Which tinted helmet shield to buy?

[Curly]

Guys, I'd like to hear your opinion on a tinted helmet shield.

I have a Shoei RF-1100 with the stock shield.

I don't want to wear sunglasses under my helmet and therefore am thinking I could get a tinted shield.

I was initially thinking I'd purchase this "half-tint" shield. Dark at the top, clear down low thinking it'll help me in the early morning sun but not handicap me if I get stuck at night.

I talked to Sportbiketrackgear and they told me they sell very few of those. They recommend the "light smoke" or "dark smoke" instead.

I think the dark will be too dark if I get stuck at night.
And I think the light smoke may not be too much of a difference to merit purchasing the shield at all.

Any thoughts?

Products here:

Shoei Helmets-Parts and accessories from SportbikeTrackGear.com

Thanks!

[748girl]

I own a light smoke visor, came with one of my helmets, has never been on it, as I wear sun glasses, not cool, I know, but stops stuff getting into my eyes, if I lift my visor whilst riding (and sometimes you have to).

I have however added myself to these guy's mailing list, cos these look really interesting S.H.I.E.L.D. - Hightech Eye Protection

[Magoo]

I've tried a dark smoke tinted shield and while it is nice to not have to wear sunglasses during the day, getting caught out at night with just that shield is not fun. Relying on passing cars lights to see where the road goes is not a good time. Light smoke might be better at night, but may not be enough alone on a really sunny day.

I also have an orange tint shield (from Arai). Surprisingly it works well on sunny days and isn't as impairing as a dark smoke shield at night, although it still impairs your vision at night more than a clear shield would. For the most part I've given up on colored shields and gone back to clear with sunglasses. I like that sunglasses can help keep some of the junk that finds its way into my helmet out of my eyes.

[Chuckracer]

I like the light tint shields from both Arai and Shoei. Thay're dark enough during the day and passable at night.

[bzr]

Originally Posted by 748girl

I own a light smoke visor, came with one of my helmets, has never been on it, as I wear sun glasses, not cool, I know, but stops stuff getting into my eyes, if I lift my visor whilst riding (and sometimes you have to).

I have however added myself to these guy's mailing list, cos these look really interesting S.H.I.E.L.D. - Hightech Eye Protection

Just did the same, boy do I want one of them, great find.

[Chuckracer]

Originally Posted by 748girl

I have however added myself to these guy's mailing list, cos these look really interesting S.H.I.E.L.D. - Hightech Eye Protection

Yep, me too. That's cool!

[redbcgraygt]

Originally Posted by 748girl

I own a light smoke visor, came with one of my helmets, has never been on it, as I wear sun glasses, not cool, I know, but stops stuff getting into my eyes, if I lift my visor whilst riding (and sometimes you have to).

I have however added myself to these guy's mailing list, cos these look really interesting S.H.I.E.L.D. - Hightech Eye Protection

Yea, those do seem like a good way to go,and it looks like they will have one for the Arai Profile which is sweet. For now I'm using a light smoke during the day/ clear at night. I would appreciate knowing what you think if you get this new type?

[748girl]

Originally Posted by bzr

Just did the same, boy do I want one of them, great find.

Yes, although I have to "fess" up, it is indeed a great find, but I wasn't the first to find it Someone a while ago mentioned these somewhere on these forums and I was so excited (it doesn't take much) that I bookmarked the website and have kept visiting it - hoping and hoping to see them for sale. When I saw this thread, it reminded me to go have a look and then I thought I should put the link on here and maybe, just maybe, if they got enough people pestering them, they might sell some!!

Originally Posted by redbcgraygt

Yea, those do seem like a good way to go,and it looks like they will have one for the Arai Profile which is sweet. For now I'm using a light smoke during the day/ clear at night. I would appreciate knowing what you think if you get this new type?

If I get one it will be for him and his commuting helmet and I am sure he will let me know whether our other helmets need one! I need a new helmet before I need a new visor, am saving the cents up!!

[SwiftFF5]

I understand that they are now available for Bell's Bellstar helmets as well as the Akuma helmets:

Bell Transitions Photochromatic Shield for Star/Vortex Helmets - Street Bike - Motorcycle Superstore

Not for my Shoei yet, though.

[SE84]

I usually just carry the clear shield as well, either in a bag or on the bike. But, I have both a silvered shield and a gold iridium shield. The gold part is a POS as iridium wears off very easily and looks like crap after 1.5 seasons. The silver has held up almost ten years.

I still wear sunglasses even under the tint as the sun can bother me and I have a flip-up so if I open the face or the visor I won't get blinded by sun or debris.

What would be cool is a helmet that had a door around the back 1/2 that you could store a 2nd shield in if you wanted to swap them.