Some visor questions

[Bnonn]

A couple of questions about visors.

Firstly, mirrored visors. Are they better in sunny conditions than clear ones? I would expect they'd have some benefit in terms of reflecting unwanted glare, so I'm thinking quite seriously about getting one, but some advice from people who have actually tried them would be great. Also, since I do sometimes ride at nights, how well do they do in the dark? If they're good for reflecting glare, does this apply to the sometimes quite severe headlight strike you can get when pillocks don't dim their brights? Or does the slight shade of the reflective coating reduce one's night vision and peripheral vision too much?

Secondly, what do people use for keeping rain moving on their visors? I'm wary of using anything designed for windshields because visors aren't made of glass like car windows are, but something that will keep water running off instead of sticking to the visor would be great when riding in the rain.

Ta in advance and all that.

Edit: sorry, I just realized that I really should have put this in the Bike Gear forum...

[Blackbird]

I'm very happy with my blue tint iridium visor in terms of reflecting glare and prefer it to my black one. However, I don't like wearing it past dusk due to reduced visibility so normally carry a clear one in my pack.

To keep the rain moving, I use Nikwax Visor Proof which is pretty good. Rain X is also good but the solvent damages the integrity of visors over time, even high quality lexan ones; although it takes a lot longer than with cheaper materials.

Hope that's of some use to you.

PS Got my Visor Proof from Boyd Honda in H'ton which should be easy for you.

[Bnonn]

Brill, thanks.

[Hitcher]

I am now a Plexus convert.

[Pwalo]

As a quick and dirty you can use Pledge (lemon scented of course) on the outside of your visor, and use a small dab of dish washing liquid on the inside to help in eliminating fogging.

The best visor I've had was the gold coloured iridium visor on my written off HJC. I use the smoked visor on my current HJC CL-SP pretty well all year round (unless I'm riding at night, or it's dark obviously).

I'm going to try plexus next.

[SDU]

I am now a Plexus convert.


Ditto that

[The Lone Rider]

I don't put anything on my visor, if the rain is so heavy I can't see I open the visor enough to keep the rain off me but my vision clear.

[Cajun]

Personally i don;t like the mirror visors, I like the black tint visors,

And for rain i clean my visor with pledge regulary and don't ever have a problem with rain, little bit of excess water turn head to the left for wind to blow it across or use side of finger (my waterproof gloves) have a little thing for using as a wiper on your visor

[Freakshow]

I have tryied the Iridium visors and had a terible time as the coating wears off real quick. I have since gone to a tinted visor and had no problems.

Rainx works well and great for blade and mirrors too!

[vifferman]

I guess it depends on the brand.
The vifferbabe's Shoei Raid had a clear visor when we bought it, so I tried to get a tinted/mirrored visor for it. The only thing available was an iridium visor that was barely tinted at all, so in sunny weather she still has to wear prescription sunglasses underneath or she gets a headache from the glare.
OTOH, my AGV XVent has a tinted (neutral greyish colour) AND mirrored visor. It's brilliant! In the morning/late afternoon, I can ride straight into the sun, and not worry about the glare, yet in dim conditions, it still gives me good visibility (although if it's threatening to rain, it makes it look more threatening....)
I wear it all the time on the bike, except at night. If I'm touring (huh... unlikely) or likely to be out at night, I take my spare (clear) visor with me. It takes only a few seconds to swap them.
I've had no problems with the mirrored finish on the visor scratching or flaking, but I NEVER use anything apart from a soft cloth to clean it. Even soft tissues are likely to scratch visors. If it's really grubby, I'll wash it with dishwashing liquid and warm water, otherwise I use Plexus, even to get dead bugs off.

I've had a few stones hit it, and they didn't seem to do much to it, unlike the footpath that attacked the top of my visor and the brow vents. That did manage to just get through the coating. And about a millimetre or two into the plastic...

[Hitcher]

I don't bother with tinted visors because it's a hassle to carry around a spare clear (keeping it safe from scratching) and having to swap over when the light gets low. I find it easier to always use a clear visor and carry a pair of prescription polaroids.

[Squeak the Rat]

Or if your not planning to be in dark for long you can wear a tinted visor and carry a pair of clear safety glasses.


In regards to the rain, I just turn my head to the side occassionally. Otherwise, Nikwax do a good product that enhances water run-off. Visorproof or something from memory, do a search on Nikwax and I'm sure you'll find some results on KB.

[Bnonn]

Or if your not planning to be in dark for long you can wear a tinted visor and carry a pair of clear safety glasses.


