Helmets with a built in sun visor: suggestions

[revnort]

It's not even really a setting. I've just looked closely at mine. From fully locked down you can pop the left side and the visor distorts a little bit as that side pops off the seal but at least on mine, there's no visible space between the visor and the seal. Also, the ratchet mechanism on both sides of the helmet remains in the fully closed position.

Having tried it on the road in very heavy rain, just cracking the visor did nothing to stop my spectacles from misting. I then had to open it to the first notch which even on a new 2013 GS which has good aerodynamics, resulted in my spectacles becoming covered in raindrops.

I suspect that you might be able to get some airflow in the bottom of the visor when it's in that unlocked position if you were to loosen off the pivots on both sides and move them slightly forward on the shell. However, I think that might well compromise the seal at the top of the visor and allow the ingress of rain onto its inside face.

Oh I wouldn't open it in rain but it is called city setting. It does let air in but it is a very slight crack. I haven't tried mine in wet weather but I would imagine nothing more than vents would be the best idea...

 

[revnort]

I'm really hoping they STOP putting these internal sun visors in helmets. I wear glasses and I only wear flip-up helmets. No one seems to make a flip-up without a built in sun visor any more.

The built in sun visor is either too big or too small. If it's in the right place for a certain riding position at a certain time, it's in the wrong position when one or both change. It is prone to scratching and generally cannot be replaced. The tint is either dark or too light.

I prefer to wear sunglasses in my helmet. The internal sun shade is dumb and only adds cost/weight.

Both shoeis with sun visors can be replaced easily. From my research both the Neotec and the GT air...it's the same visor...got it right for glasses. I don't wear them though. That said I'm sure there is a modular out there without one. Even if not you don't have to use it. Also they both have a system where you can leave the visor in any position...

 

[psychocandy]

Both shoeis with sun visors can be replaced easily. From my research both the Neotec and the GT air...it's the same visor...got it right for glasses. I don't wear them though. That said I'm sure there is a modular out there without one. Even if not you don't have to use it. Also they both have a system where you can leave the visor in any position...

Yeah, it's only the really high end ones that seem to have replaceable visors. And ones without visors seem to be either at the top or bottom of the price range. Neither of which I'm really interested in.

People always complain about flip-ups being heavy and their shells being bigger than unnecessary. But then helmet companies think that only nerds in love with gadgets wear flip-ups. I just wear glasses and can't wear anything but flip-ups.

My ideal flip-up wouldn't have the stupid visor and would be available with cool graphics. Two things that most manufacturers seem to think flip-up wearers would never support.

 

[revnort]

Yeah, it's only the really high end ones that seem to have replaceable visors. And ones without visors seem to be either at the top or bottom of the price range. Neither of which I'm really interested in.

People always complain about flip-ups being heavy and their shells being bigger than unnecessary. But then helmet companies think that only nerds in love with gadgets wear flip-ups. I just wear glasses and can't wear anything but flip-ups.

My ideal flip-up wouldn't have the stupid visor and would be available with cool graphics. Two things that most manufacturers seem to think flip-up wearers would never support.

Never heard of this first one but here are some with no visors all from website. They have a bunch more in the lower and upper price ranges. The Monaco seems cool and I like the police multitec
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/lazer-monaco-carbon-helmet
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/lazer-monaco-helmet
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/reevu-fsx1-rear-view-modular-helmet
http://www.revzilla.com/product/shoei-multitec-le-police-helmet

You should check out some of the nolans. Some have graphic and some just have cool designs. However I think they have the visor...

A and here is a few with graphics although visors...but let's be honest flip ups look pretty nerds on your head so I'm guessing it is more function over form
Graphics and no visor!
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/hjc-cl-max-2-atomic-helmet
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/gmax-gm54s-derk-modular-helmet

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/bell-revolver-evo-warp-helmet

 

[psychocandy]

I have a Nolan. I really like it except for the sun visor. And I find their graphics kinda lame (they are clearly meant to match BMWs).

I've had previous versions of that base model HJC. I prefer to go up a step in quality from those. Plus, they don't have a chin curtain like the Nolan has. Damn, that little chin curtain helps a LOT when it gets cold.

I don't know anything about those Monacos.

I'm interested in getting a Bell Revolver as my next helmet. I just need to try one on as lots of reviews say it doesn't work too well with glasses. Which, HELLO! Talk about stupid, I would be willing to bet that 99% of folks who buy flip-ups wear helmets. Also, it still has a visor (not make or break, I'd just prefer a lighter helmet without a useless doodad).

Lastly, the Reevu comes in a flip-up design! That's kinda cool.

 

[Surj]

Humm, it has been just the opposite for me..and I lived within a stones throw of the ocean at Monterey bay, doing the daily commute on hwy 1.

When I'd buy a helmet I'd first check the face shield stay put when open just enough to flow air...If it passed that test then the fit test came next.

And I wear glasses all the time.

