AGV K6 & K6 S: high tech, comfortable sports-touring helmet.

AGV-K6-helmet-featured

AGV’s Sports Touring Motorcycle Helmet.

The K6/K6S is AGV’s top flight sports touring helmet.

AGV says they’ve gone all out to make a helmet that’ll work just as well on a touring bike as a sportsbike. They also claim it’s the lightest in its class – that’s some boast – and have made it to be as compact as possible.

Which has meant it’s been made in four different shell sizes – all with a five density shock absorbing EPS liner inside to give as much energy absorption as possible (the most we’ve seen in a helmet so far).

AGV-K6-Multi-Hyphen-red-white-blue-motorcycle-helmet-side-view
AGV K6 in Hyphen graphics

They’ve also said they intend to make it super comfy, amazingly well vented and mega quiet. They’re one hell of a bunch of design goals for a range of helmets, never mind a single all-rounder helmet.

So here’s everything you wanted to know about the AGV K6 – including what owners and riders think of theirs – so you can make an informed decision on whether to buy one.

Best places to buy a AGV K6/K6S?

Please click below to visit the AGV K6 helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Buy from SportsBikeShop

Overall/Summary

AGV went all out to create the perfect sports touring helmet with the K6/K6S.

We always thought the AGV K6 would give decent levels of protection, with its carbon/aramid composite shell coupled with a 5 density EPS liner and AGV’s amazing reputation for helmet safety. But you’re never sure until SHARP has tested it (or Snell in the US).

Now it has been tested by SHARP, it scored a maximum 5 stars for safety, meaning the K6 should give outstanding protection – about as good as you can get from any helmet on the market. Great job AGV!

AGV’s made the K6 a compact helmet too. Plus, there’s a quality visor system with a large field of view that should work well on everything from a sportsbike to a cruiser (and most bikes in between).

AGV-K6-Multi-Minimal-gunmetal-fluo-motorbike-helmet-top-down
Top down view of the gunmetal AGV K6 Minimal

The overall build quality appears to be mostly very good (barring a few possible niggles – read full review for details) and AGV has a growing reputation of creating super comfy liners – the variety of quality materials they use inside the K6 is no exception and owners rate it as excellent for comfort.

OK, it’s lacking the occasional feature like a built-in sun visor which you may well miss if you err more on the touring side of sports riding. And it might not be quite as light weight as AGV initially imply – unless you’re wearing the smallest shell size where it’s closer to the 1.25Kg figure AGV states (otherwise it’ll be more likely around 1.4Kg).

But overall, the AGV K6 is an innovative and impressive sports touring helmet that achieves most if not all of what AGV set out to create. Owners are mostly very happy with their K6’s and recommend it as one of the best sports/touring helmets out there.

So, if you’re in the market for a high performance, mid-priced all rounder helmet, then the AGV K6 is well worth a look.

AGV K6S gloss white motorcycle helmet side view
Gloss white K6S showing slightly larger rear spoiler (see smaller spoiler of K6 below)

AGV K6 or K6S?

Well they’re basically the same helmet – just that with the K6S, AGV added a more pronounced/sportier rear spoiler to give it more of a MotoGP look. It’s expected that the K6S will replace the regular K6 though so you might only find those available when you come to buy one.

Safety

 (more about helmet safety)

AGV has a ton of expertise in making composite fibre helmets. But this is the first time we can think of that they’ve made a composite shell just using carbon fibre and aramid (the generic name for Kevlar).

They’re both pretty high-end materials and makes for a helmet that’s both reasonably light weight and strong.

AGV-K6-Rush-motorbike-crash-helmet-side-view
The striking AGV K6 Rush – showing collarbone friendly bottom profiling (see below).

It did make it difficult to work out quite how much protection the AGV K6 might give you in an accident though.

That’s because, while it has been ECE and DOT certified (and the latest AGV K6S has now been ECE 22.06 certified), it wasn’t SHARP tested – or Snell in the US – until recently so we didn’t really know how much protection the K6 would give compared to other helmets.

However, the ECE helmet has now been SHARP tested in the UK where it scored a fantastic 5 star rating – that’s maximum marks.

