AGV K6 S helmet review - Gareth gives this helmet five stars for being the best helmet he's tested

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The AGV K6 S is the firm’s all-rounder road motorcycle helmet, and in that capacity I’ve been hugely impressed by its capabilities, having ridden it for day-long rides through everything from the middle of winter to bright summer days. I’d buy one in a heartbeat; and that’s especially true given there’s a healthy discount available at many major retailers.

AGV claim it’s the lightest road riding lid on sale, which is a big part of its appeal. The smallest shell available apparently tips the scales at 1255g, although I weighed my large one at 1365g, but that’s still pretty lithe for a lid.

Find out why I’d spend my own hard-earned on this all-rounder by reading my in-depth AGV K6 S review below…

How comfortable is the AGV K6 S helmet?

I try to caveat all helmet reviews with the knowledge that different lids fit different head shapes, but for me AGV is The One. I find the K6 S a joy to use, with low-friction linings that also offer loads of support and moisture-wicking. I don’t have any pressure points to complain about either.

What is the visor like on the AGV K6 S?

This is one of the K6 S’s party tricks: the visor is fantastic. First and foremost it features 190 degrees of vision, which means you’ve got considerable access to things happening in your peripheral. This makes riding safer. It’s also a tall visor aperture with 85 degrees of vision, meaning no matter if you’re riding an upright adventure bike or a sporty superbike, it’ll suit the riding position.

It doesn’t have a drop-down sun visor; AGV has another solution: their optional Photocromic adaptive visor (£135) is a self-tinting solution that I’m planning to test soon, so I’ll update this review when I’ve done so.  

Either visor works with the Pinlock 120XLT anti-fog insert that comes as standard, and the metal mechanism makes removal pleasingly simple.

Is the ventilation any good on the AGV K6 S?

This lid has five vents on the front: two on the chin and three on the forehead. These all exhaust through the single wide rear vent, and the result is an impressively functional and highly adjustable system. Being picky, the vents can be difficult to use with winter gloves on, but that just means you need to close the vents before you set off. The visor also has a micro-opening feature for extra airflow on the hottest days.

Is the AGV K6 S a noisy helmet?

You should always wear earplugs when riding a motorcycle. But with that said, during a video shoot where I was doing a lot of low-speed riding and plenty of lid-on, lid-off situations, I wasn’t wearing any and I found the K6 S amazingly quiet.

It’s been aerodynamically optimised for low wind noise, with a spoiler to deflect airflow at the rear, and this is extremely effective. At higher speeds it’s among the best I’ve ever tested in this regard, again making this lid a joy to use.

Is the AGV K6 S a good looking helmet?

Having chosen this ‘Enhance Matt Grey / Yellow Fluo’design to match my Kawasaki rather than look good in its own right, I’d be the first to admit this isn’t the best colour scheme to show off the design. It’s a bit low-key.

But with that said, there isn’t a lot not to like about it. It has classic lines, looks sporty without looking try-hard, and doesn’t feature any futuristic cues that might put people off.

What’s the quality like?

Given its diminutive mass, this lid does feel very high quality at the same time. The visor mechanism is metal, and that helps it to feel premium as well as easy to use. The lining is also seriously comfortable, with a well-judged blend of easy access and strong support.

Do you get good value for your money?

Competition in this area of the market is fierce, with plenty of great options earning five stars in MCN’s testing. Its biggest competition is probably the Shoei NXR2 (starting at £399 for plain white), which I’ve tested previously, and while that’s incredibly high quality, I honestly prefer the AGV for its fit, broad appeal and clever features.

At the more expensive end of the spectrum we find the Arai Quantic, which costs £499 in Frost Black (rising to £599 in other colours), and whether you’d pick the AGV or that will ultimately come down to how they both fit – they’re both fantastic helmets.

Shark’s Spartan GT Pro is another five-star lid and exactly the same price as the K6 S in basic white. It’s a little heavier but once again, fit will be a key point here.

So what’s the verdict?

This is the best helmet I’ve tested to date. Its incredibly accomplished spec sheet matches with a comfortable fit, light weight and an impressive level of safety.

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