How best clean visor on helmet?

[swedencamilla]

Really shows I am completely new to this, doesn't it. I have tried to do a search about this without any results. I had some advice when I bought my helmet, but I can't remember it. My helmet visor is currently going from bad to worse and definitely needs a clean. Can I use anything else other whan water without damaging the surface?

Also what is the best way to deal with situations when cagers are following you far too close for comfort ( 1- 1/2 m), particularly when approaching a relatively tight turn?

[Highlander]

Really shows I am completely new to this, doesn't it. I have tried to do a search about this without any results. I had some advice when I bought my helmet, but I can't remember it. My helmet visor is currently going from bad to worse and definitely needs a clean. Can I use anything else other whan water without damaging the surface?


I use Pledge and a microfibre cloth on a regular basis.




Also what is the best way to deal with situations when cagers are following you far too close for comfort ( 1- 1/2 m), particularly when approaching a relatively tight turn?

I VERY lightly touch the brake, as soon as your brake light comes on they back off real fast.

[slimjim]

I use Pledge and a microfibre cloth on a regular basis.




I VERY lightly touch the brake, as soon as your brake light comes on they back off real fast.....:love:

however if you're not comfortable with their distance..the road is still yours and slow down ..don't speed up if they are tailgating..as it could lead to you have problems with your cornering...and once clear to the corner shift slightly to the left side to show that they can overtake you...:mellow:...biking is about enjoying...what ever is on the road with you...:mellow:

[LittleAngel]

Really shows I am completely new to this, doesn't it. I have tried to do a search about this without any results. I had some advice when I bought my helmet, but I can't remember it. My helmet visor is currently going from bad to worse and definitely needs a clean. Can I use anything else other whan water without damaging the surface?

Are you using a tinted visor or clear visor?

If you are using a clear visor there are lots of different products you can buy at any good bike shop. e.g. Cat Crap and there is a spray that pilots use that is also very good. I used to use just plain ole white vinegar and water and a soft cloth! Used to work a treat and helped reduce the fogging!!

If you have a tinted/mirror visor - you are stuck with water and a non scratching cloth. My understanding is if you use any product on the tint/mirror you can cause it to peel off. I just use water and a non scratching cloth - and I have no problems


Also what is the best way to deal with situations when cagers are following you far too close for comfort ( 1- 1/2 m), particularly when approaching a relatively tight turn?

Ahhh the bloody tailgaters!! :angry2: Depending on your experience this will determine how you solve this problem. From my experience - when ya first learning ya just need to pull over and let them go! Who needs the stress of a plonker cager behind ya while ya trying to focus on cornering etc.

Just my 2c worth though! Ride safe!! :2thumbsup

[vifferman]

If you have a tinted/mirror visor - you are stuck with water and a non scratching cloth. My understanding is if you use any product on the tint/mirror you can cause it to peel off.
Nup.
If it's not a really crappy quality visor, you can clean it with soapy water, Plexus, Pledge, and lotsa other things without fear of wrecking it. Just no harsh solvents like petrol, oven cleaner, chlorosulphonic acid, tetrabromoethane, etc. etc. And no paper towels, sandpaper, etc either.

[YellowDog]

Yep, Pledge works a treat!

[maybe]

Just warm water and a mild detergent does a great job they say using any chemical cleaner can damage the non scratch surface on the visor.
And if a car is tailgateing just let it past obviously they are in a bigger hurry than you and you will enjoy your ride better without them.

[Taz]

Yes dishwashing liquid and warm water work fine. There's no need to re-invent the wheel.......

[FJRider]

Really shows I am completely new to this, doesn't it. I have tried to do a search about this without any results. I had some advice when I bought my helmet, but I can't remember it. My helmet visor is currently going from bad to worse and definitely needs a clean. Can I use anything else other whan water without damaging the surface?

Also what is the best way to deal with situations when cagers are following you far too close for comfort ( 1- 1/2 m), particularly when approaching a relatively tight turn?

If the visor is not a scratch resistant one, it may need replacing. Good helmet makes have new ones available to buy. The first ride with a new visor feels good on the eyes...
Tailgaters usually are using you as a radar detector, and unwilling to pass. BUT. let/get them to, pass and return the compliment...

