What dictates visor legality ?

The Old Geeza · Back in my day... Joined: 25 May 2005 Karma :

Why are some visors listed as 'Not Road Legal in the UK' ?

I've just bought genuine manufacturers visors for my Vemar VSX lid in Black, Mirror and Iridium. I understand they're only allowed for daylight use. Not a problem, easily changed, I just keep my clear one with me when I'm riding. I also understand that 'plod' could request to see your clear visor at any time and ask you to demonstrate how to change it.

But, what dictates whether or not they're road legal ?

____________________
Horse Power was safer when the Horses had it!

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

I was under the impression it had to allow less than 50% of light through and had to be marked with a BS number.

The Old Geeza · Back in my day... Joined: 25 May 2005 Karma :

Well, looking through all of them, I can't believe any of them are stopping that much light getting through. I can see perfectly well through them and they all seem to have just a tinting effect - even the black one.

Blimey, my spectacles go darker than most of them in bright sunshine Shocked

____________________
Horse Power was safer when the Horses had it!

Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

An E1 stamp? or kitemark?
____________________
RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Not sure on the marking requirements now, but it used to have to be stamped BS4110XA, YA or ZA (from memory). Basically down to scratch resistance, impact strength and light transmission.

Cannot remember the min amount of light transmitted. Think it is 50%. This is a VERY light tint. The iridium one is probably doing something like 20% light transmission.

Tinted visors are for daylight use only. Not transmitting sufficient light means that they are illegal at any time of day whether you have a clear visor as well or not.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

I have both a dark visor and clear one, obviously interchangeable depending on conditions - as common sense dictates. If I'm going out in the evening and know that I'm not coming back until after dusk, I'd use the clear visor with sunglasses, then remove the sunglasses if necessary. Despite riding with what could be cleary identified as as an illegal visor (it's solid black (worn on a bright sunny day)) and numerous encounters/passing of the local constabulary, I haven't been stopped or asked about my choice of visor tint.

The Old Geeza · Back in my day... Joined: 25 May 2005 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Jack_Cheese · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Karma :

I thought the curvature of the visors caused the standard light gun to function inadequately and not take correct readings, meaning that old plod would simply confiscate your visor if it is lacking the british or european approval marks. I don't think many people get pulled for tinted visors except on long rides out when they hit north wales Shocked

.

Jack
____________________
www.bikepics.com/members/jackcheese <--- NOW FOR SALE! 51 Plate Cagiva Planet 125
Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!"

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

The Old Geeza · Back in my day... Joined: 25 May 2005 Karma :

Walloper · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Karma :

I was told that helmet law is a civil matter therefore would not mean points on yer paper thing if you get done.

But it's the 'Pull factor' that I don't like.
I don't like to give the arsehols any excuse.

Another unfairly devised 'kneejerk law' aimed at bikers.
I think it has a real safety reason behind it but like some visors it's just not clear enuf. Embarassed

____________________
W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

Andy99 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Karma :

If the visor isn't BS stamped the feds can (and do) nick you,it's non endorsable so just a fine.
They have been known to confiscate visors leaving you miles from home with no visor,unless you have your clear one with you.

All my legal visors have a kitemark and BS stamp. As far as i am aware they don't need to test it in anyway,just having no kitemark is enough.
____________________
Nothing gets the point across quite like a raised middle digit.

Just call me General Crazypaws.

Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

My iridium visor pictured above ^^^ has a big E1 stamp on it and isroad legal. My race can however (remus titanium road legal £28 off ebay!!) has E4 stamped on it. It passed the MOT, yesterday as it happens despite being knocked off it by a woman in a peugeot and me crashing it a few eeks ago! Thumbs Up

Big thanks Honda!
____________________
RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS