Colored Shields

soon2b954 · 12-06-2004, 2:42 PM

Looking to pick up a new Shoei X-11 in the next couple of weeks and would like some input on a second shield. I'm leaning towards the dark smoke but I'm not sure if I will be happy as I like a clear view of the road ahead. I sometimes find my dark sunglasses a bit too dark and wonder if the shield will be the same!!

For those of you with the dark smoke shields do you have any difficulty seeing far enough ahead, objects on the road, etc. What about cloudy days?

ConqSoft · 12-06-2004, 2:44 PM

My Shoei came with clear and dark smoke. I think I've only used it once, and I don't remember much about it.

My primary is the "silver mirrored" shield.

soon2b954 · 12-06-2004, 2:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

My Shoei came with clear and dark smoke. I think I've only used it once, and I don't remember much about it.

My primary is the "silver mirrored" shield.

Is that the spectra mirrored? Do you find it scratches easily?

ConqSoft · 12-06-2004, 2:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soon2b954

Is that the spectra mirrored? Do you find it scratches easily?

Not sure. It's the only silver mirrored one that Shoei had when I checked.

Yeah, it can scratch easy. Have to be careful when cleaning it. (I wish they'd put the coating on the INSIDE of the shield. Would make it more durable IMO.)

soon2b954 · 12-06-2004, 3:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

Not sure. It's the only silver mirrored one that Shoei had when I checked.

Yeah, it can scratch easy. Have to be careful when cleaning it. (I wish they'd put the coating on the INSIDE of the shield. Would make it more durable IMO.)

That's one of the main reasons I want to stick with a dark or light smoked shield!!

ND4SPD · 12-06-2004, 3:03 PM

I have dark smoke on my Arai and love it. It's about the same as my Oakley's, maybe even a little lighter.

CBRBob · 12-06-2004, 3:07 PM

I have found that the mirrored ones look good for about a year of normal use. Once they get that slight scratch they deteriorate fast. I use the smoke shields during the day and at the track as well, its nice not to have to put on sunglasses. The downside is that if you dont have a place to keep a clear shield, you can be in for trouble if it gets dark!

BeachGuy · 12-06-2004, 6:18 PM

I use a dark smoke shield, and have never had problems with visibility. If anything, it's not quite dark enough on very sunny days. I've also used a mirrored shield in the past (seems to have less glare), but like Conq said, it scratches easily. At around $70-80 each for the mirrored Arai shields, I decided to stick with the dark smoke.

You can always carry a clear shield in the trunk, or with one of the slings that are available.