AGV Sports Group Blog

A girl in an AGV Sport Laguna Suit

In case any of you haven’t heard, Motonation is AGV Sport’s main distributor, and they have been talking about us a lot recently

Motorcyclist – 01-2011 Issue

http://motonationwhatsnew.blogspot.com/2010/12/motorcyclist-january-2011-sidi-agv.html

Ultimate Motorcycling – Winter 2011 Issue

http://motonationwhatsnew.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-shopping-w-ultimate.html

BMW Owners News – 12-2010 Issue

http://motonationwhatsnew.blogspot.com/2010/12/bmw-owners-news-agv-sport-telluride-and.html

RoadRacing World – 12-2010 Issue

http://motonationwhatsnew.blogspot.com/2010/11/roadracing-world-dec-2010-issue-cobra.html

www.smartcycleshopper.com – 11-10-2010

http://motonationwhatsnew.blogspot.com/2010/11/proper-gear-for-that-brand-new-ride.html

Webbikeworld

http://motonationwhatsnew.blogspot.com/2010/09/agv-sport-venus-jacket-web-bike.html

You can find all of these AGV Sports items and more at www.motonation.com

Motorcycle Backpack

AGV Sport has a new Alliance Backpack that features Kevlar coverage throughout the backside of the sides and three-quarters of the back of the pack.

The main construction is a 50/50 blend of medium-weight polyester and cotton.

YKK zippers ensure longevity and ease of use. There are two full-zip front pockets, in addition to a wide range of zipper-closed storage areas.

The MSRP for the AGV Sport Alliance Backpack is $59, and it is available in you choice of Gunmetal or Black.

AGV Sport “Venus” Women’s Jacket Review

by “Smalls” for webBikeWorld.com

Summary: AGV Sport has been in the motorcycle apparel business for many years and their gear is very popular with street riders in the U.S.A.

A company doesn’t survive that long without quality products, so for details about one of their women’s high-quality, armored leather jackets, read on…

I resigned after four months (I prefer working for myself) but in that time frame I learned even more about the industry and mechanics of motorcycling.

I thought I had a good working knowledge of motorcycle engines and parts until I pulled up my first parts fiche.

Holy cow!  There are more parts in an engine than I realized – I swear, some carburetors had over twenty parts alone!

Concerning accessories, I now understand why many motorcycle shops don’t carry more women’s gear.  A store might end up stocking a product that doesn’t sell for whatever reason — do that enough times and it’s very costly.

We women are picky (well, I am) and want a certain look, and it’s impossible for shops to carry a little bit of everything.

It is still frustrating when I want to try something on that isn’t in the store, but now at least I understand the complexities involved.

This is where gear reviews come in handy — a rider can get an idea of the quality and fit of a product before making a purchase.  Reviewing motorcycle gear is a dirty job, but someone has to do it and I’m willing to make that sacrifice (yes, all my motorcycling friends hate me)!

Sizing and Construction
In my opinion, the AGV Sport Venus Leather Jacket runs true to size based on their sizing chart and my measurements; I ordered a size small and it fits well.

Designed specifically for women, the Venus Jacket is definitely not a down-sized men’s cut.  Princess seams (rounded seams in women’s tops) form a close fit that compliments women’s figures.  Velcro waist tabs let the rider make adjustments.

The sleeve length is great and the pre-curved construction means a comfortable fit without bunching when riding.  The cuffs stay securely closed with 5.5 inch (14 cm) long zippers and snap closures; replacement snaps are included.  On my Venus Jacket, the inside circumference of the cuffs is 7.75 inches (19.7 cm) and the cuffs are narrow enough to fit under many gauntlet gloves.

Zippered chest intake vents and back exhaust vents are well-placed for maximum airflow.  The 100% polyester mesh lining has leather pieces sewn into the underarm seams to prevent ripping.  The vents and mesh lining will get a rider through warm weather, but this is not a hot weather jacket — although a great deal depends on the rider.

For instance, I get cold easily and in 62 degree (16 Celsius) weather with just a T-shirt underneath, I actually got a little chilled with all the vents closed; others might have been comfortable in those conditions.

