AGV Helmet Safety Ratings: Meeting DOT, ECE, SHARP, and FIM Standards

Helmets are a rider’s first line of defense, and when it comes to AGV helmet safety ratings, they consistently exceeds the standard benchmarks like DOT in the U.S., ECE in Europe, SHARP in the UK, and FIM for for professional racing. AGV helmets aren’t SNELL certified. Since 2012, AGV’s “Extreme Safety” protocol has focused on surpassing conventional regulations in three key areas: impact protection, ultra-wide vision, and aerodynamic performance for road and track use.

AGV’s impact testing is especially rigorous, covering 15 points—including the visor—far beyond the six required by ECE 22.06 and the four by DOT FMVSS 218. Achieving 150% more impact coverage significantly enhances energy absorption and ultimately improves rider protection. AGV also tests at speeds over 8.5 m/s (19 mph), surpassing the minimum requirements set by DOT (7.75 m/s) and ECE (8.2 m/s).

Although AGV’s helmets may not be SNELL certified, their testing easily exceeds even the new SNELL M2025 standards, which require six impact points and testing speeds of 8.2 m/s. AGV’s Extreme Safety protocol aligns closely with SHARP’s 5-star rating system and the FIM FRHPhe-01 standard, both of which test at 8.5 m/s. While SHARP evaluates 32 impact points, AGV’s approach ensures their helmets meet and often surpass these demanding requirements.

Meanwhile, FIM standards require between 9 and 13 impact points. To earn FIM homologation, helmets must first meet existing ECE, SNELL, JIS, or DOT with SNELL certifications. AGV’s commitment to pushing safety standards underscores their dedication to rider protection and performance.

AGV Helmet Safety Ratings: 15 Helmet Points of Impact

 

AGV’s Extreme Safety extensive testing protocol covers 15 specific points of impact to ensure comprehensive protection. While the exact points may vary by model, they generally include the following areas:

1. Crown: The top of the helmet, which is critical for overall impact absorption.
2. Forehead (Frontal area): Protects against frontal impacts.
3. Temple (Left side): Designed to absorb impacts from side collisions.
4. Temple (Right side): Similar to the left side, protecting against impacts from either direction.
5. Rear (Occipital area): Protects against rear impacts, which are often severe.
6. Chin Bar: Evaluates the helmet’s structural integrity at the front where impacts can occur.
7. Visor: Tests the visor’s resilience and its ability to remain intact during impacts.
8. Side (Left): Additional side impact testing to ensure comprehensive coverage.
9. Side (Right): Same as above for the right side.
10. Jawline (Left): Protects the jaw area from lateral impacts.
11. Jawline (Right): Similar protection on the opposite side.
12. Lower Rear (Nape area): Focuses on protection for the lower back of the head.
13. Above the Ears (Left): Tests the area above the ears for side impacts.
14. Above the Ears (Right): Similar testing for the right side.
15. Face Shield Area: Assesses impact resistance where the face shield attaches to the helmet.

Impact Protection: Exceeding Standard Requirements

AGV states that their helmets undergo impact testing at up to 15 points of impact, including the visor, which they assert is 150% more points than required by conventional standards. Here’s how this compares to current standards:

Current Standard	Impact Points	Impact Speed	Key Features
DOT FMVSS 218	4	7.75 m/s	Basic U.S. standard. Less impact coverage and speed than AGV.
Snell M2025	6	8.2 m/s	Comprehensive with penetration testing. AGV exceeds in coverage but lacks Snell’s penetration test. Remember AGV helmets aren’t Snell certified.
ECE 22.06	6+	8.2 m/s	Basic in Europe. Includes rotational testing, which AGV does not explicitly mention.
SHARP	32	8.5 m/s	Most comprehensive real-world impact test at the same speed threshold as AGV.
FRHPhe-01	9-13	8.5 m/s	Designed for professional racing.

