The Dragon has become my new official favorite helmet, and has been the one I grab for a quick ride or commute all season. I still keep it close to the door, and use it on all but the coldest of days. The Euro streetfighter styling is what appealed to me at first, but once I started using this open face there was so much more to love. The jet-fighter pilot look may startle some at first, and I’ve taken my share of ribbing around the office. They’ll just have to get used to it. I like it.

Another feature I enjoy that I never really thought of before is that I can slip the Dragon on and off my head easily even while wearing sunglasses. I own other 1/2 and 3/4 helmets that I can’t say the same about. The bug-eyed, mini face shield swings down into position easily with only two steps of detent available, and both a clear and smoke-colored shield are shipped with each Dragon. The smoke version has been on mine since day one. The shell is made of Resin Thermoplastic and, unfortunately, one of the side effects of such a manufacturing process is a fine seam line that’s visible around the back of the helmet. But other than that, the quality of the finish is top-notch. The Dragon is light in weight, heavy in spunk, and DOT-certified.

The interior padding wraps clear around my ears and the helmet has no external holes for venting, yet still it’s comfortable in all temperatures. The latch feels quite comfortable and natural to operate. I’ve never fumbled with it once. Two long fabric straps run parallel to the strap for added comfort on the chin.

The only real complaint I have about the Dragon is that the lower inside corners of the eye shield may become scratched if the user swings it up and down too many times. I’m thinking that wind pressure while riding flexes the eye shield, and it touches the outside shell of the helmet at times, causing the scratches. But said scratches are not in the field of view, and they’re nothing that a little plastic polish can’t repair. The Dragon comes in four finishes: gloss black, flat black, Army camo, and steel gray. RB

The chinstrap utilizes an easy-to-operate, quick-release buckle. No D-rings to trouble you.

Sources

AGV Dragon $119.95

800/950-9006

www.AGV.com