The waist on AGV Sport Venus Leather Jacket is slightly longer in the back than the front, but not by much.  The back of the jacket is approximately 2 inches (5.1 cm) shorter than other jackets I’ve reviewed.  When I wore this jacket with my low-rise riding pants I didn’t have as much back coverage as I’d have liked riding my Ninja 500.  A high-waist riding pant may pair better with the Venus Jacket.

A moisture-wicking neck liner at the back of the banded collar adds more comfort.  The AGV Sport logo is embroidered on the collar and appliquéd in leather on the sleeves and lower back.

Protection and Visibility
If you’re going to zoom your body along at 75 MPH with only a motorcycle between you and the pavement and other vehicles, you’d be wise to invest in protective gear.  The cost of gear is small when compared to medical bills or even worse, the priceless cost of a life.

I’m probably preaching to the choir, since you’re reading this article…so I’ll get to what you’re waiting for: What does the AGV Sport Venus Leather Jacket have to offer?

For starters, the Venus Jacket is made with 1.1 mm to 1.3 mm thick leather, with the thinner leather over the body and thicker leather over impact areas.  The main seams are stitched multiple times to help prevent tearing.

Included are removable CE-approved shoulder and elbow armor and a 1 cm thick foam back pad for increased protection.

I’m fanatical about night-time visibility and the AGV Sport Venus Leather Jacket does not disappoint.  The back and front of the jacket contain 3M reflective piping which becomes bright under lights.

Rounding out the protective features, there is a waist connection zipper for attachment to riding pants; this helps keep your back covered during rides and in the event of a slide.  If the zipper doesn’t connect to your favorite riding pant, simply remove the bottom portion of the jacket’s zipper and sew that piece to any pant below the back waistband.

Zippers and Pockets
There’s no shortage of pockets on the AGV Sport Venus jacket.  The two hand-warming pockets are slightly shallow for me — I can’t get my hands all the way inside them, but then again, I have large hands.

However, there are three large pockets on the inside.  A vertical zipped pocket is 6 inches (15.2 cm) long and 5.75 inches (14.6 cm) deep.  A non-zipped horizontal pocket (sometimes called a map pocket) measures 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) wide and 7 inches (17.8 cm) deep.

Last, but not least, there is a zipped, waterproof media pocket with additional pockets inside it for a cell phone and iPod, including an opening and tab for tangle-free earphone use.  All zippers are YKK and the main zip has a custom AGV Sport logo pull.

Conclusion
The AGV Sport Venus Leather Jacket is another fine example of a well-made, armored leather jacket designed specifically for women.

Leather and CE-approved armor offer optimum protection while princess seams and colored panels flatter women’s curves.  If you’re looking for an understated yet eye-catching jacket, you may have just found it.

Our AGVSPORT Laguna gloves have garnered yet another review, this time by Sport Rider magazine in their September 2010 issue. The popular race gloves are created to have maximum ventilation with the most abrasion resistant leather and have extra padding including memory foam padding on the top of the hand. “We [Sport Rider Magazine] found the Laguna Race gloves very comfortable, with no stitches or seams in any grip areas causing annoyance or discomfort.” They noted a much better fit and quality of the gloves among others they have tried within the same price range. “Constructed from premium cowhide for high tear strength and abrasion resistance, yet with a soft and comfortable interior, the Laguna Race sports feature you usually don’t see in a glove with a list price for only $124.”

The review stressed how much ventilation the Laguna gloves provided when riding. “Speaking of venting, the Laguna Race had it in abundance, with the leather panels inside all four fingers (as well as the panel running along the outside of the index finger almost up to the wrist) completely perforated…If you constantly ride in hot weather, these gloves are definitely worth looking at.” We make the gloves with perforated leather and holes that are bigger than average in diameter. These gloves offer ventilation as well as protection, with extra padding strategically placed within the glove to ensure maximum safety. Not only are they reliable, ventilated, and affordable, they also come in four different colors (red, blue, yellow, and black) to match any gear or bike. They are available in sizes S to XXL and can be purchased through Motonation for $124.

