Helmets Tinted vs Mirrored, Heat

Skunkape

Skunkape

Joined
Jun 19, 2008
Messages
754
Location
NSB Florida
Bike
2018 GL1800 DCT Tour
Since it is starting to get pretty hot and sunny here I have noticed my face frying when riding into the sun. Do the tinted and mirrored shield cut down on heat?

From inside the helmet is there any difference between a mirrored and tinted shield?

Thanks
 
I don't know what helmet you use; but, this info is associated with an RF1000.
I use a light tint mirrored shield; I tried the dark smoke tint and didn't like the effect of dark cloud shadows on a sunny AZ day.

The mirror shields can give you a reflection of your face from the *inside* of the visor which drives some away from mirrored shields.
I might have noticed the effect early on; but, I don't *see* it at all any longer.

Mark
 
Position bike in driveway so mirror catches sun, stand with face by mirror (with eyes closed :rolleyes:), when you feel your face getting hot then you have your answer. The more sunlight reflected away from your face, the cooler said face will be. So, if you can get a mirrored face shield I would think that would be the way to go. However, I wonder if the laws that apply to mirrored car windows also apply to helmet shields? :rolleyes:
 
I have worn mirrored visors in CA where you'll get a ticket for too dark driver or passenger tinting without an issue.

I didn't think of suggesting a sun test! :)
 
It's been awhile since I've had a tinted one but the mirrored one does make a noticeable difference.
Currently have a faster (blue) one. :04biker:
Just a guess but I would think a gold one would maybe be slightly better at reflecting infrared.
 
st1300r said:
Just a guess but I would think a gold one would maybe be slightly better at reflecting infrared.
Click to expand...

I hadn't thought of checking the reflectivity of infrared based on visor/mirror color! DOH!
And you make me think of it the day my new helmet and visor should arrive! :)
 
I use a dark tinted shield all the time, it will block more than enough light to keep cool. My top priority is the amount of light it passes and the comfort for my eyes, I never paid much attention to the temperature aspect. The rest of the temperature comfort equation is dependant on how good the venting is inside your helmet.
 
With the dark-tint shield (not really all that dark IMO) on my Arai, there is a big difference in direct sunlight. Any polycarbonate shield filters almost all UV so you are protected, but a clear shield makes your helmet into a mini greenhouse.
 
pepollock said:
With the dark-tint shield (not really all that dark IMO) on my Arai, there is a big difference in direct sunlight. Any polycarbonate shield filters almost all UV so you are protected, but a clear shield makes your helmet into a mini greenhouse.
Click to expand...

I went from a clear shield to a tinted one, then used a clear shield again for a few hours, and really noticed how much hotter my face was behind the clear. Mini greenhouse is exactly what I thought, too.

As far as Shoei shields are concerned, whether clear, tinted, or mirrored, they all "provide nearly 100 % protection from harmful UV rays" and I agree and, assume the same would be true for all poly-carbonate shields.
 
I have a dark smoke for my HJC and a Clear and I find a big difference in the greenhouse effect between the two.

I just switch at my last sunset/ sunrise stop and put the other one in a clean tube sock and then in my tankbag.

I can't find one for my N100E which is a big point for not getting another Nolan.

Chris :06biker:
 
Fred D said:
I went from a clear shield to a tinted one, then used a clear shield again for a few hours, and really noticed how much hotter my face was behind the clear. Mini greenhouse is exactly what I thought, too.

As far as Shoei shields are concerned, whether clear, tinted, or mirrored, they all "provide nearly 100 % protection from harmful UV rays" and I agree and, assume the same would be true for all poly-carbonate shields.
Click to expand...


+1 plain jane polycarb absorbs most uv 400nm and shorter. Often they also apply coatings for scratch resistance and to protect the polycarbonate from the UV, further attentuating it.

Acrylic (PMMA) doesn't start absorbing UV until 300nm. It would need an additive or coating particularly if it was tinted causing your iris to open more than normal.

iirc a little more than half the suns output at ground level is IR. I little less than half visible the rest UV etc.
 
I have a dark shield which works good until it just gets "HOT" in which case I change to a do-rag and really dark glasses.
 
Capt_Gruuvy said:
I have a dark shield which works good until it just gets "HOT" in which case I change to a do-rag and really dark glasses.
Click to expand...

First thing anyone's said all day that makes any sense at all on this board. ;-)
 
Clear in Florida year-round. I crack open the shield for extra ventilation if I need to. Shoei MultiTec & RF1000.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom