Helmet Review: AGV AX9, a versatile adventure lid

I don’t know what it is about getting a new helmet but it’s on a different level to buying other motorcycle gear. To me a lid is a piece of artwork that will be displayed proudly on a shelf  until needed for a ride, while the rest of my bike gear is stuffed away in a box…
Here are my initial thoughts on my new AGV AX9…

Pommie has been using his AX9 as a street lid lately, riding his custom and classic bikes including his Roberts RD350LC…

It has been a four weeks since my AGV AX9 arrived and I’ve used it on every ride out since. I haven’t done much dirt riding but as I am using it on the road, because I love the style and versatility, I decided I’d give you my thoughts on it as a road lid as well.
One of the main draw cards for me with this adventure helmet is the fact that it has a peak that shields my eyes from the sun, which is especially important in the winter when the sun is lower in the sky for most of the day. I also like the fact I can remove it for more of a streetfighter look when I want to only use it on my custom road bikes. It also helps keep the skin cancers away on the old nose and face.

The AGV AX9 can be used as an adventure lid, as pictured, or with the visor removed more streetfighter style, or with the peak on but visor off and with goggles.

One of my main concerns with any peaked helmet is using it at high speed and the effect of the wind drag and potential neck strain, however, I’m pleased to say that this is certainly not the case with the AX9, so unless your are riding along the road bird spotting, you should be fine.

What’s the AX9 like to live with? Well it’s light at 1445g, with a carbon/aramid/fiberglass construction, which I find means less stress on my neck during a long ride. The fully removable and washable interior lining is super soft against my shiny bald head and really easy to remove, with a press stud system. This allows you to remove the two cheek pads, the neck roll along with the crown pad in a matter of seconds.

The helmet also comes with a chin guard, which serves two purposes. Firstly, it helps keep your chin warm on a cold day and, secondly, it reduces wind noise, which would benefit anyone who uses any type of communication equipment. The AX9 is designed to allow for comms to be fitted, including the AGV ARK, with cutouts in the padding along with speaker holes to make fitting a synch.

I’ve had helmets before that offer very little in the way of ventilation, in fact, opening and closing vents made no difference, but the AX9 vents certainly work as I found myself closing them to stop the cool winter air from freezing my bald head – Spring and Summer will put it to the test. The AX9 comes with a large air intake at the front of the chin, this can be opened or completely removed to leave just a mesh, which lets even more air into the front. There are also two vents above the visor that allow air to flow over the crown of your head and then out through exhaust vents at the back of the helmet.

One thing that I’m not very impressed with is the visor system. It’s a pain needing a screwdriver or a coin to change or remove it. I would also like it to lift up one notch higher, because at the moment, on its highest setting the bottom of the visor is in my line of sight if I want to ride with it fully up.
One thing I do like is if I want to go enduro riding I can remove the visor and use my goggles if needed. The helmet also came with a Pinlock anti-fog visor insert that was easy to fit once the visor was removed, this is ideal for those living in colder climates or who set off early in the morning before the temperature heats up.

Overall, I’m loving the AX9. It’s super comfy, offers good vision and airflow and can be used multiple ways, as mentioned, if I want to go full on dirt riding I can remove the visor and wear goggles, if I road ride I can leave it as is and have the benefits of the sun being deflected from my eyes, or if I want to hit the race track for the day I can remove the peak and use the AX9 like any other road based helmet, adventure riding leave it as is – so versatile.

I’ll have another review and update once I do some more off road riding wearing the AX9, which is what it is designed for of course. For $799 RRP and standing out in Pacific Road Grey / Yellow / Black the AX9 is great value in my opinion and I just think the styling is awesome.