We always knew you can pretty well always trust an AGV helmet. If you take a look at our Safest Motorcycle Helmet Brands Top 10, at the time of writing, AGV scores incredibly well there – with every helmet tested in recent years scoring either SHARP four or five stars.

And now AGV’s reinforced their position by scoring maximum marks again, meaning you can trust the K6 to give you outsanding protection. Great to know.

In addition to the helmet shell and shock absorbing liner, there’s other indications that AGV’s put quite a lot of effort into making the K6 a serious piece of protection.

AGV K6 SHARP 8_5 ms test results
8.5 m/s test results for the AGV K6 – courtesy of sharp.dft.gov.uk

Inside, there’s a 5 density EPS shock absorbing liner – that’s the most we’ve ever heard of in a helmet and should give the helmet the ability to manage small and larger shocks very well.

AGV has stated it’s one of their goals to make the K6 as light as possible. Lighter weight helmets reduce the amount of energy the helmet has to manage during an impact.

AGV’s quoting weights around 1.25 Kgs (2.8lbs) for the smallest shell size helmet.

Which is fine, but it does put on a few grammes when you start to look at the bigger shell sizes – going over 1.4Kg and making it only slightly lighter than average for a full face helmet overall.

Having said that, most owners reckon it feels like a light weight helmet while you’re wearing it, which is one of the most important factors I guess.

The K6 also has a version of the regular EQRS or emergency quick release cheek pads. Usually, pulling on the red tabs on the bottom of the helmet will easily pull the cheek pads out of the bottom of the helmet to help the emergency services remove a helmet without putting undue stress on the neck.

AGV-K6-Minimal-motorbike-helmet-side-front
A bit 80’s Retro – the AGV K6 Minimal

With the AGV K6, the cheek pads and neck roll are a single unit, so it’s debatable how ‘quick release’ the EQRS is as it might still be a bit of a struggle to pull it out without yanking the helmet around.

Other stuff that helps improve safety – that large visor (both horizontally and vertically) for improved all round awareness and vision. Plus, the visor comes with a Pinlock antifog in the box too; so fit it and your vision should stay clear throughout the seasons.

Another interesting feature is that AGV’s profiled the bottom of the helmet to reduce the chance of it impacting on your collarbone during an accident. It’s a small thing (until you break your collarbone!) but shows the level of thought AGV’s put in to the K6.

It comes with a double-d ring fastener – they’re old-tech fasteners but they are reasonably easy to use and, as long as you keep them fastened tight on each trip, as safe as anything out there.

Overall then, the AGV K6 should give excellent protection. As far as we can tell – about as good as any helmet available on the market today.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

The AGV K6 has been windtunnel designed and tested with one of AGV’s aims being to reduce helmet noise.

Has it worked? Well, we’ve found thoughts from a large number of owners but with a massive range of opinions – with some claiming it’s pretty well the quietest helmet they’ve ever worn and other saying it’s really noisy even with the vents shut.

As usual I guess it comes down to your individual circumstances; the way you ride, what you ride, how fast you ride etc. etc. so we’ll mark it down as about average for noise attenuation and if you buy a K6, hopefully it’ll exceed your expectations.

And always wear good quality earplugs anyway and you’ll find the noise levels in the K6 to be totally fine as well as protecting your long term hearing.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

There’s three forehead vents arranged in a scowly V formation above the visor – and a couple of chin vents on the chin bar.

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Three forehead vents and a pair of chin vents – as just about visible on this K6 Secret

While three forehead vents is way more than most helmets, the unfortunate thing with AGV’s multi-vents is that they have to be opened separately. That’s obviously a bit of a fiddly job – especially when you’re on the move – so it’s probably best to set them before you start riding.

In fact, it’s made doubly fiddly on the AGV K6 because a few owners have commented that the sliders are low profile and difficult to find in gloves – and they can be a bit stiff when you do find them.

Shouldn’t be too much of an issue if you set the vents before you set off though.

Inside the helmet, AGV has put a really comprehensive network of venting channels cut into the EPS liner. They cover all the top of the head, front to back (towards the twin rear exhaust vents) as well as around the circumference of the head. And if you open up those top vents, most owners agree that they let a good amount of airflow through the helmet (along with some water if it’s raining heavily, according to a couple of owners).

The chin vent switch is that small switch at the bottom of the chin bar (the black thing under the visor is the visor lock).

