Let’s face it – your motorcycle helmet visor isn’t as clean as it used to be. You might think that visors are made to get dirty, but tiny imperfections, like cracks, dirt and stains, make it harder to see while driving. Your visor is there to shield you from everything flying around in the air on the road and it’s your job to clean it when necessary. If your visor gets too dirty, you won’t be able to see as well on the road or you might decide to forgo your visor altogether, but both options increase your risk of injury.
Keep your visor clean with these professional riding tips:
Preventing Stains and Cracks
The best way to clean a visor is to avoid getting it dirty in the first place. So many things can muck up your visor, so treat your helmet like your most prized possession.
When riding, keep your distance from other drivers. Cars, trucks and motorcycles kick up all kinds of debris. Rocks, dirt and other flying objects will likely hit you in the face if you get too close to others.
Don’t let other people touch or play with your helmet. Keep it locked up or out of reach so your friends or kids don’t get their hands on it. All that sweat and oil can be hard to remove, impairing your ability to see behind the wheel.
You also don’t want your visor to fall to the ground, so avoid hanging it off the side of your handlebars. If the helmet lands visor-first, it could crack the plastic, forcing you to buy a replacement.
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How to Clean the Visor
Before we talk about how to clean your motorcycle visor, it’s important to note that visors aren’t exactly cheap. Replacement visors can cost anywhere from several tens of dollars to over a hundred. As is the case with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Cheap visors are nothing more than a tinted piece of plastic, but high-quality visors should be treated with care. If you think it’s easier to replace your visor than it is to clean it off, think again. Unless you’re made of money, it’s best to repair the one you have.
When the visor gets dirty, resist the urge to wipe off the bug or stain using your glove or some other dry material. You should always clean your visor using the appropriate visor cleaner. The surface should be wet before you start wiping off the stain, or you risk scratching the surface.
If you don’t have a visor cleaner, you can also use regular glass cleaner, such as Windex. The truth is that some motorcycle sprays aren’t that different from the glass cleaning products you keep under the sink, so paying extra may not be worth it. Avoid using sprays and cleaners with oil, as this could lead to grease stains.
The fluid itself should contain alcohol so it evaporates quickly without leaving behind a streak or residue. Some experts recommend using eucalyptus oil. This isn’t your average cooking oil. It removes germs and blemishes while drying almost instantly. It will also freshen up the inside of your helmet so you don’t have to breathe in the smell of your own sweat.
Use a soft microfiber cloth to remove the stain or mark. Avoid using paper towels and stiff rags that can scratch up the surface.
If the stain is sticky or proves hard to remove, try letting the entire visor soak in a container full of hot water and cleaner. Be sure to remove the visor before so you don’t get the rest of your helmet wet. Avoid using too much elbow grease. If the stain doesn’t come off after a few tries, let it soak overnight.
Some scratches and stains aren’t meant to be removed. If your visor is beyond repair or you don’t have the proper supplies to clean it off, it’s best to stop riding until you find a solution. Riding without a visor can be a recipe for disaster.
Use a Bluetooth motorcycle headset to keep in touch with the outside world when you’re on the go. The Bluetooth motorcycle helmet speakers use noise-cancelling technology so you can hear everything the person is saying on the other line. This makes it easy to call for help or ask one of your buddies to bring you an extra visor.
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Your visor is bound to get dirty from time to time, so it’s best to have a back-up plan in place in case you get stranded. Give yourself some extra peace of mind and find motorcycle helmet speakers that keep you in control.
