Helmet with glasses
Helmet with glasses
I live in a place where a helmet is for cold weather and rain.
Nobody wears them. I like having one but mine is very old. It doesn't vent well and fogs quickly in rain.
I have been considering a new one but I have 2 issues that I need some advice on.
1) a full face with prescription glasses - Worried about glasses getting crunched.
2) test fitting - the only place around here is the harley dealer and because most people don't wear them they don't carry much. I am not sure how to size at home or how do you tell if it vents well or not.
#2 is really the biggest reason I haven't made a purchase. A properly fit helmet doesn't seem like something to buy online blindly
Nobody wears them. I like having one but mine is very old. It doesn't vent well and fogs quickly in rain.
I have been considering a new one but I have 2 issues that I need some advice on.
1) a full face with prescription glasses - Worried about glasses getting crunched.
2) test fitting - the only place around here is the harley dealer and because most people don't wear them they don't carry much. I am not sure how to size at home or how do you tell if it vents well or not.
#2 is really the biggest reason I haven't made a purchase. A properly fit helmet doesn't seem like something to buy online blindly
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 17,684
Likes: 6,062
From: Niagara, Ontario, Canada
Have you read return policy or fitment details on the helmet sites. Hell, they must sell a lot of helmets or they wouldn't be in business. I do agree with your 2nd #2.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
I've bought helmets online and in person. I would not recommend buying online, particularly with glasses.
I have a Cycle Gear close by, so I was able to try a few full face helmets, mostly for fit, (I have a fat head) but also to see if I could use my glasses. Some helmets fit great, but the eye port was too small, some pinched my cheeks too much, but the eye-port was big enough. I ended up with an Arai. Best of everything. Comfortable with a big enough eye port to put my glasses on.
Now I have a Bell racing helmet that I can put on WITH my glasses on. It has a huge opening. But it's heavy and has no air vents, so unsuitable for riding.
I also have a Scorpion 3/4 with a flip down face shield that I don't have to take my glasses off to put on. But it has more wind noise.
Best of luck on your search.
I have a Cycle Gear close by, so I was able to try a few full face helmets, mostly for fit, (I have a fat head) but also to see if I could use my glasses. Some helmets fit great, but the eye port was too small, some pinched my cheeks too much, but the eye-port was big enough. I ended up with an Arai. Best of everything. Comfortable with a big enough eye port to put my glasses on.
Now I have a Bell racing helmet that I can put on WITH my glasses on. It has a huge opening. But it's heavy and has no air vents, so unsuitable for riding.
I also have a Scorpion 3/4 with a flip down face shield that I don't have to take my glasses off to put on. But it has more wind noise.
Best of luck on your search.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 1,880
From: SF Bay Area
I buy ALL my stuff from Cycle Gear. Easy return policy with no restocking fees. As for helmet sizing. I recently bought 3 helmets and ended up sending all 3 back. DennisKirk and Motorcyclegear.com both have great return policies as well. Revzilla charges a restocking fee.
Good Luck . . .
- Most Americans fall into the "long oval" head shape. Asians into the round or round oval.
- Most good helmets have decent eyeglass slots on the sides. I wear sunglasses with both my Shoei RF1100 and Shoei Hornet X2
- Many newer helmets have a Pin Loc system that helps a lot with fogging as well as most vent really well.
Good Luck . . .
Our honda dealer sells mostly 4 wheelers and golf carts. I think there are less than a dozen sport bikes here.
I've ordered from Revzilla and returned with no problems but maybe they have instituted restocking fees now.
As far as the glasses, I ended up with an Arai because of head shape and fitment. Nothing else works that is comfortable. It's a lot of money for a helmet but it works and I can wear glasses with it comfortably. My everyday glasses are thin frames with wireless lenses. I can get them into the helmet with some careful assistance but have another pair of heavier frames that will slide right in. No problem with them being crowded, enough ventilation to keep them from fogging if you crack the shield open a touch, etc.
With Sturgis right around the corner, JP or Black Hills HD doesn't have a beefed up inventory to go have a look? I don't recall anyone carrying anything like Arai, really expensive stuff. For me it didn't matter, I had to buy what fit so the HJC, Cycle Gear things, etc. just weren't available or didn't fit right.
As far as the glasses, I ended up with an Arai because of head shape and fitment. Nothing else works that is comfortable. It's a lot of money for a helmet but it works and I can wear glasses with it comfortably. My everyday glasses are thin frames with wireless lenses. I can get them into the helmet with some careful assistance but have another pair of heavier frames that will slide right in. No problem with them being crowded, enough ventilation to keep them from fogging if you crack the shield open a touch, etc.
With Sturgis right around the corner, JP or Black Hills HD doesn't have a beefed up inventory to go have a look? I don't recall anyone carrying anything like Arai, really expensive stuff. For me it didn't matter, I had to buy what fit so the HJC, Cycle Gear things, etc. just weren't available or didn't fit right.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 1,215
From: Fort Myers, Fl
I wear glasses also and have a shoei rf1200 with pin lock for fogging.
I wear it everyday in all weather here in south Florida and its a great helmet.
Measure your head according to the sizing chart and go for it.
As long as you dont wear it out riding most places will take returns.
I wear it everyday in all weather here in south Florida and its a great helmet.
Measure your head according to the sizing chart and go for it.
As long as you dont wear it out riding most places will take returns.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 546
From: Wayne County, PA
I've run everything from biltwell 3/4 to my bell dualsport helmet and my arai xd4. They all felt comfortable with my glasses on. Most modern helmets have relief cuts for glasses in the helmet foam. I even have motorcross goggles for when i cant see through the face shield on the arai, my glasses fit fine. I live in PA where there is no helmet law but i wear one at all times. A proper full face will keep you cooler than No helmet at all and keep your jaw on your face if you crash.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 837
From: KMHT KFMY
I have RF-1200's that are older, currently I use Shoei GT Air helmets ( there is now a newer version) one is set up for the 13 bike with CB and suck, the other I use on my 03 Bagger and the crotch rocket
I wear glasses, never been a problem
I am also in the same area as SW Fl guy.... with the face shield up (all the bikes have windshields) it is not hot, but on hot days with the face shield down it can get a little hot.
Most of the time the face shield is up, but I drop the built in sun shade down and I get some extra eye protection and lots of air
my prescription lenses have never been an issue wth any helmet I have worn in the last 40 years
I wear glasses, never been a problem
I am also in the same area as SW Fl guy.... with the face shield up (all the bikes have windshields) it is not hot, but on hot days with the face shield down it can get a little hot.
Most of the time the face shield is up, but I drop the built in sun shade down and I get some extra eye protection and lots of air
my prescription lenses have never been an issue wth any helmet I have worn in the last 40 years