Tinted Visors vs. Sun Glasses

[OldGuy]

OK troops time to get your opinions. As the days get longer and the sun is up more of the riding time, which is the better option; clear visor and sun glasses or a tinted visor? If the tinted visor, does the color make a difference?

Granted there are a couple of helmets out there that have internal visors (Nolan and Scorpion) and a company that is working on an electronic add-on that will be killer when then get it on the market and it will work with other visors. But baring those options it's either sun glasses or a tinted visor for now.

[Alex]

I've always preferred sunglasses + clear visor. This way in case you get caught after dark you're not stuck with a dark visor, and/or the need to carry a spare clear visor on the bike. I also tend to ride with the visor at least partially up a good portion of the time, and I like having close-fitting sunglasses over my eyes on the off-chance a bug or something else make a direct hit through the visor opening.

[Nemy]

Well you've got the exo-700 as well, so changing visors literally takes 5 seconds. I have the dark smoke for mine but if I know I might be caught out in the dark, I'll pack along my clear visor or tuck it into my jacket. Even if you get caught unprepared, it only gets bad if its raining at night, otherwise streetlights are more than enough to see through the dark smoke. Plus IIRC, scorpion also makes a light smoke that you might wanna give a go.

[M-Oorb]

I think I have the best of both worlds with my helmet.
http://www.hjc-helmets.com/product/SUL576601-ATT.html
I have an HJC helmet with a clear visor put you could slide down little sunglasses that are built into the helmet. This was one of the main things that led me to buy this helmet as I live in florida(the sunshine state). I would highly recommend this helmet to anyone in search of a new one.

Yet I would agree with Alex and if your helmet doesn't have this function a clear visor with sunglasses underneath is the best alternative.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Nemy

Even if you get caught unprepared, it only gets bad if its raining at night, otherwise streetlights are more than enough to see through the dark smoke.

I'm not sure I agree with this. I've been caught out at night before with a light smoke visor, and it has been terrifying, even with ambient streetlights. I can't imagine having to use a dark smoke visor. Sure, you could see enough to keep the bike on the road, but I know I wasn't able to see the differences in road surface, any somewhat hidden obstacles, and I wasn't able to judge distances nearly as well as I would have liked to. Next time your driving a car at night, put on some dark sunglasses for just a minute and see how much it affects your ability to see into the dark night illuminated by headlights alone.

[BlueTyke]

Clear Visor + sunglasses myself. Mine are brown tinted $14 sunglasses. That way if I loose them I am not at a complete loss & I can wear them when I don't have my helmet on. Otherwise I wouldn't have eye protection when wandering around

[Nemy]

I don't know, it's just never been a problem for me. I remember one night it took me awhile to realize I forgot to change out the visor. And when I did, I realized that there wasn't much of a difference. Though maybe in my area the streetlights are more plentiful/brighter? That and I don't think the Scorpion dark smoke is as dark as others.

[motorcycle_munge]

Right now I use a clear visor and sunglasses. I have ordered a new helmet with the flip down sunglasses. It's supposed to come in next week, so I will update you on which one I think is best.

[kkim]

photochromic tint prescription lens under a clear visor when I know there is a chance I'll be out after dark. If not, I'll run with a light smoked visor for daytime only riding.

Why is it that no one makes a photochromic visor?

[OldGuy]

Originally Posted by kkim

photochromic tint prescription lens under a clear visor when I know there is a chance I'll be out after dark. If not, I'll run with a light smoked visor for daytime only riding.

Why is it that no one makes a photochromic visor?

Ah but there is oh wise one - AkumaHelets

But with the new 700 I'm not going to go off and buy another helmet - well not just yet

[kkim]

ya, I had seen that before... I guess my noob question should have been, why isn't there a company that makes photochromic replacement visors for the more popular brands/models of helmets?

I'm sure there is a market for them. Maybe some sort of problem getting the photochromic process to work economically on a large piece of plastic like a visor?

[g21-30]

Clear visor plus Oakley "M" sunglasses

[OldGuy]

Originally Posted by g21-30

Clear visor plus Oakley "M" sunglasses

I've got a pair of Rudy Project glasses from by bicycle riding that I'm using. The bows on my Oakley Square Wires hurt like hell when I try to get them past the temple area of the helmet - (mutter, mutter, @#$^$, etc. )

[00v_Lucky]

I myself have a helmet with an iridium visor and it is great. But after having to take care of the visor and polish it and make sure it doesnt make any contact with things that will disturb my view, I now have a light smoke visor and sunglasses (polarized ) so at night I still have the security of people not being able to see the whites of my eyes. And it is very lightly tinted and affects my sight minimally. 98% visibility.

