AGV Sports Group, founded in 1985 during AGV Helmets’ expansion into the North American market, has become one of the longest-running motorcycle apparel brands under the same ownership in the world today. Established by AGV Helmets and Michael Parrotte, a passionate motorcycle enthusiast, the brand operates under AGV Sports Group—the company AGV co-founded and which Mr. Parrotte continues to lead. The AGVSPORT brand embodies a dedication to rider-focused innovation and quality, while AGV Sports Group ensures the brand consistently delivers high-performance gear tailored to the evolving needs of motorcyclists worldwide. The company’s rider based management of the company since it’s inception had existed since it’s inception.
Over the past 39 years, AGV Sports Group has reached numerous milestones. To share the remarkable journey, I’ve written a detailed history outlining the timeline of the most significant and fascinating events. The account highlights key moments and developments that have shaped the brand’s remarkable story.
The company’s motto, “Designed by Riders for Riders,” reflects its deep connection to the motorcycling community. AGV Sports Groups approach to creating AGVSPORT gear stems from their commitment to motorcyclists. As active riders themselves, the team personally develops, tests, and wears the products they offer, ensuring every item meets the highest standards of quality and performance.
The Origin of AGVSPORT and Its Connection to AGV Helmets
The Dream and Vision of Gino Amisano
Amisano Gino was a legendary Italian entrepreneur born in Italy on November 15th, 1921. He was the visionary founder behind the protective helmet empire known as AGV.
In 1946, Gino Amisano founded the company AGV, originally a manufacturer of leather seats and motorcycle saddles. The company took the initials of his name and town, marking the beginning of its legendary path in the motorcycling industry. Amisano, Gino, Valenza – AGV.
1947 – The Beginning of AGV Helmets
In 1947, Gino created the first AGV motorcycle leather safety helmet, which ushered in a new revolutionary era in the motorcycle protective gear industry. By 1953, he designed the company’s first motorcycle racing helmet with a hard shell, which led to the creation of the first modern Italian helmet made of fiberglass.
By the early 1960s, Gino Amisano had earned the informal title of “King of Helmets” in Europe.
Perhaps the biggest milestones for AGV in the 1960s were the sponsorship of Giacomo Agostini and the introduction of the first Italian full-face (integral) helmet. Agostini went on to win 15 Grand Prix World Championships—a record that still stands to this day.
15-Time World Champion – Giacomo Agostini
Giacomo Agostini’s name and the AGV brand became inseparable. It was at the pinnacle of Giacomo’s career, while I was living in Paris, that I started riding motorcycles and bought my first helmet—an AGV X-3000 “Ago” full face helmet.
AGV helmets dominated the world of motorcycle Grand Prix racing, worn by top riders such as Barry Sheene, Steve Baker, Angel Nieto, Kenny Roberts, Renzo Pasolini, and Giacomo Agostini.
Entering the US Market
Upon returning to the US after spending three years at the American School of Paris, I was surprised to discover that AGV Helmets were absent from the US market—one of the few places in the world where AGV helmets weren’t widely distributed. I began writing to Mr. Amisano at AGV in Valenza Italy to inquire about the possibility of importing the AGV helmet line into the US.
After about a year of correspondence, Mr. Amisano agreed in October 1975 to allow me to import AGV helmets into the US. Thus, AGV USA was formed in 1976.
1977 – AGV Helmets Arrive in the US
The first AGV helmets arrived at the port of Baltimore in 1977. That same year, I began road racing and traveled to various races, promoting AGV helmets across the US. From the Bridgehampton circuit on Long Island to West Palm Beach, Florida, as far west as College Station, Texas, and Indianapolis Raceway Park in the Midwest.
In that first year, I witnessed a 15-year-old racer dominate every road race class he entered at Hallett, Oklahoma. The rider was Freddie Spencer from Shreveport, Louisiana. That was the first of many racers that I sponsor with AGV helmets over the years.
