News from the Parts Unlimited dealer showcase: AGV is showing off the new helmet it co-developed with Valentino Rossi. According to Dealer News, the AGV Pista will retail for “$1,300 to $1,500″ when it goes on sale, “in the next year.”
     The publication also reports an 800 gram weight, which sounds erroneous given AGV claimed 1,250 grams when it unveiled the helmet in March.

     The Pista, or AGV PistaGP, depending on which material you’re reading on which day will be AGV’s new flagship helmet and, possibly, the most high end road racing helmet on the market. According to Dealer News again, the helmet will be produced in “extremely limited” numbers, with each carrying a unique number.
     Its benefits aren’t just in weight or looks though, but it safety too. The Pista allegedly absorbs 46 percent more energy in a crash than the GP-Tech. A few features, how the new PistaGP compares to the outgoing GP-Tech: - 1250g, down from 1560g - 193% more ventilation area, etc.

     AGV used lasers to scan Valentino Rossi’s head (not surprisingly, he says it fits great) and they used their 3D model of The Doctor to design the helmet from the inside out, starting with the liner, then the EPS impact protection, and finally the carbon outer shell.
     At 1250 grams, it ties the XR1R for lightness and it’s appreciably smaller than the GP-Tech it replaces. The design was informed by 28 hours in the wind tunnel and comes in four carbon fiber shell sizes with four places to adjust the removable and washable liner.
     There are four “always open” intakes (truly a helmet for racing) and two exhausts, but plastic covers are included to cover the intakes in bad weather. The visor is incredibly thick, measuring 3.3 mm (more than 1mm thicker that the XR1R shield), and benefits from a locking system like that of the HJC RPS-10 to reduce the risk of accidental opening. ”I consider the PistaGP helmet a tribute to Gino Amisano, an entrepreneur I admired for his ability to innovate, the records he achieved, and the competitive spirit with which he faced every challenge.
     The new helmet is part of the AGV Standards project, which, in line with the qualities established by Amisano, revolutionizes the way helmets are designed, setting new records for protection and ergonomics that are clearly evident,” said Lino Dainese.



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