Complete newbie question

[ChrisBiggsUK]

Hello there.  Complete newbie to bikes and biking (starting late at the ripe old age of 43).  So new, in fact, that I have not done my CBT yet (doing that in a couple of weeks).  

I've bought myself my first helmet in advance, so I can wear my own one when doing the CBT (which the local test centre confirmed is perfectly acceptable).  It is a Zorax ZOR 838 modular helmet.  Yes, yes, I know, probably entirely the wrong helmet but as a complete beginner, having never ridden a bike before, I didn't want to splurge on a better helmet until the bug has firmly bitten me.  

So my question, or questions, are as follows;

My helmet has pinlock thingies on the visor, which was nice since it didn't come advertised as having them.  I've looked online but my google-fu isn't great and so I cannot figure out which pinlock insert would work best with this visor.  I wear glasses, so obviously will need an insert to prevent (or limit) fogging up.  Indeed, my helmet is fogging up while I'm just sat here typing this (I was advised by a friend to wear my helmet a bit just sat around the house to get used to it, the weight, moving my head in it etc).

I know that the entire front of this helmet will hinge up, thus alleviating fogging, likewise I could just 'crack the lid' I believe the term is, to again limit fogging, but if I could get one of those fancy insert things I think that would be better (or I could be completely wrong, but that is why I'm asking in here).

Another helmet related question I have, is about the fogging of my glasses themselves.  They don't seem to be fogging up themselves, only the visor, but would it be likely that they too would fog up and if so, what would you say is best for me, a complete and total novice, to do to mitigate the fogging of glasses (contacts or surgery are no-gos sadly due to the nature of my stupid eyes).

Any advice, insights or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Chris.

[Fiddlesticks]

Hi Chris, welcome to the forum.

Pinlocks come in different shapes and sizes, but I had a quick look and couldn't find Zorax mentioned anywhere, including the Pinlock website. Maybe give their after sales guys an email to find out which one to use.

 

[email protected]

[ChrisBiggsUK]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.  I have tried sending Zorax an e-mail, but simply get an 'undeliverable' message bounced straight back to me, which is why I came here.  While I'm trying to figure out which insert to use, and this is probably a stupid question, but do you think one of those generic stick on anti-fog films might work in the short term?  

Thank you again for your reply.  I really appreciate it.

Cheers,

Chris.

[Simon Davey]

Hi @ChrisBiggsUK

Welcome to the forum. 

Sitting indoors typing is definitely going to fog most helmets. 

You need a draught, even with a Pinlock fitted, you're probably going to get fogging without a little draught. So riding with the chin vent open is a good start, don't ride with the helmet flipped open, but just have the visor open enough to get your thumb through. 

 

Also, on the visor where it hinges, there should be a visor number, which you'll need for your pinlock. 

Helmetcity.co.uk might be able to help. 

 

[ChrisBiggsUK]

Thank you for your response.

I've shot off an e-mail to Helmet City, who can hopefully help.

I've attached the details written on the side of the visor here too, just on the off chance they could be useful.

Cheers,

Chris.

[Simon Davey]

Also, just another thing regarding fogging.

 

When it's cold, and you're riding slowly, don't be tempted to open the visor wide, this will also make the inside cold, so it'll fog even more.

I reminded myself of this, because it did this whilst riding through the fog in Germany recently 

[ChrisBiggsUK]

20 minutes ago, Simon Davey said:

Also, just another thing regarding fogging.

 

When it's cold, and you're riding slowly, don't be tempted to open the visor wide, this will also make the inside cold, so it'll fog even more.

I reminded myself of this, because it did this whilst riding through the fog in Germany recently 

 

Thank you.  I'll make a note of that.  Having only just started to dip me toe into the waters of motorcycling, any and all advice, hints, tips, guidance and general knowledge is most appreciated, especially given that I'll be doing my CBT in a few weeks and then getting to grips with actually riding during the colder months.  Probably the worst time of year to be starting this new hobby, but I'm determined and the wife didn't disapprove, so learn all I can, absorb all the wisdom I can and then motorcycle I shall!

 

[AstronautNinja]

Glad to hear I wasn't the only new guy sat with his helmet on in the house. 

[bonio]

I'm not sure how your search is going to pan out. If you look at the pinlock web site (Products | Pinlock.com) they don't make inserts specifically for Zorax lids. I can't find anything equivalent from other manufacturers, either - even looked on aliexpress. 

If at the end of the road you can't find a pinlock to fot, you might consider a foggy mask. Here it is - Foggy Mask - Respro® - you will find it cheaper if you shop around. It's a big faff to get them installed in the right position, but once in they keep the visor clear, and they keep you snug in winter too. And, you don't have to peer at the road through a pinlock, which is nice. 

[ChrisBiggsUK]

Thank you for your reply.

I looked at those Foggy things, and they seem good.  Do they work with 'modular' helmets too do you know?  With wearing glasses, I was advised that a modular helmet would be best, certainly in terms of getting it on and off while wearing my glasses, and so that is the type I have gone with for my 'starter' helmet.

I'm not having much luck finding the right insert, which is bloody typical, so am wondering whether in lieu of an actual pinlock one, I could get away with (at least in the short term) a generic anti-fog film for the inside of the visor.

I have not heard back from HelmetCity yet, so I am still holding out a little hope that they may know of a pinlock insert that will work with this helmet.  Might not be the exact one, but as long as it fits close enough and works, that is all that matters really.  If not, other solutions will, I'm sure, come about.

