Modern Vespa

I have a tendency to over-research all scooter related purchases.
At the moment I'm seesawing between going modular or full face. I was trying to hold out for Scorpion's EXO-1000, but it's beginning to look like that thing will never come...not to mention that I have a vague feeling it's going to be all hype.

Jim (MSNscooter) has some great things to say about the modular AGV Miglia, but does anyone have any experience with AGV's full face S-4? It has a sleek, slightly-retro design at a decent ff price (between $158 - $200). Not to mention that it's Italian.





Yeah, I know. "Go try it on and see for yourself." The problem is that I haven't been able to find a single AGV dealer within hundreds of miles of here...and I'm really digging their helmets.


If neither of those, then I'll probably go for Scorpion's EXO-400.





Too many choices.

Does it fit you? That's the single most important thing to keep in mind. An ill fitting helmet, no matter how cool looking is a waste of money and will make riding miserable.

I couldn't find much about the S4, but the Miglia is not European ECE
compliant, if that matters to you.

Dave

I've got an EXO-400. Decent helmet for the price. Very comfortable and decent ventilation. Though I am thinking about going modular for my next helmet.

Brian

That's the problem, there's no local AGV dealer around to try one on. (Anyone know of one anywhere in Georgia?) Searching for a dealer on the AGV web site is also more than pointless...the U.S. sister site is infuriating to navigate to say the least.

Fit is definitely the most important thing...but at the same time, if I were to limit myself to buying a helmet from a local dealer, I'd have all the options of choosing from a wide range of Fulmers, Fulmers, or Fulmers with maybe an AFX or Vega thrown into the mix. (I honestly don't think I've seen a single Shoei, Arai, AGV, Nolan, etc. at a local dealer.) There are a LOT of bikers in this area, but I'm not exaggerating when I say a good 75 - 80% of them wear 1/2 helmets. That's the demand on local dealers, and so that's what they supply. I have to drive an hour and a half just to hit the nearest Scorpion of HJC dealer, let alone any other fairly decent helmet. Believe me, if I find an AGV dealer within driving distance, I'll be there.

As for the Miglia not being ECE compliant, the review on webbikeworld.com suggests that this might be because the Miglia, though Italian made, is solely sold in the U.S. (At least at the time of the review.) It'd be equivalent to a U.S. helmet being sold overseas and leaving off any DOT certified stamps of approval on the packaging...it doesn't mean it wouldn't pass DOT specifications, but why advertise it if that's not the standard in the market it's being sold in.

I only mentioned that as helmet threads tend too bring up the DOT/Snell/ECE rating round table discussion....

Why not get on the GTV and ride to another city where there's a better selection of helmets and motorcycle stores? Or, if you don't want to ride start phoning dealers in near by cities to see what the stock.


Dave

[quote="Chetwynder"] Oh, totally understandable and I appreciate you bringing it to my attention. It does seem kind of strange that an Italian designed helmet wouldn't be ECE compliant...I think it baffled the guys at webbikeworld, as well...especially considering that they were really impressed with the Miglia. stating "overall it just seems to work better than just about any other modular helmet I can think of." I generally try to fit a few bike shops along any out-of-town route, much to my wife's chagrin. Like I said before, I tend to research the hell out of any helmet / jacket / gloves whatever I get, so I wanted to gather a little rider experience on the S-4 or Miglia before I really dove into trying to find the nearest dealer, etc. No sense finding driving to a dealer 200 miles away if the general consensus is that the helmet is a bucket o' shite!

Just curious: why the switch?

Convenience mostly. I like having the full face helmet, but it would be nice to flip up the front sometimes for extra air at stoplights or talking to someone while wearing the helmet.

i have the precursor to this helemt.
it's served me well, and i really like the AGV stuff. the venting could be a little better, but in terms of fit, finish and overall performance i've been very happy.

that being said, it is a bit heavy. not crazy or anything but could be a bit lighter.

i'll be going for a shark or another AGV for my next lid, unless i can find a deal on an arai...

best,
-greasy