Helmets and rain.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,487
Likes: 2,530
From: Lititz Pa
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.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,568
Likes: 7,936
From: Long Island, New York
I have a half helmet with a snap on shield, I carry the shield in with my rain gear. I find it works best without glasses, as noted things tend to fog up. Without glasses on, I can get my finger inside the windshield to give her a wipe when needed. Overall not a big thing if you are moving, but rain and stuck in traffic is a serious PITA. Only once in some really heavy rain did I leave my glasses on under the shield, rain was so heavy it was coming up under the shield. But we got through it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,815
Likes: 2,555
From: UK
Did anybody say "Schuberth C4 Pro" yet? I don't care how much it rains and if I wear a glove with a little wiper on the left hand, I don't care how long it rains either.
Add some Nikwax Visor proof to the visor and even Noah couldn't be happier.
Add some Nikwax Visor proof to the visor and even Noah couldn't be happier.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,881
Likes: 32,994
From: King George, VA
Clip on half helmet shields and 3/4 helmet shields have always given me problems in rain. It tends to blow up from below and flood the inside surface making visibility a mess. RainX requires the air movement to blow it off the shield but there's not enough to blow it from the back side.
I have a Shoei Newtech of now with the SRL headset installed. Works fine in tornado type rains and the PinLock has only failed me once. Recent ride through Needles, CA in 116 degree heat it was a little uncomfortable but I think the accumulation of sweat helped keep my head cool.
I have a Shoei Newtech of now with the SRL headset installed. Works fine in tornado type rains and the PinLock has only failed me once. Recent ride through Needles, CA in 116 degree heat it was a little uncomfortable but I think the accumulation of sweat helped keep my head cool.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,446
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
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!
Ridden for decades with a half lid, sometimes it wasn't more than a glorified skull cap. Googles and bandana and sometimes a snap on shield if the lid would take it. Slowed my roll with the rain in recent years, hate cleaning the bikes and figured I swam enough miles on 2 wheels over 4 decades and several counties I'll take my time and sit it out a while now.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 195
From: Ohio
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,487
Likes: 156
From: boston
The modular is a great choice! I ride most of the time with my Shoei Neotec. When riding around town I just flip the shield up but leave the chin bar down. When on the interstate, or in the rain, the shield is down. What makes the modular a game changer for me is that I ride up to 600 mile days. You have to hydrate. I can flip up the chin bar and take a sip of water that I have in my cup at all times. Never have to stop just to take a drink. At every stop I refill the cup with cold water. Shoei has a pin lock on the neotec shield and drop down sun glasses. It is fitted with Sena 20s Evo blue tooth so I can listen to my music and the nav.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 3,338
Likes: 1,823
From: VA
Been full face since day one. Anything can happen on a 2hr or longer trip.There are places with nowhere to stop. I've been in rain storms that turned to hail. I learned the hard way that when there is hail the hail is not uniform in size.Had my head rocked back as a chunk of ice split my faceshield on one of those unofficial Iron Butts. And as a lifeguard who has had stuff cut off my body because it could be cancer keeping my head under cover gives me that piece of mind and protection. Then there is the hearing aspect to this. 20 min at 60 mph causes hearing damage with a helmet on. It's worse when off or with one that is a 1/2 or 3/4. It's your choice IMHO but tinnitus sucks bad. I didn't know how bad my hearing was until Covid and the mask wearing. I look at a persons lips to try to pick up what I miss. Just didn't know how much I had depended on it until the mask wearing..
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