I've new to the forum, and about to buy a VFR. I've been reading the threads on helmets, but haven't heard any discussion concerning glasses. For those of us who do wear glasses, any comments? Do any particular helmets "fit" glasses better than others? I've been riding my son's bike around using his Shoei. It fits okay, but getting my glasses on and off is a real pain. Bill
Bill767, May 15 2006, 11:23 PMI've new to the forum, and about to buy a VFR. I've been reading the threads on helmets, but haven't heard any discussion concerning glasses. For those of us who do wear glasses, any comments? Do any particular helmets "fit" glasses better than others? I've been riding my son's bike around using his Shoei. It fits okay, but getting my glasses on and off is a real pain. Bill
G'day Bill, New here also. have had same issue in the past myself. Don't believe its a helmet problem, more of a glasses problem. Option 1 is take your helmet with you when selecting your glasses..obviously different frames will sit within any helmet, but some will be better than others. Option 2 is off to the Laser Surgery shop. After having specs for 27 years, losing various prescription sunnies, either after riding off with them sitting on the soft luggage of just watching them fall to the ground after placing them on the seat, plus all the fogging up, rain, cold etc, getting my eyes done has been the best thing.
I did try the shoei syncrotec flip-up helmet back in the specs days. Did help with fit a touch, but doesnt stop all the weather related hassles.
Bill767, May 15 2006, 01:23 PMI've new to the forum, and about to buy a VFR.� I've been reading the threads on helmets, but haven't heard any discussion concerning glasses.� For those of us who do wear glasses, any comments?� Do any particular helmets "fit" glasses better than others?� I've been riding my son's bike around using his Shoei.� It fits okay, but getting my glasses on and off is a real pain. Bill
Here's what I've found, as one who wears glasses with my Arai helmet.
If the ends of the frame are bent at a sharp angle to hold the glasses onto your ears, the glasses will be very hard to get on with a helmet, as the frame ends bind when attempting to insert them between your head and the helmet liner.
Adjust the frame to hold the glasses onto your head behind your ear, with the ends of the frame bent a 45-degree angle. You may to have an eyeglasses shop do this to avoid breaking the frames. When putting the glasses on, hold them at a downward angle, so the the ends of the frame are more-or-less straight when you place them between your temple and the helmet liner. Now, as you push the frames back, simultaneously raise them upward to fit normally on your nose. Once the glasses are on, it may be necessary to gently pull the the frame downward inside the helmet to get proper alignment over the ears and on your head behind the ears.
It helps to have frames made of thin metal, rather than thick plastic. Mine are made from titanium and are very thin. The thin metal frames, along with the method I've described, works very well for me.
I have tried a few helmets and Shoei works best for me. I wear an old pair of glasses (not my new $500 frames) and my shoei rf900 has good space on the side right where your glasses go. My new Vemar doesn't. Also pick up a breath mask like a Respro Foggy Anti-Fog Mask to keep those glasses from fogging up. Best money I ever spent (until my sargent seat gets here with UPS tuesday smile.gif )
steve_mn, May 15 2006, 09:40 AMI bought an HJC, nice lid. I tried it on and made sure the glasses would insert properly. Then I ordered one off ebay and saved $25.
Good job! fing02.gif
Maybe that store won't be there next time you want to try something on and order it elsewhere.
I have an Arai Quantum II helmet and I don't have a problem with it. Like someone else said the Respro Foggy will take care of any fogging issues. I have one and it's great.
I had the same hassle: 1. remove glasses 2. place glasses on bike seat 3. put helmet on 4. pick up newly scratched glasses from the ground 5. jam glasses into helmet/head/eye socket/temple area
I solved this by using a Nolan N100 flip up helmet, now all I do is put the helmet on and drop the chin bar down.
I do the same. The flip up helmets really work charms as you don't need to take off your glasses at all. Of course, because of a force of habit I still take off my glasses and a couple times got pretty pissed after I dropped them on the ground and then remembered that I had my flip helmet.
I'd try a pair of US military spec aviation glasses. You can have the lenses replaced with your current prescription, as those glasses are designed to be worn inside a helmet.
Romy, May 15 2006, 12:35 PMI had the same hassle: 1. remove glasses 2. place glasses on bike seat 3. put helmet on 4. pick up newly scratched glasses from the ground 5. jam glasses into helmet/head/eye socket/temple area
I solved this by using a Nolan N100 flip up helmet, now all I do is put the helmet on and drop the chin bar down.
