I have just got one of these - is it any good?
 

Hi Guys (and Gals),

I have just bought one of these things from BUSTERS - AGV Blade White Matt XS

AGV - Street Road - Blade - Our newest and most exciting model! This helmet even surprised us! The Blade helmet came from the market demand to have a safer more stylized helmet than the classic grandpa looking half helmet. The unique shape is not only in style but it also has great function. The Blade features the same 2 piece EPS as our race helmets giving you real ventilation. A removable washable cheek pad and liner system allows for a custom fit. The best part is its accessory options. This helmet can be configured in 5 different ways. As it comes it has a flip up shield. You can also order a tinted shield if you prefer. The blade also offers a long and short visor. With the longer visor the shield can also be flipped up and down with ease. Or you can use it with out the shield or visors. So many combinations make this helmet appealing to everyone. Its target design was for the cruiser market however once we began our market research we found everyone from the commuter on his motard to the touring rider saw something they liked in this model. Be sure to check out the pictures with all of the options and see if you can picture yourself in this helmet!

I wanted a light open face helmet to use on HOT HOT days on the road. Yeah I know it's not going to provide the same level of protection as a full-face helmet but surely it has a place in my helmet armoury? I remember the good ole days of the 1980's when AGV and Bell were the most popular helmets used by far. I have always liked AGV helmets and although I do now own an expensive Shoei X-Spirit I decided to get an open-faced AGV for hot and sticky riding in Summer (not that it's been very hot of late in the UK)!

I wanted to ask you "hard bitten" travellers out there what you honestly think? I value all your honest & frank opinions (good and bad alike).

I went for a simple white (L) model which was only £69 plus postage.

It looks pretty good too...

Waddya Fink?:mchappy:

Neil it does look good and I am interested in your review of its performance when youve fully tested it out.:scooter:

Stuart,

Your wish is my command...

I have just sent Busters an email asking when the helmet will be delivered. I received an order confirmation email 2 days ago but nothing since. This will be my very first open-face helmet ever! I'm looking forward to experiencing the freedom of a open face helmet. I guess I'm so used to a chin bar being there Iv'e got used to it.

It's a pity that the SHARP tests haven't got round to open faced helmets yet. It would have been nice to make an informed judgement.

I will gladly report here what the thing is like.

All the very best Stuart.
Neil

Well, I have used the helmet a few times now (worn for about 20 hours in total). I'm "over the moon" with this helmet. I picked a matt white version size large. I procured it from BUSTERS online. It arrived at my home 7 days after ordering it. Apparently Busters will send it "next day delivery" for an additional £7.

The helmet appears very well made indeed considering it only cost £70 or so. The most visable characteristic is the unusual shape of the helmet, it cetainly doesn't look like the normal open-face pudding basin. I guess I would describe it as modern looking and funky. The helmet is well ventilated by 2 air intakes at the front and 4 air exhausts at the rear. This arrangement seems to work quite well and at no time did my head get overheated or sticky.

I guess I had got used to a bloody great chin bar on all my skid lids. I have never really liked the enclosed feeling of a full-face helmet. Perhaps I'm a bit scared of enclosed spaces who knows? All I know is that these feelings have completely gone when I wear this helmet.

The inside of the helmet is well made too. The cusioning can be taken out easily and washed (without falling apart).

I thought I would feel a bit vulnerable wearing this compared to my Shoei X-Spirit but that wasn't the case at all. I felt totally secure in the knowledge I was wearing an AGV helmet. Those of you old enough to remember the 1970's and 80's will know that AGV and Bell were the most widely used helmets then. I have always liked AGV products. My very first crash helmet was a AGV X3000 Valenza which I used on my red Simson S50 B1 back in 1980 when I was 16.

Everyone I spoke to said the helmet "looked the part". Note that I ride a Yamaha XT6. If you ride a trail bike or a cruiser then this thing looks superb. If you intend to use this helmet on a sports bike then you might get some adverse/negative comments!

I think I shall use this helmet more than my X-Spirit because I only ride during the UK summertime. My bikes are safely "tucked up" during the Winter months (yes I know I'm a real pussycat).

I know this thing won't provide the same level of protection as my X-Spirit but I'm prepared to take that risk.

I'm really pleased with this helmet and can wholeheartedly recommend you have a look at it yourself. In my opinion this helmet is IDEAL for long distance (RTW) travellers who want the freedom only an open-face helmet can provide. At only £70 this thing make sense...