DOT FMVSS 218: The U.S. Standard

The DOT FMVSS 218 standard, formally known as the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218, is the regulation that establishes safety requirements for motorcycle helmets in the United States. It specifies the minimum performance criteria that helmets must meet to be legally sold for use by motorcyclists. Key components of DOT FMVSS 218 are:

• Impact Attenuation: Helmets must absorb a significant amount of impact energy to protect the wearer in the event of a crash. The standard specifies a limited number of test points (the crown, front, sides, and rear) for evaluating impact performance at a speed of approximately 7.75 m/s (about 17.3 mph).
• Penetration Resistance: Helmets must withstand a specified impact from a pointed object to prevent penetration that could injure the wearer.
• Retention System: The helmet’s chin strap must maintain its integrity during an impact to keep the helmet securely on the rider’s head.
• Visibility: Helmets must provide adequate visibility and not obstruct the rider’s field of vision.
• Labeling: All helmets must have a label indicating compliance with the DOT standard, which includes information about the manufacturer and the helmet’s size.

Snell M2025: Rigorous Penetration Testing

While AGV helmets are not SNELL certified, their 15-point testing and 8.5 m/s impact speeds far exceed the new Snell M2025 standards, which only require six impact points and 8.2 m/s speeds.

The Snell M2025 certification, developed by the Snell Memorial Foundation, is designed to ensure helmets provide a high level of protection, particularly for high-speed motorcycle riding. Here are the key components of the new Snell M2025 standard:

• Impact Testing: Helmets are tested at six impact points—crown (top), forehead (front), left side, right side, rear (back), and chin bar (front lower)—with varying surfaces and impact velocities at 8.2 m/s (18.4 mph), an increase from the outgoing Snell M2020 standard’s 7.5 m/s, which is slightly lower than AGV’s Extreme Safety Protocol 8.5 m/s speeds. The test uses multiple anvils to evaluate how helmets respond to different shapes and angles of impact.
• Penetration Resistance: Helmets must withstand the impact of a pointed object to ensure the shell can resist penetration during a crash. AGV does not explicitly mention the penetration resistance their protocol.
• Retention System: The chin strap must stay intact during impact to ensure the helmet remains securely on the rider’s head, with testing focusing on the strength and reliability of the retention system.
• Visor Testing: If equipped with a visor, the helmet must pass specific tests to ensure the visor won’t shatter or fail upon impact.
• Dynamic Test: The helmet’s performance is evaluated under real-world conditions to simulate its behavior during a crash.
• Material and Design: Helmets must be made of materials that can effectively absorb and dissipate energy, providing enhanced protection against impact forces.
• Comfort and Fit: While safety is the priority, Snell also evaluates helmets for fit and comfort, ensuring they can be worn effectively without compromising protection.

Though Snell M2025 tests six points—fewer than some standards like SHARP, which tests 32 points and includes rotational impact assessments—it emphasizes more rigorous penetration resistance compared to DOT standards, which only test four impact points. Snell’s impact speeds also utilize more stringent testing methods with varied impact shapes, offering a more comprehensive assessment of helmet safety.

ECE 22.06: Emphasizing Rotational Impact

The ECE 22.06 standard is a widely recognized motorcycle helmet safety certification established by the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), primarily adopted across Europe. Here are the key components of the ECE 22.06 standard:

• Impact Testing: Helmets undergo testing at six impact points—on the crown, both sides, front, rear, and chin bar (if applicable). The tests are conducted at speeds up to 8.2 m/s (approximately 18.4 mph), an increase from the previous ECE 22.05 standard’s 7.5 m/s.
• Rotational Impact Testing: ECE 22.06 introduces rotational impact tests, simulating angular forces experienced in crashes, which are essential in reducing the risk of brain injuries caused by rotational forces.
• Penetration Resistance: Helmets must resist penetration from pointed objects, ensuring that the outer shell is durable enough to prevent injury from debris during a crash.
• Retention System: The chin strap must maintain its strength and integrity during an impact, ensuring the helmet stays securely in place on the rider’s head.
• Visor and Optical Quality: If equipped with a visor, the helmet must meet stringent optical standards, ensuring clarity and preventing distortion, which is critical for rider visibility.
• Comfort and Fit: Helmets are required to provide a comfortable fit, with interior padding that not only absorbs impact energy but also enhances comfort for long-term use.
• Quality Control: ECE 22.06 mandates regular quality control audits and production batch testing to ensure consistent safety performance across all helmets.

