AGV S4 SV vs. Shark S900
AGV S4 SV vs. Shark S900
Author
Discussion

jum1210

Original Poster:

7 posts

186 months

Tuesday 22nd March 2011
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I'm looking in to buying a new helmet, as i'm about to do my DAS in a few weeks. I have read reviews for both the AGV S4 SV and Shark S900, both of which are good, although I did come across one for the AGV on PH that absolutely slated it.

Does anyone have any ideas or comments or alternatives?

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

196 months

Tuesday 22nd March 2011
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The mods will move this, but my AGV is noisy so I use ear plugs, but light and it likes to fold my ears over (which is rather uncomfy and 3000 miles in will give me a head ache after a couple of hours. Preferred the Shoei Raid

rottie102

4,033 posts

213 months

Tuesday 22nd March 2011
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I have an AGV Ti-Tech and always had AGVs, that's because of my head, not what some bloke on the tinternet said... Go to the shop and try all of them on, each manufacturer has a different idea what a human head looks like.

Motorrad

6,811 posts

216 months

Tuesday 22nd March 2011
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Yes it's all about the fit. Don't know about the S900 but I've got two Shark RSR2's and it's a bloody good fit for my head, extremely light and has a 3mm visor that inspires confidence even if it is a pig to open. Very plush lining and the build quality makes my Arai Vector feel like a lidl special.

Cannot recommend the now discontinued RSR2 enough, only drawback is the requirement for earplugs but I'd wear them whatever lid I was using.

Mr Dave

3,233 posts

224 months

Tuesday 22nd March 2011
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Get the one that fits your head best.

Sounds like im stating the obvious but Id rather a pink helmet with my little pony stickers that fits well than a well cool race rep helemt that didnt fit right.

Helmets are a very individual thing and what works for you most likely wont work for me. Both those companies make helmets that meet the standards required so all that should influence your choice is the fit.

I prefer Shark lids over arai and shoei for what its worth.

jum1210

Original Poster:

7 posts

186 months

Tuesday 22nd March 2011
quotequote all
Nice, that's all really useful stuff. Funnily enough, they both seem to fit well, and both feel comfortable...maybe I have a malleable head. Still, will try to steer clear of the My Little Pony lids, although if i see a Transformers one...

Wedg1e

27,035 posts

294 months

Wednesday 23rd March 2011
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I have an AGV head as well and wear an S4: yes it is a bit noisy but as I have nothing to compare it with I can't say whether it's better or worse! I wear earplugs a fair bit but can still hear the phone/ MP3/ intercom through them.

paps

1,040 posts

256 months

Wednesday 23rd March 2011
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Mr Dave said:
Get the one that fits your head best.
What he said.

I was looking at both of these lids last year and plumped for the S900 mainly because of the fit.
The AGV looks nice and has some nice features like the internal sunvisor, but I found it really uncomfortable - it seems to have an extra thick piece of foam along the crown of the head which wasn't nice.

The S900 is not particularly flash but it has the internal sunvisor and a reasonably easy system for swapping the visor. The vents are ok in operation (opening and closing) and ok with regard to the amount of air they let in. Its not particularly heavy or particularly light weight. The fastener is a quick release system which some people dislike, I believe that some trackdays will only allow helmets with a double D fastener but I may be wrong on that.
Its pretty middle of the road to be honest but then so is the price. I got mine for £162 from
http://www.topgearsuperstore.com/-motorcycle-helme...
They've proved themselves to be really good, got all my kit from them.(I live 30mins from their showroom so I could try everything and take it away with me there and then)
Best to find a good supplier local to you and try things on.

Mr Dave

3,233 posts

224 months

Wednesday 23rd March 2011
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jum1210 said:
Nice, that's all really useful stuff. Funnily enough, they both seem to fit well, and both feel comfortable...maybe I have a malleable head. Still, will try to steer clear of the My Little Pony lids, although if i see a Transformers one...
I really dont want to be preaching to the converted or so on, but if they feel right and very comfortable they will be too loose, the foam shrinks over time and the fit will become looser. You need a helmet to be a tight fit when you get it.

