AGV Q-3 Professional
For a small Italian company that started out making bicycle seats and leather saddles, AGV has come a long way.
Their helmets have been worn by more World Champions in two and four-wheeled racing than any other brand. With over 20 different countries in which AGV helmets are certified, and with names such as Doug Polen and Emerson Fitipaldi on their list of Championship racers, they must be doing something right.
There are a dozen or so quality helmet manufacturers on the market today, offering everything from bottom-rung $50 lids all the way up to $600-plus racer-deluxe specials. With over 20 different helmet designs in their line-up, AGV has helmets to fit most price ranges. The two that we received (courtesy of American Honda) are the Q-3 Professionals, which are just one rung down from their top-shelf X-vent model. The only difference between the two is the lack of a removable liner in the Q-3.The helmet's shell is constructed of Advanced Composite Fibers and utilizes AGV's TAC System (Total Air Control) with six air flow ports for ventilation. The graphics were crisp and laid on without any distortions or rough edges, the colors were sharp and the large vents only added to the cool look the graphics provided. The padding of the Q3 Pro is composed of embroidered Alcantara and Cool Max with black finishes. This fabric has a honeycomb structure doubled with perforated foam. AGV offers different cheek pads, from 25 to 40 mm in 5 mm increments to custom fit the helmet to a rider's head and personal preferences.
For the Arai wearers in our offices, the first thing they noticed when pulling on the AGV was that it has, at least initially, a very tight fit. However, once in place and strapped down, the helmet fit no more snugly than a proper fitting lid should. The reason the helmets are a bit snug to squeeze into is the same reason the helmets are so quiet at speed: They are sealed up well at the bottom of the helmet where the neck disappears into the foam padding. They also seemed to lift less at triple digit race track speeds than some other helmet's we've worn -- a definite race track plus.Motorcycle Online Rating:****
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