The Origin and History of AGV Sports Group
In 1984, AGV’s managing director, Dr. Sergio Puppo, visited the U.S. to explore the potential for AGV in the American market. With the collapse of the Italian lira and brands like Bieffe and Nolan flooding into the U.S., market Sergio, who had been brought on board by Mr. Amisano years earlier to grow AGV’s export business, saw a unique opportunity to establish AGV in the U.S.
With Gino Amisan’s approval AGV was determined to make a significant investment in the US market, Sergio approached me during his visit to Maryland, asking if I would close my AGV Helmet important business and work for AGV to manage the new AGV America venture. He assured me AGV would make substantial investments to ensure success in the U.S.
After considering the practical implications overnight, I realized that if I didn’t accept, AGV would just stop selling to me and create AGV America regardless. However, not excited about transitioning from an independent entrepreneur to an employee, I proposed a different approach.
The next day, I asked Dr. Puppo that if I was willing to take the management role, would AGV license the use of the AGV brand name for apparel. Sergio committed to return to Italy and speak about the the idea with Mr. Amisaon as he was not able to provide an answer on the spot.
A few days later, Sergio confirmed that Mr. Amisano had agreed, and the first AGV apparel licensing agreement was signed shortly thereafter. Gloves by GV Nord and boots by Guidici were produced in late 1984, with the first full year of production beginning in 1985. Leather suits by Guidici were added next. All of these original products were manufactured in italy.
In the early years, all AGV Sport products—gloves, boots, and suits—were manufactured entirely in Italy. Some of the first AGV Sport gloves were made by SPIDI.
AGVSPORT GTK Glove Manufactured by SPIDI
Initially, the products were branded with the AGV name and logo. The circular tri-color AGV logo worked well for helmets and gloves, but it wasn’t ideal for leather suits, jackets, pants, and boots. In response, the search began to find a more horizontal logo to better suit the apparel line.
Since the brand was AGV, I wanted to preserve its value, so I opted for a more generic name. The first AGV Sport logo was developed in the late ’80s, and both the AGV and AGV Sport logos were used depending on the product type from the late ’80s into the early ’90s.
In 1985, the incredibly popular American Grand Prix rider, Randy Mamola, became the first-ever World Championship Motorcycle Grand Prix racer sponsored by the new AGV apparel line.
Randy wore the first-ever racing gloves produced under the AGV brand name, known as the CX-1. He was just the first of many famous racers who would go on to wear AGV and AGVSPORT apparel over the years.
1988: The First International Importers of AGVSPORT
After the successful launch of the AGV apparel line in the US in 1985, Canada became the second country to introduce the AGV clothing line. In 1987, Yamaha Motor Canada became the sole importer. In Canada Yamaha established a series for the RZ350 and AGV helmets, leathers, and gloves became the official gear of the series.
The expansion into international markets quickly followed, with AGV Germany, Monza Imports in Australia, Nationwide Accessories in New Zealand, AGV France, and Euro Helmets in the UK joining in.
Over the years, the AGVSPORT brand spread globally, with distribution in countries including the US, Canada, Australia, Russia, Japan, New Zealand, India, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Panama, Mexico, Ukraine, Italy, France, Spain, the UK, Thailand, Malaysia, and many others.
1989: Keith Code’s California Superbike School Partnership
In 1989, AGVSPORT became the official leather supplier for Keith Code’s California Superbike School, a partnership that continues to this day. The sponsorship is one of the longest-running in the history of the motorcycle industry.
1990-1991: A World Championship Victory with AGVSPORT with Loris Capirossi
In a landmark achievement, Loris Capirossi secured the World Championship title while riding for the AGV Pileri Honda Team. During this historic win, Capirossi wore AGVSPORT suits, showcasing the brand’s commitment to high-performance gear trusted by world-class riders.
The victory solidified AGVSPORT’s reputation as a top choice for professional racers.
1993: From License to Partnership
In 1993, due to the rising success of the AGVSPORT brand especially in the US , Canada and Australia, AGV Helmets acquired a 51% stake in AGV Sports Group, Inc. Few people realize that for years, AGV Helmets Italy owned more than half of AGV Sports Group.