If you arent sure of the fit, get the guys in the shop to help, if they dont know what they are at, walk away. Its not something worse risking, hopefully it will never be put to the test but its prudent to give yourself every chance going especially when it doesnt cost any extra.

jum1210

Original Poster:

7 posts

186 months

Wednesday 23rd March 2011
quotequote all
Mr Dave said:
I really dont want to be preaching to the converted or so on, but if they feel right and very comfortable they will be too loose, the foam shrinks over time and the fit will become looser. You need a helmet to be a tight fit when you get it.

If you arent sure of the fit, get the guys in the shop to help, if they dont know what they are at, walk away. Its not something worse risking, hopefully it will never be put to the test but its prudent to give yourself every chance going especially when it doesnt cost any extra.
Thanks Mr Dave, will definitely bear that in mind when i go back in.

dickieandjulie

1,068 posts

286 months

Wednesday 23rd March 2011
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Like Willy Nilly

I had an AGV so automatically went for another and liked the look of the S4.....but the wind noise is monsterous

On the plus side, like the look, weight, internal dark visor (although the lower edge of this does play with your mind/vision a little), just wish it was as quiet as my previous AGV

rottie102

4,033 posts

213 months

Wednesday 23rd March 2011
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Ti-Tech also has this wind howl at certain position...

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

284 months

Wednesday 23rd March 2011
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I've got an AGV S4 and a Shark RSX and whilst both are well built and fit very well, the AGV is significantly noisier.

jum1210

Original Poster:

7 posts

186 months

Thursday 24th March 2011
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Aside from weather it fits or not, it would seem the shark is getting the better rating. Thanks for all the input everyone, has made things much clearer!

rev-erend

21,619 posts

313 months

Thursday 24th March 2011
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dickieandjulie said:
Like Willy Nilly

I had an AGV so automatically went for another and liked the look of the S4.....but the wind noise is monsterous
One of the websites that tests helmets said that it was impossible to test what helmet is quiter .. as one helmet will be quite on one bike and noisy on another..
mainly dependant on the bike fairing and where is directs the air flow.

Most said that using a helmet under seal thingie .. cant remember the name but it significantly stops the noise.

I had something similar on a Bell M1 - kind of material under the chin .. really quite.

karl_h

223 posts

209 months

Thursday 24th March 2011
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S4 is great with the built in visor and personally the black with gold stripe version that I have is still one of may favourite helmets to look at, but echo what others say...... NOISY! If I was ready to change I'd be looking at a Shoei, but go for what ever fits. Dad's Xlite is very nice too!

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

284 months

Friday 25th March 2011
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rev-erend said:
One of the websites that tests helmets said that it was impossible to test what helmet is quiter .. as one helmet will be quite on one bike and noisy on another..
mainly dependant on the bike fairing and where is directs the air flow.
I can understand this as the aerodynamics will vary greatly between different bikes and riders of differing heights etc, but there seems to be an overwhelming number of reports that the AGV is a noisier than average helmet. Shame because they are very good in most other respects.

jum1210

Original Poster:

7 posts

186 months

Thursday 7th April 2011
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Ended up going with the Shark S900 (Glow white)...thanks for all the advice everyone. Also, just bought myself a Honda VFR400 nc30 (see below). Now all i need to do is pass my test!

rottie102

4,033 posts

213 months

Thursday 7th April 2011
quotequote all
rev-erend said:
One of the websites that tests helmets said that it was impossible to test what helmet is quiter .. as one helmet will be quite on one bike and noisy on another..
mainly dependant on the bike fairing and where is directs the air flow.

Most said that using a helmet under seal thingie .. cant remember the name but it significantly stops the noise.

I had something similar on a Bell M1 - kind of material under the chin .. really quite.
Well, on mine the howl comes from the top vents, not from under the helmet.

Once these are blocked, it's all quiet.