AGV Debuts Brand New Pista GP R3 Helmet and Ushers in Next-Level ProtectionRideApartinfo@rideapart.com (Robbie Bacon)Tue, September 15, 2026 at 11:53 AM UTCAdd us on GoogleAGV PISTA GP R3AGV just launched the Pista GP R3, a successor to the hugely popular Pista GP RR. But the use of new technology means this should be one of the safest lids on the market.AGV's Pista GP RR has been the go-to helmet for riders both on and off track since it launched in 2020. It's fair to say that technology has moved on tremendously in terms of safety over the past six years, making the GP RR seemingly more popular with content creators than racers in 2026. Now, the Italian company has launched the Pista GP R3, which looks set to bring the company's flagship helmet back to its home on the track.The Pista GP R3's headline is that it increases protection for its wearer from oblique impacts, thanks to the introduction of the AGV Sphera system with Release Layer System (RLS) technology. This safety system makes the risk of concussion six times less likely compared to standard configurations.Featuring a shell made entirely of carbon fiber, the Pista GP R3 is seemingly an improvement over the Pista GP RR in almost every way, from rider protection to aerodynamic performance, comfort, and channeled ventilation, all while preserving the design language and shape of arguably the most recognizable helmet on the road and track today.pista-r3-120Photo by: AGVAll Things AGVAGV's Pure Carbon Fiber Pista GP RR Now Available In North AmericaI Didn't Need A New Motorcycle Helmet Until I Saw AGV's K7AdvertisementAdvertisementDesigned in accordance with the requirements of the new FIM FRHPhe-02 standard, the International Motorcycling Federation's most recent protocol for racing helmets, the Pista GP R3 takes a new approach to managing oblique impacts, one of the areas on which the FIM regulations have focused most heavily.In the event of impacts that cause rotational acceleration, the helmet and the skull rotate, while the brain, suspended in cerebrospinal fluid, tends to follow this movement with a slight delay. This relative rotation between the skull and the brain generates the stresses that result in damage. The AGV Sphera is designed to limit the rotational force to the head from the very first stages of impact, helping to reduce its effects sixfold. If all of this sounds familiar, it's probably because you've heard of a very similar technology in MIPS, which aims to deal with the same safety issue.Unlike MIPS, which uses a continuous sliding layer, the Pista GP R3 features a layer of bearings, more than 1,600 of them, each measuring 2mm. This layer is designed to roll and release if a rider hits their head at an oblique angle, which limits the rotational force transmitted to the brain. The bearings are glued in place to ensure they won't rattle at high speed, and they haven't added any weight to this model compared to the Pista GP RR.Angel Sanchez, CEO of the Dainese Group, stated, "We are proud to once again bring a revolution to the world of motorcycling, radically increasing the safety of our riders—our mission and our priority in every product. We are confident that this innovation will raise the bar even higher for everyone, just as with all previous iterations of the Pista. To achieve this extraordinary result, we worked closely with RLS, an innovative and outstanding British startup which, like us, is fully dedicated to human safety in dynamic environments. With the AGV Sphera system, developed in collaboration with RLS, we are proud to be the first to bring this revolutionary technology to a motorcycle helmet."AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Pista GP R3's safety tech may be its headline feature, but AGV has improved with on the Pista GP RR in more ways than just protection. Significant updates have also been made to the ventilation system. The air vents are now made from Grilamid, a composite of plastic and carbon fiber, and are supposed to provide improved heat dissipation. The visor system has evolved too and is now up to 5 mm thick in some areas, which provides added protection, and features an opening mechanism with even greater retention force, which should reduce the chances of it opening during an impact.The Pista GP R3 made its official launch at the 2026 San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix event, worn by official MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 riders. It's still unclear what this lid's MSRP will be; I'd expect this unit to start at around $1,700-$1,800, but all will become clear before it goes on sale to the general public next year.
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