HJC vs AGV helmets: SHARP stars, sizing, warranty and CA$ landed prices tier by tier

HJC is the better buy at the bottom of the range and AGV is the better-rated helmet from the middle up. In SHARP's independent tests the AGV K1 S, K6 S and K7 each earned five stars, while the HJC models SHARP has rated earned three or four. But HJC's C10notifications_active earned four stars at £89 and costs a median CA$214 in Canada, against CA$320 for the five-star AGV K1 Snotifications_active. Across the two brands' full helmet ranges the Canadian median page price is almost identical (HJC CA$470, AGV CA$472), so brand name tells you little about cost; the model does. This guide compares them tier by tier using manufacturer specs, SHARP ratings and landed CA$ prices from Canadian, US and EU stores (ALLR data, 2026-10-21).

How big is each range?

HJC is the broader catalogue: 1,670 complete helmet pages in stock to Canada on 2026-10-24 against 172 for AGV (ALLR catalog API, country=CA, inStock=1, spare parts excluded; pages include colourways, so these count graphics, not models). The 2026-10-21 version of this paragraph counted 978 and 169; HJC's count rose after US helmet retailers were added to the catalogue on 23 and 24 October. HJC's middle half of helmet pages runs from CA$376 to CA$823; AGV's from CA$364 to CA$742. That is the pattern to expect: HJC starts lower and stretches into carbon race helmets, AGV concentrates on fewer models from CA$124 (the X70) upward. AGV is owned by Dainese (acquired 2007, Wikipedia).

Tier by tier: specs and SHARP stars

Two cautions. SHARP tests the UK model, and the same model can carry a different approval elsewhere: HJC America's RPHA 12 page lists only DOT FMVSS 218, while HJC's European page for the RPHA 12 says it meets or exceeds ECE 22.06. Check the label on the helmet you are sent. And a modular is not a full-face: SHARP classes the RPHA 91, F100 and i80 as flip-front helmets although ALLR's catalog lists them under full-face, so read the product title. Our modular vs full-face guide explains the P and P/J labels. The AGV Tourmodular is covered by a recall for specific batches; see our AGV vs Shoei guide.

What each costs in Canada

The i71 is the surprise: at a CA$332 median it costs about the same as the five-star K1 S (CA$320) while SHARP gave it four stars, so the K1 S is the better value of that pair; compare them side by side. The C10 is the cheapest rated helmet here by a wide margin, with ten Canadian stores at CA$149.95 to CA$159.95. At the top, K6 S vs RPHA 12 is nearly level on median (CA$800 against CA$779), but the cheapest Canadian store for the RPHA 12 (CA$650) is below the usual K6 S price (CA$799.99 in seven of ten stores). The CA$364 K6 S lowest is a 2XL clearance colourway listed at Revco and Royal Distributing, not a typical price. K7 vs V10 is a trade: the V10 median (CA$553) is 30% below the K7's (CA$790), but SHARP gave the V10 three stars and the K7 five. In the race tier no Canadian store stocked the RPHA 1N V2 on 2026-10-21; its CA$1,279 lowest is a US store landed to Canada.

Fit and sizing: HJC runs one centimetre smaller from L up

A 60 cm head is an HJC XL but an AGV L, so do not carry your size across brands. HJC's chart also reaches further at both ends (3XS 50 to 51 cm up to 5XL 68 to 69 cm), while AGV's guide for these models stops at XXL. HJC's fit guide says to measure about one inch (2.5 cm) above the eyebrows and, if you fall between sizes, to try the larger helmet first; Shoei says the opposite, and SHARP advises trying on as many as possible. Neither HJC's nor AGV's pages state a head-shape designation for these models, so use our head shape guide and our sizing guide by brand.

Buying in Canada: store, US or overseas?

Canadian stores win at the budget end (the C10 is CA$150 at home against CA$202 from the cheapest EU store). From the middle up, EU and UK stores undercut them once duty and brokerage are included, and the HJC RPHA 12 is cheapest from a US store (CA$564 landed, but that listing had only the 2XL in stock). HJC's warranty page says the RPHA series is covered for up to five years from purchase or seven from manufacture, while all other models get three years from purchase or five from manufacture, processed through the dealer you bought from (HJC warranty); it does not discuss overseas purchases. AGV's five-year extension must be registered within 30 days and sits on top of the legal warranty of the country where you bought the helmet (AGV warranty). Canadian stores tracked for these helmets include Revco, FortNine, ADM Sport, GPbikes, MotoHut, RidingGear.ca, Royal Distributing and Ottawa Goodtime Centre. Landed cost explained shows how the totals are built.

Verdict by rider type

Prices are a dated snapshot (ALLR data, 2026-10-21); the method is on the methodology page. For the buying sequence, start at the buyer's guide hub.