Fight the Fog: The Best Way to Eliminate Motorcycle Helmet Fog

We've all been there. We suited up for a ride in cooler weather, doing everything we can to keep the wind off of our skin, just to have to crack our visor to keep it from fogging up from the warmth of our breath. Or be caught out riding in the rain and have the visor fog up, just when our ability to see clearly is needed the most. It is one of the most annoying, and potentially dangerous, things that happens when riding a motorcycle that nobody talks about. You shouldn't have to open your visor to see.

There are a lot of "tricks" or old wives' tales about what to do to keep your visor from fogging over. There are a variety of solutions and sprays on the market. Supposedly, you apply them to your visor and it won't fog, but do they work? Some solutions help temporarily or will delay the inevitable fogging but in short, no.

Eliminate Motorcycle Helmet Fog

The solution is one that I consider one of the best kept secrets in motorcycle gear. A Pinlock Insert. I am always surprised at just how many riders have never heard of it. A Pinlock is like a second layer to your visor. It seals to your visor with a silicone edge to create a chamber of air between your visor and the Pinlock insert. This completely and permanently eliminates the blinding fog or haze all motorcycle riders experience. With nearly 100,000 miles logged on a motorcycle with a Pinlock Insert, riding in all kinds of weather, I have never had my visor fog over. Pinlock offered three different levels of anti-fog protection. They utilize a number scale to represent this. They offer a 30, 70, and a 120XLT. The 120XLT is generally reserved for racing. For the vast majority of riders the 30 is more than enough protection. The biggest plus to the 70 is that it is available in different tints, depending on your helmet. Personally, I prefer clear, but I also run a clear visor with a drop down sunshield. The tints to allow to optimize contrast or reduce glare. Currently, I have a clear 70. I love it and can not say enough great things about it to anyone that will listen. The only drawback I have ever experienced is a little glare from oncoming headlights at night. It's not horrible. Honestly, it's barely worth mentioning. The benefits far outweigh this minor issue.

Helmet Fitment

The Pinlock system is designed to work with Modular and Full Face Helmets. Unfortunately, not every helmet is compatible. You can tell if a helmet and it's visor is compatible if on either side of the visor, there is a tiny plastic pin, most of which are held in place by a small screw. This piece is designed to position the insert in the correct place and adjust the tension on the insert. These pins are called the locator pins. Some helmets do not come with a compatible visor included, but may offer a compatible replacement visor. Pinlock makes inserts for a lot of the most popular helmets on the market. The ability to add a Pinlock is often a must have that I look for when selecting a new helmet.

Installation And Adjustment

Installing a Pinlock insert is really easy. If you have ever installed a screen protector on your phone, it is very similar. Follow the instructions below to install your Pinlock Insert.

• Follow the helmet manufacturer's instructions to remove the visor from your helmet.

• Ensure the two locator pins on the helmet are pointed outwards.

• Clean the inside of the visor with a lint free cloth.

• Flex the visor outwards to place both of the notches on the insert onto the locator pins. The silicone portion of the insert should be facing the inside of the visor.

• Once positioned, allow the visor to return to it's natural curve. The Pinlock should fall right into place.

• Ensure the insert has made a good seal, by visually inspecting the edges of the insert. I also like to run my finger around the edge, to ensure it is making good contact.

• Remove the protective plastic from the inside of the insert

• Reinstall the visor on the helmet by following the helmet manufacturer's instructions.

You might find that you need to adjust the seal of your Pinlock insert. This has happened a few times for me. Fortunately, it is very easy to do. Simply remove your visor and the insert. Rotate the locator pin about 45 degrees and reinstall the insert. You know if you need to adjust the tension on the pinlock if you ever see any fog starting to creep in on one of the edges of the insert or visor. Even with an inadequate seal, I've never had a visor completely fog over.

If you are tired of the frustration of having your motorcycle helmet fog over and not being able to see, you need a Pinlock. Check out the link below to check compatibility for your helmet.

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