As bikers
we usually find ourselves accumulating a few different outfits depending on the
weather or style of riding. Here at BirotarUK HQ we are no different.
Modular
helmets often have a stereotype, either worn by “old boys” on touring bikes or by
the boys in blue but as we got our hands on an AGV modular the stereotype
becomes a distant thought. For comparison here we’re using our Arai Chaser V.
The
rationale for purchasing a modular helmet was identified when we owned the
Suzuki Bandit and were racking up the miles commuting with numerous petrol
station stops and London’s infamous traffic lights every 100 meters but we will
come back to the AGV later.
We’ve had the Arai for over two years and it was purchased from Bikestop in
Stevenage. It was the best fitting lid and for a reasonable price, we knew we
could buy Arai with confidence. It’s
worth noting now the customer service from Bikestop is second to none.
The
Chaser V is very comfortable with lots of padding and can be worn all day with
no problems, even for our trip from Italy to the UK in one long stint the wind
noise wasn’t an issue. The pin lock system works well and the clip shut visor
is a nice addition.
The
amount of vents on the Chaser V mean an endless supply of fresh air to keep you
cool when you are flying around the track. The downside to this lid, the
extraordinary amount of time it takes to change the visor, so much so, we’ve
never bothered and just squinted on those glorious summer days.
The Arai
lid comes with a 5 year warranty and we found out just how good this is at
Birmingham bike show in 2014. Rewind to about 3 weeks before the bike show a
wayward toe slider managed to kick and crack the rear fin, feeling gutted and
hopeless with a small dab of superglue we carried on as normal.
It was
promoted widely to pre-book your free Arai service to avoid disappointment, so
the first stop we made at the bike show was to drop off the helmet at the Arai stand,
not really knowing what to expect. An enjoyable day at the bike show was made
even better to find Arai had replaced all the Arai stickers, replaced the
cracked rear fin and given it a good clean! We walked out looking like we’d
brought a brand new lid. 5* service from Arai!
The AGV
Compact was again purchased from Bikestop in Stevenage with equally high levels
of customer service. We opted for the matte black - all black gear is cool
right? The AGV doesn’t have anywhere near as much padding as the Arai but this
doesn’t make it uncomfortable, it comes with cut outs for AGV comms system to
be installed, this also makes cheaper communication systems very easy to
install.
The chin strap is of strap and ratchet type which is easier to do up
whilst the helmet is on your head. The wind noise is more than the Arai but
again we wear ear plugs so it doesn’t become a problem. The flip front is
operated by a large red button under the chin and makes for easy use even with
thick gloves on, being a modular there is a fair bit of space around the mouth
of the helmet which is great for anyone who feels a bit claustrophobic in a
helmet.
What we
really like about this helmet is the drop down sun visor meaning no need to
carry tinted and clear visors around. The visor is operated by a black lever on
the side of the lid which is again easy to use even with thick gloves on. If
you wanted to change the visor it would only take a matter of seconds with the
easy change system.
The
benefits of a modular lid really become apparent when doing lots of stop start
riding, taking a swig of water during a pit stop or talking to other riders
about who took the wrong turn. Sure, the Arai has lots of great vents but they
only work when you are moving. We’ve never had a problem filling up with fuel
with a helmet on but for those that do, a modular takes away any issues.
So the
Arai is a great all round helmet but its main use now will be for trackdays.
The AGV is a modern, stylish and practical helmet that makes commuting just
that little bit easier.
What
helmets are you using? Let us know on Instagram!
