Rx Riding glasses
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,717
Likes: 273
From: Minnesota
Transitions are plastic. Plastic lenses are prime for scratches and nicks. Scratches and nicks in lenses suck at night with oncoming headlights, they refract and amplify the light, major PITA.
I hit all the local shops, I found some Liberty Sport's at (believe it or not) my local Walmart. I opted for Polycarbonate lenses with a bifocal in clear,, I could have gotten a tint, they where $120 out the door. They did mess up the scrip in the left lens a bit, but got it right the second time.
I'm happy with the vent-padded wrap frame and soft grip bows, I have no wind in my eyes and I can turn my head fully to check the blind spot and they stay on my head.
I hit all the local shops, I found some Liberty Sport's at (believe it or not) my local Walmart. I opted for Polycarbonate lenses with a bifocal in clear,, I could have gotten a tint, they where $120 out the door. They did mess up the scrip in the left lens a bit, but got it right the second time.
I'm happy with the vent-padded wrap frame and soft grip bows, I have no wind in my eyes and I can turn my head fully to check the blind spot and they stay on my head.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 912
From: Omaha
I'm not a fan of transition lens so I have two pair of Liberty Sports; sunglasses and clear.
My insurance paid for the sunglasses and with a 50% off coupon the clear ones only cost me about $60.
I leave them on the bike all the time so they are always available.
Oh, I did get bi-focals with the sunglasses but found that while riding they were worst than not having them because when I looked down at the speedometer the bi-focal blurs the view so I have to tilt my head down to look outside the bi-focal area.
For the clears ones I chose not to get the bi-focals for the reason mentioned above.
Also my Optometrist mentioned that some helmet shields interfere with transition lenses so he didn't recommended transition lenses if you ride with a shield.
My insurance paid for the sunglasses and with a 50% off coupon the clear ones only cost me about $60.
I leave them on the bike all the time so they are always available.
Oh, I did get bi-focals with the sunglasses but found that while riding they were worst than not having them because when I looked down at the speedometer the bi-focal blurs the view so I have to tilt my head down to look outside the bi-focal area.
For the clears ones I chose not to get the bi-focals for the reason mentioned above.
Also my Optometrist mentioned that some helmet shields interfere with transition lenses so he didn't recommended transition lenses if you ride with a shield.
Last edited by Bluraven; Mar 14, 2015 at 06:13 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 229
From: Saskatchewan
Since I mostly tour I always have a spare set of glasses in my tour pak. I would be screwed if I broke my glasses part way through a trip.
One issue I ran into with transition lenses is if I use the built in sun shield in my 3/4 helmet. I normally pop it out 1/2 to 3/4s of the way down just to shade my eye a little. It cause my Rx glasses with transition lens to stay light on top but dark on bottom.
One issue I ran into with transition lenses is if I use the built in sun shield in my 3/4 helmet. I normally pop it out 1/2 to 3/4s of the way down just to shade my eye a little. It cause my Rx glasses with transition lens to stay light on top but dark on bottom.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,018
Likes: 231
From: Kentucky, USA
Not sure exactly what you are referring to here as the Transition lenses that I have are glass.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 84
Likes: 5
From: Birmingham, AL
Transitions would be great if the got dark enough for me. If u wear a shield of any kind the darker transitions which are activated by UV Rays not light don't change dark enough for me. If you ride with no shield should not be a prob.
I ride with Oakley's and I am looking at a pair of Maui Jims ... Both perscription.
I ride with Oakley's and I am looking at a pair of Maui Jims ... Both perscription.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 600
Likes: 10
From: Rochester, NY
There is a huge difference between photochromic lenses. Most hardly get dark at all. TransitionsŽ Branded lenses will get the darkest. TransitionsŽ XTRActiveŽ lenses are the best for motorcycling because they are totally clear at night and get the darkest during the day. Check out Biker Shades and check out some frames. They can add TransitionsŽ XTRActiveŽ lenses and prescriptions to any frame they sell or to an existing frame you already own. I sent them a pair of out-of-production Wiley X frames I already owned and they set me up with new TransitionsŽ XTRActiveŽ lenses. They are now the best pair I've ever owned.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 912
From: Omaha
Glass lenses are very heavy and in most cases not desired.
I'm not sure they've made lenses out of glass since perhaps the late 70s/early 80s.
I could be wrong though.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,018
Likes: 231
From: Kentucky, USA
The first pair of glasses that I had were Transition plastic lenses and you are right, they were junk and scratched very easily.
That was over 20 years ago and haven't owned any plastic lenses since.
The last pair that I bought less than two years ago are glass; however they are very light.
All the other ones I had before those were also glass.
I agree that the plastic is lighter than the glass but to me the difference is minimal and the lenses now get much darker than any of the lenses that I had in the past.
I do have a pair of prescription sunglasses that I use while riding most of the time, but I have to say that the regular glasses that I have now get very dark compared to the older ones and many times I don't even change into the sunglasses.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 627
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
I got a pair of wiley x's with a progressive bifocal lens and with the DriveWear colors from RX-Safety.com. No problems with scratching and the lens's will even darken in a car. The drivewear is polarized and work great in all weather conditions, fog, rain cloudy sunny. They are also ansi z87.2 safety approved so can be used as work safety glasses. On cloudy days everything appears brighter. Also RX-Safety always have discounts going on so you can save some cash.