Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Slideways on April 18, 2013, 11:36:14 AM
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My commute has me looking right into the sun in the morning and in the winter it's both morning and evening. Thought about a dirt style helmet with a visor but got over it before I thought about it a second time. For years I have taped the top of the helmet's shield to act as a sun visor but flip the shield up and it is gone. The Connie windscreen works so well I ride with the shield up most of the time, just love a little wind on the face. So what to do for a sun visor? You can see it in the photo. A strip of duct tape on the bottom edge applied to the inside of the shield. Originally it ran the full width but that blocked lateral vision when I glanced over my shoulder so it was shortened. With the shield down it blocks nothing, seriously. With it up there are two positions it work as a sun visor.
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I have a Scorpion EXO 1000 with a builtin-in drop-down sun visor. I will never buy a helmet without one now. LOVE IT (The "light smoke" one that is included is a joke and has to be immediately replaced with a "dark smoke", however). Even with that, there are times I have to use my hand as a visor. The sun, she is a powerful thing...
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+1 What color?
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If I'm not mistaken, that's a Neotec... same shade inside as the Scorpion, which I also have. (can you say helmet ho! :o ) The Neotec's a bit darker... but electrical or duct tape sure helps!
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+1 What color?
Who, me?
Silver, of course :) I got the one with the very faint silver on silver design called "Subliminal". Stock photo attached.
Pluses:
* Very nice looking
* LOTS of features
* Pump up adjustable pads (which I don't use/need)
* Very high safety rating (also kevlar/fiberglass)
* Removable/washable interior
* Quick change outer shield
* Great drop-down sun visor
* Effective anti-fog coating
* Comfortable
* Good price
* Great tech/customer support
Minuses:
* Not very quiet
* Shields scratch VERY easily (it is the coating)
* Much smaller than size states
* Venting not as much as I want/need
* No indent for "slightly open" (like 1") on shield
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They actually sell a tinted strip that self attaches to the top of the visor so it is functional when in the down position.
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They actually sell a tinted strip that self attaches to the top of the visor so it is functional when in the down position.
Who is "they"? Is it just a cling-type thing for on the inside? Sounds like a good idea.
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Who, me?
Silver, of course :)
I was afraid of that... Same color on mine.
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Who is "they"? Is it just a cling-type thing for on the inside? Sounds like a good idea.
Max, you can get them at Adventure BMW in Chesapeake or several online vendors. I use one on my Multitec and it really helps.
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/132-565?utm_source=PLAs&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CJm12YvA1bYCFceDQgodWDYA0A (http://www.jpcycles.com/product/132-565?utm_source=PLAs&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CJm12YvA1bYCFceDQgodWDYA0A)
http://www.derbycycles.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?cart_id=339.69010&pid=1400&product=Sunblockers&count=1 (http://www.derbycycles.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?cart_id=339.69010&pid=1400&product=Sunblockers&count=1)
http://www.helmetheadcycle.com/product/1/the-original-helmet-sunblocker-sun-shield-visor-universal (http://www.helmetheadcycle.com/product/1/the-original-helmet-sunblocker-sun-shield-visor-universal)
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I normally ride with the face shield open and have been using a strip of black electrical tape along the bottom edge. The electrical tape is wide enough to block the sun, and yet small enough that when the shield is down, it isn't noticeable.
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There ya go Jim, you got it. A tinted strip was mentioned but then the poster confided that even with that they sometimes used their hand to block the sun. Like you I used electrical tape to act as a visor but for when the shield was closed, actually still do on my Shoei R1100. The duct tape strip on my Neo Tech works when the shield is up as holding your hand up would. When the shield is closed there is no lose of view that matters (at least to my eyes). I say no lose of view that matters but I do have to look down just a little to se the gas cap. If you're the type that forgets to close the cap after a fill up this might be a problem ;). This mod has worked so well I am thinking of masking and painting the strip.
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There ya go Jim, you got it. A tinted strip was mentioned but then the poster confided that even with that they sometimes used their hand to block the sun.
No. The original poster didn't say anything about using his hand as a visor. That was me. I have to do that at times because the dark tinted drop-down visor is still not enough to quell direct sun visibility.
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I have a clear and a transitional tinted visor, keep them both with me at all times. Gets dark I put on the clear one, takes a few seconds of my time is all.
