicking and with a microsense treatment (apparently this makes it more comfortable). The neck roll is hydrophobic-lined to stop it absorbing water in rain and both neckroll and skull pad are lined with moisture-wicking/antimicrobial Shalimar fabric.

As you’d expect, all the internals are removable and washable and all AGV Veloce S’s come with an emergency quick removal system (EQRS) cheek pads as standard fitment.

Word is that this all adds up to a helmet that’s very comfortable indeed. The lining is particularly soft and is great for long days in the saddle.

The Veloce S is available in sizes XS-XL.

Looks & Graphics

To date, there’s only matt black and pearl white options if you want solid, plain colours. If you want funky graphics, there’s the Prediatore, Freccia and Fulmine and you can find examples of these up and down the page. And like all AGV sports helmets, there’s a Valentino Rossi version – in this case it’s the Soleluna.

[xyz-ihs snippet=”Text-AGV-Top”][xyz-ihs snippet=”Text-AGV-Top-2″][xyz-ihs snippet=”Logo-AGV-BTO”][xyz-ihs snippet=”Logo-AGV-Azcom”][xyz-ihs snippet=”Text-AGV-bottom-2″]

AGV Veloce S Video

Here’s a pretty comprehensive 9m look around the Veloce S from the fast talking dude at Revzilla.

Other stuff – fasteners, weight, chin curtain, warranty

The AGV Veloce comes with a tried-and-tested double-d ring fastener. They’re the fastener of choice among racing helmets – but they’re not strictly necessary to take on the track.

As for weight, the Veloce S has been lightened from the old Veloce and now weighs around 3.1lbs (1.4Kg). The average weight of a composite fiber helmet is 3.2lbs (1.46Kg) so the Veloce S is a smidge lighter. If you’re after something lighter still, you’re best looking at one of these helmets instead.

As you’d expect, the Veloce S comes with both breath guard and chin curtain pre-fitted.

*And finally, AGV helmets come with a standard 2 year warranty. However, that’s extendable by an extra 3 years if you register your helmet on their website (within 60 days of purchase).

Overall/Summary

AGV’s range of sports/track helmets have a legendary status, not least because they have the blessing of the big man himself (not that big man – Valentino!). They also tend to score top marks – or near top marks – in SHARP safety testing too; and the Veloce S is no exception scoring a maximum 5 stars in the SHARP testing labs.

The Veloce S is a great looking helmet like the rest of AGVs sports helmet range – but it’s a little less extreme than the rest of the family. Which should make it a more usable street helmet and, importantly, cheaper. It’s not the lightest helmet on the block, but it comes with great stuff like an optically-correct shield, Pinlock antifog in the box and EQRS should things go wrong.

It’s not the cheapest helmet for road riding either, but it’s got that all important AGV pedigree and build quality, and it looks cool – with or without the Rossi graphics.

And owners love their Veloce S’s. Yup it’s noisy, but that’s pretty much a given for sportsbike helmets. But it’s comfortable, has great ventilation and an immense shield system.

If you’re looking for a quality sportsbike helmet that’s just as at home on the track as it is on your Sunday blast, then the AGV Veloce S should definitely make it onto your shortlist.

[xyz-ihs snippet=”Link-to-guides-page”]

Good Alternatives to the AGV Veloce S?

If you’re quick, you’ll find some of the old GT Veloce’s on sale. They’re still a great helmet, cost less than the new Veloce S and they come with that maximum 5 star SHARP safety rating.

If you want something very sporty, that’s very light and has a maximum SHARP safety rating, then why not have a look at the Shark Race-R Pro.

For less money than both the AGV and the Shark, there’s the SHARP 4 star rated LS2 Arrow – that’s a sportsbike focused helmet that comes with both an optically correct shield and Pinlock antifog in the box. It’s light too.

Or for a helmet that’s more of an all-rounder, there’s the fiberglass HJC FG-ST. It’s SHARP 5 star safety rated, comes with a Pinlock Max Vision, has a drop down sun shield and is cheaper than the Veloce S too.

All these helmets are highly rated for safety and widely liked by their owners – and well worth checking out.

[xyz-ihs snippet=”Text-AGV-Top”][xyz-ihs snippet=”Text-AGV-Top-2″][xyz-ihs snippet=”BTO-AGV-pic-sml”][xyz-ihs snippet=”Az-AGV-pic-sml”]

 

[xyz-ihs snippet=”Alternatives—full-face-helmets”]

[xyz-ihs snippet=”AGV-Cat-link”]