Modern Vespa

After replacing my helmet (with the exact same model) recently, and having the usual fogging problems in fall (worse after installing a chin piece), decided to finally think about a pinlock. Poking around the web a bit, saw something from Wee Pro, and wondering if anyone had experience with any alternatives.

I'd need to buy both pieces for my Shoeii, at about $100. Not terrible, and my wife needs Christmas suggestions, but willing to consider other less expensive options if they're competitive in function.

I got a pinlock for my Shoei, but then the visor wouldn't operate smoothly. The pinlock on my Schuberth, however, is the best!

Hmm, that's not encouraging. What model Shoei?

Maybe need to ask for a whole new helmet for Christmas, eh?

You should be able to get a pinlock insert for any helmet from these guys: https://www.racevisors.co.uk - they'll ship to the US.

They offer a kit to add a pinlock insert to visors that don't come ready equipped.

The Weepro insert looks similar to one Oxford used to produce. Not very effective, as it won't properly conform to the shape of the visor as the adhesive won't keep it tensioned.

Finally put the Pinlock on the visor of my HJC RPHA 70 ST (it was included with the helmet). First time I've used a Pinlock, and I must say, it works.

I think a new helmet with Pinlock-ready shield (preferably with Pinlock insert included) might be in order - can't be too careful out there, y'know.

I'm a big fan of Pinlock, if only by the fact that I have never, ever experienced a fogged face shield. And I ride in a rather wide variety of weather.

Did I mention I have never fogged up?



Ever?


And I never have had to resort to that spit trick either.

I like my pinlock for its effective anti fogging. But I find the extra layer of plastic distorts my vision a little bit; just enough to be annoying. So I have two visors (with and without pinlock) and swap them depending on the weather.

This is a very effective solution to the problem.
I do this as well. Much easier than installing and removing the Pinlock insert.

Seeing as how the visor on my old helmet is still in good shape, I'd be good to go! #reuserecycleblahblah

That's exactly how I came to have two visors in the first place!

Just get the pinlock and don't waste money on alternatives. It works. I have it on my Schuberth and HJC helmets.

[quote="wmak"]I got a pinlock for my Shoei, but then the visor wouldn't operate smoothly. The pinlock on my Schuberth, however, is the best![/
quote]

I put a Pin Lock on my Shoei X-11 FF and it has always worked fine. I just installed it again this last week, since it's getting to be that time of year.....

I have a Shoei RF1200 and have been using the pinlock system for over 4 months and I love it!

I just purchased the Dark Smoke visor will test it with and without the pinlock during the day and night.

Have you tried rubbing the inside of your visor with a cut potato, then polishing it with a soft cloth.

How do you see at night with a dark visor?

^ Use the "force"

Who has the biggest lumens?

I used to do this, but then I realized that the insert is usually trashed by the end of the winter, so I end up buying one a year and tossing it at the end of the winter season. Pinlock inserts scratch if you think too hard about them.

Also, if you were curious, the moisture that the pinlock helps with WILL start to form hoarfrost INSIDE YOUR VISOR on a cold enough day. This is not as awesome as it sounds.

I am not sure I follow. I am saying that most of the time I do not want to use pinlock at all. Even if it was in perfect shape, I would rather not look through it unless it is raining out.

For this reason, I have a completely second visor without the insert. I don't take the pinlock insert on/off, as I agree that would quickly destroy it.

By swapping the whole visor as needed, I find that the pinlock does not really get damaged at all. At least over 2 seasons, I don't have any scratching or sealing problems with it.

Oddly enough, the visors on both my HJC's accept pinlocks, while the visor on my Shoei doesn't.

Go figure.

It appears HJC equips most of their helmets with Pinlock-ready visors, whether or not the Pinlock insert is included. (It wasn't included with the CL-17 I bought over three years ago; it was included with the RPHA 70 ST I bought a few months back.)

I just bought a new HJC CL-17 off of Amazon.com last week. Had a pinlock-ready visor but did not include the pinlock insert. The particular size/color I wanted was on sale for only $69.00 brand new, in box, with papers and bag. No shipping, no tax. I couldn't hit the buy button fast enough.

Excellent catch! Great helmet, too. Pinlock inserts shouldn't be too hard to find, either.

I rode wearing the CL-17 for the first time yesterday. Did about 80 miles. Fits great, quieter than my HJC IS-Max II, although it tends to fog up a bit more. Definitely need the pinlock insert for this one. Overall, I love the helmet.

