Clearing a Visor in the Rain

[ColinWB]

I bought a pair of winter gloves that have a rubber "wiper blade" on the left index finger, thinking it would be helpful to clear away the rain if I got caught in a shower. A couple of rides lately have been partly in rain and I've used the "wiper" but noticed it has left a few wee scratches. I don't want to wreck my visor so I need advice about gloves or other devices that will clear rain from it. Any recommendations?

[Capt Sisko]

The ultimate answer is anything you wipe your visor with (including a dirty but otherwise bespoke cleaning cloth) can scratch it, that rubber wiper blade included. In fact it's not just rain hitting your visor, it's also road spray with its associated crud mixed in with it. Wiping it whilst you're riding is one of the worst things you can do to it, however in the real world you've got to be able to see where you're going and wiping it is inevitable, all you can do in minimise the frequency needed. This is where propriety rain repellents come in. None are perfect, all need a degree of speed to make them work properly and blow the water droplets away, but they do make a difference.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-kit/helmets/best-water-repellents/

 

Edited September 17, 2024 by Capt Sisko

[ColinWB]

Thanks @Capt Sisko.  That's an interesting article. Try to beat nature and most of the options are toxic and/or will leave you smelling like a distillery  and even the number one in the test was the "most non-toxic". I use Nikwax to waterproof my outdoors and camping gear so will give that a try.

[AstronautNinja]

I'll be having a crack at polishing the visor when it gets a bit ropey. I can't see it being that different to other plastics etc that in many cases buff up nicely. 

 

I reckon between the 3 I have (clear with reactive pin lock, light smoked and dark) I should get a good amount of use out of them. 

 

I'll make a thread when the day comes 

[RideWithStyles]

Nik wax is the generally the best water based one readily available anywhere, not bad in any real regards but doesn’t excel.

rainexs “glass/car” one is really good but not to be used on visors as it attacks the plastics by making it brittle rather than melting it so might look ok but really will affect the visor when you really need it.

their water based one isn’t as good and trying to get rid of marks and streaks is a freaking mare.

 

as capt says it’s gonna happen (soft cloth is good) so best way to clear water is to twist your head to each to to use the wind to push the water off, though not very effective at 20-30mph granted but little and often is better, and after a while the grime will build up and not allow the water to Brad up but merely spread so soft cloth in pocket might be just good enough.
scratches and chips will happen and so changes to visors every year or two is good practice, more often if you add damage to it.

[husoi]

A microfiber cloth tucked away in storage box if you have one or in your pocket will do the trick.

While riding, whoever had the idea of some stupid wiper attached to the glove should be shot.

They are as useful as flies on a dog.

I always do a quick wipe with the palm of the glove if going below 50mph.

Anything above that the wind will do it for you. Just turn the hear sideways and you will see the water run away.

When stopping for a break, which should be more frequent in the rain, use the cloth to give it a proper clean.

[ChrisBiggsUK]

3 hours ago, RideWithStyles said:

Nik wax is the generally the best water based one readily available anywhere, not bad in any real regards but doesn’t excel.

 

And another newbie question I was going to ask has been answered!  That being how to prevent / limit water droplets on the outside of my visor from obscuring my vision.

Joining this forum is by far one of the best decisions I have ever made!

 

[husoi]

Make sure that any product you use on your visor won't damage the protective film they usually have.

I ruined one because I wasn't aware of that film.

[onesea]

7 hours ago, husoi said:

A microfiber cloth tucked away in storage box if you have one or in your pocket will do the trick.

While riding, whoever had the idea of some stupid wiper attached to the glove should be shot.

They are as useful as flies on a dog.

I always do a quick wipe with the palm of the glove if going below 50mph.

Anything above that the wind will do it for you. Just turn the hear sideways and you will see the water run away.

When stopping for a break, which should be more frequent in the rain, use the cloth to give it a proper clean.

Got to agree tried all the manic potions, I just use my glove.  Then helmet is 2 years old and visor is no longer perfect.  It’s clear enough, so that does me.

[bonio]

I got one of those finger wiper things - someone on here recommended them - and I've found them loads better than a glove. Sometime you've just gotta wipe, and one wipe with a glove means game over as far as seeing anything goes: all I get to see is smear and grease. But the wipey thing works a treat. I can wipe as often as want and water will continue to bead up afterwards. 

[AstronautNinja]

Instagram has been advertising me little stick on, battery powered visor wipers

[ColinWB]

1 hour ago, bonio said:

I got one of those finger wiper things - someone on here recommended them - and I've found them loads better than a glove. Sometime you've just gotta wipe, and one wipe with a glove means game over as far as seeing anything goes: all I get to see is smear and grease. But the wipey thing works a treat. I can wipe as often as want and water will continue to bead up afterwards. 

Have you got a link or the brand name for it?

[bonio]

@ColinWB Here it is: https://www.ebay.com/itm/323765055943

[ColinWB]

@bonio thanks, much appreciated.

[ColinWB]

I bought a can of the Nikwax Visor Proof spray and used it today for the first time. There was a very fine drizzle under the overcast for a few miles today, hardly noticeable except on the visor, which stayed very clear though some tiny beads formed which disappeared rapidly.

[Mr_Machrihanish]

On 17/09/2024 at 22:05, bonio said:

@ColinWB Here it is: https://www.ebay.com/itm/323765055943

Looks interesting. How well does it flex please? I am wondering if it affects dexterity in using the clutch lever. 

Edited September 21, 2024 by Mr_Machrihanish

[Fiddlesticks]

 

Edit:

Not sure that link worked too well, but the general idea is that Potato > RainX

Edited September 21, 2024 by Fiddlesticks

[bonio]

2 hours ago, Mr_Machrihanish said:

Looks interesting. How well does it flex please? I am wondering if it affects dexterity in using the clutch lever. 

Nah. Its made of super-bendy rubber. You don't notice it's there.

[ColinWB]

10 hours ago, Fiddlesticks said:

 

Edit:

Not sure that link worked too well, but the general idea is that Potato > RainX

Anyone going to try it and report back?

[AstronautNinja]

8 minutes ago, ColinWB said:

Anyone going to try it and report back?

If I remember to buy a spud I'll try it on the car

[Capt Sisko]

On 17/09/2024 at 22:05, bonio said:

@ColinWB Here it is: https://www.ebay.com/itm/323765055943

These have been around since at least the late '70s. Mind you visors were crap back then, they scratched really easily, even the alleged scratch resiatant ones. BUT they were cheap to replace.

[RideWithStyles]

True to a point but it’s a complete pain in the arse to apply well and a total nightmare to get rid of the smears and streaks, effects don’t last more than a day or two at best (as it gets broken down too quickly.

bennets bike social even added that one to the list of contenders…

[Capt Sisko]

Rather conveniently timed, an article in MCN:-

Bikerguard Visor Wiper

 

I can see why someone thought it's a good idea, but to me it's one of those 'it's just so brilliant, everyone is going to want one' ideas that no one actually asked us bikers if we really need it. As for price, even at the on offer price of £220 it's way too much. Lastly, the MCN article doesn't mention the potential scratching of visor and with a visor for my Neotec II costing £75, it could turn into a costly bit of kit. Now, where was that link to the V Wipe?