We would like to thank Sport Rider magazine for publishing this review in their September 2010 issue.

The AGV Sport Tempest Textile Jacket is built for long rides in summer weather. With zip open air vents positioned placed strategically around the jacket and a breathable Reissa membrane, you are always kept at the perfect temperature on hot days.

In a review done by BMW Motorcycle Magazine, they said “You no longer need to worry about overheating while riding your motorcycle.” This jacket has maximum ventilation without sacrificing any safety features due to the “CE-approved dual-density shoulder and elbow protectors along with an 8mm-thick memory foam padding…[on] the upper arms and lower back.” Another safety feature that goes hand in hand with design is the reflective details trailing along the jacket so that you can continue riding into night time assured that nearby traffic can see you. This jacket can be purchased online at Motonation.

Paired with the jacket are AGV Sport’s Mayhem Short Gloves which proved to be “strong, light, abrasion resistant, cool, and comfortable.” With vented mesh textile and dual layer panel in the upper hand makes the gloves as non-binding and ventilated as possible. “They feature an extra palm pad positioned on the base of the palm to provide comfort while hard-metal mesh armor with shock absorbing memory foam on the knuckles offer extra protection.” The gloves can also be purchased online at Motonation.

Both items, when worn together or separately, are ideal in warm to scorching conditions. They allow you to ride without the irritation of being constricted or overheated because the jacket is so well ventilated. True to our mission, AGVSPORT has designed this jacket to be perfect for high temperatures while never compromising safety or style.

We would like to thank the Summer 2010 issue of BMW Motorcycle Magazine, review can be read below, for their great review on the AGV Sport Tempest Textile Jacket and Mayhem Short Gloves; both items, and more from AGVSPORT, can be purchased through our U.S. distributor, Motonation.

BMW Motorcycle Mag_Summer Gear Feature

We all know that riding can be dangerous, and that wearing the right clothing and gear is what is needed to be safe. Whether you are on the road or on the track you always have to take into consideration that a crash could occur at any time. Better to be safe than sorry right?

Well, according to the report entitled: The Injury Reduction Benefits of Motorcycle Protective Clothing, injured riders who had been wearing leather gear spent on average 7 days or less in the hospital and returned to work only 20 days earlier than unprotected riders. “It’s concluded that protective clothing can prevent or reduce 43% of injuries to soft tissue, and 63% of deep and extensive injuries.”  The report which was written by Liz de Rome can be viewed here:

The Injury Reduction Benefits of Motorcycle Protective Clothing

When looking for a ‘one-piece racing suit,’ you should include the following in your checklist:

• premium top-grain leather
• CE approved armor
• extra padding
• Kevlar fabric

Not many people know this, but being comfortable whilst your riding increases your level of concentration. If you are riding on a hot summer day the last thing you want is to overheat, and become ridiculously sweaty. Especially, if you feel like you are going to suffocate, chances are that you will be disoriented and you won’t be focusing on the road or the track the way you should be.  Therefore, it’s all very good to have that extra thick padding to protect your chest and tail bone areas, but you also want to make sure that areas such as your chest, stomach, and upper legs are perforated for maximum ventilation.

The AGVSPORT Monza, one-piece racing suit, is an example of this.

MCN and RiDE are two magazine companies who have carried out product tests that review which motorcycle brands score the highest when it comes to abrasion, burst, and impact protection, zipper and road testing, and prices.

The RiDE News Magazines: “Product Test” gave AGV Sport an overall 46/60 which had the highest point-value compared to other brands such as Spyke, and Alpinestars.  In particular, the AGV Sport suit scored a perfect 10 in the abrasion protection test and 8 out of 10 in the impact protection test.

MCN had also released test results regarding Hip Bursts, Elbow Bursts, Knee Abrasion, Shoulder Abrasion, and the overall score.  AGV Sport came first place in all areas.

If you click on this link http://www.agvsport.com/2007/index2.html and then select the tab: “Racer Support” the MCN and RiDE links are situated on the right-hand side under “Look at tests performed by:”

As they say, safety first, safety always!