Ordered two Pinlock inserts for my HJC helmets on Black Friday and received them this past Friday. Rode with one on the face shield of my CL-17 and it sure does a great job. Didn't fog up one bit on today's ride of 150+ miles. I did notice just a wee bit of additional glare from the sun however. Not bad enough to be a concern though. The Pinlock is great. Would recommend highly.

Having upgraded from an Arai vector to a Shoei Neotec last year that included pin-lock It's hard for me to recommend...

The arai shield needed to be cleaned every few weeks with a microfiber.. Usually because I sneezed or something. Fog was never an issue

The pin-lock visor on the Neotec still threatens to fog up regularly. Fog leaks into the insert from the edge on the bottom left.

(FWIW, I find the care instructions to be quite vague in what soaps or detergents that you're supposed to use to clean).

At night you get a reflection in the pin-lock from your lens. It's distracting a bit in normal conditions and substantial in the rain. (The instructions say not to use it at night. I'm not sure how a fully fogged lens is a better choice).

Based on others reviews, I suspect I may have one with a manufacturing defect. it fails to meet the expectations I have of a helmet/visor in this price range.

I'll agree with the defect, whether by manufacturer or installer of the pinlock to the visor. There should be no leakage of air between the two panes. Also, I try to install in a dry place, inside in AC if summer, doesn't much matter if in winter. Point being, NO water, vapor, humidity, cleaner, etc, should be between the panes when assembled, and there needs to be a good seal.

As to not using it at night, hogwash. There's a legal limit to how much light has to pass through the helmet's visor, and addition of a pinlock reduces the transmission by about 2% below the legal limit. I wear glasses, so by legal definition a visor by itself would reduce transmission below the threshhold. Piss on it I say, put in the pinlock and you're safer than without (assuming it's in right).

I read the manual and followed the instructions as specifically as I was able.. indoors, low humidity, etc. (While there's no perfect defense against operator error, I have done DIY head gasket replacements on Italian cars, so I"m reasonably mechanically apt and detail oriented.)

My issue with night use isn't about light transmission, but specifically reflections between the pin-lock and the shield, Every tail light turns into two (most of my commute is in heavy traffic on freeways, so this means that 100 points of light turns into 200, which is significant and worsens in the rain.)

Does that last one happen to others using pin-lock at night?

I have never noticed it, but then I wear glasses so I may well be watching 400 points of light and just don't notice....

Reflections and 'starbursts' from lights are annoying as shit, for that reason I get my glasses with an anti-reflective coating. PinLocks are a great concept, due to my crazy assed claustrophobia I can not wear a full face helmet, I've tried numerous times. My question is; is there something just as effective for a 3/4 helmet? The other night riding home it was so misty that when I pushed up my fogged faceshield my glasses proceeded to fog up. (I then rode the last 3 miles home without my glasses. )

With a 3/4 helmet I wouldn't think you'd ever have a problem with breath fogging the windscreen? Seems very unlikely unless under extreme conditions. Being very misty out should affect the outside of the face shield, the Pinlock only works on the inside.

Or am I confused and totally misunderstand your dilemma?

Pinlock prevents fogging of the inside of the visor, by insulating the wall. Without it, the visor surface is cold, even on the inside, so the moist air you breathe out condenses on the inside surface. Pinlock adds insulation so that the inside surface remains warm(er), which prevents your breath's moisture from condensing on that inside surface.

Misty weather results in droplets remaining on the outside surface. There is no need for a temperature change to get condensation, the water is already present as droplets. To avoid and/or reduce the droplets' impact on your vision, use RainX for plastic. Also, some motorcycle gloves have a little squeegy built into the left thumb seam, to use for wiping the visor surface.

Maybe you're right, I think I've mis-represented my dilemma. I've had issues on cold days with both shield and glasses fogging.
(Oh well, we're not all perfek)

I have bad claustrophobia, I am fine with a full face until winter when I have to get bundled up. I am fine riding down the road, but as soon as I get stuck at a long light or bumper to bumper traffic that I can't split lanes in, it kicks in bad and I have to start loosing clothing around my neck area to feel less claustrophobic.

I hear you on the loosening and feeling restricted.

I've bought many neck tubes and balaclavas to try and find the right fit where I don't feel gagged.

Point to note is that yeh pin lock is double glazing and stops the fogging full stop but until watching a few cleaning videos (pin locks own is obviously the best) I didn't realise their shield is actually porous and absorbs the moisture in your breath.....hence the need to clean it more often than you think you need to.

Squirt one with water and watch all the tiny dots of water appear over the tiny holes in it......never knew.

Sorry I meant Shoei's own video

I used this method and it came out cleaner and sharper than new.....did the visor too though same way.

Hy guys, this is the solution:

Progrip Lens Race Vision, lens it darkens in the sunlight