Even though it’s small, most K6 riders reckon it’s reasonably easy to find and use, though the chin venting is only about average for a full face helmet.

Visor

(more about visors)

AGV’s had more luck with their visor design.

It’s been made to give excellent all-round vision, with 190 degree horizontal and 85 degree vertical vision. That’s pretty well class leading in a full face sports touring lid and several K6 owners reckon the field of view feels really wide while you’re riding.

They’ve also specced up a 4mm thick optically correct visor. That’s possibly a bit overkill because most visors are thick enough and have to be very optically correct to pass ECE certification anyhow. Still, it does the job and it’s in the box so if you like having a thick visor, enjoy!


A couple of useful links…

All our Sports Touring helmets reviews
The best protecting helmets we’ve covered


The visor works on a ratchet and has an automatic visor lock.

The lock automatically locks the visor closed when you close it. The lock on the K6 is that large black panel directly under the visor – designed so you can press that in and push open the visor in one fluid movement with one hand.

Only one or two owners reckon theirs isn’t as smooth to operate as it might be and can stick.

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Tiny (but effective) quick release visor system on a Nardo Grey AGV K6

Usefully though, you can also use the visor lock button to access the city riding ‘cracked open’ position. Push it in and the visor will open up slightly to let in more ventilation but keep the visor locked on the latch.

If you look on the side of the helmet, you can see AGV’s redesigned quick release mechanism. It’s now made of metal which has allowed AGV to shrink it down to make it super small.

And several owners said it works really well – just open the visor, pull down a tab and the visor pops off.

It’s not quite as simple as the super fast magnetic quick changer you’ll find on X-Lite’s X-903 touring full face helmet, but it’s fast and straightforward nevertheless.

It also comes with a Pinlock ready visor and Pinlock Max Vision 120 antifog insert in the box. That’s something I’d always look out for these days as Pinlocks – while not perfect – are a great quality antifog solution and make it so you can at least see in cold/wet conditions.

And the Pinlock 120 lens is Pinlock’s highest rated antifog insert – and it’s only available when you buy certain premium helmets – so if keeping your visor fog-free is important, then that’s a great add-on.

All in all then, apart from one or two niggles, AGV looks to have got everything well pretty well covered with the visor on the K6.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

AGV designed the K6 to be super comfy. And with the quality of the fabrics they’ve thrown at it, seems like they really mean it.

Looking around the helmet, there’s a neck roll and removable chin curtain in there, and the comfort liner is fully removable and washable.

AGV-K6-Mono-white-sports-touring-helmet-rear-view
Rear view of the Mono white K6 showing that pair of rear exhaust vents below the small spoiler

The padding’s made from sculpted foam covered in a variety of technical anti-bac and moisture wicking fabrics. You can find more info about the Shalimar and Ritmo fabrics used in the K6 here – plus they use something called Eco Leather that’s a wear resistant and waterproof plastic fake leather (not sure exactly how eco that is!).

But make sure you get the right size (fitting and measurement guide) and as long as you’re a medium oval headshape (that’s most of us) you should find the inside of the AGV K6 a pretty comfortable place to visit for day-long rides.

Looks & Graphics

The K6 is a subtler take on AGV’s usual hawknose design that they use on their sportsbike helmets. Which should go down well with most sports touring riders who often prioritise great all round performance over sporty looks.

They’re sure to release more graphics over time (so you might wanna click through to the K6 helmets pages on the retailer links below to find the latest) but at the time of writing there’s plain grey (Nardo grey), matt black (Nardo black) and gloss Mono black or white in plain solid colours.

As for graphics, there’s the Minimal, Hyphen, Multi and Rush designs which you’ll find up and down the page.

Best places to buy a AGV K6/K6S?

Please click below to visit the AGV K6 helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Buy from SportsBikeShop

AGV K6 Video

Here’s a pretty comprehensive 10m look around a black/red Rush graphic AGV K6.

Other stuff – fasteners, audio, glasses, warranty

All AGV K6 helmets come with a double-D ring fastener (more info on D-ring fasteners).

AGV-K6-Hyphen-motorcycle-helmet-rear-view
Rear view of the K6 Hyphen in red black and white.

