Eye-wear help
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,013
Likes: 7,137
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
OP~ You have to balance how much air you get behind the lenses. Unfortunately, every rider is different.
As stated above, if you have "sealed" the eye from air, then you get fogging, especially in cool/cold weather.
Have LOTS of air behind the lenses, and you cry.
So, what you need to do is experiment with various styles of lenses, to see what works for you. Especially wearing your helmet. Oakley makes glasses frames that can essentially wrap around your head so you don't hook the eyeglass ear pieces or "temples" inside your ear or get caught in your helmet pads. Also, glasses have been known to "lift" at higher speeds when you turn your head left/right. This is also the prime opportunity for dirt/sand/grit/mosquitos to find your eyeball. (There's a technique to reduce this.)
There are many brands that cater to motorcyclists' needs. Unfortunately, optometrists usually only carry unsuitable choices for our use, besides the Oakley.
If you have to wear prescription:
"Polarized" may cause gauges to be distorted. Tinted lenses will cause more glare so a good non-glare coating or "AR coating" can help (Crizal for example.) The Transitions brand of color changing lenses can help night time vision by 40% not the lab choice photochromic coating, that will streak. This combination of lens coatings will help in day or night, rain or shine, not polarized though.
But it's all about preference and your vision.
As stated above, if you have "sealed" the eye from air, then you get fogging, especially in cool/cold weather.
Have LOTS of air behind the lenses, and you cry.
So, what you need to do is experiment with various styles of lenses, to see what works for you. Especially wearing your helmet. Oakley makes glasses frames that can essentially wrap around your head so you don't hook the eyeglass ear pieces or "temples" inside your ear or get caught in your helmet pads. Also, glasses have been known to "lift" at higher speeds when you turn your head left/right. This is also the prime opportunity for dirt/sand/grit/mosquitos to find your eyeball. (There's a technique to reduce this.)
There are many brands that cater to motorcyclists' needs. Unfortunately, optometrists usually only carry unsuitable choices for our use, besides the Oakley.
If you have to wear prescription:
"Polarized" may cause gauges to be distorted. Tinted lenses will cause more glare so a good non-glare coating or "AR coating" can help (Crizal for example.) The Transitions brand of color changing lenses can help night time vision by 40% not the lab choice photochromic coating, that will streak. This combination of lens coatings will help in day or night, rain or shine, not polarized though.
But it's all about preference and your vision.
Last edited by NORTY FLATZ; Nov 2, 2019 at 12:20 AM. Reason: Riding Optician added info
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1,985
From: Cleveland Zoo
Novice
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 6
From: MO
Both 7eye (Panoptyx) and Wiley x are ANSI Z87.1 certified and excellent quality. I prefer the ones with foam eyecup which seals your eyes from winds. Some have removable eyecups making them even more versatile. I'm in the process of buying from bikershades.com--they have a "try and buy" program where they send you several frames to try, deposit going towards the frame you choose.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 809
From: Ormond Beach, Florida
Check out Inferno USA at infernousa.com
They sell quaity riding glasses with various type lenses and you can even get Rx lenses that snap inside. Many many styles to choose from.
Although I usualy wear a 3/4 helmet with the shield down over my regular Rx sunglasses, I can ride with my half helmet and the Inferno USA glasses without any sheild at full highway speeds with no fogging or eyes tearing. I got mine with the transition sunglass lenses, so they can be worn into the night. If you don't ride with a FF or 3/4 helmet, these are the type of glasses that are designed to be ridden with the wind in your face.
They sell quaity riding glasses with various type lenses and you can even get Rx lenses that snap inside. Many many styles to choose from.
Although I usualy wear a 3/4 helmet with the shield down over my regular Rx sunglasses, I can ride with my half helmet and the Inferno USA glasses without any sheild at full highway speeds with no fogging or eyes tearing. I got mine with the transition sunglass lenses, so they can be worn into the night. If you don't ride with a FF or 3/4 helmet, these are the type of glasses that are designed to be ridden with the wind in your face.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 157
From: Banning, CA
Military spec glasses
These work well for me and my better half - https://www.big5sportinggoods.com/st...85/_/A-6547301
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 34
From: Ca
Hey everyone! I'm a brand new rider, bought a 2007 Heritage Softail Classic. I thought I'd join here and try to benefit from all of the experience of you veteran riders, as I want to be safe on the road. One of the things I wanted to ask about right away are clear lenses/eye pro. Anyone have any recs for riding? I'd assume I want something ballistic-grade. A big factor for me living in Florida (Tampa area) is that I don't want something that's going to be really uncomfortable in the heat, I'd imagine goggles would just have the lenses fogging up and me sweating inside, getting in my eyes and so forth. But I would like to defer to the knowledge here, and especially those of you riding in hot climates. This would be for riding with a helmet with no visor. Thanks in advance.
Wide angle, keeping all important peripheral vision (be careful with helmet choice too), best safety frames and lenses. All kinds of options, styles. Prescription or not.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 1,158
From: Long Island
Some safety glasses are pretty good in a pinch. Some optically are not very clear (from the “H” place) If you’re gonna be getting up to speed for any length of time, the draft to the eyes does not work out at all.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 606
From:
https://www.harborfreight.com/smoke-...safety+glasses. harbor freight safety shades. they keep the air out and are cheep.