ECE 22.06 shares similarities with the Snell M2025 standard, such as testing at six impact points and requiring penetration resistance. But ECE 22.06 uniquely includes rotational impact testing, an increasingly recognized factor for comprehensive protection, adding an extra layer of safety. While both standards test at similar impact speeds, ECE’s focus on rotational forces provides a dimension of safety that Snell does not emphasize.

SHARP: Real-World Testing

The SHARP (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme) is a motorcycle helmet safety testing and rating system developed by the UK’s Department for Transport. It goes beyond the minimum requirements set by certifications like ECE and DOT, providing more detailed insights into helmet safety. Here’s an overview of SHARP’s key features:

• Testing Methodology: SHARP performs 32 impact tests at various locations on the helmet, offering a comprehensive assessment of its ability to protect against impacts from multiple angles.
• Impact Speed: Helmets are tested at 8.5 m/s (approximately 19 mph), consistent with AGV’s Extreme Safety protocol and higher than ECE 22.06’s 8.2 m/s.
• Impact Locations: The 32 impact points include the crown, forehead, sides, rear, and chin bar (if applicable), allowing SHARP to evaluate helmet protection against a wide range of impact scenarios.
• Star Rating System: SHARP’s unique 1 to 5-star rating system provides a visual representation of helmet safety performance, helping consumers make informed decisions based on comprehensive testing results.
• Rotational Impact Testing: SHARP includes rotational force assessments, reflecting the growing recognition of the importance of mitigating angular impacts, which can lead to serious head injuries.
• Comfort and Fit: While primarily focused on safety, SHARP also considers the fit and comfort of helmets, acknowledging that a well-fitting helmet is key to ensuring both safety and comfort during use.
• Transparency and Information: SHARP provides detailed, publicly available data on helmet performance, including impact locations and the corresponding star ratings, offering consumers a transparent view of helmet safety.

SHARP stands out with its 32 impact locations, far exceeding the 6-point tests conducted by ECE 22.06 and Snell M2025. The star rating system simplifies comparisons, giving riders a clear understanding of how helmets perform in real-world crash simulations. By including rotational impact assessments, SHARP aligns with modern safety concerns, adding a critical dimension to helmet evaluation that many other standards overlook.

FRHPhe-01: Racing Standards

The FRHPhe-01 is a safety standard specifically developed for high-performance motorcycle helmets used in racing, created by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). This standard addresses the unique safety requirements of competitive motorcycle riders. Here are the key components of the FRHPhe-01 standard:

• Testing Methodology: FRHPhe-01 employs rigorous testing protocols to evaluate a helmet’s protection against impacts, penetration, and rotational forces. To receive FIM homologation, helmets must already meet the current ECE, SNELL, JIS, or DOT with SNELL certifications.
• Impact Speed: Helmets tested under this standard endure impacts at speeds of up to 8.5 m/s (approximately 19 mph), consistent with AGV’s Extreme Safety protocol, emphasizing performance in high-energy racing scenarios.
• Impact Locations: FRHPhe-01 tests helmets at 9 to 13 critical impact points, including crown (top), forehead (front), sides (left and right), and rear, assessing the helmet’s effectiveness in protecting against various impact types during crashes, particularly focusing on high-speed impacts and energy dissipation.
• Linear Impact: Evaluates impact resistance at the designated helmet locations.
• Oblique Impact: A novel assessment designed to measure protection against rotational brain injuries.
• Quick Release: Ensures cheek pads have a quick-release system, identifiable by a red strap for swift removal in emergencies.
• Penetration Resistance: Tests the helmet’s outer shell against sharp objects, ensuring enhanced safety in high-risk scenarios.
• Rotational Impact Testing: This crucial aspect assesses how well the helmet can mitigate rotational forces, which can lead to severe brain injuries during motorcycle accidents.
• Comfort and Fit: While safety is the primary focus, comfort and fit are also vital. A properly fitted helmet maximizes protection and comfort during races, essential for long-duration riding.
• FIM Approval: Helmets meeting the FRHPhe-01 standard are approved for use in FIM-sanctioned racing events, indicating that they have been rigorously tested and certified to offer a high level of protection suitable for competitive racing.

