Photochromatic shields

[nick5446]

Photochromatic shields are great, but if you're using a dark tinted shield currently, it won't go nearly that dark. Think of the lightly tinted shields that many brands offer (but no one actually buys). They're gotten really fast and responsive though. With the original ones you'd ride into a tunnel and you'd might as well have your eyes closed. ICON makes one now too.

Drop down visors are nice too, but you'll end up with a helmet that is noticeably bigger and heavier as a result.

[adouglas]

I'd put mine at about 75-80% of the way between a Shoei light smoke and a Shoei dark smoke. Put it this way... on track day photos I could not see my face at all through a dark shield. I can barely make out some features through the Transitions. So it's not like a light smoke at all... those may as well be clear.

Certainly dark enough to prevent eyestrain on sunny days. It's also temperature dependent, I think. Colder is darker.

[nick5446]

It's also temperature dependent, I think. Colder is darker.

That's interesting...hadn't heard that

[OneCheekRider]

It's also temperature dependent, I think. Colder is darker.

That's interesting...hadn't heard that

This has not been my experience in the past 6 (or more) years using the Bell transitions. From my understanding, usage, and a quick googling, it is purely based on UV light.

[adouglas]

I just looked it up and I got it wrong... colder is slower, not darker.

From the manufacturer:

How Photochromic Lenses Work | Transitions Lenses

[adouglas]

Photos for reference so you can see how dark the shield gets.

Red helmet has the Transitions. Look closely and you can see my face.
Red/white/blue helmet is a Shoei dark smoke.

Both shot this year. Both days were bright overcast... soft shadows, no direct sunlight.

[GixerJockey]

I haven't found a higher end helmet with flip down glasses yet.

Nor will you... Hogging out a section of the impact absorbing materiel, to fit the dark visor, compromises the helmet's ability to protect your noggin.

[SRTie4k]

Nor will you... Hogging out a section of the impact absorbing materiel, to fit the dark visor, compromises the helmet's ability to protect your noggin.

That's not true of all helmets with drop down visors. The Shoei GT-AIR has the same level of impact material as the other helmets, they just increased shell size in the front to compensate for the space for the drop down visor.

[GixerJockey]

I haven't found a higher end helmet with flip down glasses yet.

That's not true of all helmets with drop down visors. The Shoei GT-AIR has the same level of impact material as the other helmets, they just increased shell size in the front to compensate for the space for the drop down visor.

Horse puckey

[MattR302]

I just ordered a photochromatic visor insert from Amazon today for $33. Not sure how well it will work, but I’ll report back after I receive it.

Any update on this? New helmet is a Bell, looking into the transitions option.

[JMD-CBR]

Any update on this? New helmet is a Bell, looking into the transitions option.

It didn’t stay on the helmet long, not the right shape for the visor. I emailed the manufacturer and they said it’s not made for double curved visors or something like that. It actually did okay reacting to sunlight but the tint was very light. I didn’t get to ride with it at all because it didn’t fit right.


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[scubasteve]

Any update on this? New helmet is a Bell, looking into the transitions option.

Matt - I finally was able to get one for my now "newish" bell helmet, only took them 2 years to release it... Anyways, I really like it - I've always worn sunglasses under my shield (except when I had the scorpion helmet which had the drop down visor) and its every bit as good as the sunglasses. 100% glad I dropped the coin on it.

If I had one gripe, i would say i'd prefer it be more aggressive in terms of the amount of light compared to how dark it gets, but at full sunlight it gets plenty dark and the transition is pretty responsive.

[ducatirdr]

I have an old Bell Star Cerwinske Carbon helmet. It's from 2011 and I got it and the Transitions shield for it. It's 8 years old and it still works like it did when new. Pretty cool tech on how it works. The process uses photochromic dyes applied to the inside of the faceshield. When exposed to ultraviolet light, these molecules change and darken. When the UV light is removed, the shield returns to clear. TeamZilla Tested: Transitions photochromic faceshields for Bell and LaZer helmets - RevZilla

[02redhawk]

I have an old Bell Star Cerwinske Carbon helmet. It's from 2011 and I got it and the Transitions shield for it. It's 8 years old and it still works like it did when new.

I have the same helmet and transitions shield. As far as I can tell the shield continues to work as new. I was concerned about the coating so I make sure to only use running water and a soft towel to clean it. I'd buy another one.

[csmutty]

I want to buy one but the price tag of $140 has me shying away.

[ducatirdr]

I want to buy one but the price tag of $140 has me shying away.

I hate riding home after sunset with a dark shield. It's so unsafe. Plus on a sport bike it sucks even more when you hit a pothole that you would have avoided if you saw it. Stuff like that makes you appreciate it and it pays for itself over and over. Hard to justify when you click on the purchase button. Once you have it, you feel like you made an adult choice getting it. Not many of those in my life

[dankatz]

I want to buy one but the price tag of $140 has me shying away.

Buy a helmet that comes with one standard like the Bell Star MIPS DLX 2018 models. That's what I am leaning towards doing

[SRTie4k]

I got lucky with both photocromatic shields for my Bell lids. Found them both for sale on the Bell website for $40 apiece one day and bought them immediately. I think it was a website bug, but I got both of them!

[csmutty]

I hate riding home after sunset with a dark shield. It's so unsafe. Plus on a sport bike it sucks even more when you hit a pothole that you would have avoided if you saw it. Stuff like that makes you appreciate it and it pays for itself over and over. Hard to justify when you click on the purchase button. Once you have it, you feel like you made an adult choice getting it. Not many of those in my life

I'll usually just throw a pair of sunglasses under my clear shield and call it a day.

Buy a helmet that is comes with standard like the Bell Star MIPS DLX 2018 models. That's what I am leaning towards doing

That would be great if I hadn't just bought a Race Star last year...

[PinHead]

I got one this fall with my new Shoei helm, not cheap! But, I don't see myself ever riding without one ever again. It works VERY well, gets dark in the sunlight much faster than transitioning back to clear.

[ducatirdr]

I'll usually just throw a pair of sunglasses under my clear shield and call it a day.

When you are thin there is room in your jacket pockets for sunglasses when the sun goes down, and no worries about breaking them. Fuck me I keep breaking sunglasses.... LOL

[csmutty]

When you are thin there is room in your jacket pockets for sunglasses when the sun goes down, and no worries about breaking them. Fuck me I keep breaking sunglasses.... LOL

I usually wear a small back pack and put them in there.

[scubasteve]

Smutty - only thing I miss is being able to ride at lower speeds, shield up, without the worry of something getting in your eye, but the convenience of it is awfully nice.

[typeone]

i don't ride road bikes anymore but for the dirt/sumo guys ... i've been using Scotts photochromatic lens in the woods and absolutely love it. no more swapping for conditions. aces.