MO Tested: AGV K6 Review

A simple, sporty full-face helmet. That used to be the only brain bucket on my shelf. I used it for touring, daily commutes, canyon blasts, and everything in between. A helmet like the AGV K6 can do it all, which makes it an enticing lid for those who don’t want/need a closet full of helmets. What makes a relatively simple helmet standout? Years of refinement which is what AGV’s K series is all about.

The AGV K6 replaces the K5 S and bridges the gap between the more sport-focused Veloce S helmet which has also been discontinued. This new iteration no longer has the drop down sun visor that was a staple feature in the previous models, but is otherwise a lighter, more compact version of the helmet it replaces. 

The K6’s carbon/aramid shell comes in four sizes (XS-SM, MS, ML-LG, and XL-2XL) to cover seven head sizes, keeping weight at a minimum. The EPS is made from five different densities to ensure optimum protection. AGV claims the K6’s protective capacity is 48% higher than that required by legislation. In addition to the helmet’s light weight, its aerodynamic properties also add to the overall experience of using the helmet. To reduce collarbone injury, the bottom of the chinbar is slightly arched on the sides.

Donning the helmet is easy – perhaps one of the easiest I’ve used. The interior lining consists of a Shalimar and Ritmo combination that strikes an excellent balance of feeling cushy, yet supportive. Sweat wicking and antimicrobial, the liner does a good job of keeping you dry and comfortable. Five adjustable front facing vents also flow quite a bit of air, while one wide fixed rear facing vent exhausts it. A double D-ring closure keeps the helmet where it should be.

The 4mm thick pinlock-ready visor offers excellent field of view and features detents and a locking mechanism that is released by a central inset button on the chinbar. A Pinlock 120 insert is included with the helmet. The compact metal visor system is similar to those found on other AGV helmets and is simple to use when switching visors. 

Daily Rider

The K6 has become my favorite do-everything full-face helmet. Unlike race helmets or adventure helmets, the K6’s utility spans a larger swath of uses. Its light weight, aerodynamics, and comfort are all at the top of its class which make it a great choice for commuting, touring, track days, etc. and it’s priced at about half of what most race lids go for these days. 

My MS (AGV separates Medium, the most popular size, into two sizes: Medium/Small and Medium/Large) K6 weighs in at 2.9 pounds. That’s more than half a pound lighter than my previous go-to in this category, the Shoei RF-1200. It’s actually one of the lightest helmets I’ve used. Even the $1600 full carbon AGV Pista GP-R sitting next to it is 0.4 pounds heavier than the K6. 

The light weight combined with the helmet’s aerodynamic profile add up to a helmet that is less fatiguing to use over time. Less strain on your neck from wind and weight certainly add up during long tours or time on the racetrack, but the benefits can be felt during daily use, too. I try to always use earplugs, but I haven’t found this lid to be excessively noisy when I’ve left out the plugs either. 

As mentioned earlier, egress and ingress to the K6 is easy, there isn’t an overly snug neck roll making things difficult. And once you’re in, it’s a pretty cushy place to spend time. Arai helmets are known for their pillowy interior comfort, the K6 is on par, but has a bit more firmness to its foam that I prefer. It has also broken in nicely, yet still feels supportive. 

The only two niggles I’ve had during my time with the K6 have been the red cloth tab on the D-ring fraying and coming apart completely (you only realize how important that tab is when it’s gone), and the tab on the visor that locks into the chinbar. The visor’s locking tab uses a small screw to allow for a smidge of adjustment to ensure the helmet locks easily. Even with the tab adjusted as far forward as possible on my tinted visor, it can still be slightly difficult to latch, just requiring more pressure to secure the lock. On previous AGV helmets I’ve used with the same style mechanism (Corsa and Pista), this has not been an issue. 

Overall though, I’m super happy with the K6. At a middle level price point, starting around $500, the K6’s weight and comfort is on par or surpasses many other pricier lids. The graphics (approximately 13 of them) released for the K6 are more interesting and/or different, in my opinion, than most graphics on the market today, too. 

Shop for the AGV K6 here

AGV K6 FAQ

Where are AGV helmets made?

The AGV K6 is made in China. After checking a quick sample of five different AGV models on my shelf, four out of five were manufactured in China. The exception being the AGV Pista GP-R, which is made in Italy. 

What does AGV stand for?

AGV was founded in 1947 by Gino Amisano (1920–2009), in the village of Valenza in Italy’s Piedmont region, hence Amisano Gino Valenza abbreviated as AGV.

How do AGV helmets fit?

AGV helmets tend to fit intermediate oval head shapes. This is the most common head shape in North America. 

Additional Resources

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