Visualy Impaired

[Gills]

I need a new helmet and was looking for some info.

I wear Glasses. Not because it's the cool thing to do...I'm a shade from blind without them.

Anything I should look for in a full Helmet that will help with the fogging up issue?

Vents, internal visor, very small trained monkey to wipe them clean, anything?

[hsartteacher]

Make sure it fits your head properly, and is DOT certified.

Different brands are made for different shaped heads. You can order them online, but if you are not familiar with the brands and such, I'd really recommend trying them on in person.

It should fit snug but not hurt. Also, look for DOT or Snell certification to ensure safety ratings.

I like to have a removable liner and cheek pads, because they can get kind of gross and sweaty over time. The monkey is a thought though!!

[PJL]

I need a new helmet and was looking for some info.

I wear Glasses. Not because it's the cool thing to do...I'm a shade from blind without them.

Anything I should look for in a full Helmet that will help with the fogging up issue?

Vents, internal visor, very small trained monkey to wipe them clean, anything?
I wear glasses as well under my full-face. I've only owned a Shark RSR2 helmet, but my experience is that when you're not moving and you're sweaty, your glasses will fog up unless you crack your face shield open. However, with the vents open and some motion (even parking lot speeds) the fogging isn't a problem. The RSR2 moves a lot of air, though.

[Gills]

I figured that would be the case.

Been looking into those flip up front helmets. One of the guys at work has one and wears glasses. He said it's easier to just flip the face piece up than it is to mess with just a plastic face shield.

[primalmu]

I have more problems with my visor fogging up than my glasses.

[Gills]

With any luck some one will recommend a good helmet that had good ventilation for us Four Eyed Wonders.

Not to excited about the idea of opening up my helmet at every stop light in the rain. I can wipe the rain off the front of a helmet, not my glasses.

Help people, help.

And no, contacts are out for me. Can not wear them.

[PJL]

I love my Shark RSR2. I got it for $350 at www.revzilla.com It's a clearance item and was built in 2006, so I'll only get another 3 1/2 years useful life out of it, but for almost 50% of the list price, it was worth it to me. Their face shields come with an anti-fog coating.

[Ramazith]

Sup, four eyes? Same boat here- and can't tell where it's going with out the specs.

My helmet is a KBC FFR. $240. DOT approved. It's a modular flip up kind. With the jaw flipped up, I can put the helmet on while wearing my glasses. No problem. The jaw easily closes with my glasses on and there is plenty of room between my glasses and the visor. The visor also flips up.

Once the helmet is on, it's easy to adjust my glasses by flipping up the jaw. Flipping up the visor works to, but it's easier with the jaw flipped up.

The helmet does not pinch my eyeglass arms against my head or twist my frames around. I know you know how that goes. You get a helmet on and your frames twist so now you're all googly eyed, seeing double and one is blurry. Sucks. The you get face oil or rub marks on the lenses, have to take them off, wipe them off, gah! Doesn't happen with this helmet.

There are 2 inlet vents in the front. One on the jaw and one right on top of the helmet. Both can be opened and closed. There are several exhaust vents which are always open.

So far, I've ridden in 100+, low 60s and rain in the mid to low 80s. Fogging has not been a problem. In the rain, I had the jaw vent open and stayed dry- no fog either. In the cool (no cold yet) the visor got a little foggy when I was yawning one early morning. I cracked open the visor for about 2 blocks, closed it, no fog for the rest of the ride. Never any fog in heat. My glasses have never fogged at all in this helmet, only the inside of my visor that one time and it was minimal.

The KBC web site shows all helmets with tinted visors. I bought mine at a brink and mortar Cycle Gear store with a clear visor. The visor is "optically correct". Very little, I mean very little distortion. It's also easy to clean with a soft rag and warm water followed by a dry soft rag. Clean it like you do your eye glasses.

Three tips for eyeglass wear with hear gear that covers your face. I've worn face shields, goggles, SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus), snorkeling masks and now a motorcycle helmet.

1. Use flexible frames. I wear Accuflex Flexon Titanium frames; the type you can bend into a U and the go right back to shape. These frames are over 7 years old and good as new. It's been no problem finding eye wear places to cut new lenses for them.

2. Wear low profile frames and lenses. So much head gear is not made with eyeglasses in mind. Having low profile eyeglasses makes it a lot easier to wear helmets and face guards.

3. Breath through your nose. Almost all the time, I find breathing through my nose creates less fog than breathing through my mouth.

Edit- Having not crashed head long into anything, I can't say how well it holds up, but it is DOT and seems well made, so...

[iamgumby]

I have an AFX modualar that has given good service. However...a friend of mine just got one brand name ofd 'Zues'. European. Very nice. User friendly. Big vents - very big vents!

[Gills]

I've checked out a few of the modular helmets. It is probably the way I will go. Just have to go hands on with a few more of them.

It's funny how some are $100 and the next rack over is what looks the same for $500.

As long as it's light weight, DOT approved, and does not look like Poo on a stick...I'll take it.

[HarveyCreek]

I agree with those suggesting a modular helmet. I have a modular Nolan, and find I don't have any issues if I forget to take of my glasses before taking the helmet off. I've several scars on my forehead from forgetting when wearing my ZR1. With my Nolan, they provide a clip on layer with the visor that acts as a double layer. On cool days generally the visor won't fog, but my glasses will when waiting at lights. I've gotten in the habit of cracking the visor open a bit at lights then closing them once I start moving. Most mornings I'll use some shaving cream to clean the lenses of my glasses and find they won't fog quite as much, but any cleaning I do later in the day seems to wash off the effects from the shaving cream.

[Gills]

Shaving cream.

Never would have thought of that. Nice tip.

I take my course at the end of this month. Was looking at getting the helmet before I take the class. Don't want to mess around with the ones they offer as loaners.

[Lead Butt]

Considered goggles ? they got some out that have rom under for scrip lenses.
http://www.maximumeyewear.com/productfolder/motorcycle-goggles/halcyon-aviator-goggles/halcyon-aviator-goggles.html

[Gills]

Interesting Idea. I'll keep that in mind when I hit the local dealership this weekend. Probably a good idea for summer riding, not sure about the rain pelting my face though.

[Ramazith]

The Course helmets we has were plain Jane 3/4. I had no problems wearing them with glasses. No cooties either.

[Gills]

Well heck...if they are cootie free I am golden. lol

I would still like to have my own before the class. I figure it's a good excuse to spread my spending out. Helmet now, Jacket later, then drop the big bomb and buy a bike.

[Gills]

So I picked up a HJC Modular. It did not come with a trained monkey, so I will be trying out the Shaving Cream and other ideas. Thanks for the help folks.