Helmets and rain.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 468
Likes: 222
From: NorCal
I considered this problem as well, and though there is not much rain for most of the year where I am in CA, I do ride in the rain and like to do long distance riding. I have a half helmet for just getting around and a full face for commuting. But for riding with my wife, I bought a modular LS2 helmet where the chin bar goes to the back of the helmet. So I usually wear this as a 3/4 helmet, and I got this to support the Sena for listening to music and talking to the wife, and when I get tired of killing bugs with my face, I can put down the screen. When we hit rain, I add the chin bar and don't have to deal with the raindrops at speed. Take a look, the versatility is pretty cool. Shark is another brand of these and they both have a bit of a different shape.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 1,283
From: Texas Hill Country
Fogging is a big problem on a full face helmet.
The Pin Lock Shield is a big help with fogging.
The outer face shield has two little pins at 3 and 9 o'clock on the inside.
The Pin Lock Liner is a clear shield with a soft rubber lip around the outside edge.
When seated in place over the pins, the rubber lip creates a dead air space between the outer shield and the inner Pin Lock liner.
Temperature and humidity (like warm breath) cause the shield to fog up.
The dead air between the Pin Lock liner and the face shield creates a field of view that's very fog resistant.
Notice I didn't claim fog proof? It's a great system but it's not perfect.
One downside to the Pin Lock system is added visual distortion of the additional plastic layer to look through.
This might sound like a trivial point until you try this set up with eyeglasses with Polaroid lenses.....reminds me of some acid trips back in the day.
Oil on the road takes on an purple iridescence shimmer when seen through a plastic windshield, face shield, and Pin Lock liner when wearing Polaroid lenses.
Another common complaint of full face helmets is the weight.
Riding with a full face helmet has allowed me to ditch my windshield.
You won't hear me complain about wind buffeting though, much smoother ride without the windshield with a full face.
The Pin Lock Shield is a big help with fogging.
The outer face shield has two little pins at 3 and 9 o'clock on the inside.
The Pin Lock Liner is a clear shield with a soft rubber lip around the outside edge.
When seated in place over the pins, the rubber lip creates a dead air space between the outer shield and the inner Pin Lock liner.
Temperature and humidity (like warm breath) cause the shield to fog up.
The dead air between the Pin Lock liner and the face shield creates a field of view that's very fog resistant.
Notice I didn't claim fog proof? It's a great system but it's not perfect.
One downside to the Pin Lock system is added visual distortion of the additional plastic layer to look through.
This might sound like a trivial point until you try this set up with eyeglasses with Polaroid lenses.....reminds me of some acid trips back in the day.
Oil on the road takes on an purple iridescence shimmer when seen through a plastic windshield, face shield, and Pin Lock liner when wearing Polaroid lenses.
Another common complaint of full face helmets is the weight.
Riding with a full face helmet has allowed me to ditch my windshield.
You won't hear me complain about wind buffeting though, much smoother ride without the windshield with a full face.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
Riding in the rain is one thing but riding in what we called a "gulley washer" in the south is another!
I have a 1/2 shell with a drop down visor that I wear (with sunglasses) when I'm riding in light-to-moderate rain but if I know that I'll be in a heavy rain I opt for my FF modular helmet that also has a drop down sun shield but I don't wear sunglasses with it.
I've had this helmet for several years and I'd like to replace it with a better quality, lightweight helmet that really fits my head and this time I'm going to take my time and do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions before I buy!
I have a 1/2 shell with a drop down visor that I wear (with sunglasses) when I'm riding in light-to-moderate rain but if I know that I'll be in a heavy rain I opt for my FF modular helmet that also has a drop down sun shield but I don't wear sunglasses with it.
I've had this helmet for several years and I'd like to replace it with a better quality, lightweight helmet that really fits my head and this time I'm going to take my time and do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions before I buy!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,254
Likes: 4,947
From: England
The last couple of posts beat me to it. A FF helmet with pinlock insert. Double glazing for your visor. It works. I rarely get any fogging and that is with the visor down even when stationary.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 1,281
From: Ky
Well after riding in a rainstorm in a half helmet I quickly realized that a half helmet isn't a good choice for riding in the rain. I am looking for good helmet choices for long distance touring and the possibility of riding in the rain. I also have a 3/4 helmet with a full face shield but I never have rode with this helmet in the rain. is the 3/4 helmet with the full face shield a good choice for riding in the rain? Also I am looking at the Bell SRT modular helmet but everybody is out of stock in my color and size.
sunglasses are built in, thats a game changer, I put black tape across the top half of the glasses for riding into the sunset.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,627
Likes: 1,348
From:
In my years (and years) of riding I've ridden no helmet, skid lid, DOT half, 3/4, FF and modular; anymore, for 90+% of my riding I'll take the modular.
On long solo trips where I'm not talking with my riding buddies at stop, I will go with a FF.
In the rain, a FF or modular - especially with pin lock beats the other options hands down.
On long solo trips where I'm not talking with my riding buddies at stop, I will go with a FF.
In the rain, a FF or modular - especially with pin lock beats the other options hands down.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 10,767
From: SE Michigan
I've ridden for hours in the rain with a half helmet, the visor down, and goggles
a fairing helps....a cats and dogs hard rain will have me pulling over and waiting a few minutes
a fairing helps....a cats and dogs hard rain will have me pulling over and waiting a few minutes
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 7,702
Likes: 17,167
From: MA
I ride with a Shoei RF/SR. I have a few things to say:
First, with a FF, comfort will be key. I would HIGHLY suggest looking at the expensive brands, as there is a world of difference in comfort with them.
Second, a modular helmet may also be an option for you. Several models are actually designed quite well, so that riding with the chin guard up isnt an issue. These work better with some models over others.
Third, a pin lock is great-but its not the end-all be-all. I have had issues with them fogging in high humidity, but they work hands above not having one.
Fourth, if you go with a high end lid, its worth getting a shield that darkens automatically. Beats changing shields with the light, unless you are comfortable wearing glasses (or wear prescriptions). I dont like wearing glasses. So, I got the shield (they are NOT cheap).
I wear a full face because the majority of my riding is at night. As such, big bugs and animal strikes are a bigger possibility. But, I found that I will wear my FF about 90% of the time-about the only time I dont, is on short trips to the store.
First, with a FF, comfort will be key. I would HIGHLY suggest looking at the expensive brands, as there is a world of difference in comfort with them.
Second, a modular helmet may also be an option for you. Several models are actually designed quite well, so that riding with the chin guard up isnt an issue. These work better with some models over others.
Third, a pin lock is great-but its not the end-all be-all. I have had issues with them fogging in high humidity, but they work hands above not having one.
Fourth, if you go with a high end lid, its worth getting a shield that darkens automatically. Beats changing shields with the light, unless you are comfortable wearing glasses (or wear prescriptions). I dont like wearing glasses. So, I got the shield (they are NOT cheap).
I wear a full face because the majority of my riding is at night. As such, big bugs and animal strikes are a bigger possibility. But, I found that I will wear my FF about 90% of the time-about the only time I dont, is on short trips to the store.
