Riding in the rain visibility question

[RickyT]

Been caught in some pretty good rain storms lately and it was not as unpleasant as I thought. The new Avon's work well and my waterproof gear really seems waterproof. My one issue is I can't see well. What can I use on a face shield to help clear the way. Rain X works well on my trucks windshield but I've been advised not to use it on the helmets shield. Any suggestions?

[oldndumb]

I've read in many places that Rainx will ruin a face shield. I haven't felt like testing it. However, I'll bet someone has.
Is your visibility problem with the rain on the exterior, or is it the interior fogging up?
You can take care of rain on the exterior by placing your head in the airstream to clear most of it off.......for a moment anyway.
You can poke around this guys site and find his anti-fog reviews.
www.webbikeworld.com

[dolson]

I personally called the RainX people some time ago about this just to make sure.
They said don't put it on anything plastic. It was made for glass products only. It does contain ammonia which will craze plastics.

Keeping your visor clean with a good plastic cleaner does a good job and leave you fingers off. While you are riding, just a little turn of your head will clear the rain off.

Same goes for your screen. Just plastic cleaner. If you try to wax it you'll end up with a lap full of water as the rain will run run up and straight over in a stream.

Don

[JasonS]

.. Try Pledge Furniture Polish... I have been using it for a year on an old shield I dragged out after I scrapped mine newer one up in an off..

The Pledge does a great job of getting rid of the fine scratches and makes water run off easier and cleaning bugs and goo is easier... caveat... don;t wipe the screen once you have it on as it can smear if you use a dirty of previously used cloth or wipe..


I have heard that Pledge will affect th eplastic, but no one had come out and proven it to my eyes... yet...

[alancb]

I've used Rain-X on my visor twice now. Worked very well at improving the visibility and I haven't noticed any hazing. I didn't let it dry on like the instructions said, just wetted it and wiped it off almost immediately. Still left enough of coating to make it work just like it does on a car windshield. That was with a KBC shield, others could be different. Long-term use? Can't tell ya.

[scrape]

Originally Posted by JasonS

.. Try Pledge Furniture Polish...

Pledge is good for helmets too? This is about the 3 or 4th motorcycling related thing I have read Pledge is good for. Pretty soon, someone out there will be preaching Pledge as chain lube.

Anyways back to the original topic.....get a pair of Held gloves with the built in face-shield wiper. Works great for me. Oh yeah, a Scorpion helmet too, no fogging even in the rain.

No Rain-X unless an emergency (short term ok, long term don't).

[bobw3592]

My Scorpion helmet has a very good anti-fog treatment on the visor. I use Plexus and/or Pledge for cleaning the plastic bits w/ good results. +1 on letting the wind stream clear the visor. Turn your head left and right and most of it clears very quickly. Held gloves and some others have a small wiper blade built into the seam that really helps clear better than a regular glove edge. I still lift the visor a notch at times to clear heavy condensation. Torrential rain...almost nothing works but heading for some shelter until the storm lightens up a bit. I get caught in storms riding in the mountains routinely ( today and at least once a week all summer) and enjoy riding in the rain. However, thunderstorms and severe weather can be very dangerous. Deep water run off, gravel/debris and spray/waves from other traffic etc. In those storms, I admit I retreat just like I will from ice and snow.

Cheers and safe travels!
Bob

[Jase907ie]

I use a similar item to Pledge. It's mr sheen furniture polish. I have used this on my helmets and visors for about 20yrs and the guy who told me about had been doing that for a further 15yrs. Does both anti fog and clean.

[smegin]

Like Jase907ie I use either Pledge or Mr Sheen furniture polish on all plastics on the bike, brings up the fairings and tank a treat. Just make sure the area is dry before polishing.

[ExKellick]

I just rode a 600km trip mostly in the rain and some of it dark. I use Plexus which is great stuff but whatever you do don't use it on the inside of the visor, it fogs up really badly (I just use dish washing liquid). Outside is great, the water runs pretty much off. I also have a double bubble screen and if I duck slightly into the airflow over the edge it seems to slipstream the water straight off (discovered this by accident).

I'm surprised to hear that Mr Sheen works as an anti fog - gotta try it sometime.