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The AGV XR-2 was the helmet that Valentino Rossi made famous. A lot of people wanted the helmet worn by the World Champion and there were a lot of great reasons to want that helmet.
The XR-2 uses a Carbon Kevlar fiber that makes the helmet strong and lightweight. It was around 3lbs 10oz. The XR-2 is still about the same weight as the new TiTech model that was aimed to replace the XR-2.
The XR-2 being a race-helmet vents better at higher speeds. It starts to really work around 60mph, but below that, it was average in our tests. It might not be quite as as good as some newer models, but it seems to do a fine job of keeping your head cool when it is hot out.
The internal padding is completely removable and that means you can wash it or buy a new liner set. This is a must if you ride often and especially if you ride in a warm climate. The liner is made from Coolmax and that is what keeps you cool and dry. The padding in thick and firm in this helmet. When the helmet is placed on your head, it feels solid. It tends to give a firm push on the cheeks, which is very important for a race helmet. You want the helmet to fit snug if you are riding at higher speeds.
The fit is generally round. but that doesn't mean you won't get a good fit if you are still in the moderate range. The XR-2 did seem to run about 1 size small in our testing. Everyone of our testers needed to go up one full size during the testing process.
The visor changing system on the XR-2 is the same one in use on the TiTech. It is a great system that works well. Visor can be removed in about 5 seconds and re-installed in less than 10 seconds. Mirrored visors do seem to take an extra few seconds, but once you do it a few times it becomes second nature.
The visors are available in several choices. From clear, smokes and colored mirror versions. The visors are flat-molded, UV-resistant, anti-scratch and also anti-fog coated. Also, the stock helmet visor is tear-off ready for you racers out there.
The XR-2 is rated for the European BSI standard as well as DOT. AGV stuck to their guns and did not cower to the US market and re-certify their helmet to the SNELL standard. The BSI is a great standard, which is overshadowed here in the United States. The BSI standard is MOTOGP approved and that is good enough for us.
Overall, we think the AGV XR-2 is a fine helmet. It vents fairly well and performed well in all of our tests. All of our testers seemed to like the XR-2 in terms of comfort and fit. The TiTech is the newer model, but we think the XR-2 is still a solid choice and would recommend not overlooking the XR-2.
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