I'm not really sure what you're saying here, Lou. The question here isn't the ability of the helmet to stay closed or open just enough, but rather how do I keep my glasses from fogging with the visor closed. Any real rider who's ridden in real rain knows that riding with your shield open even a bit in the rain results in water running down the inside of your shield and water all over your glasses, which is just as bad for visibility as fog. As I said, I've never had a helmet that flowed enough air to keep my glasses from fogging (with the shield closed) in rainy weather. Thus the desire to find a product that would keep my glasses from fogging.

There are two components to handle:

1. Shield
-Easy to keep from fogging with a Pinlock, so I can keep it closed.
-Thus, no fog, no water on the inside of the shield.

2. Glasses
-With shield closed, no water on lenses, but generally not enough air flow to keep from fogging.
-The various products in the article I linked to solve the fogging problem well enough to ride with the shield closed. Thus, no fog on shield or lenses, no water on inside of shield—woo!

 

[infraboy]

Just get a Bell helmet with the photochromatic transition faceshield, once you use one you can never go back to swapping faceshields. Theyre nice quality helmets too, been out a couple years with the faceshied. I'm still shocked that the other manufacturers havent caught on yet since it's the best thing to come out for helmets next to EPS liners.

 

[Squidly McSmearstain]

I wear glasses and HATE the flip up helmets. I've personally had no issues with my glasses and non-modular helmets.

I have prescription sunglasses and HATE wearing them with any helmet due to the impact on what I see. With the polarization of my sunglasses and the coatings on the visors I see weird purple instead of black and some things glow like they're under a black light. So, my best bet is a flip down sun visor that works well with my glasses. I just hate modular helmets.

I picked up a GT Air today from Cycle Gear. It's a really nice helmet and I'm pleased so far.

 

[crazyirv]

I highly recommend a Scorpion EXO-1100. It's quiet, solid as a rock. with a host of features. Just get the dark smoke inner visor to replace the stock light smoke one. Tho it doesn't have a sun visor-just to compare another helmet in general, I bought a Shoei Qwest just before the Scorpion-and it paled in comparison. When I turned my head sideways it howled like a banshee. The Scorpion-quiet, not to mention the visor, levered slightly open main visor, air inflatable pads, better looks, and awesome price on a closeout stlye.

 

[NorCalAthlete]

Surj - put cat crap on your glasses prior to riding in rainy conditions and see if that helps. No, don't go raid someone's litterbox - I mean this stuff snowboarders and skiers like myself use on our snow goggles. I have a feeling a bit of that would help drastically and it's a lot cheaper than a new helmet that may or may not fit as well as your "old faithful". For me, very few helmets fit my head perfectly. There's like one model of Arais, the Shoei RF1000, and maybe the RF 1200 (haven't tried it yet). Given that my next bike WILL be a supermoto though, I'm debating on one of those hybrid types - dirt bike helmet style but with a visor built in rather than having to wear goggles.

 

[Surj]

Surj - put cat crap on your glasses prior to riding in rainy conditions and see if that helps. No, don't go raid someone's litterbox - I mean this stuff snowboarders and skiers like myself use on our snow goggles.

Hehehe. Thanks Pete. I have tried Cat Crap, along with several others.

 

[Gary856]

Any real rider who's ridden in real rain knows that riding with your shield open even a bit in the rain results in water running down the inside of your shield and water all over your glasses, which is just as bad for visibility as fog. As I said, I've never had a helmet that flowed enough air to keep my glasses from fogging (with the shield closed) in rainy weather. Thus the desire to find a product that would keep my glasses from fogging.

2. Glasses
-With shield closed, no water on lenses, but generally not enough air flow to keep from fogging.
-The various products in the article I linked to solve the fogging problem well enough to ride with the shield closed. Thus, no fog on shield or lenses, no water on inside of shield—woo!

I had a revelation during a cold rainy ride up Mt Hamilton. No fogging initially - RF-1000 w/ pin-lock shield, and prescription glasses with no treatment. Halfway up I stopped to take some photos. Raised the shield and took off the gloves - didn't realize how cold and windy it was until then. When I was ready to go a few minutes later and closed the shield, my eye glasses fogged up instantly.

The physics is moist air condenses on cold lenses. To avoid fogging you can either try to get a lot of air flow to remove the moist air (but that gets cold on a cold day, and doesn't work in the rain, like you said), or try to keep the lens relatively warm, by putting on your helmet indoors, and not cracking/raising the shield once you're outside.

I've also used "DEFOG it" as added defense with good results.

 

[revnort]

So, my best bet is a flip down sun visor that works well with my glasses. I just hate modular helmets.

I picked up a GT Air today from Cycle Gear. It's a really nice helmet and I'm pleased so far.

I am also not a fan of modular.

Hope you enjoy the GT Air as much as I have been. I have a few minor gripes but so far all considered it's been the shiz. You may not be using it, but if put the breath guard in, make sure you find a way to secure it. IT falls out very easily. I cut up some little velcro dots and secured it in place and that has worked very well. I prefer it to keep the helmet less humid with everything closed up, and also for looks. No fog with the pinlock so it really isn't necessary though.