AGV K5 Helmet Review – 2021 Buyer’s Guide

| Last Updated: June 25, 2021

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If you’re looking for a new helmet that is slightly upmarket from entry-level, then consider the AGV K5 before making your final choice.

It’s a reasonably priced, more than capable helmet. We’ll investigate the main features, pros, cons, and what it’s ideal for on the road.

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  • Made with top quality carbon-fiberglass
  • Has a reliable ventilation system
  • Rear spoiler integrated into profile
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AGV K5

PROS

  • Sizing
  • Visibility
  • Comfort
  • Ventilation
  • Aerodynamics
  • Adequate Protection

CONS

  • Noise
  • Sun Visor

Specifications

Type: Full-face sports and touring helmet

Weight: 1.55kg average

Sizes: XS; S; MS; M; Ml; L; XL

Safety: SHARP 4 rating

Fastening: Double-D strap

Construction: Carbon-fibre composite shell

Visor: External main, with internal sun visor

Photo credit: webbikeworld.com

Main Features

There are plenty of features you’ll enjoy with the AGV K5. We’ll show you a few of them and indicate why we find them so essential.

Safety

The AGV K5 and the later improved K5S rate highly on the safety rankings, with the SHARP safety agency awarding the helmet a very good 4/5. Significantly few helmets score a perfect five, so a four is good by anybody’s standard.

Material

The helmet is constructed from a carbon-fiber composite with two base shell sizes, the XS and XL. The intermediate sizes have varied thicknesses of the internal padding. The interior pads consist of Dri-Lex material, which is moisture-absorbent, with all pads easily removable for cleaning. Recesses are made in the side pads to accommodate glasses.

Visor

The helmet is built with two visors. The main external visor is scratch and fog-resistant and offers protection against UV rays. It also features  AGV’s quick-release mechanism, which can facilitate the main visor change in as little as 30 seconds. 

The visor can also be used in conjunction with a Pinlock for demisting. The internal sun visor is deployed by an external trigger on the left side of the shell, just behind the fixing point. 

Photo credit: badasshelmetstore.com

Vents

The ventilation on the AGV K5 is excellent. The wind-tunnel-designed shell sports three sets of vents. There are two chin vents, two for the brow, and a crown vent. There is a warm air exhaust vent at the rear of the helmet, underneath the wind spoiler. All the vents are closeable by using slider controls.

The Ideal Fit

Comfort is also of a high standard. Provided the helmet is sized correctly, you will have a helmet that fits perfectly. Coupled with the ventilation, the internal design will give you hours of comfortable riding.

The helmet is also comes ready, with recesses for the internal speakers.

Warranty

Peace of mind comes from AGV’s standard 2-year factory warranty, and with a vast dealer network, should be well supported.

Pros

Considering its competitive pricing, the AGV K5 has quite a lot of pros. Here are the outstanding ones.

Sizing

The AGV K5 is available in seven sizes, from XS to XL. The sizes in-between are created by the use of varying thicknesses of the internal padding. It’s are seamless, meaning no gaps between dimensions, so you will find your perfect fit whatever size you are.

Ventilation

More than adequate ventilation is provided. Three sets of inlet vents and one exhaust ensure a constant airflow to keep you cool, even on the warmest days. The vents are all controllable by external sliders.

Photo credit: beginnerbiker.com

Visibility

The wider aperture allows for excellent peripheral vision. The main visor and sun visor are clear and scratch-resistant. The use of a Pinlock will help overcome misting of the main visor in inclement conditions and the sun visor helps to avoid glare.

Aerodynamics

The outer shell of the AGV K5 was designed in conjunction with extensive wind tunnel testing. The result is improved airflow around and through the helmet, with reports of very little buffeting at higher speeds and good stability.

Comfort

All of the points mentioned above contribute to an extremely comfortable helmet. The excellent internal padding, when sized correctly, keeps the K5 firmly in place, so you’ll hardly notice you are wearing it. It’s not too heavy either, so rider fatigue on long journeys should be negligible.

Adequate Protection

With a SHARP agency safety rating of 4, the AGV K5 score high in terms of safety. A two-year factory warranty will also cover your new K5. Both of these factors should be an essential part of your decision when buying your new helmet.  

Cons

Surprisingly, there are very few, and even these the average rider can live with.

Photo credit: doubleclutch.ca

Noise

Some riders reported the helmet to be fairly noisy. Several factors could contribute to this, and personal preference is one of them. We found the noise to be average, so we cannot say that noise is genuinely a con. Wearing earplugs, as a lot of riders do, will eliminate most outside noise in any event.

Sun Visor

Some riders reported that they found the sun visor to be too light. This has probably more to do with compliance to laws governing the maximum amount of tint than an error on behalf of the designers. Some found the recess for the nose allows light through. While the designers must have tried to cater to all shapes, obviously, there will be instances where that fit will not be perfect for everyone.

What Types Of Riding is the AGV K5 Best For?

While you can use the AGV K5 for most riding situations, there are times when it’s better suited for the occasion. Let’s have a look at a few of these.

Touring

The superior comfort, together with its lightweight construction, make the K5 an ideal helmet for touring. The ample ventilation will keep you cool on long runs, and the aerodynamic efficiency will keep buffeting to a minimum. The retractable sun visor is also handy for those glaring conditions.

Photo credit: reddit.com

Motorsports

The manufacturers of AGV helmets pride themselves on their motorsport heritage and background, and it shows in the AGV K5. Its aggressive but sleek styling, together with the weight, ventilation, and excellent peripheral vision, make this an obvious choice for the motorcycle racer.

