I know exactly what you're talking about. :x
One option is to buy a darker shield for the helmet. I always carry a dark shield in my tank bag while I'm using the clear one (or vice versa).
But that is still only a partial solution. At certain times of the year, traveling on certain roads, at dawn or dusk, it's murder to ride with the sun in your face. I guess you've already tried various tilt-your-head-just-so-and-watch-the-road-with-one-eye...sideways! tricks, eh?
I wish I had a better answer. Anyone?
From your avatar I see you wear prescription glasses like me. Here are your choices:
1) wear some polarized lenses that slide in/clip onto your prescription glasses
2) wear sunglasses in place of your prescription glasses (assuming you vision is not that bad)
3) buy a tinted helmet visor/shield to swap out on sunny days
Currently, I am using choice #1 for my daily commutes.
Perfect solution, but a rather expensive one:
A helmet with a swing-in additonal sun visor. Several manufacturers make those.
I've found that a tinted visor and a good pair of polarized sunglsees work well together when it's really bright.
My eyes are really sensitive to light and I can ride with just a tinted visor here in sunny Colorado w/ no problems.
Chris
a good visor with UV protection will keep your face from getting sun damage as well. When it's really bright i use glasses and a dark visor without any problems. There are inserts that change tone when light hits them that you can buy. I think Fog city makes one.
Also, since you wear glasses, is to tape a 1/2" to 3/4" by 6" length of opaque tape along the bottom edge of your visor, so that when you are facing the sun, you can flip up the visor to block the sun with the tape.
There are darkly tinted tapes available commercially, that are taped to the top of the visor.
I wear polarized glass to cut down the glare when I ride into the sun. :cheers:
Quote from: FlashFrom your avatar I see you wear prescription glasses like me. Here are your choices:
1) wear some polarized lenses that slide in/clip onto your prescription glasses
2) wear sunglasses in place of your prescription glasses (assuming you vision is not that bad)
3) buy a tinted helmet visor/shield to swap out on sunny days
i opted for 4 - get contacts and wear sunglasses. sometimes i still have to do the tilt-n-squint
1 is probably the most simple and cheapest solution
I use a combination of squinting/tilting sunbeam evasive tactics, wearing polarized clips over my glasses, and for long, planned rides, putting in contacts and wearing sunglasses. :thumb:
I have prescription sunglasses instead.
I 'd hate to carry around a second visor.
But even then, sometimes it's best to take a 20 minute break.
Quote from: scratchAlso, since you wear glasses, is to tape a 1/2" to 3/4" by 6" length of opaque tape along the bottom edge of your visor, so that when you are facing the sun, you can flip up the visor to block the sun with the tape.
Oh, I do the opposite (sort-of): I have two strips of electrical tape across the TOP of my face shield. They overlap just a bit, so that together, they are more than an inch wide. When riding into the sun, I tilt my head down, and the sun moves up behind the tape.
Now, you might ask: doesn't the tape block your view? Not really. In normal riding position, the tape is only blocking part of the sky. I think you'd need to be in a serious-sportbike crouch to need to look out that part of the face shield.
My only complaint with this solution is that sometimes, I wish I'd brought along a third piece of tape, because the sun is _really_ low.
I've forgotten where I've seen it, but somebody makes a thin strip of tinted self-stick vinyl that's secured on the ends with velcro for extra security. If memory serves, it can be rolled up for storage until needed, then rolled out over the front of the face shield. You might lose a bit of periferal vision, but it beats squinting in bright sunlight. 8)
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I think I will try the tape on the bootom of the visor and flip it up when really needed.
There is an intersection close to my house that I have to put my hand up to look for trafic but hent I have to pull the clutch, put it in gear and go. By this time fast traffic could be there. I have turned right and down the road flip a uturn.
Thanks again.
If you want something a little cleaner, you could do the same thing with some tinted film that they sell for visors. Instead of covering the whole shield, you could just cut it down to fit your need. :mrgreen:
Quote from: MarkusNPerfect solution, but a rather expensive one:
A helmet with a swing-in additonal sun visor. Several manufacturers make those.
can you elaborate on that a little better? i'm not sure i get it, but it sounds interesting
The tape trick really works well. IIRC one of the MSF instructors in my safety course also used this trick on his Arai helmet.
Another tip that I've read a while ago http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed-motorcycle-products/shade/index.htm
Quote from: scorpi0Another tip that I've read a while ago http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed-motorcycle-products/shade/index.htm
Good work!! I'm headed to Pep boys tonight! :cheers:
i deal with this every day, as i commute 40 miles in the morning (sun soming up) and the evening (sun going down)
my solution was fairly easy.. i bought a tinted sheild, but instead of closing it, i wear regular clear safety glasses underneath. I use the tinted sheild as a "sunvisor" I find that my eyes focus better by using my visor to block the sun, instead of pulling it down and having to deal with the glare while my eyes are trying to see thru the tint. i vary the height according to how low the sun is... works great, plus i get great airflow...lol
I chose safety glasses because they block the wind very well, so my eyes don't dry out, plus the obvious advantage of not being worried about rocks, etc