Topic: Riding with Glasses: Suggestions/Thoughts?

[macisaguy]

I did a search, but only came across posts about sunglasses.  I'm a new rider and wear prescription glasses all day, every day.  I wear a 3/4 helmet with no face shield.  Basically, my regular glasses are my eye protection.

I'm learning though that this isn't enough.  I'd prefer not to wear a face shield or full face helmet. I'm thinking (prescription?) goggles might be the way to go...?  But was wondering what other "glasses" riders do.

Any thoughts/ideas?  I haven't been able to track down any leads for prescription goggles, and doubt goggles will fit over my glasses. 

[andy750]

I have been riding for 22 yrs - the whole time wearing glasses. I have always worn a full face helmet with visor and wouldnt have it any other way. If you wear a 3/4 or open face helmet + glasses and you crash onto your face then if your face isnt ripped off you have a good chance of going blind if the glasses get broken/smashed into your eyes.

The only googles that will work with glasses are aviator goggles (those old WWII type ones). You could also get custom prescription goggles made  - seen this for some sports such as squash.

Andy

[Vincent P]

In the same situation as you. I need glasses for distance (near sighted) and only wear a half helmet; cannot stand shields or full faced.

I have my regular glasses, and had a set of prescription sunglasses made up years ago which I know are not the best but at the time, they cost $380 CND which 80% was covered under my work health plan; if I was go go for the goggles they would have cost just over $600, and would have not been covered.

The down side to me is I suffer from photophobia (eyes are sensitive to light) so I need tinted glasses when riding on sunny days.

I'm not sure if the pricing has come down over the year but would be curios to check it out.

Another option which was suggested at one time, was to get a large set of goggle that the glasses would sit behind; this is not a bad option because you could use both sunglasses or regular pair under them, but they looked and felt really awkward on.

[Greggo]

I wear a full face with my glasses.  It may not be the look some guys want, but you appreciate the extra protection if you end up on the ground, or a rock gets kicked up onto your cheek

Does anyone even make prescription goggles? 

[strynboen]

a flip up helmet..with build in sun glases..are fine ..to wear glasses with..resy to get them on and off

bad thing abaut filp up helmets ...are vind noises are a problem

i got a caberg justissimo helmet..low kost helmet..but work fine...got it for 500 kroner..on internet...last year or older.... model

[andy750]

Does anyone even make prescription goggles?

They sure do:

http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/rx-ready-motorcycle-eyewear.html

[Bob Wessner]

.. or a rock gets kicked up onto your cheek

Or you cross paths with a large bee at 65 mph. Trust me, they hurt. 

[wardenerd]

fell at slow speed last year and the shield on my helmet was ruined by being dragged on the pavement.  No helmet no....good looking old rider.

[Duanob]

a flip up helmet..with build in sun glases..are fine ..to wear glasses with..resy to get them on and off

bad thing abaut filp up helmets ...are vind noises are a problem

i got a caberg justissimo helmet..low kost helmet..but work fine...got it for 500 kroner..on internet...last year or older.... model

Ditto, HJC Sy-max II flip face.

[TwoTired]

I've been using a full face helmet since 1975.  I had an old Bell that I could put on while wearing glasses.  But, no others since.  Glasses off, put on helmet, visor up put on glasses, ride away visor up or down as needed.  A few years ago, photo sensitive lenses became available in my prescription.  Nice not having to stop and swap glasses as it gets darker out.

[flybox1]

.. or a rock gets kicked up onto your cheek

Or you cross paths with a large bee at 65 mph. Trust me, they hurt. 

some bugs sound like big marbles
glasses and a full face helmet or contact lenses and a full face helmet for me. always

[evanphi]

My brother in law wears contacts when riding.

[Gasturbine]

I wear Wiley-X RX Motorcycle glasses. They have a removable foam seal that fits against you face. I love mine.

[demon78]

Ah yes nothing like a June Bug at 70 or a Dragonfly For me I prefer goggles now have a full face bucket still not sure about it.
Bill the demon.

[goldarrow]

Thought I would chime in in this.  I wear prescription glasses all day long.  Put on helmet, put on glasses, put on gloves and off I go.   

