AGV Pista GP RR: SuperBike Reviews
Barry Sheene and Valentino Rossi trusted AGV during their two-wheeled careers, and the Italian brand is synonymous with top level racing. But does their flagship Pista GP RR live up to the hype?
An evolution of the Pista GP and Pista GP R series, the Pista GP RR is AGV’s top tier crash helmet and an exact replica of the helmets worn by MotoGP riders Marco Bezzecchi, Luca Marini and Franco Morbidelli. If you’re currently looking for a new helmet to wear on track, the GP RR is probably somewhere on your must-try list. Here’s what you need to know before you buy.
Full disclosure: I have worn AGV’s now-discontinued Corsa helmet for the last six years. And they’ve been happy years. I’ve loved the fit, comfort and styling. It was starting to show a few signs of ageing in the past six months with the lining starting to come loose and the spoiler recently breaking at the screw fixing stress points. But I found this top of the range GP RR had an almost identical feel, so I instantly felt straight at home wearing this new AGV with it being comfortable straight out of the box.
But let’s address the elephant in the room. There’s no getting away from it, the GP RR is expensive. The ‘Performante’ version here, which looks fantastic in glossy carbon fibre with red and white detailing and graphics, comes in at £1,260. There are less-expensive alternatives if you go for the gloss or matt non-graphic carbon versions, but if budget is no issue, then there are some trick finishes available including a stunning 2021 Rossi ‘Soleluna’ replica.
But this is a helmet for the track, and as we know that’s not exactly a cheap a habit anyway. But there are many positives that come with this AGV’s price tag.
The GP RR is unapologetically race oriented and as such is fully FIA homologation approved to ECE 22.06, the latest European motorcycle helmet safety standard. The shell, which comes in four sizes, is 100% carbon fibre and looks amazing in the gloss finish.
Visibility is great, especially in a full tuck position, and the thick 5mm visor is complimented with a fog-resistant Pinlock insert, also coming with a supply of visor tear offs. The interior features a 360-degree adaptive fit system, not that I‘ve not felt the need to adjust anything, and there are clearly marked emergency release cheek pads should the worst happen on track.
The top three airducts can be sealed with removable bungs. But the two lower chin airducts are open and closed via the inside of the helmet, and feature flics to direct maximum airflow into the helmet on track.
The rear PRO spoiler, designed to come away easily in a crash, is deeper and larger than the one found on my Corsa and was developed in a wind tunnel to optimise airflow and reduce drag at high speeds when combined with an aerodynamic-humped suit, providing enhanced stability and control at speed. And if that hump happens to feature a water bottle/bladder then you’ll be pleased to know that the helmet features stretch panels on its underside to allow a supplied water drinking tube to be easily positioned and accessible.
The weight is surprisingly marginally more than my Corsa with the GP RR coming in just shy of 1,580g on my questionably accurate kitchen scales. And it’s perhaps a little noisier than my previous lid too, but I always wear earplugs on any ride so both of these points are negligible for me.
If you’re looking for top-end track day and racing helmet, the GP RR is a well worth trying on for size and fit if your budget allows. Yes, it’s not going to be so well suited for commuting with those removable air vent bungs and a visor system that’s only happy when its down and not up, but I defy you to cast a glimpse at the reflection in a shop window and not smile at that aggressive race silhouette.
Huge thanks to Tom Higham for this review for SuperBike.co.uk.
Price: From £1,150 (as tested £1,260)
View the full AGV Pista GP RR range here: https://bit.ly/3Q1Uf7T