Dark visors

[Benno]

What's the legal stance on dark/tinted visors?

For example, this: https://www.racevisors.co.uk/product/HJC-Helmet-IS-MAX-dark-tint-visor

Are they OK or do they turn you into a public menace and an immediate disturber of the peace?

edit: the link doesn't appear to work and I know it, remain calm.

[angryjonny]

Technically they're not road-legal.

In practice, the police will generally turn a blind eye. Lost count of the panda cars I've ridden past with mine on and never been called on it. Obviously if you try riding with one on at night you can expect to get pulled over. Some people carry a tint-free one with them as well. I don't, I just switch to a clear one if I don't expect to be home before nightfall.

[fozzym]

I use a tinted pinlock insert which states "for track use" obviously being an insert it can be easily removed if I get a pull and the old bill take a disliking to it. Though I've never been pulled on my bike....Goes to knock on wood

[Kradmelder]

The problem with them is if you get riding home at night when you werent expecting to.

Some helmets have a tinted and clear visor, but the tinted isnt afill visor on the inside.

I just use sunglasses and a clear visor. The tinted is a pain at night and at sunset.
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[J.M.]

Must allow 50% or more light through to be legal. Mirrored and Iridium aren't legal as far as I know. Tinted visors cannot be used at night.

In reality, choose what you like. You stand a very low chance of being stopped because of it, then if you have a clear visor with you the jobsworth copper may feel "in power enough" by making you switch your visor rather than giving you a ticket.

To date, I've never been stopped with my black visor. Unsure on whether it's a legal amount of tint or not because I don't really care. From a few meters back the visor is completely black, which looks awesome with my plain black helmet whilst also making it much easier to see on bright days.

<speculation>
I guess that a large proportion of police don't realise that it's illegal, that or they don't care. A large proportion of bikers in the summer seem to wear them, so I guess they presume it to be legal.
</speculation>

99% of the time I carry around a clear visor in a visor bag, strapped around my waist. It's practically unnoticable because the visor seems to fit the shape of my body. My exception to not taking the visor bag is when it's a boiling hot day and I just can't be bothered with any gear bar the helmet.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[iMark]

I use iridium visors, the cops might look at you but they don't give a shit it seems, I've had police walk past me on the pavement while I'm at lights and they look, and just carry on.

As for when it gets dark... I'm not often out in the dark, but I've been out the past few days as the sun is setting, I just flip the visor up...
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K8 GSXR 1000
"G" : you got him to have a look at a forum which seems to have established a picture of an erect penis in a cat's mouth as it's mascot and thought he might consider it ok?

[J.M.]

[iMark]

Sadly I have had to do that before J.M.

Even the pinlock doesn't like it when it's 5am, raining and stupidly cold outside.. no choice but to ride with visor up ... Doesn't help that I need nerdgoggles to see.
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K8 GSXR 1000
"G" : you got him to have a look at a forum which seems to have established a picture of an erect penis in a cat's mouth as it's mascot and thought he might consider it ok?

[daemonoid]

Good summary here:

https://www.access-legal.co.uk/legal-news/tintedark-visors-road-legal-lu-3362.htm

Most forces have guidelines to issue advice if used during daylight, but as said above 50% is max legal. Any tinted visor may attract a prosecution at night.

Interestingly, riding without a helmet is only a £30 fine, so best doing that if you have no clear one on you

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/columnists/jamesmay/3173972/James-May-I-fought-the-law....html
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current: ducati monster 750
past: hyosung gt250r, bajaj pulsar 180, hyosung gt 125 comet
@thomasgarrard | www.straitjkt.com | www.racingseven.com

[Kradmelder]

What is more amazing is that people consider a tinted visor for looks only. No matter how inconvenient.

if you are going to ride for image and appearance, and the imparcticality doesnt matter, it is no better than a cruiser/harley rider riding in groups to be seen down polular roads.

If you dont love just for the love of riding, who gives a fark what it looks like, then WTF?

For shame.
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[fozzym]

[daemonoid]

Took me a second, but I just realised why Krad doesn't like dark visors...
____________________
current: ducati monster 750
past: hyosung gt250r, bajaj pulsar 180, hyosung gt 125 comet
@thomasgarrard | www.straitjkt.com | www.racingseven.com

[Jayy]

Safe to say I have been riding around for years with tinted visors and never once been pulled or asked about them.

[J.M.]

[CaNsA]

Every summer......

Every fkin summer.

[johnsmith222]

If you're being stopped, flip your visor up and put your helmet well out of the way with the visor facing away from the cops. (Yes, I realise they may have spotted it before you were stopped but you obviously want to hide all you can from them.) Easier to forget if your lid is off rather than sticking it right in their face.

It's easier to have a "friendly" face on too.