After a premium sports touring helmet? AGV's K5 S is a serious competitor and could be the right lid for you... Review: Mike Cameron
AGV take the popular K5, already one of the most popular sports touring helmets, and make it even better. The K5 S is a fusion of comfort and sport, a sleek, lightweight design with plenty of features integrated to ensure that every trip is as comfortable as possible. Here is our review.
The AGV K5 S features a carbon-fibre-glass mix, ensuring a lightweight lid with less neck strain.
The K5 S has both DOT & ECE certification but no Snell certificate. The K5 S gets a 4 out 5 star rating on the SHARP rating system proving it has got some of the best safety that money can buy.
The K5S features a new inner liner, designed with some modern technical fabrics like Shalimar and Ritmo. The inner liner also has no stitching in the sensitive contact points. On the outside,
the external shell is made from a carbon-fibre-glass-mix, that’s light weight with excellent protection.
Four air intakes at the front flow fresh air into the helmet, while two rear extractors channel the air out, keeping you cool. These can be closed off if you prefer to in cold or wet weather. It’s also prepared for an ARK Communication System, with removable ear pod holes. I didn’t use the helmet with a communication device so all of my testing was done with the ear pads in place.
The K5 S has an internal drop down sun visor and the main visor is ‘pinned’ for Pinlock inserts, with the lens included with our lid. You can also replace the detents on the visor to customise the position.
I found the standard detent positions suited me just fine, but it’s nice to see riders having the ability to tune to their own tastes.
The overall styling is on the aggressive side and in the matt black would be right at home piloting a tough naked or streetfighter.
The K5s inner comfort liner uses a combination of Microsense-treated Ritmo and Shalimar high-performance fabrics that have impressive moisture wicking and antimicrobial properties. The neck roll is made from Shalimar fabric with an added water-resistant treatment. This helps minimise sweat water from channeling inside the helmet
The styling of the K5 S quite aggressive and sporty, but is great for everyday use, mainly sports touring.
The Ritmo Cheek pads have a 2Dry moisture wicking, and Microsense anti-bacterial treatment applied. You also get a removable nose guard and wind protector. I found the wind noise on the K5s to be acceptable and at highway speeds, far less intrusive than my entry level RJays Dominator I’ve been using on the daily commute prior to this test.
I found the Pinlock anti fog lens does an admiral job of eliminating fog in slowish stop start riding where I’d normally have the helmet lens open. The combination of the micro opening system of the visor along with the Pinlock lens, I found myself rarely opening the visor right up, which I would be doing constantly with my other lids. This was the feature that most impressed me, being the first time I’ve used a helmet with Pinlock technology.
The lid is available in a range of colours and graphics to suit your bike or riding gear.
The external shell of the K5 S is made from CAF, which is a composite mixture of fibre-glass and carbon. Weight is very respectable and on par with other options at this price point. I quite liked the overall look and lines of the helmet in the matte black that I tested. It has a subtle but aggressive look. I’m not really one for loud graphics on helmets and was happy with the plain colour of the K5 S, but if graphics are more your style, you can get this model in varying graphics and colours to match your bike or other riding gear.
Another note worthy feature is the XQRS (Extra Quick Release System) visor mechanism for quick removal of the visor.
The AGV K5 S comes with a clear and tinted visor, with vision through the visor being superb. Also Pinlock ready.
The K5 S comes with both tinted and clear visors. Vision through the visor is very good with great optics and superb peripheral side to side vision. All up, the K5 S is a premium bit of kit and well worth considering if you’re in the market for a sports touring helmet. The K5 S is available for a competitively priced $549.00 RRP to $629.00 RRP depending on the variant.
Check out the range at AGV Australia.
AGV K5 S Features
- Shell in CAF (Carbon-Fiberglass) engineered in two sizes
- IVS (Integrated Ventilation System) ventilation with five large front vents and two rear extractors
- The spoiler integrated in the shell profile
- New K5 S interior construction
- Anti-scratch visor with Pinlock anti fog technology
- Visor micro-opening system
- Patented XQRS (Extra Quick Release System) visor mechanism
- Integrated anti-scratch sun visor, removable without using tools
- Double D retention system
The Verdict | Helmet Review: AGV K5 S sports touring lid
Quality!
After a premium sports touring helmet? AGV’s K5 S is a serious competitor and could be the right lid for you… check out our review.
The K5 S has proven to be one of the safest lids in the market.
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February 7, 2020
My wife now owns this lid. Tremendously comfortable and she reports that’it fits like a glove.’ Tested on Germany’s autobahns at 140 k’s, she was very impressed with the lack of wind noise. Excellent product and an accurate review.
February 10, 2020
Thanks – yeah it is a top lid. Jeff.
October 8, 2020
Is it made in Italy ?
October 12, 2020
We think China. We will check the box.
October 23, 2020
Got the K5 a few weeks ago. Love the style, great colour and very comfy. But the sunvisor doesn’t fully retract which is a bit annoying and I find it quite noisy, possibly due to the scooped shape on the bottom edges of the sides.
October 28, 2020
Thanks for the feedback David!
January 22, 2022
The k5 is worst helmet i have owned, the wind noise is terrible have to use ear plugs,
April 7, 2022
Well I went from a Shark helmet to a AGV helmet . How disappointed I am with this helmet .
First problem was it fogs up even with the PinLock and I have had the Pinlock changed and still the same. Then there is the next problem it leaks water at the top of the visor , The water comes in at the top where the visor meets the top of the helmet .
One would have thought that been a higher price than my Shark was it would be better but NO NO this AGV helmet is Rubbish I feel its not even good for land fill This helmet is not even 12 mouths old and I totally regret spending my money on such a bad helmet . I would not recommend any one to buy a AGV helmet even it was the only one in the shop as these helmets are Rubbish .
I have read other reviews and they say the same about water getting in, so its not just me or this one helmet
April 7, 2022
Not good to hear, Alf. I’ve had many, many AGV lids over the past 21 years and few issues, but I haven’t worn a Shark so can’t compare. I know Zane is happy with his AGV, but will get him to reply to you – Jeff
November 14, 2022
Have a K5s for the past 3 years. Ridden about 30-35k kms. Heres my review.
Fit: at first did have some pressure at the temples however after a couple of months of use this subsided. otherwise comfortable cheek pads and padding. The material is soft on the skin and there was no issues for me.
Visor: Drop down visor has had some issues however easily put back into the rail its meant to nonetheless a little annoying however does function well and the stock part is dark enough. The clear visor is now scratched to the hilt due to rocks being flung from other vehicles. I believe there is a GT4 now which would allow for a bigger pinlock system. I placed the pinlock in immediately when i received the helmet. on the GT2 visor i believe it does have poor design. It doesn’t seal well and within 1 year was peeled off an useless. Have replaced it x2 over the years however still happens. Believe this is a design flaw maybe twisting of the visor? I now just breathe through the nose to prevent fogging the helmet. (This be my only gripe)
The shell has also held up decently however the outer paint has chipped off due to rocks hitting and caused cracks along the white paint.
I have the arc system installed and it works as expected
Coming from an arai this helmet is loud – wind noise is deafening. I simply just place ear plugs in for protection anyway so this is an easy work around.
All in all id buy the helmet again maybe ill try the new k6 next time in a gloss as my k5s (black red white) didn’t age brilliantly in the matte finish.