The frame is plastic and flexible with transitional lenses.  They change to dark tint in the sun or when outdoor, turn clear when indoors.   

Awesome.

Forgot to share this

[simon#42]

i have been looking for a solution to this problem as well , at the moment i wear glasses under a flip front schuberth helmet which isn't too bad in the dry but the glasses tend to mist up in the rain [ and it proper knows how to rain over here ] .  am going to try goggles with prescription lenses [ not inserts as i suspect these will mist up like the glasses ] have found a couple of pairs i like but they work out pretty expensive . perhaps disposable contacts would be a better solution , any one use them ?

[kghost]

Well, glasses here too.

Agree with all the comments above.

Just want to add, there are a wide range of helmets available now with dual visor systems.

Clear on the outside with a flip up/down tinted portion in the helmet.

With glasses on and gloves its very nice to be able to flip the tinted portion as needed.

I have a 3/4 R-JAY tomcat. Works well.

Nolan makes a flip up full face with dual visors.

When I have to get new glasses I shop for frames that will work with a helmet.

It's easy to bust up your glasses putting them on and off with a helmet.

I have found wire sides that are flexible with the rocking hinge to be the most sturdy.

[Bob Wessner]

A few years ago, photo sensitive lenses became available in my prescription.  Nice not having to stop and swap glasses as it gets darker out.

How quickly do they respond to light changes?

[TwoTired]

A few years ago, photo sensitive lenses became available in my prescription.  Nice not having to stop and swap glasses as it gets darker out.

How quickly do they respond to light changes?

Varies with the intensity change.  I guess on average about 15-30 seconds.  It's a gradual change, that just about matches the human eye adaptability to light intensity changes.  They aren't super dark.

[Bob Wessner]

Good to know, thanks. May look into them.

[seanbarney41]

fell at slow speed last year and the shield on my helmet was ruined by being dragged on the pavement.  No helmet no....good looking old rider.

+1...what's the point of not getting the safest helmet you can afford?  I have full face Shoei and flip front HJC.  Both work fine with my full time glasses...and have done a 45mph face plant into the sand which ripped my visor off.  My face was untouched and I rode away from that one...and I am betting my bottom dollar that a half or 3/4 helmet would have left me with some nasty scars at the least...

[BobbyR]

A few years ago, photo sensitive lenses became available in my prescription.  Nice not having to stop and swap glasses as it gets darker out.

How quickly do they respond to light changes?

Varies with the intensity change.  I guess on average about 15-30 seconds.  It's a gradual change, that just about matches the human eye adaptability to light intensity changes.  They aren't super dark.

That is very interesting. I have been wearing the transition lenses for years. They don't change behind the visor. So, I have a pair of prescription shades I use. The visor seems to block the UV.


I too have been wearing full face for years. I crack the bottom open for some breeze. I cannot tell you how often something bounces off the visor.

My flight helmet had a flip down sun shield, it was kinda nice.

[Xnavylfr]

If you look around some safety equipment stores, you can find tinted safety glasses with magnifications for us that needs glasses. These are ANSI rated POLY-CARBONATE to protect form impacts and some are styled like very nice sunglasses!


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[TwoTired]

That is very interesting. I have been wearing the transition lenses for years. They don't change behind the visor. So, I have a pair of prescription shades I use. The visor seems to block the UV.

Yes polycarbonate will do some UV blockage.  But plexiglass won't.  So, it depends on the plastic the visor is made of.  I don't really know what the Shoei visors are made of.  However, the Vetter windshield is most likely plexiglass.  And, I sometimes ride with visor up, because of the windshield. (it is cooler, and/or the visor fogging up doesn't mess with visibility.)

My transition glasses came with magnetic clip on shades.  But, I haven't needed them while riding the bikes yet.  Use them in the car, sometimes, though. Like when driving directly into glare or sun.  The polarization they add works better than just the tint.

[macisaguy]

Thanks everyone for the responses.  Crazy informative.  It also sounds like most everyone rocks a full face helmet here.  It might be I just need to do that then, and quit trying to solve the 3/4 helmet/glasses/goggles dilemma.