[Viper-Byte]

I just use sunglasses under a clear visor, though I am looking at getting a reflective tinted visor, but it is down on the list...

[sm0kediver]

I wear glasses, with Polar Optics clip ons. Polar Optics makes clip ons in a wide variety of shapes/sizes for a good fit on your glasses. When the sun goes down, I just take them off and stow them in the tank bag. They really increase sharpness, etc too.

http://www.polaroptics.com/Clips_OrderForm.htm

My helmet shield is clear, except for the bug guts

[g21-30]

Originally Posted by OldGuy

I've got a pair of Rudy Project glasses from by bicycle riding that I'm using. The bows on my Oakley Square Wires hurt like hell when I try to get them past the temple area of the helmet - (mutter, mutter, @#$^$, etc. )

I forgot that I had sunglasses on in my MSF class and took the helmet off. You guessed it...snapped an ear stem. Fortunately, I had a spare pair. I wear a balaclava in the winter and slide the stems in after putting on the helmet. Fit perfectly on the outside of the balaclava.

I'm considering getting these Oakleys:

[kazam58]

I actually don't wear sunglasses even though i have a clear visor. I ride in the night a bit, but I've never had issues with sunlight, i just don't use sunglasses period. I have heard, however, that the amber lenses are an excellent middle ground. As soon as I can ride again I'm gonna get myself one and see how it goes...

[komohana]

hmm...my first reply got lost in cyberspace...

i use a mirror tinted visor with a pair of sunglasses. not quite as dark as one might think. i always have a pair of clear glasses and flip the visor up if i'm flying at night...am using an amber visor for evening riding...less reflective than the clear shield and am able to see well enuff ahead in the dark.

[Moo-wasaki]

I found that wearing yellow tinted glasses during dusk and night riding help a lot. Like shooting range glasses.

Try it out.

On a side note. I was wearing my polarized fishing glasses while driving during the winter a few years ago. I ended up in a wind blown snow whiteout. Visibility was about 10ft. I took off my sunglasses and visibility dropped to zero.

I quickly put the polarized glasses back on and was able to drive out of it with clean shorts. When you are doing about 55 and drive into this with cars coming at you and it gets scary. You can't stop for fear of being rear ended.

They help in fog too!

[sometimesido]

I've got my clear visor on my jacket(a pocket built in for the visor) and tinted visor(smoked) on my helmet. It takes me 30 seconds(changing slowly) to change them out at night.

I prefer smoked during the bright day light...kind of like polarizing filter for cameras. Plus, if you happen to make a mistake(i.e. letting go of clutch too early...), people around you can't see your face.

But, I have ridden at night with smoked shield. Not as scary if you ride your bike daily...

[Apex]

I don't know. I've had zero issues with my smoked visor at night. I've had it on my first helmet on my first bike (for 2 years). I just got it on my new Shoei RF1000. I love having the smoked visor. I hate wearing sunglasses while riding. I'd rather carry my clear shield, which in Houston, I do not use it.

[ajaygraci]

will mirror visors be an issue at night ( where i live there is no street lights lol )

[wyckedflesh]

I have a clear visor with a Fog City strip along the upper edge, this way I can lean my head forward a bit at dawn and dusk since I am riding in the sun at both times of day. It acts like the sun visor in your car.

I also have a light smoke visor that I use with my Rx sunglasses. I always have both pair with me since I need my clear glasses for general stuff and my sunglasses for distance. In the past, having a light smoke was a problem, but lights here in town are enough that I don't have a depth perception issue.

If I know I am going to be doing extensive riding at night, I put the clear shield with the Fog City strip in place.

An old trick was to take Black Gaffers tape and put it along the upper edge of the visor so that it had the same effect as the Fog City strip, but of course, it totally blocked your vision, where the Fog City strip is like Limo Tint.

[Jiu Jitsu Player]

I use a chrome tinted visor on my Scorpion 700. Its dark enough for daytime use and light enough for night time. I can easily make out terrain changes in the asphalt and potholes and other road type haqards with it on. I haven't had any problems visibility wise at night with it, but then again I guess it would also depend on your eyesight. I've got perfect 20/20 and never needed glasses or contacts.

[Apex]

Originally Posted by ajaygraci

will mirror visors be an issue at night ( where i live there is no street lights lol )

It depends on you, your eyes and other factors. You may just need to give it a try and see how you like it.

[sometimesido]

Originally Posted by Jiu Jitsu Player

I've got perfect 20/20 and never needed glasses or contacts.