Professional Riders

If riding a motorcycle all day is your living, then the K5 is the helmet for you. The high level of comfort and good ventilation will allow you the freedom to concentrate on your work, with no irritation to distract you.

General Use

Are you commuting to and from work, college, the shops—in fact, any sort of casual riding? This helmet is perfect for you. It’s affordable, comfortable, and backed with a 2-year guarantee. You can choose your individuality too, with a wide range of colors and finishes.

What Do I Need To Know Before Buying the AGV K5?

Before you head out and purchase an AGV K5 based on our excellent review, here are a few factors you need to consider:

Comfort

An uncomfortable helmet will be distracting, annoying, or even dangerous to you. So comfort is a significant consideration when choosing your helmet, and the K5 will not disappoint in this category.

Photo credit: prweb.com

Ventilation

The superb airflow through this helmet will leave you looking fresh on arrival at your destination. The vents are controllable, and there is a mist preventing device for use with the main visor.

Sun Visor

This inbuilt feature will protect your eyes from glare, particularly on those early mornings or late afternoon rides. This device is easily deployed and retracted and is scratch-resistant.

Visibility

The wide face aperture allows for enhanced peripheral vision, minimizing the need to keep turning your head and allowing you to concentrate on the road ahead.

Warranty

Know that for the first two years, your helmet is covered against any issues by the manufacturers’ warranty. That is peace of mind.

Safety

This is one of the safest helmets out there. This is one area that you cannot afford to compromise on, and with the AGV K5, you won’t be.

How Does the AGV K5 Compare to Other AGV Helmets?

As you may know as a motorcycle enthusiast, there are different AGV helmets on the market. In this section, we’ll compare the AGV K5 with other versions and show you the key differences and similarities.

AGV K3 vs AGV K5

Both helmets have similar levels of noise, while there’s only a slight difference in weight. The safety ratings are the same, even though the K3 is made of polycarbonate and the K5 carbon fiber. The K5 also benefits from having a sun visor.

AGV K3

Factor:

Safety: SHARP 4 rating

Noise: 95dB@100kph

Weight: 1.49kg

Construction: Polycarbonate

Ventilation: Two sets inlet, one exhaust

Sun Visor: No

Warranty: 2-year factory

Photo credit: badasshelmetstore.com

AGV K5

Factor:

Safety: SHARP 4 rating

Noise: 99dB@100kph

Weight: 1.55kg

Construction: Carbon fiber

Ventilation: Three sets inlet, one exhaust

Sun Visor: Yes

Warranty: 2-year factory

AGV K4 vs AGV K5

These helmets are very similar, especially related to safety, weight, noise, and warranty. The K4 has an ACF construction, though, and it doesn’t have a sun visor. You’ll also only find two inlets instead of three for ventilation.

AGV K4

Factor:

Safety: SHARP 4 rating

Noise: 95dB@100kph

Weight: 1.56kg

Construction: ACF

Ventilation: Two sets inlet, one exhaust

Sun Visor: No

Warranty: 2-year factory

AGV K5

Photo credit: morebikes.co.uk

Factor:

Safety: SHARP 4 rating

Noise: 99dB@100kph

Weight: 1.55kg

Construction: Carbon fiber

Ventilation: Three sets inlet, one exhaust

Sun Visor: Yes

Warranty: 2-year factory

AGV K5 vs AGV K3 SV

Another close call is with the K3 SV, although it’s slightly lighter than the K5. Both have three vent inlets and sun visors, and the primary difference is with the material construction.

Photo credit: bikereview.com.au

AGV K5

Factor:

Safety: SHARP 4 rating

Noise: 99dB@100kph

Weight: 1.55kg

Construction: Carbon fiber

Ventilation: Three sets inlet, one exhaust

Sun Visor: Yes

Warranty: 2-year factory

AGV K3 SV

Factor:

Safety: SHARP 4 rating

Noise: 95db@100kph

Weigh: 1.49kg

ConstructionPolycarbonate

VentilationThree sets inlet, one exhaust

Sun VisorYes

Warranty: 2-year factory

How to Size the AGV K5

A correctly sized helmet is essential for your comfort but even more important for your protection. If it’s too tight, you’ll feel uncomfortable but also may run the risk of constriction or injury. 

If your helmet is too loose, it will not provide the desired protection in the event of an impact or fall. We recommend that you visit an AGV dealer and try on the different sizes until you find the most comfortable size. Your new helmet should be a firm fit, never too loose or too tight.

Firstly, you need to take measurements. Measure the circumference of your head, just above your ears. The table below will give you a good idea of which AGV helmet size will suit you, but we still advise a visit to the dealer to try it on for yourself. 

Helmet size is crucial, so this should be taken seriously. We found that the helmet does not run large or small, so the size you opt for should not change with climate.

AGV K5 Size Chart

Photo credit: gearchangeonline.com

Conclusion

We found the AGV K5 to be a worthy member of the AGV family. It has outstanding features, particularly concerning comfort and ventilation. Its safety rating is up with the best, and the warranty is good. The retractable sun visor is handy and not often seen on a helmet in this price range.



Hi, my name’s Troy. I started riding motorcycles with Clay mid-2020 and soaking up his vast knowledge of bikes. I have been writing for a few years and decided it was a good time to start writing about what I’m passionate about - motorcycles. No matter how bad your day is, a bike will always make you feel better, that’s my motto.