AGV has revealed an updated version of its Marco Simoncelli tribute GP-Tech full-face helmet and a pilot-style visored open-face helmet in the colors of the late motorcycle racer.

The AGV GP-Tech Special Marco Simoncelli Tribute helmet has been restyled to more closely resemble the late MotoGP racer’s helmet. Key changes include the addition of a Dainese logo on top of the helmet shell and a heart graphic in the colors of the Japanese flag Simoncelli had added in memory of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

Even more notable, enough to question why it wasn’t done for the original version of the tribute helmet, is Simoncelli’s signature #58. The previous version used the number 1, for some reason. Continue Reading »

AGV has unveiled its PistaGP helmet, the first product of the AGV Standards program that creates a helmet’s fit from a laser scan of the rider’s head.

Traditional helmets designs begin with the outer shell first, with the internals designed after, resulting in helmets that fit various generic head shapes. That’s not a problem if your head is one of those shapes. Otherwise, you’ll usually have to sacrifice some element of comfort for a decent overall fit.

AGV Standards starts with the inside first, with laser scanners creating a digital version of a rider’s head. This digital scan can be used to create a 3D model with exact measurements various contours on the head. For the PistaGP, AGV recruited MotoGP star Valentino Rossi to help with development.

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MotoGP star Valentino Rossi is taking part in a live-streaming online interview to answer questions from fans.

The nine-time World Champion will speak to his fans in a live interview Dec. 21 at 3 pm GMT (10 am EST/7 am PST) hosted by Dainese.

Rossi will answer selected questions submitted through Dainese’ Facebook page or on the Italian gear manufacturer’s website at http://www.dainese.com/wd_en/daineseme/valentino_livestream.

[Source: Dainese]

Dainese will showcase the street version of its D-air airbag suit at the EICMA motorcycle show, Nov. 8-13 in Milan, Italy.

The D-air Street system comes a year after Dainese presented the racing version at last year’s EICMA show. Unlike the D-air Racing system, the D-air Street is made up of two parts, a suit portion and a unit that attaches to a motorcycle.

The motorcycle-mounted unit has accelerometer sensors on the fork and frame to sense impending slides or impacts. The unit wirelessly relays information to the wearable suit and can trigger the 12l airbags, protecting the rider and/or pillion passenger wearing the suits.

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MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi is known for his flamboyant personality, but he may never have been more “in your face” than he was in the 2008 Italian Grand Prix at the Mugello Circuit.

Rossi won that race, his third in a nine-win championship season, and the rest of the MotoGP paddock at Mugello was treated to the sight of Rossi’s face plastered across his helmet.

Designed by Aldo Drudi, the “face” helmet was immediately popular and a limited edition version by manufacturer AGV sold out in a matter of days.

On the eve of the 2009 MotoGP season, AGV and parent company Dainese are offering racing fans a chance to have their own customized face helmet.

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Perhaps the most memorable helmet this season in MotoGP sat atop the head of the most memorable rider. Coincidence? The ‘Rossi Face’ helmet worn by Valentino Rossi at this year’s Mugello round is now for sale by AGV as a limited edition replica of the original helmet. Based on the range-topping GP-Tech, it benefits from the same safety features as Rossi’s, including the carbon/Kevlar shell. Rossi was recently named honorary president of AGV for his involvement in bringing worldwide attention to the long-time sponsor.