[wyckedflesh]

Originally Posted by ajaygraci

will mirror visors be an issue at night ( where i live there is no street lights lol )

May not be a problem for you, but it might irritate your local Law Enforcement...

[Kolya1981]

+1 Clear Visor with Sunglasses. Usually wear Oakley's or my mountain biking glasses depending on how dark I want them, but they are both impacted rated so I can keep the visor partially up on hot days and not worry.

[TrueFaith]

I wear a dark smoke or iridium visor and always carry a clear visor in a Shield Sak. It's a pouch you sling over your shoulder and wear inside your jacket that holds the spare visor. It weighs nothing (the shield curves around your ribs so you hardly know it's there), but it's saved my ass a few times when I was too busy riding and got caught out after dark.

[CaliGirl]

Originally Posted by TrueFaith

I wear a dark smoke or iridium visor and always carry a clear visor in a Shield Sak. It's a pouch you sling over your shoulder and wear inside your jacket that holds the spare visor. It weighs nothing (the shield curves around your ribs so you hardly know it's there), but it's saved my ass a few times when I was too busy riding and got caught out after dark.

I do the same....

[paterick4o8]

I do that when I can. but I've never gone clear + sunglasses as I don't have any that fit well with my helmet on. Plus I like the look of the dark smoke shield/visor I have. Sometimes I still use the dark at night if I didn't pack the clear. It's lit pretty well in my city and now, I have HIDs to help me see better at night

[Verus Cidere]

I use a mirror tinted visor. I don't know exactly what they put on it, but it works really well for dual timeframe riding. It works well enough that I'm not blinded by sunlight during the day, but at night it doesn't block hardly any light. It's kinda wierd. If it's not a direct light (I.E. a streetlight on the ground) it doesn't make much difference. I don't really know how to explain it, but I don't see more than a 1-3% difference in visibility at night. My hair is also a little longer than most guys and it gets pulled really easily and badly by sunglasses trying to get them inside. Anybody else with long hair have this problem?

[NICUNinja]

I find wearing sunglasses in my helmet give me a headache. Not very pleasant for riding. So I have an HJC that I can swap out the visor in a couple of seconds. I'm also "Sun Blind", I need the tint and really like the dark smoke. But I've never had a dark smoke visor, either with the HJC or Scorpion that I was able to see with at night. I always swap them out at sunset.

[Cali619]

I use an HJC helmet with the built in flip down sunshield. But I would think if you dont plan to do a lot of night riding, just get a tinted visor, you get better peripheral vision(my experience) without sunglasses on than with).

[CC Cowboy]

I wear both dark visor and sunglasses. I'm double cool though!

[camaroz1985]

Originally Posted by motorcycle_munge

Right now I use a clear visor and sunglasses. I have ordered a new helmet with the flip down sunglasses. It's supposed to come in next week, so I will update you on which one I think is best.

You will love it. I don't think I'll ever buy another helmet that doesn't have the inner tinted shield. I used to carry the extra shield with me when I went on longer trips and had a bag, but there were a couple times when I was out longer than I expected and had to ride in the dark with the dark tint visor. It wasn't too fun especially if you aren't in town.

I also wear glasses which is one of the reasons I didn't just use the clear visor with sunglasses.

[wyckedflesh]

Originally Posted by Verus Cidere

My hair is also a little longer than most guys and it gets pulled really easily and badly by sunglasses trying to get them inside. Anybody else with long hair have this problem?

Nope, never had that problem, wish my hair was still that long, but extended stays in hospitals means some sacrifices.

(Ward Warehouse Snow Drop, 1997 or 1998, Honolulu, HI)

[xTKx]

Originally Posted by TrueFaith

...It's a pouch you sling over your shoulder and wear inside your jacket that holds the spare visor. It weighs nothing (the shield curves around your ribs so you hardly know it's there)...

^ That's pretty freakin sweet man! ^ I'm definitely going to look into getting one of those.

My jacket doesn't have a place for it, so I usually don't carry my extra clear visor with me (plus I rarely ride at night time).

Oh, and yes, I ride with a silver metallic visor on my Joe Rocket RKT101 helmet. I've never had to ride with sunglasses, and I got caught once at night with it and didn't have a single problem...not that I'm condoning riding at night with tinted visors

I used to ride with clear visor and sunglasses with my old bike all last summer, so I can relate to those who're riding that way currently. IMO, I'd much rather ride in a tinted visor.

[Kurosaki]

Tinted visor for me.


I usually don't ride at night.



And I feel cool and anonymous behind my tinted visor.


If I know I'm gonna be somewhere night and day, I'm a slim bitch so I can put my 2nd visor inside around the back of my suit and I can't even tell it's there.