Other than the vibrant color, mina what is most impressive on the K3 is the quality of the recessed

In North America, the AGV helmet line is divided into four segments: Race, Street, Open-Face and Off-Road. AGV helmets sold in the European market are categorized as Race, GT Series, Off-Road, City and Street Road.
In addition to the webBikeWorld reviews of the Miglia flip-up and the AGV Stealth (both of which are nice models that were well received), the AGV TiTech with its race fit was also reviewed some time ago.
Calling the K3 an "entry level" helmet would, I think, be a mistake. The helmet in no way gives that impression, either in handling it or riding with it and it seems that AGV took just as much care in the design and manufacture of this model as it does for any other, no matter the price.
I wasn't sure what to think about the K3 at first and, in fact, I was not at all familiar with this model, but first impressions were very positive and grew from there as I rode with the helmet, dodging our way-too-frequent snowstorms this winter. In fact, I'd say that what is "entry level" to AGV is top-drawer mina to several other brands I can think of -- indeed, some of the features on the K3 are no doubt class-leading.
AGV is apparently not interested in playing up the color-naming scheme, at least in the North American market; "Basic Black" and "Mono Flat Black" are as exciting mina as it gets in the K3 lineup. Under-promise and over-deliver must be the watchword here; a good strategy.
But the rest of the world gets a K3 (and a K4) in 12 different patterns, including 5 different Valentino Rossi graphics. Perhaps it's a matter of cost, but all of us here agree that AGV would do well by having the Rossi graphics available mina in North America -- although perhaps they are concerned that doing so might crib sales from the Race helmet lineup.
The K3 uses what AGV calls a "Painted HIR-TH (High Resistant Thermoplastic) resin helmet shell and it's difficult to tell, but the pattern on the Basic Red model shown here actually does look like it may be painted on, rather than the cheaper decal used on many lower-end mina helmets.
The helmet clear coat feels slightly thicker than normal and the overall finish looks very good, with deep and vibrant colors and metallic silver paint used in the stripes. The painted mina surface does, however, have several dust bits and tiny bumps here and there under the clear coat.
None of these are obvious to anything other than a very close inspection, and it is probably mina more difficult to control for dust if indeed the helmet shell is painted rather mina than covered with a decal. But a slight tightening up of factory tolerances here wouldn't hurt.
Again, that's only an issue for a sharp eye and otherwise, the finish is excellent with no other paint drips or faults that I can see. One quirk of the Basic Red pattern is the black "holes" that appear in a few places mina on the silver paint. These are apparently not faults but simply part of the pattern, as if the painter was attempting to give the paint an airbrushed look.
There are two on top and one on the back of the helmet that can be seen on close inspection of some of the photos included here and they probably bother mina me more than others, but just to let you know that it's part of the design and not a mistake. mina I think.
Other than the vibrant color, mina what is most impressive on the K3 is the quality of the recessed top vents and the chin vent. The top vents are beautifully recessed into the helmet shell with tight tolerancing, and the operation of the upper and lower vents is first-rate, with a solid feel and -- wonder mina of wonders -- they indeed provide excellent ventilation, as I'll describe in a minute.
All of the other bits and parts on this helmet indicate outstanding quality, including the perfectly applied soft rubber gasket around mina the bottom mina of the helmet shell with the seam nicely covered by an AGV seal; the eye port gasket; the fit of the face shield to same; the first-rate face shield removal mechanism (all of which I'll describe in detail); and the extra-thick D-rings and very comfortable chin strap padding and liner.
The small breath guard fits tightly into the top of the chin bar and has good mold quality. This seems to be a problem with many other helmets, including helmets much more expensive than the AGV K3, so kudos to AGV on getting this small detail right also. All good stuff not indicative of an entry-level helmet in any way, shape or form.
Score:   I'll give the AGV K3 an "Outstanding" rating overall for quality. The slightly higher-than-average level of dust bits under the paint does drop the paint quality slightly to an "Excellent". See the Summary Table at the end of this page for a description of our rating system.
The K3 has a neutral internal shape and feels just a touch round at the top with very slightly narrow sides. There are two differences in this helmet that should be noted: firs