Headlight and helmet stuff

[Wraithwrider]

I had an enjoyable night last night meeting some of those 'Northern souls' in Blubberhouses.

Predictably as I set off from Kendal it was pi**ing it down. I don't know the A65 at all and in the wet with HGVs coming the other way I found myself desperately wishing that the dip beam showed a bit more nearside. I know the main beam's supposed to be much better than on the 1150 but I wasn't that impressed.

Maybe I should just slow down?

Another thing that fails to impress me is the visor on my HJC Sy- Max lid. Now it's a comfortable and practical flip front thats quality exceeds the price but it tends to get lots of raindrops inside the visor. This adds to the dazzle factor enormously.

I'm sure this isn't a problem I've experienced with a wide range of other helmets, although I'm now wearing glasses to ride for the first time.

It's getting to the point where a new lid is a strong possibility. Any suggestions?

BTW the ride back, in the dry with less traffis was:

 

[laughingBob]

I started wearing glasses last year and found them a real pain. They kept misting up in cold or wet weather and caused alot of glare from headlamps at night. I now wear contact lenses and they have solved all the problems.

 

[Tim Cullis]

I have a BMW System 4 Evo fliptop helmet and haven't had any problems with raindrops inside the visor. My big complaint is the lack of a tinted visor in the UK, despite the UK web site stating they are available.

The helmet is made for BMW by Schuberth who make similar fliptop Concept and C2 models that features an internal sunshield, see
http://www.micapeak.com/bmw/gs/syst3.html and
http://www.james-sherlock.co.uk/schuberth.htm

I have an internal sunshield on a Caburg Downtown helmet, see
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_cat/12

Tim

 

[Baldylocks]

I have a BMW System 4 Evo fliptop helmet and haven't had any problems with raindrops inside the visor. My big complaint is the lack of a tinted visor in the UK, despite the UK web site stating they are available.

I have exactly the same helmet and exactly the same complaint! I'm going to have a look at the Schuberth with the integral visor at the NEC next week

Gerry

 

[Rich C]

Shoei

I know it's not a flip up helmet but I have a Shoei XR1000. It has a rubbery insert that sits on the inside of the visor (rather like a Fog City). This is held in place by two plastic lugs on the inside of the visor. These inserts come in either clear (supplied with the lid) and smoked for daytime / sunny riding.

I have been completely amazed by the performance of these things. They never mist up under any circumstsnces. This means that you can leave your visor down at all times in the rain, even when stationary and so don't get water on the inside. The seal around the visor keeps water out when closed and riding too.

The rest of the helmet is also up to the usual Shoei high standards. Plain colours (ie black or white) are about £240, I think. Nasty graphics can be had for well over £300.

 

[Wraithwrider]

I took the 12 in for its 600 mile service today (it'd done 700) at Alan Jefferies in Shipley.

I've never been to the area before but I took the bus into Bradford. I know that there's a Shuberth dealer in Bradford so I walked about 2 miles in bike gear with thermals on to find the Bradford Motorcycle Centre. Nice bunch of people and they were selling the concept for £235 (reduced from £280 and I know you can get them cheaper).

Well I bought one in silver and rode home with it on. Very impressed indeed. I used the tinted visor early on and it rained approaching Kendal (doesn't it always!!) so it got a good try out.

Bike continues to impress, Big smiles