Same with a slight variation. 1. remove glasses. 2. place glasses on tank bag. 3. put helmet on. 4. mount up and ride away. 5. return to retrieve a broken pair of prescription bifocal sunglasses. pissed.gif
I solved this by using a Nolan N100 flip up helmet, now all I do is put the helmet on and drop the chin bar down. rolleyes.gif
chonsey, May 15 2006, 07:47 PMI'd try a pair of US military spec aviation glasses. You can have the lenses replaced with your current prescription, as those glasses are designed to be worn inside a helmet.
That is a good idea, as the frames of these glasses are straight and designed to grip the head, rather than curve down in back of the ear.
But it may be that not everyone would be happy with this style of the aviation style glasses if they were the only pair worn for all ocassions, IMO.
Get these sunglasses... the Nashbar "NoFrame" sunglasses. They were made for motorcycle helmet wear as they add nothing but shading. Get the yellow. They are awesome and only $10... you won't even care if you scratch 'em.
vfrqqq, May 15 2006, 01:40 PMI do the same. The flip up helmets really work charms as you don't need to take off your glasses at all. Of course, because of a force of habit I still take off my glasses and a couple times got pretty pissed after I dropped them on the ground and then remembered that I had my flip helmet.
Never thought of the flip up helmets. Do they protect as well as a regular helmet? Are they any noisier? Looks like a great idea. Bill
I have a flip helmet and love it, but I got a tinted shield and don't need "glasses".
No water leaks (haven't been in major rain though), not any more wind than a full face (haven't tried any $800 helmets though).
I really didn't like riding with sunglasses, they limited my vision a little, were still difficult to put on with flip-up and there is a safety factor that none has discussed so I'm wondering if it's really an issue. What is something happens, even minor and you helmet get twisted or tweeked and you glasses break (either frame or lens) and pieces get in your eye or something. Am I just being too cautious? I just don't like the idea of anything hard in the helmet with my head.
I rode home in the rain a week ago and didn't get wet. The front face section overlaps the main portion of the helmet when closed. I will admit that they are a bit noisier but I wear earplugs anyway.
fdl3, May 15 2006, 02:54 PMDo the flip-up helmets leak water during rain storms?
Both of my Shoei helmets work great with glasses. My clear glasses are a bit more difficult to put on because they are a very thin wire frame with the curve over the top of the ear but once they are on they fit fine. I usually wear my prescription sunglasses when I ride. They are much easier because they are a "wrap style" frame with almost straight arms and fit tightly against my face to keep out debris.
Never had a problem with my old HJC or my Shoei, as for dropping the glasses on the ground a gazillion times I got into the habit of taking off the gloves first then putting the glasses on the gloves, hold them in place and I dont ride away without em
gruss, May 15 2006, 03:38 PMNever had a problem with my old HJC or my Shoei, as for dropping the glasses on the ground a gazillion times I got into the habit of taking off the gloves first then putting the glasses on the gloves, hold them in place and I dont ride away without em
I had no problems with my AGV helemts with wearing sunglasses underneath them, however, they were sunglasses with thin frames.
When we went shopping for a helmet for my wife - and ended up buying the VFR800 instead blink.gif - we were thinking a flip-front helmet would be ideal, as she wears glasses, and had been wearing a borrowed BMW System 3 flip-front. However, even though she tried on several (including top-of-the-line ones), none fitted particularly well and/or were heavy. In the end (after she'd got sidetracked and made me buy the VFR), we bought a Shoei Raid. She has a little difficulty getting the glasses to sit right, but the comfort and quality of the Shoei is such that she doesn't care! She'd rather wear a comfy helmet than have the convenience of a flip-front. Plus she found with the flip-fronts that she still had to take her glasses off before putting the helmet on anyway.
I have no problem wearing glasses with my helmet. IMHO, the frames have more to do with success than anything. Try the frames on with your helmet before buying the frames. I have a set of frames for knocking around and riding. The others are for "all about looking good". smile.gif
That said, when I really want to go out and really carve the corners fast, I don't wear my glasses....it all looks too scary, tongue.gif
Mine too, although had to go from flexable titanium frame to more rigid one to stop it going out of shape and introducing an optical error...a problem it had with any helmet I tried.