Futzin with Fog
Helmet Face Shield Tips and Tricks
The Fall rolls around, the air gets colder and moister and
the next thing you know – you can’t see a thing. A fogged up face shield can
really be a nuisance and not a year goes by when a riding friend doesn’t ask me
for advice on how to beat it. So let’s review the options.
Option 1 – Fog City Insert
A company makes a product called a Fog City insert. The
insert attaches to the inside of your existing face shield by way of an adhesive
edge. Fog City makes inserts for many popular full face helmets from companies
like Shoei and Arai. Does the product work? Yes, but it has its imperfections.
For starters the adhesive attachment must be done exactly
right so there is no way air can enter between the insert and the face shield.
If not two things will occur – you’ll get fog in between the lens and insert and
eventually a not-so-nice buildup of dirt.
Secondly Fog City inserts tend to cause a star effect when
you look into lights, such as oncoming headlights and street lamps. Not a
desirable effect when you’re operating a motorcycle.
Option 2 – Fog Off
Fog Off is a liquid product you apply to the inside lens
of your helmet. You can use it on your spectacles too. The product is applied to
the glass or plastic by way of the spray bottle it comes in and then you’re
supposed to rub it into the surface. Does the product work? Yes, but it has its
imperfections.
The end results of Fog Off are two. One is that water
collects on the face shield lens and doesn’t go away, like regular fog. Gone is
the white haze that fog leaves, but over time, say five red lights to the
doughnut shop, your lens becomes blurry with a buildup of moisture on it. The
second negative result occurs later when a light dirt layer develops on the lens
because of the collection of dust and air particles by way of the water residue.
Option 3 – Dish Soap
Dave Preston outlines the old school trick of rubbing dish
soap into the lens area in his book Motorcycle 101. The trick has been around
for years and many swear by it. Dave’s main complaint is that the soap needs to
be reapplied often as it doesn’t stick around long. If you like scented things
then try a scented soap and see what happens.
Option 4 – Open the Vent
Most full face helmets now come with a vent on the lower
chin area to move air up the inside of your face shield as your moving. Does it
work? Yes, but it has its imperfections.
This method makes for a cold nose but works pretty well –
when you’re moving. How good is all dependent on how well the vent and air shaft
are designed on your helmet. But when you’re at a stop light it’s a hopeless
cause and your face shield once again fills with fog.
Option 5 – Tilt it Open
The most effective, surefire, hassle free way I’ve found
to do battle with fog is to tilt my visor open when it begins to accumulate.
Sounds like a pain, but it simply becomes second nature after you do it for a
while. When I’m at a stoplight I open my lens the entire way and when I’m moving
I crack it open about ¼ to ½ inch. Does it always work? Yes, but it has its
imperfections.
The draw back here is when it’s raining. If you tilt your
face shield open while it’s raining you chance getting rain drops on the inside
of the lens which can obscure your vision somewhat. I simply pull out if it gets
to thick and wipe the inside with a dry cloth.
The reality is that you're going to breath air into your
lungs. When you exhale it's going to carry more moisture from your body
out with it. It has to go somewhere.
Got a trick that works for your that you want to add. Send
it to us at
tipsntricks@soundrider.com SR!
PT/Fall 03
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