In regards to the rain, I just turn my head to the side occassionally. Otherwise, Nikwax do a good product that enhances water run-off. Visorproof or something from memory, do a search on Nikwax and I'm sure you'll find some results on KB.
Yeah, Nikwax looks interesting. Is it available from most dealers in New Zealand?

[rustys]

Yeah, Nikwax looks interesting. Is it available from most dealers in New Zealand?

This is what i want to know ? the dealers down my way have never heard of the stuff, "Blackbird" may be able to help us he's using it.
Where can we get some.

[Blackbird]

This is what i want to know ? the dealers down my way have never heard of the stuff, "Blackbird" may be able to help us he's using it.
Where can we get some.

Like I said in the first post, I got mine from Boyd Honda in Hamilton. Motomail may have it too. One of my riding partners uses Plexus and is very happy with it as are others on this thread. Probably much of a muchness.

[FROSTY]

I dont like em--they darn well scratch too easily.I prefer a dark tint visor and a clear visor
Hey the pomgollians have the best idea--its a bumbag shaped for visors I think its even padded so they dont get scratched

[Bnonn]

Sorry Blackbird, I didn't notice that it was NikWax Visor Proof. That's great; I'm heading over Boyd way tomorrow (:

[pritch]

Kathmandu stock other Nikwax products so may be able to get the visor item.

[Rotor]

I'm with Hitcher. Clear visor and sun glasses. I glued a piece of wiper to my glove finger and its sweet as well it doesn't scratch the visor.
At night a scratched visor in the rain sux's the big kahuna

[Blind spot]

I have a mirrored visor and hate the thing, scratch to easily and i get a lot of my own reflection back at me in bright sun.(i have an ugly nose to stare at ).
Will try a lighter smoked one next.
I wear prescription glasses so this may make reflection inside helmet worse?

[Blackbird]

I have a mirrored visor and hate the thing, scratch to easily and i get a lot of my own reflection back at me in bright sun.(i have an ugly nose to stare at ).
Will try a lighter smoked one next.
I wear prescription glasses so this may make reflection inside helmet worse?

Don't have any of those problems and I wear specs too. What make is your visor? I have a Shoei and it's given no problems at all in terms of scratching. I always use a damp microfibre cloth to minimise scratching on all my visors - a good investment.

[Croft]

I don't bother with tinted visors because it's a hassle to carry around a spare clear (keeping it safe from scratching) and having to swap over when the light gets low. I find it easier to always use a clear visor and carry a pair of prescription polaroids.
Snap!!! We must be TWINS!!! ha!:yes: :rockon:

[Blue Thunder]

I find my mirror tint visor great in the sunlight however like others say they can be a real pain when the light dims, unless you are in a well lit suburban area, country riding no way too hard to see the wildlife that keeps making suicidal runs across you. they seem real prone to scratching and this causes problems with glare.
Nixwax or pledge work well as long as you keep a good coat of either on there.

[Grub]

I am now a Plexus convert.

Explain please?

[Hitcher]

Explain please?

An extremely kind gent gave me a can. I used it. It was fantastic. I like it!

[ZeroIndex]

Just get one of those cool Shuberth helmets that has the Top Gun style sunshade flicky-down thing... Damn those are cool...

[Grub]

An extremely kind gent gave me a can. I used it. It was fantastic. I like it!

Ahhh ... so it is a visor cleaning product ... I thought it was a new type of visor :)

[Grub]

Just get one of those cool Shuberth helmets that has the Top Gun style sunshade flicky-down thing... Damn those are cool...

Or a Nolan for a third of the price :)

[ZeroIndex]

Or a Nolan for a third of the price :)

yeah, you've got a point...

[Steam]

An extremely kind gent gave me a can. I used it. It was fantastic. I like it!

I want this Plexus stuff but I don't know any kind gents, only grumpy old men. Where do I get plexus from then?
TSS don't have, WMCC nope, Motorad nah, who gottit?

[Nasty]

I want this Plexus stuff but I don't know any kind gents, only grumpy old men. Where do I get plexus from then?
TSS don't have, WMCC nope, Motorad nah, who gottit?

Googled this

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/archive/index.php/t-9599.html

[Nasty]

Rang them and found out

Mulford Plastics

113 Seaview Road
Seaview
open 8-5 m-f
$20 a can plus gst can is 368 grams
number 04 589 0221

[Steam]

Nasty to the rescue!
But folks, please note, it's

113 Hutt Park Road
Seaview

not seaview road. Seaview Rd ain't got no 113.

[Nasty]

Yeah I got that result from a search too, but $23 for a can, plus postage of $13 (!!!) because it's "dangerous goods" is a bit pricey for a single spraycan. There must be a Wellington outlet, we're the capital city!

Read below .. already got it for you.

kari