And there was me thinking that something as seemingly straightforward as getting my first helmet would be a simple task!

[Simon Davey]

 

43 minutes ago, ChrisBiggsUK said:

And there was me thinking that something as seemingly straightforward as getting my first helmet would be a simple task!

 

So next time you buy something bike related, don't go straight to Amazon, have a look at the big shops like Sportsbikeshop and J&S Accessories, get an idea of what you'll get for your budget, then if you really have to, order a decent brand (not necessarily expensive) from Amazon. 

To be fair, those two big retailers are very competitively priced, and your money would be well spent. 

 

[ChrisBiggsUK]

1 minute ago, Simon Davey said:

 

 

So next time you buy something bike related, don't go straight to Amazon, have a look at the big shops like Sportsbikeshop and J&S Accessories, get an idea of what you'll get for your budget, then if you really have to, order a decent brand (not necessarily expensive) from Amazon. 

To be fair, those two big retailers are very competitively priced, and your money would be well spent. 

 

I certainly will be doing so going forward.

Learning curve.

[bonio]

1 hour ago, ChrisBiggsUK said:

Do they work with 'modular' helmets too do you know? 

Ooops, no they don't  

[RideWithStyles]

Hi,

thats the thing as even you put it buying one of those wrong helmets ( I refer to the untried, tested and often poor after sale support of the “brands name” and any of their products and not to the style of helmet), over say a budget but time served brand that still view customer support as a necessary part of the business like LS2, nitro, hjc many more their are etc.

 

yes as SD says, should of gone to proper shop and most of not all should have backing from them. cos does it actually fit you well enough? Is the buckle (I’ll assume it’s one over the double D) is of worth while quality? 

Has it got cheap OTP padding that will sag excess in days rather than months or years? Is the shell far too big for your head and stator? You want to avoid having a bobble head or POP figurine size of helmet difference, it does matter.

 

anyway you are where you are, best make the use of it. Ull probably need to look at other module helmets from other brands that are similar in style and size, take the risk of buying one and trying it out but this will really prove that you fell into the “buy once, pay many times” old saying, Including the helmet.

seeming as you dont know if it will be a perfect fit id try to avoid the silicone sealed type of pin lock if you get the option.

you can try potions but most are by far inferior to a pinlock, hit and Miss even coating and use (if you see and hate finger prints and smears you really will hate it) and requires regular re coatings every week or two at best if your using every day in winter.

 

the pinlock “pins” on your visor should work on a cam lobe effect to get the insert to the correct shape/tension and contour to the inside visor, lobes pointing inwards will push the insert (middle) to be more flush and outwards to relax them (moved away).

problem being with those foggy things is that if your breathing is not controlled enough you’ll be just sweating the crap out of you lower face which will get mank in no time or recirculating some/most of the CO2 your breathing back out, even thin very porous helmet chin guards of premium helmets suffer with this so recirculating old air very very much likely, if this does happen to you a simple neck tube hat pull up to and a little higher up you nose, is secure with you helmet strap and check padding which might be an option to look at available everywhere, cheap, washable, and  in different fabrics and thickness for summer or winter use but by far more breathable both ways.

Edited September 16, 2024 by RideWithStyles

[ChrisBiggsUK]

I'm lucky in that the helmet I have bought, despite it becoming abundantly clear that it was somewhat the wrong one, does actually fit very well.  It is snug all over, which I have been assured is what it should be, chin strap once adjusted is nice and snug and all in all, it fits my abnormally sized head.  So, wrong helmet, but fits like a glove.  I'm going to claim at least a 10% victory in that regard.  I still intend down the line to get a 'proper' helmet, but to start me off with while I'm pootling around and getting used to things, it should <furiously touches wood> keep me going until I can find a more 'suitable' one.

All of this is a learning curve and part of starting this hobby is admitting to myself, right off the bat, that I know nothing at all about it and that there will be lots of errors on my part along the way, but through asking advice, heeding the advice, and listening to people who have been doing it for a long time, I should hopefully make the transition from 43 year old pedestrian to 43 year old motorcyclist relatively smoothly and with as few bumps, and bruises (both metaphorically and literally) as possible.

Edited September 16, 2024 by ChrisBiggsUK

[RideWithStyles]

Just that the buckles are very much a weak point and potential flaw in their design.

 

helmets come in different “shell sizes” more options the the better as cheaper will have less of them and expect the inside foam and padding to take the gap up.

So more expensive helmets (shoei, arai etc) will make more shell variations so Xss shell size will go up to a xs only, a small will go up to a medium size , a large might go upto to a xxl and vice versa. Which is more expensive to make.

where as a cheap brand will only make one or a few shell sizes to accommodate all and fill with extra foam or padding which cheaper but not always better.

So thats one reason to many more cost difference and its not down to greed…

 

Thats ok it’s expected, it’s a learning curve weve all had to cross and learn from, we’d like to make sure people don’t fall into it and get put off.

 great there are enough people on this forum willing to share and help when you need.

might be good to just post a question of the next purchase or advice of any kind on here before committing so save yourself from an  potential pit fall, better to ask and take on, rather than be told or find out that it was a mistake is my view.
dont get me wrong some things and different brands in motorcycling are very equally good (like tyres and brakes etc) but that will be just down to “a personal preference” rather than either strictly a terrible or dangerous product.

Edited September 16, 2024 by RideWithStyles