Time for a new helmet, wondering if I can eliminate a problem I have.

When riding in the rain with my current helmet, it seems water always manages to make it past the top visor gasket (even with visor closed tight, it just takes longer). This leaves many droplets running down the inside of the visor. I can't wipe it off while riding because the eye-level part of the visor is unreachable when the visor is flipped open. Not a big deal in the daytime, but at night the droplets sparkle with any light source. Especially with oncoming headlights on a 2-lane road.

Any recommendations for a helmet which is especially good at keeping the rain off the back of the visor? Bonus points if it does this even with the visor cracked open for ventilation. I could swear my old Shoei RF-900 did this. (disclaimer: bonus points not endorsed by the MN1K RM)

Thanks.

Kerry

P - I've never had expensive helmets, but I've never had this problem.

That said, I've been pretty happy with my current AGV modular helmet. I never had an issue with either of my old cheap Zeus helmets either - my most recent one has been retired to snowmobile duty with a snow specific shield, and those were ridden thru some horrible rains on different rallies. The AGV is definitely a better quality helmet though. I bought it from Dennis Kirk.

I can't offer an opinion directed at the specific question, but will say that I really like my Shoei Multitec. I can't imagine going back to a non-modular helmet ever again.

Another thumbs up for the Shoei Multitec. Add the Pinlock anti-fog insert and eliminate the need to crack the shield to get rid of the fogging. The Pinlock system makes rain riding almost fun.

My helmet is an HJC Symax. Mid-priced and I like it a lot, but it's getting quite old now. I had tried a Shoei Multitec, and I really wanted to like it, it felt like top-notch quality. I went as far as ordering one so I could test-wear it around the house for a few hours. But the chinbar was just a bit too close to my chin and I couldn't get used to it. Sent it back. Tried again at a cycle show a year later to see if there might be some variation. Same result, so it's consistent. Surprising because I wore several generations of Shoei full-face helmets and liked them a lot. Switching to a Shoei modular isn't an option.

I may try a Nolan, the N-103 is out now, and it might be nice to have a helmet that is wired from the factory for mike and speakers.

Anyway, back to my original gripe, which isn't fog -- it's water droplets on the back of the visor, especially at night. They run partway down and just "park" there. Dozens of them. They can't be shaken or blown loose. And they light up like lights on a Christmas tree when car headlights approach.

Earlier today I found a thread on ADVRider about this exact issue, and a vendor chimed in offering free samples of a product called RainCoat specifically for helmet visors. You put it on like wax, then buff it off. Then I remembered I had requested and received a sample nearly a year ago (as well as an antifog wipe), but never tried it. Doh! Guess I have a rainy test ride in my future.

Kerry

FWIW: Regarding the chin-bar issue. I wore out three Shoei full face helmets (RF7/8/900) and I concur with Kerry that there is in comparison with those three versions less space between the chin-bar and my fat face on the Multitec. However, I found myself quickly accustomed to it and it hasn't been an issue. Moreover, the Multitec covers the front of my neck much better, and I've found my silk scarf sufficient in really cold spring riding (no need for the so annoying balaclava).

If you liked your HJC they just came out with a new modular model the IS-Max. MSRP is $199 they'll available to try on at Cities Edge just down the street from you. I almost got one but decided to milk another year out of my Caberg/Arrow/Jarrow/Caberg. I'll like;y get it next year once it starts getting discounted more.

I had an really cheap KBC, never had a problem with rain with it. I bought a Nolan N-103 this year after trying on both the HJC modulars and the Nolan. I went with the nolan due to the integrated speaker system looking more durable than the universal fit version. Back draw of that was J&M does not make their top of the line speakers to fit the N-103 so I had to go with the midlevel. I've road in 2 pretty good storms now and the helmet has worked great, no leaks. I went to Dr. Mudspringers in spring lake park to try them on as they had models with the speakers installed. All 3 of them were too close in the chin by the time I put the boom mic in front of my mouth so I have to wear the mide to the side of my mouth.

No wet riding or fogging issues. No modular model though.

Howard and I are trying to head to Hyder on Saturday. Yesterday while at the dealer they embarassed me into getting a replacement for my Shoei Syncrotec. Something the guys at Leo's tried to do also ("hey buddy that helmet ought to be in a museum not on your head"). I wanted modular. They had a Nolan they wanted to show me but was out of stock. I ended up with a Shark (goofy name) modular that Ken my parts guy said is the only modular where the manufacturer says you can ride with it open. Something I do with my Shoei but is not approved by the Shoei. The chin bar swings to the back of the helmet. The helmet has a moveable integrated sun shade that can be used independent of the chin bar. On the 160 mile ride home I started out thinking it was much louder than my Shoei and maybe this was a mistake. Because the chin bar goes to the back of the helmet it does not catch wind like the Shoei did when riding with it open. The clear sheild is part of the helmet also and not the chin bar so you can ride with the helmet chin bar back and the clear faceshied down - like an open faced helmet. By the time I got home (fooling around with the shield chin bar options) I was happy with the purchase. If I would have test ridden with it for a short distance the wind noise may have scared me away. Listed for $400, got it for less.

They insisted that I not pay for it until I got back. I said maybe something will happen to me like Phil that ran into the Buffalo six years ago (they call him Buffalo Phil). They said to put a note in the helmet that in case of accident to have it returned to BMW of Grand Rapids.

Wayne Koppa
Grayling, MI

The little bottle of silicone that they give you when you buy an Aria is to be used on the rubber gasket to assure a full seal to prevent rain, wind, etc. from penetrating the helmet. It's not lube for the shield mechanism. (as I had thought prior to Bruce Porter clearing that up for me)

I just bought a new helment and could not find anything that compares to the fit of my Aria...it's my forth new Aria since 1987. I was hoping to get a modular, but in the end it's clear I've become an Aria snob...

I have run with a Simpson (Darth Vader), and tried AGV and Showi (RF1000) but in the end I always come back to Aria.

I put RainCoat on the outside of my visor and FogTech on the inside. Then I found myself in the rain at night in northern Wisconsin yesterday.

RainCoat: Thumbs up. Nearly all rain ran off immediately, and the drops that didn't were tiny and blew off easily.

FogTech: Thumbs down. It seemed to inhibit fogging for a while, but eventually a smeary film started to appear. Worse than fog, it distorted my vision and wouldn't clear when I cracked the visor. I had to do more than one near-blind pull-off to stop and wipe and regain vision.

Isn't that dangerous?

Rev KWev
Reverend-at-large

Never had a leak in my Schuberth