[texn]

dishwash liquid and warm water works wonders, don't pass it up. usually i use a soft tissue or loo paper, don't scratch that visor!
as for the tailgaters,....pull over and let them go. if you don't feel comfortable with them behind you. would rather the bastards were where i can see them. ride your own ride. don't let them cagers dictate how fast you should ride any stretch of road.

[westie]

Really shows I am completely new to this, doesn't it. I have tried to do a search about this without any results. I had some advice when I bought my helmet, but I can't remember it. My helmet visor is currently going from bad to worse and definitely needs a clean. Can I use anything else other whan water without damaging the surface?

Also what is the best way to deal with situations when cagers are following you far too close for comfort ( 1- 1/2 m), particularly when approaching a relatively tight turn?

My visor is scratched to shit so no advice from me.

The tailgaters tho.
Slow down and let them pass. Cagers will just keep on tailgating you. I once turned around to ell someone to back off and he tried to run me off the road.

Keep arseholes where they should be, in front of you(that sounds really bad huh)

[CookMySock]

Yup dishwash and water. Take the visor off and run it onder the hot tap occasionally to clean it really well. I carry a tiny bottle of cleaning liquid and a rag coz I hate a dirty visor. I wax my visor also, using turtlewax ice - works damn good.
You can easily choose who you want following you. If you are unhappy with the person following then select another one - just pass the car in front of you and see if they are any better. Easy peasy.

Steve

[Taz]

Yup dishwash and water. Take the visor off and run it onder the hot tap occasionally to clean it really well. I carry a tiny bottle of cleaning liquid and a rag coz I hate a dirty visor. I wax my visor also, using turtlewax ice - works damn good.
You can easily choose who you want following you. If you are unhappy with the person following then select another one - just pass the car in front of you and see if they are any better. Easy peasy.

Steve

Or pull over and let the car following you past. It's alot better than stressing about it.

[Hitcher]

Really shows I am completely new to this, doesn't it. I have tried to do a search about this without any results. I had some advice when I bought my helmet, but I can't remember it. My helmet visor is currently going from bad to worse and definitely needs a clean. Can I use anything else other whan water without damaging the surface?

Pledge. Buy a small aerosol can from your local supermarket. Only apply a small amount and then buff furiously with a soft cloth. Carry the can and the soft cloth in your tankbag. There is nothing better. My favourite is "orange".


Also what is the best way to deal with situations when cagers are following you far too close for comfort ( 1- 1/2 m), particularly when approaching a relatively tight turn?

At the earliest and safest opportunity, move to the left and let the wankers go past. Don't do anything silly or impetuous. Although it's illegal, it is actually safer to ride without your L plate. Wanker cagers are attracted to L plates like flies to a lump of raw meat. If you are pulled over by the constabulary, you can look bemused and say it must have broken off somewhere. I have never heard of anybody being busted for riding without their L plate. Over to you to make your own risk assessment.

[rie]

Although it's illegal, it is actually safer to ride without your L plate. Wanker cagers are attracted to L plates like flies to a lump of raw meat.

i'm not recommending either way with respect to conforming to L plate display laws...but i do agree that drivers are momentarily blinded when there's a bright yellow sign flapping a few meters from their faces. they forget how close they are, where they are going, whose bed they woke up in this morning...

...which may have something to do with why they seem to tail you often enough that it's becoming concerning.

in any case, the consensus here appears to be that you should play safe and flash your brake lights; move aside, etc.

i personally feel that flashing your brake lights is not enough. you never know whether this particular driver is drunk, having a bad day, just got fired, blurry-eyed from hayfever...whatever. definitely move as far away from them as you can.

[jtzzr]

What everyone else has said. Just pull move to the left and let the wanker pass, it`s just not worth the stress, when you have a bit more experience and a slightly bigger bike , flip them the bird and smoke the focker :whistle:(please don`t take this as gospel), just make sure your`e comfortable in your own space . Be safe!! , As for the visor I just use warm soapy water.

[CookMySock]

Or pull over and let the car following you past. It's alot better than stressing about it.Stress? Problem over in under 1.4 seconds. There is no stress, only a broad grin.

Steve

[happykamper]

Although it's illegal, it is actually safer to ride without your L plate. Wanker cagers are attracted to L plates like flies to a lump of raw meat. If you are pulled over by the constabulary, you can look bemused and say it must have broken off somewhere. I have never heard of anybody being busted for riding without their L plate. Over to you to make your own risk assessment.

