Helmet Hoarding
I am a motorcycle gear geek, particularly when it comes to helmets. I’ve tested no fewer than 28 helmets from 13 brands in 25 years working in motorcycle media. (Seriously, I have a list!) Add my newest—the AGV Sportmodular—as my current favorite modular (flip-up) helmet.
Modular helmets have become very popular for street and ADV motorcyclists, particularly touring riders, for their convenience factor. Having the ability to just flip up the chin bar to talk, drink, or just get some air at a stop light is a nice break from the confines of a full face.
Lighter Than Most Full Face Helmets
The AGV Sportmodular has succeeded AGV’s prior flip-up, the Tourmodular, which used a combination of aramid fiber, carbon, and fiberglass and was already extremely light weight. The Sportmodular is all carbon fiber, and its shape, vent system, and adjustable spoiler is designed to have 0 dynamic weight at 80mph. For those of you sport riders who have scoffed at modular helmets in the past, this may be the flip-up you’ve been waiting for.
Premium Helmet Features
The helmet is lined with soft DrySpeed quick-wicking materials which give it an extremely comfortable fit. A very cool feature (literally) of the Sportmodular is its unique reversible crown padding. One side is built for warmth using a soft Shalimar material, and the other side is made of silky-smooth Ritmo for a cooling effect.
With a plethora of helmets out there how do you choose one? Everyone has their own opinion about what matters most. I know what features are most important to me and prioritize accordingly when it comes to making that all-important purchase. The following are what I look for, in order of my priorities, and why I love the AGV Sportmodular so much.
1. Certification
A helmet must meet DOT standards as a minimum to be legal in the U.S., but I also look for either ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) or SNELL certification. These safety certifications mean the helmet has been tested beyond the minimum requirements to pass DOT standards.
2. A Good, Comfortable Fit
Certain helmet brands fit my head better than others. My head shape fits within the “intermediate oval” category, the most common head shape for Americans. But, that said, the circumference of my head is 22.25 inches. This can be problematic, as it often falls between a small and medium, depending on the make.
I also need to wear glasses in my helmet. Some helmets don’t allow the arms of glasses to sit naturally where they are. This can make the glasses rise up above the nose, altering perception, or press uncomfortably against the temple. Thankfully, AGV Sportmodular comfortably accommodates glasses.
3. Style
Who wants to be seen in an ugly helmet? Some are so bulbous I feel like I have a giant ping pong ball on my head. And although it makes sense from a “be seen” safety aspect, I’m just not interested in a hi-viz or plain white lid. I want a helmet that matches my personal style.
4. Lightweight and Aerodynamic
When I started riding motorcycles, I would wear open face helmets and suffer from fighting wind turbulence. I graduated to full face and modular helmets and quickly realized the importance of finding the lightest lids possible. A heavy helmet, or one that fights against the wind will fatigue you quickly and may even cause neck and shoulder problems.
5. Sun Protection
I prefer helmets with a sun visor because I frequently ride into the sun. I head East in the morning, and West in the evening, which creates terrible visual conditions at times. Internal drop-down helmet visors work best since I wear prescription glasses. An external sun visor works too, but creates extra turbulence at highway speeds.
6. Fog Free Shield
I’ve tried many anti-fog products, but the only one that works 100% of the time is a Pinlock face shield insert. I tested the Pinlock when it first came out in 2006 and instantly fell in love with this product. Today, many helmets now come with the Pinlock included or installed on the helmet visor.
7. Adjustable Vents
When it gets hot, it’s nice to get some air flow. Some vents work better than others, and sometimes they are hard to open and close while riding. I prefer a simple design with vents that you can feel move with gloves on.
No More Struggling
I’ve worn enough helmets to struggle with things like a visor that won’t stay up (or down) and cheap mechanisms that don’t work at speed. Or how many of you have had to watch a 20-minute YouTube video to learn how to remove and replace the visor? Yeah, annoying. But you’ll get no such annoyances with this helmet.
The AGV Sportmodular’s visor stays in place in all five possible positions. When fully down, it locks automatically, so no matter how fast you go, it’s not coming up.
More Info
AGV Sportmodular comes in 3 shell sizes (XS-S, M-L, and XL-XXXL). Each shell can accommodate four different sized EPS liners for a perfect fit. For more information and to purchase, visit AGV.com.