Summer is on the way, so treated myself to a new set of Oakley Gibston - Prizm Black Figured to wear them on the bike with the Arai or the Shoei Reading the instruction they are not recommended for highway use - too dark I suppose, which they are a bit really. I have had a few pairs of sunnies over the years but really only one pair that have stood out as fantastic for road use - Maui Jim with light green lenses I see all kinds of coloured lenses being used by car (and van ) drivers. Does anybody give a damn about whether sunglasses are not recommended for highway use on account of them being too dark ? MAUI JIM - weird looking colour but amazing shades for driving/ riding a motorcycle.
My reactor prescription lenses look darker than them and you won’t be wearing them at night so I wouldn’t be concerned at all
Thank you, I will see how I get on with them. Could do that - might find that quite inconvenient thing to do ! I just find it a bit off that you can go into a shop that specialises in eye wear, including sun glasses and they make no mention of any kind of legal requirement for road use. We were talking about it - I explained I did not want anything to dark as I cannot see the road properly in the deep shade Motorcycle visors have to allow > 50% light transmission (I think it is) or they are marked as not for road use when you buy them. The shop would have sold me a pair of dark Oakleys, or other brand, that allows 8% of light - 8%. Hardly find my way out of the shop with them on ! But yes, try them on, see in the mirror - they look great - no mention at all of road use requirement even though I walked in carrying a helmet and we talked about wearing them on my bike for the summer. All a bit off really. Anyone want to buy a pair of Oakleys, hardly used ( not for highway use).
i wear oakley sunnies all the time, got about 10 pairs, one pair is really dark, i have a tinted sunscreen which i hate, so sunnies and a clear visor for me is fine on a really bright day non highway use will be fine, just not with tinted visor
Unlike other photochromic sunglasses, Transitions DriveWear and Xtractive lenses work under a visor (darkening or lightening according to the light level) Transitions DriveWear are polarised (helpful against glare): https://www.transitions.com/en-gb/products/drivewear-transitions/ Transitions Xtractive aren’t polarised (helpful for satnav reading): https://www.transitions.com/en-gb/products/transitions-xtractive/ The Xtractive lens has a broader range: it’s lighter when it’s dark, yet darker when it’s bright. However, the DriveWear lens is polarised. I know first-hand both are excellent. Highly recommended.
That is good, thanks for that. I see they do a light green colour lens like the Maui Jims - amazing in bright but overcast days. Interesting they have specific sunnies for driving. A pair of these - lenses were probably made of glass in those days and the frames made of bone and bits of wire
Surely you just wear sunglasses or use the visor that fits the light conditions? That and fashion are why there is so much choice. The wearer needs to be able to make this call, younger people/eyes will cope better in bad light conditions. As to legal, most dark visors state not for road use. I use a dark visor most of the year, but carry a clear when touring or if I expect to still be riding when it gets dark. I would rather be able to see when it is bright and sunny, or if the sun is reflecting off wet tarmac and wear whatever is required to do that. Lens colour, not just how dark the lens is will also make a difference for contrast.
Agreed we choose what to wear on the day and we make our own common sense jusgements. My Arai, AGV ans Shoei lids all have a light smoke and clear visors. Usually I just grab whichever lid has the clear visor on it rather than swapping visors out all the time. The Shoei light tinted visor actually says on it Daytime Use Only What gets me though is that this does not seem to apply to sunglasses - no mention of suitable for road use - no mention at all even when discussing with the option that I want to use them on my bike. No mention at all, like it doesn't t even matter. I did actually buy a pair of sunnies that says in the hidden paperwork in the box that they are not suitable for highway use. Otherwise I would not be any the wiser. I just find that all a bit off. When buying visors it is a big deal what is road legal and what is not - snip below from sportsbikeshop as an example - Not Road Legal
Interesting thread I have reactor light glasses for driving in the day they also have anti glare for night time https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/safety/driving-in-sunglasses Light Transmission Category Use Limitations 80%-100% (clear) 0 indoors / overcast day none 43%-80% (light tint) 1 low sunlight not for night driving 18%-43% (mediium tint) 2 medium sunlight not for night driving 8%-18% (dark) 3 bright sunlight not for night driving 3%-8% (very dark) 4 exceptionally bright sunlight not for day or night driving Remember, the onus is on you to have good vision. If you don't have your vision corrected and protected from the sun, it could invalidate your car insurance if you're involved in a crash.
Mostly regarded as fashion accessories? Maybe an element of ‘these are not eye protection’ also, as that may require shatter resistnce.. No doubt there would be several layers of ‘conformity’ required to claim the glasses were suitable. With regard the dark visors, time was Police would have been interested in pulling you. I once was asked about the dark visor and just replied it came on the helmet. A cursory glance through the visor ( on a bright sunny day) and no more interest was shown. Tbh I have seen Police motorcyclists with dark visors, so maybe common sense prevails most of the time.
Are these glasses also for your eyesight correction or just for general driving use. I ask as my lad is going to start his car driving lessons soon alongside driving his own car with me as Co-pilot and I’m thinking of buying him his prescription lenses for driving year round and at night. TIA
Like Viv, I wear reactor light glasses when driving or riding during the day or night.These glasses work very well for me.
Check out the Transitions Xtractive lenses mentioned above because they work behind a windscreen: https://www.transitions.com/en-gb/products/transitions-xtractive/ Most other reactions lenses don’t work behind a windscreen (or visor). You’ll need a clear lens for nighttime. Zeiss DriveSafe lenses are the best I’ve used: https://www.zeiss.co.uk/vision-care/spectacle-lenses-from-zeiss/drivesafe-lenses.html
I used to fanny about with dark visors, clear visors, clear visors with sunglasses but using a helmet with a drop down sun visor solved all the problems; tunnels, sudden rain, shadows under trees etc. I used to take a dark visor for really bright days abroad but haven’t bothered for the last few years. I know it’s they are it to everyone’s tastes but they certainly make life a lot easier
Those who have to wear glasses anyway are probably better informed and have a better idea of what works in real life use than me. I will just get a pair that are suitable for road use and not part with my money unless that is confirmed. Another pair of lighter Oakleys should do the trick Good point really. That may be the answer. Flippy lids make sense - apart from all the flipping flippin that has to be done to get in and out of them - only joking...
I know a lot of people don’t like flip lids, it certainly took me a long time to come to terms with them but they are so good for touring I’ve been won round. I like being able to lift the front as you ride through a village or stop for petrol when it’s baking hot. The flip to put them on is part of what gives a tighter neck seal and hence why they are quieter. That said there are plenty of non flip helmets with sun visors now.