It comes with medium depth helmet speaker cutouts inside the EPS liner which is enough for most modern speakers. The main fly in the ointment with the K6 is that external shell shape which is full of curves and contours which can make it tricky to mount a bluetooth controller.

A few owners reckoned they needed to mount the controller a bit higher up that usual to get round this – and to use a sticky mount rather than clamp. But we did hear of riders with Cardo Packtalks, Sena 50s and Sena SMH-5 saying they fitted their sets no problem. And if you’re looking for a more integrated kit, the K6 is designed to fit AGV’s Ark intercom – using a K6 mounting plate and costing about £260.

If you ride in glasses, we heard from a few riders who reckon it’ll be fine with most glasses – though if yours have extra thick arms, you might notice them a bit.

The K6 comes with a standard 2 year warranty in the UK – though if you quickly register it on the AGV website, you’ll get an extra 2 years’ cover.

Crash Helmet Buying Guides & Top 10s

For (hopefully!) other useful information to help you when buying your next helmet, check our various Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guides - or have a look at our Top 10 best helmet lists where we've got the top 10 best rated helmets overall along with Top 10 Best Budget/Top 10 Safest/Top 10 Best Full Face/Top 10 Best Modular/Flip-up/ Top 10 Best Sportsbike/Track helmets.

Good Alternatives to the AGV K6?

OK, here’s some great performing all rounder helmets you might want to consider.

Scorpion exo-st1400 antrim grey white carbon helmet side view
Carbon fibre ST1400 Air

For a smidge less than the AGV K6 is Scorpion’s ST1400 carbon/composite sports touring helmet. SHARP 4 star rated, EQRS, sun visor, Pinlock and 5 year warranty. What’s not to like?

simpson ghost bandit solid matt black crash helmet side view
matt black Venom

Or how about the cool-looking Simpson Venom? SHARP 4 star safety rated, sun visor, Pinlock and those distinctive Simpson looks. So good, I bought one myself and love it!

shoei-rf-sr-or-ryd-helmet-white-side-view
Gloss white Shoei RYD

Shoei’s Ryd is their composite fibre all rounder helmet that’s SHARP 5 star safety rated, comes with EQRS, is Pinlock ready (Pinlock not included) and is a great all round quality helmet.

shark-skwal-2-flynn-motorbike-helmet-front-view
Skwal 2 Flynn

Finally, for a good chunk less than the K6, Shark’s thermoplastic Skwal is SHARP 4 star, comes with a Pinlock, has a simple micrometric fastener and features rechargeable lights front and rear (ooOOh!)

Best places to buy a AGV K6/K6S?

Please click below to visit the AGV K6 helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Buy from SportsBikeShop

More Sports Touring Helmets?

We've looked at heaps of helmets that are more suitable for touring and naked bikes. You'll find them on our Sports Touring helmets pages. Or, if you're looking for the safest tested helmets on the market, you might want to take a look at our safest motorcycle helmets pages where you'll only find helmets that are SHARP four or five star rated - so you'll know you're wearing the best protection around.

Star Ratings

REVIEW OVERVIEW
Safety
Comfort
Noise
Features
Value
Previous articleAbout the Pinlock Visor System for Motorcycle Crash Helmets
Next articleAiroh Connor – new full face motorcycle helmet
agvs-sports-touring-motorcycle-helmet-agv-k6-reviewThe AGV K6 is an accomplished all-rounder motorbike helmet. OK for most of us it's not quite as light weight as AGV claims, but they have given it a great, large field of view from the Pinlock visor, and most owners say it's a terrifically comfortable helmet. Ventilation's good if not exceptional and it's ready to accommodate most bluetooth headsets too. And the icing on the cake is that it's scored maximum marks for protection by SHARP. All in all, AGV has made a very good sports touring helmet that most owners say works very well and is well worth the money. Highly Recommended.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Unfortunately good alternative for K-6 such as Shoei RYD is discontinued in Europe, even if it wasn’t officially announced. It’s been replaced by retro hipster shite Glamster. RYD amazing helmet for commuting/touring. Most shops have left only certain sizes, doesn’t look it will be restocked. Good to see a possible replacement with K6 in 3 years or so.

    • Thanks for the heads up – hadn’t noticed they’ve dropped it. Real shame. Still on the books in the US (RF-SR) but not in Europe.

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