Sponsorships in the ’90s
By 1997, the AGVSPORT brand dominated the US Superbike series, and the list of racers wearing AGVSPORT leather suits read like a “who’s who” of Superbike racing from that era.
Notable riders included Ben Bostrom, Miguel DuHamel, Eric Bostrom, Thomas Stevens, Aaron Yates, Steve Crevier, Mat Mladin, Jason Pridmore, Tommy Hayden, Pascal Picotte, Tom Kipp, Larry Pegram, Nick Ienatsch, Doug Toland, Randy Renfrow, and Roland Sands.
1997: Bell 2
A little-known trivia fact: In 1997, AGV Sports Group was licensed by Bell Helmets to produce a line of motorcycle apparel under the name Bell2. Notable racers Roland Sands and Tom Kipp wore Bell2 leather suits.
1998: British Stuntman Gary Rothwell
The 1990s also saw British stuntman Gary Rothwell wearing AGVSPORT gear during his performances, adding to the brand’s recognition in motorsports and stunt circles.
The Creation of the Modern AGVSPORT Logo by Sergio Robbiano
Sergio Robbiano, a renowned Italian designer known for his work with SPIDI, XPD boots, Ducati, Bimota, and AGV Helmets Sergio played a key role in the design of a new AGVSPORT logo.
In 1997, he visited the US to attend Daytona road races, during which he stayed with the AGVSPORT team. After discussions about design work, Robbiano returned to Italy and, a few months later, presented the new AGVSPORT logo and the “A” logo with the oval around it. The lettering in logos was slightly updated in 2008 by italicizing the font.
2001: AGVSPORT Becomes an Independent Brand
At the end of the 1990’s Mr. Amisano put AGV Helmets up for sale. Not knowing who the new owners would be I decided to repurchased all shares of the company from AGV Helmets in Italy. I few years later AGV was sold to a group of Italian investors.
By the 2001 AGV was on the market again. This time the new owner wold be Atenor a large Belgian investment group. In the fall of 2001, an agreement was made between AGV , Atenor and AGV Sports Group, officially recognizing AGVSPORT as an independent brand, fully owned by AGV Sports Group worldwide and in perpetuity. This marked the first time since its inception in 1985 that the AGVSPORT name was completely legally and financially separate from AGV Helmets.
In 2007, Dainese acquired AGV, and the AGV brand was incorporated into Dainese’s portfolio. Later, the private capital group Investcorp, based in Bahrain, acquired the majority of shares in the Dainese Group.
AGVSPORT Today
The strategic partnership between KOMINE Co Ltd and AGV Sports Group Inc., signed on October 15, 2024, marks a major milestone in the motorcycle gear industry. By merging KOMINE’s cutting-edge protective technology with AGV Sports Group’s decades of experience and passion for motorsport apparel in North America, the collaboration aims to push the boundaries of safety and design.
Both companies are committed to advancing safety standards and creating rider-centric products. As part of the partnership, KOMINE’s state-of-the-art gear will be introduced to North American riders, while AGV Sports Group leverages its extensive market knowledge to promote KOMINE’s innovative offerings.
Michael Chang, Overseas Sales Manager of KOMINE Co Ltd, commented,
“Our cooperation represents the fusion of our shared dedication to motorcycling and rider protection. Together, we’re paving the way for safer, more thrilling riding experiences.”
AGV Sports Group’s history of passion and commitment to motorcycling ensures that every product they create is designed not just for performance but for safety, drawing inspiration from the legacy of founder Gino Amisano and his love for the sport.
Michael Parrotte – Founder and Owner of AGV Sports Group
He has been working as a dedicated enthusiast, passionate about motorcycles and motorcycle apparel.
Learn more about AGVSPORT on Wikipedia – Click here
Information for this article was partially sourced and researched from the following authoritative Government, educational, corporate, and nonprofit organizations:
- AGV Helmets
- California SuperBike School
- Wikipedia
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