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I really like the cheap mod idea. I've modified my commute because of the direct sunlight, I'm more concerned about what's behind me than in front of me. I have transition wrap-around sunglasses and a clear visor which works for 99% of my riding, but throwing a roll of tape in the bag is a really good idea. :goodpost:
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I really like the cheap mod idea. I've modified my commute because of the direct sunlight, I'm more concerned about what's behind me than in front of me. I have transition wrap-around sunglasses and a clear visor which works for 99% of my riding, but throwing a roll of tape in the bag is a really good idea. :goodpost:
"Transitions" glasses will not work behind quality visors because the visors will block all the UV light that is needed to change the glasses dark. Typically same thing in the car.
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Sigh... What did I miss here?
"Even with that, there are times I have to use my hand as a visor. The sun, she is a powerful thing..."
Like you there were times I used my hand now with the visor up (my most common position for it) there is a visor in place all the time.
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"Transitions" glasses will not work behind quality visors because the visors will block all the UV light that is needed to change the glasses dark. Typically same thing in the car.
I agree Max. I don’t have such a visor. . .my prescription sunglasses do the transitioning so whether my visor is up for cooling or down for noise, rain etc. I’m covered. I like the added protection when my visor is up and with the windshield down.
You may not have the million dollar idea yet Slideways, but it’s better than nothing.
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I agree Max. I don’t have such a visor. . .my prescription sunglasses do the transitioning so whether my visor is up for cooling or down for noise, rain etc. I’m covered.
That really surprises me. I kinda thought it was standard to have UV blocking in all visors, perhaps even a requirement. Let the buyer beware!! With that visor, you better be careful riding too long with the sun in front, you could end up with a badly sunburned face (it is also very bad for eyes, unless also wearing UV blocking glasses or contacts)!!
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I have a Scorpion EXO 1000 with a builtin-in drop-down sun visor. I will never buy a helmet without one now. LOVE IT (The "light smoke" one that is included is a joke and has to be immediately replaced with a "dark smoke", however). Even with that, there are times I have to use my hand as a visor. The sun, she is a powerful thing...
+1 I'll never buy another helmet without the drop down visor either. I have a dark tinted face shield that I use during the day. Combine that with the drop down visor and it works great when I have to ride into the glare of the sun.
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"Transitions" glasses will not work behind quality visors because the visors will block all the UV light that is needed to change the glasses dark. Typically same thing in the car.
That really surprises me. I kinda thought it was standard to have UV blocking in all visors, perhaps even a requirement. Let the buyer beware!! With that visor, you better be careful riding too long with the sun in front, you could end up with a badly sunburned face (it is also very bad for eyes, unless also wearing UV blocking glasses or contacts)!!
My Transitions glasses have VERY minimal darkening while I'm on the bike or in the car. If I open the face shield (or the sunroof in the cage) that changes of course.
I think that all modern glasses/sun glasses have UV blocking these days, don't they?
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I think that all modern glasses/sun glasses have UV blocking these days, don't they?
Yes, but I thought that also extended to all/most shields too. Perhaps not.
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I just did a 700 mile weekend with the black electric tape mod. and was very impressed. I will be changing the extreme sides a little to improve the peripheral vision but with the top and bottm strips keeping the sun off the internal sun visar it really reduces the glare.
Thanks for this great tip! Short of an actual "bill" on the helmet ( are there generic ones that attach) this does the trick.
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I got a bell vortex helmet and a Transitions shield and love it. It doesn't get as dark as I'd really like but I haven't had to hold my hand up to block the sun. I rarely ride with helmet open but if I did, my glasses also have Transition lenses.
Matt
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I got a bell vortex helmet and a Transitions shield and love it. It doesn't get as dark as I'd really like but I haven't had to hold my hand up to block the sun
Yeah, I saw that Bell transitioning shield online when I was looking for a helmet. It is a good idea, although it looks like it might jack the price of the shield up a LOT. I tend to have to replace shields every year, even without a whole lot of miles, so I imagine for some people that could get expensive.
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Yeah, I saw that Bell transitioning shield online when I was looking for a helmet. It is a good idea, although it looks like it might jack the price of the shield up a LOT. I tend to have to replace shields every year, even without a whole lot of miles, so I imagine for some people that could get expensive.
To me, the cost is worth it, even if I have to replace it annually. FWIW, it was about $120. Actually more than the helmet.
Matt
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To me, the cost is worth it, even if I have to replace it annually. FWIW, it was about $120. Actually more than the helmet.
OMG ouch!