I totally agree about it being safer without the L-plate but BEWARE! IF your bike is insured (and it should be) then riding without L-plates on a learner licence will invalidate your insurance. Leaving you up the creek minus paddle if anything happens to you. Regardless of who's fault it is!

First ride out with an L plate on and some wanker cager in a penis extension Subaru Legacy beeped me for doing nothing worse than turning right.

Oh, did I mention that I no longer need to have an L-plate?? (but I do need a rear shock absorber though...)

[spookytooth]

I have to go with the pledge vote for visor it works well and next time you use it the bugs just slide off

[Blossom]

I have a microfiber cloth that I use with water..works great.. but dishwashing liquid if I have riden through a mob of bugs as occasionally happens.

As for the tail gaters.. I found that if moving over and letting them pass was not an option, then I would move slightly to the right so I was directly in front of the drivers side of their cage and breifly touch the rear brakes. Then repeat.. after touching the brakes 2 or 3 times the cages would back off.
:lol:

[CookMySock]

I have a microfiber cloth that I use with water..works great.. but dishwashing liquid if I have riden through a mob of bugs as occasionally happens.Hee hee, wait to you hit a couple bunches of them @120k, followed by some white butterflies, and a bumble bee or three.. Oh the carnage!

Steve

[slofox]

if I have riden through a mob of bugs as occasionally happens. :

Occasionally???? I must live in bug city then - every time I go out I come back with the helmet and the bike coated in the little buggers (no pun intended).....and time of day does not seem to make a difference......guess that's what comes of living in a swamp basin like the Y cat O.....

[vifferman]

Occasionally???? I must live in bug city then - every time I go out I come back with the helmet and the bike coated in the little buggers (no pun intended).....and time of day does not seem to make a difference......guess that's what comes of living in a swamp basin like the Y cat O.....
Yes. All that cow shit and grassland = Heaps'o'Bugz.
But your bike (or more specifically, its aerodynamics) have a part to play. The FahrtSturm was much better at directing a stream of insect-laden air right at my visor than the VFR is. Which was odd, as the VTR had a lower and narrower windshield. I suspect it has summat to do with the way the insects get spun out or escape from the upper part of the airstream over the windshield.

[beyond]

Yep, bumble bees are real messy when you cop a biggy at around 160kmh and above :( Sound like a gun going off too.

Hitting a blackbird at 150kmh which disintegrated on my instruments and spread the remnants over my visor and helmet was'nt pretty either :( Lot of guts in those blackbirds. :sick:

Once your visor has a few millemetres of bug goop on it, head for the nearest rain shower. Rain water blasts your visor real well :)

Tailgaters: as has been said, if your on a small bike or not confident, not a lot you can do but let them pass. On a big bike, you can leave the buggers in the dust. :laugh:

[slofox]

I often use spectacle lens cleaner on my vizor - it hasn't fallen to bits yet nor gone opaque......apart from as a result of the bugs (see above) that is. Oh, and whatever you do, DON'T try to wipe the bugs off with the glove........of course I didn't try it!!!!! waddya think I am, stoooooopid???

[laRIKin]

I use to use Pledge and it is good, but now I use this stuff called Plexus.
http://ingear.co.nz/Plexus-Plastic-Cleaner.aspx
http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/plexus.html
It is great and can hide the fact you have small scuff marks in your visor am\nd you can tell your visor in clearer and cleaner.
A few bike shops down here sell the stuff, it is a bit more expensive but well worth the money and the can does last a long time.
Now I would not use any thing else, if I did I would go back to Pledge.

[chucky19]

My vote for Plexus too. About $27 for a can but I've used it weekly for the past 20 months and the can still feels pretty much full. Great at polishing out the wee scratches.

Cat crap on the inside.

Nothing short of a frontal lobotomy will stop a tailgater.

[Daffyd]

I found some stuff at work today...made for cleaning safety glasses. Actually, a small pre-moistened towelette in a sealed sachet.
Says on the packet, 'Anti-fog, anti-static, contains no silicone.'
Haven't tried it yet, but looks promising.
Comes in packs of 100. Labelled MCR Safety. Prolly available from NZ Safety or similar.