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.