While FRHPhe-01 tests at 9 to 13 critical impact points, which is less comprehensive than the 32 points assessed by SHARP, it zeroes in on locations most relevant to high-performance riding. The emphasis on high-energy impacts and racing conditions distinguishes FRHPhe-01 from other standards. Its inclusion of rotational impact assessments aligns with contemporary safety research, highlighting the significance of rotational forces in head injuries.

Ultravision: Panoramic Visual Field

 

AGV’s Extreme Safety Ultravision feature is engineered to offer riders an expansive field of vision, closely resembling the natural peripheral and vertical vision of the human eye. With a remarkable 190° horizontal and 85° vertical field of view, AGV helmets aim to enhance rider awareness by providing a wider visual range compared to most conventional helmets.

While most helmet safety standards prioritize impact protection, ventilation, and structural integrity, they often overlook field-of-vision requirements. However, both ECE 22.06 and FRHPhe-01 include specific regulations for visor optical clarity and peripheral vision. For instance, ECE 22.06 mandates that the sun shield, whether externally or internally mounted, must not restrict the field of vision to less than 105° of peripheral vision. The upward field of view must be at least 7° from the horizontal, and the downward field must be 45°. Additionally, the visor must transmit at least 80% of visible light and maintain optical clarity.

The external face shield or visor is also required to withstand the impact of a 6 mm diameter steel ball weighing 0.86g traveling at 60 m/s without shattering, dislodging, or puncturing.

The panoramic field of vision offered by AGV helmets is crucial for overall rider safety, especially for those who need quick reactions and comprehensive situational awareness in both competitive and real-world riding scenarios. Enhanced visibility not only contributes to safety but also helps riders anticipate potential hazards, making the Ultravision feature a valuable asset for any motorcyclist.

Aerodynamic Design: Performance and Comfort

Aerodynamics play a critical role in the performance and comfort of motorcycle helmets, especially for riders who spend long hours at high speeds, such as those on the track or touring. AGV places significant emphasis on the aerodynamic design of their helmets, highlighting the benefits of reduced drag, improved stability, and enhanced rider comfort.

Most current helmet safety standards, including DOT FMVSS 218, Snell M2025, ECE 22.06, and FRHPhe-01, do not explicitly regulate aerodynamic design. These standards focus on safety aspects like impact protection and penetration resistance, leaving performance factors like aerodynamics outside their scope. But for high-performance helmets like the AGV Pista GP RR, wind tunnel testing is a key part of the design process. AGV ensures that their helmets are aerodynamically optimized to reduce drag and turbulence at high speeds, which not only improves rider comfort but also enhances helmet stability.

AGV also claims that their helmets reduce dynamic weight—the effective weight of the helmet when in motion. This is achieved by optimizing aerodynamic flow, which reduces wind resistance and makes the helmet feel lighter during riding. For riders on long-distance tours or in high-speed racing scenarios, reducing the strain caused by helmet weight can significantly lower fatigue levels, contributing to overall safety and comfort.

AGV’s emphasis on aerodynamics and dynamic weight reduction goes beyond the scope of traditional helmet standards, which prioritize safety over performance. By focusing on these design elements, AGV creates helmets that not only protect riders in the event of a crash but also reduce rider fatigue and improve overall comfort during extended or high-speed rides.

Information for this article was partially sourced and researched from the following authoritative government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations:

• AGV
• AGV Helmets Australia
• FIM Racing Homologation Programme (FRHP)
• United Nations Economic Commission For Europe (UNECE)
• SNELL Memorial Foundation
• SHARP

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