Tinted Visors

[Statham]

This is probably a question I should know the answer to having just passed my test, but what is the law regarding tinted visors? What degree of tint is legal?

I'd prefer not to wear sunglasses when riding but equally need to do something to eliminate the glare on a sunny day.

Cheers all

[deano]

I don't know the answer either - assuming there is a legal limit. yer likely to get into bother with a tinted visor at night, but you wouldn't use it then anyway. I reckon just use yer common sense when buying a visor, erring on the side of not too dark

[Rerb]

The law used to be no more than an 18% tint with a BS kitemark for daylight use only (if memory serves me correctly). To give you an idea how dark that is a so called black visor gives around 50%.

Not certain this law still stands with the current CE standards.

[indie]

i thought that it was down to the descretion of the copper who stopped you now, i have a black visor and an iridum visor, plus a clear for nights, been stopped a few times lately and have never had a problem,

[MaccyMoo]

Most of the instructors at my bike shool are ex-motorcycle cops and they say that so long as you use your common sense and don't wear them when it's dark then they won't really bother you. If, however they stop you for something totally unrelated and you give them a bit of lip then they might......

If you do use one, try and carry a clear one with you, just in case you get stuck somewhere and can't make it home before nightfall!

[FirestormMike]

Or a further option is to buy a hyper-optik visor insert, they work the same as reactolite sunglasses and cost about £30-ish. I've been thinking about one of these myself as it gives the best of both worlds, without having to swap visors over. You can also get a fog city one too that resists steaming up.
Has anyone ever tried one of these ?

[grotbag]

Found this Norfolk County Council - Safer motorcycling

The visor is tested separately to the helmet. To be legal for use on the road a visor should show a stamped kite mark of BS 4110 followed by XA, YA or ZA. Heavily tinted visors do not pass this test but some "gradient tint" visors are legal. These can help to lessen the dazzle from a setting sun by tipping your head forward slightly, yet the lower part of the visor is clear enough for good night time vision. It is not illegal to wear sunglasses under a crash helmet but this would not be a good idea at night.

All visors eventually suffer from microscopic scratches, which can make vision dangerous especially at night in wet conditions. Replace your visor as soon as you notice this damage.

[thunderlad]

When i was asked(ex copper), was always in favour of tinted visors(but keep a clear one with you).
A few accidents i had dealt with, had happened as a result of bright sun hitting the visor and causing a (white-out), in this time cars had usually stopped ahead....as was said earlier, dont use it at night.

[Statham]

Thanks all...I have a much clearer view of it all now (no pun intended!)...will start shopping for a tinted visor and a carrier for the clear one!

[jonnywombat]

I passed a cop on a bike about a week ago who's visor was darker than a dark thing on a particularly dark day....