Shoei breath guard

[vifferman]

Does anyone have one of these fitted to their Shoei?
Does it help (i.e., is it better than not having one?)

I've noticed lately with the mornings being much colder (9C today), when I hit the motorway and shut the visor, for a few seconds it fogs up when I breathe out. After a while, it's fine (apart from last night when it was PISSING down with rain, and cold, and I was caught in it. HAd to ride with the visor open a crack.
Yes, I *know* a pinlock insert would help this, but I don't want one. I'm having to wear my tinted visor in the morning, and the clear on the way home, and I don't want to have to get inserts for both. Furthermore, even though I've heard how wonderful and effective they are, I'd rather not add any to the visor(s); just another complication (especially with swapping visors regularly), and another thing to get dirty or scratched.

So... opinions? Is it worth $45?

While we're at it - does the whisper kit make the visor fog up more? I'm not too concerned about draughts, just reducing wind noise.

[86GSXR]

Yep, I've got one in my XR1000. I think it does a good job, and I don't want a pinlock either. It still fogs up if it's really cold but not as bad as it would without it. The bloody things are just too well sealed eh!

I've got the whisper kit as well, this is well worth it. Not only does it deal to the noise briliantly, it really keeps the warmth in as well. I'd say it wouldn't make too much of a difference to fogging, only way to really get around that is the pinlock unfortunately.

[Pwalo]

Like 86GSXR I've got one in my XR1000, and it definitely helps with fogging.

I've got one of the progressive tint visors which helps with the low sun as well.

[jim.cox]

I'd say it wouldn't make too much of a difference to fogging, only way to really get around that is the pinlock unfortunately.

Or ripping the visor off entirely...

[Gremlin]

The breath guard for the nose isn't big enough, but it helps a little.

The whisper kit definitely affects fogging, the chin piece in particular, as it seems to stop the warm air going out, making it return to the visor... but then, that kit is sorta designed to stop the cold air getting in.

I use the breath guard and neck skirt the whole time, but don't use the chin guard. Not perfect, but have to. Be aware that the whole whisper kit makes getting into the helmet a touch harder

[Blackbird]

Ian, got a Foggy brand for mine (XR1000 helmet) and works perfectly. I only use it in winter with my iridium visor as like you, I only have the pinlock on my clear visor.

[vifferman]

Thanks guys - that's a big help.

Ian, got a Foggy brand for mine (XR1000 helmet) and works perfectly.

Where did you buy that, Geoff?

[Blackbird]

Where did you buy that, Geoff?

A mate in the UK sent it over but it's probably available here. Here's the link to a UK site - 12 quid to you mate: http://www.toolparts.co.uk/acatalog/...cessories.html. Mine's black.

Whilst I was doing the link search for you, I found a thread on UK Superbikes where someone said it was superior to the Shoei product: http://www.superbikeforums.co.uk/ind...16534.0%3Bwap2.

[Devil]

Just get the insert. Just do it.

Got the breath guard. Makes minimal difference (XR1000), got the whisper kit as well, makes the fogging worse, but certainly makes for a warmer helmet.

$40 for a fog city (lasted me two winters, others have had varying experiences) and i'm about to pick up a complete clear visor with pinlock ($99).

[pritch]

Got the breath guard. Makes minimal difference (XR1000),

I'll second that.

I also have the whisper kit but generally only use the chin part. On my old BMW System 3 helmet the equivalent parts were leather which worked better than the little netting(?) item in the Shoei kit.

[smoky]

There are benefits to just hardening up and dealing with the cold and noise, rather than hermetically seal your self off from the winter elements;

You get a bit of colour to your face, after a while it gets numb and you don't feel the cold
You get to hear the neat sound your bike makes - ye ha
The cold air up your nostrils actually kills the bugs that give you colds and flues - you stay much healthier thru winter

You get a little deaf - and when you get home you don't even notice the other half nagging her little lungs off, your ears are still resounding with the awesome sound of your bike.

[steelestring]

I have to say the harden up thing is the only way to go for complete resolvement...

but...

I do have the breath gaurd and chin curtain on my XR1000 that help slightly..... I find myself just rideing with the lid up in most occasions while on slow rides round town....... or just stop breathing for long periods of time

[slofox]

When I had a shoei the whisper kit made fogging worse, as others have already said.
I have a pinlock for the Arai but it isn't as clear as I would like. Is this normal?

In general I deal with fogging by leaving the visor a smidgen open. And I breathe out through my mouth and try to direct the air downwards instead of letting it come up and fog the visor...believe it or not you can get used to that...after a while...

[riffer]

The whisper kit makes the fogging insane.

But the pinlock stops it affecting you too much. But peripheral vision is screwed because the outside of the pinlock is completely fogged.

Nice and warm but.

[Crisis management]

Interesting as I was considering these options (whisper kit) to cut the wind noise down, I suspect I won't bother now, I'll carry on with the ear plugs and balaclava.

Just to annoy you Viffer, the pinlock is great, I have ridden in 12 hours of rain and snow last winter without the visor fogging on an adventure ride. I have only had one problem with it getting water between the visor and pinlock once and that was because I left the helmet upside down while it was raining....and the pinlock stays on all year, I think I've had it off once in the last 9 months to clean.

Fogging, not a problem over here!