Cold Weather Riding - Faceshield Fog

[Lotsokids]

I ride year round as long as it's dry. Temperature is never a big concern - I have warm gear. It's getting colder recently (here in Hungary anyway). To this point, I just crack open the shield a little and it clears up the fog mostly. I've tried anti-fog treatment on the faceshield, but it blurs the vision a little. That's too unsafe. My helmet is snug on my head, so I have difficulty with anything additional in the helmet with me like a head covering.

So I was thinking of some way to get my breath away from the shield to prevent the fogging. What about some sort of small snorkel to hold in the mouth and out around the neck somewhere? Anyone tried anything like this?

[aviationfred]

Have you tried a Fog City visor insert??

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Fog-City-ProShield-Anti-Fog-Helmet-Visor-Insert-for-Universal-Applications-/381024654037?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58b6d6d2d5&vxp=mtr

Fred

[Dan Filetti]

Shoei helmets have a piece that fits over you nose, built into the helmet.  It can be seen in this picture:



Not perfect but it makes a noticeable difference between having and not having it.

Dan

[Capn Ron]

What Dan said...

I've ridden with and without the "Breath Guard" in my Shoei helmet and it definitely makes a difference.  They sell them separately and you may be able to fit it up in a non-Shoei helmet:



http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/36114/i/shoei-rf-1000-and-tz-r-helmet-breath-guard

[novaraptor]

Here is a review on a device called "fog thief". Doesn't sound bad.
http://loomisadventures.com/gear/fogthief-helmet-anti-fog-device-review
You do have to wear that one in your mouth, though. A year or so ago, I searched for solutions, and can't remember the name of one that was said to work very well, but was a total pain to properly fit, since it had to be
repositioned everytime you put on the helmet, so whatever piques your interest, read up on it before you buy.

[giantkiller]

Bell offers, a breath box, breath box and dual pane shield, and a snowmobile conversion ( breath box, baklava and electric face shield) for the star, rs1and vortex. I just bought a rally red star from motorcycle closeouts for $199.  I love my rs1and couldn't pass up the deal on the star.

Prices for above: bb $9.95,bb and dual shield $34.95, snowmo kit $89.95

[giantkiller]

Bell really has thought of everything besides the above. They offer different sizes for the cheek pads. To fine tune the fit replacement liners. Transitions sheilds.

Oh yah no I don't work for Bell.

[the fan]

What these guys said.. Most helmet companies offer shields and breath box for their helmets intended for snow mobile use. I personally have always been able to get away with a home made balaclava and cracking the shield but my giant schnoz acts as a nose shield all by itself...

In my offroad days I really liked the scott no fog cloth. It worked well even in most cases of cold/wet when I was racing hare scrambles.

In extreme cases I would drill a series of small holes across the top of the lens, a stip of thin foam backed with thin lexan kept the dirt out but allowed enough airflow to keep the lens clear. I never liked dual pane lenses or the stick on fog city things as they tended to distort my vision.

Had a few friends who used this:
http://www.middletowncycle.com/eshopprod_cat_8938-5392-5980_product_1658347.SCOTT_NO-FOG_FAN_KIT.htm

but I am not sure how you would make it work on a street lid. It worked well but I found the fan noise on the early kits to be distracting.

What helmet do you wear?

[airheadPete]

The breath shield is good, but just one word, (ok, three):
PINLOCK!  PINLOCK! PINLOCK!
I live in Portland, where it's wet and chilly eight months of the year. That insert is fantastic at keeping me fog-free. They're harder to keep clean than a straight faceshield, and scratch easily, but they are more than worth it from a basic safety and convenience standpoint.
If your helmet is compatible, you won't be disappointed. 

[fj1289]

The breath shield is good, but just one word, (ok, three):
PINLOCK!  PINLOCK! PINLOCK!
I live in Portland, where it's wet and chilly eight months of the year. That insert is fantastic at keeping me fog-free. They're harder to keep clean than a straight faceshield, and scratch easily, but they are more than worth it from a basic safety and convenience standpoint.
If your helmet is compatible, you won't be disappointed. 

PINLOCK!!!  You can see a little fog off to the side of the PINLOCK insert - but NONE on the PINLOCK.

[ribbert]

The breath shield is good, but just one word, (ok, three):
PINLOCK!  PINLOCK! PINLOCK!
I live in Portland, where it's wet and chilly eight months of the year. That insert is fantastic at keeping me fog-free. They're harder to keep clean than a straight faceshield, and scratch easily, but they are more than worth it from a basic safety and convenience standpoint.
If your helmet is compatible, you won't be disappointed. 

I have said a number of times here that the Pinlock screens do not get the publicity they deserve.
I have battled fogging screens for 45 years and have tried everything. I discovered these relatively recently and just couldn't believe how well they work.

I reported recently on a trip where in low single digit temperatures and rain so heavy it was like riding through a waterfall, I could not get my screen to fog up, even huffing and puffing intentionally trying to do so. I even had the visor locked to prevent water running down the inside and still no fog at all. I find it remarkable after all these years that someone came up with a 100% fix in one go.

I can't vouch for other brands but the Pinlock is brilliant. Many of the replacement screens you see on ebay are now "Pinlock ready" they come with holes (just 2) already in them. Many new helmets are also being sold with Pinlock ready screens now.

Just in case you missed in the previous posts


PINLOCK    PINLOCK    PINLOCK  is the answer to your problem

Noel

[pdxfj]

As others have said the Pinlock is the only way to go.  Only thing I've ever used that actually works.  Really nice when you forget to close your helmet vents while riding down the interstate in a rain storm.. rest of the face shield will fog up, but not the Pinlock portion.

[ZOA NOM]

Having a hard time finding a pinlock shield for Bell... lemme guess, not compatible?

[aviationfred]

Having a hard time finding a pinlock shield for Bell... lemme guess, not compatible?

I am thinking that Bell does not offer a Pinlock style faceshield. Your best bet will be a Fogcity insert like my earlier post above.


Fred

[mr blackstock]

G'day,

I ride year round, sometimes in winter it gets to around 1 degree, so after wind gets included it seems pretty damn cold.  I have been using the fog city insert for a few years now and cannot recommend them highly enough.  I bought mine off ebay, it was the genuine item, easy to install and has been a life saver.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FOG-CITY-HYPER-SHIELD-CLEAR-MOTORCYCLE-HELMET-ANTI-FOG-VISOR-INSERT-/251285980994?pt=AU_Clothing_Merchandise_Media&var=&hash=item3a81cfc742#ht_2053wt_725

Just one of many on the net I guess.

Cheers, Gareth