Riding a motorbike is one of the best feelings there is. However, without the proper gear, the whole experience can be a little scary and downright dangerous. One of my favorite parts of safety gear is a snap-on face shield for a motorcycle helmet.
Unlike cars, motorbikes lack the protective shell. This leaves your body fully exposed to elements like rain, dust and flying roadway debris; not mentioning the harsh sun rays, glare and the strong breeze that leaves your eyes itchy and irritating. Sometimes, the situation can get even more dramatic as either dust particles/raindrops join forces with the harsh sun rays to wage a vicious battle on your delicate eyes thus affecting your visibility.
While safety and clear visibility is key, there might be times where you do enjoy a breeze on your face. This can be the case on a hot summer day where you just wear a pair of sunglasses in your helmet. A snap-on face shield is a perfect product for you, since you can simply snap in on or off your helmet.
Looking for the best available option on Amazon? The Wancar Retro Universal (Amazon) will be your best pick.
Why should you get a Snap-on Face Shield for your Motorcycle Helmet?
A motorbike face shield is a large clear panel attached to the helmet. It is designed to protect the rider from the elements, sun, and flying debris. A good face shield for motorcycle helmet should be robust enough to resist penetration upon impact as well as having the capacity to absorb the sun rays.
There are different types of shields for motorcycle helmets. Whether using a full-face helmet, open face helmet, modular (flip-up) helmet or a half-face helmet you need to get the best face shield. Snap-on face shields for a motorcycle helmet are some of the best models available. And it’s all because of the flexibility and convenience they offer whiles they remain very stylish.
Unlike fixed shields, snap-on face shields are detachable. They can be flipped on and off to allow riders to enjoy the breeze while still shielding your eyes from the glare and protecting you for debris.
Additionally, snap-on face shields are lighter and less rigid. This attribute is great for improved convenience and maneuverability and comfort.
Features to Look for in a Great Snap-on Face Shield
As mentioned earlier, there are various types of shields for motorcycle helmets. However, only a few models have the ability to let you look cool, enjoy the breeze while keeping you safe. The snap on the face shield is the ultimate option. But while there are various options available in today’s market, choosing the right option can be tricky. Considering that, we have outlined some of the key features you need to consider in the right snap-on face shield.
Compatibility
Unlike inbuilt motorcycle helmet shields, snap-on face shields can be removed when not needed and snapped back when the rider needs protection. To allow this, they are designed with a pivoting mechanism that allows them to sit securely on the helmet. But these mechanisms vary from shield to shield which makes it important to first check if a particular model fits your helmet.
Level of protection offered
The primary purpose of a motorcycle helmet shield is to protect the rider from the elements, harsh sun rays, and flying debris. However, the level of protection varies depending on the style and design of your shield.
Half face shields cover around the upper part of your face. These include the eyes, the nose and sometimes your mouth. On the other hand, full-face shields cover your entire face including the chin area to deliver optimal protection in case of an accident.
Accessibility
You don’t want a shield that will be hard to adjust, do you? While most models of snap-on face shields are excellent options, some customers have had problems adjusting them.
A good snap-on face motorcycle helmet shield should be easy to adjust. Also, the shield should be accessible so that you’ll have no trouble snapping it on and off.
Style
A full-face snap-on face shield for a motorcycle helmet is always a better option than the half-face designs. This is because full-face shields extend down thus providing all-round protection. With that, this model will even protect your chin upon impact.
Recent research shows that 40% of the time, the rider’s chin absorbs a significant amount of impact during an accident.
Level of visibility
Even though I love these face shields, some models can be counterproductive. A tinted snap-on face shield for motorcycle helmet can limit your visibility more so when riding at night or on gloomy days. Without proper visibility, you are more likely to cause an accident.
If nightfall or twilight is your best time to ride your motorbike, just stay away from tinted snap-on face motorcycle helmet shields. Also, avoid using them on overcast days as they are prone to fog.
But if for some reason you must choose a tinted snap-on face motorcycle helmet shield, consider an option with the anti-fog coating. This will help keep the fog at bay thus your visibility will not be affected.
How to keep your Snap on Face Shield in Tip Top Condition?
Maintaining your motorcycle helmet visor can be a tricky business because it can be pretty fragile. However, if you want to make the most out of your snap-on face shield, it is vital for you to properly take care of this safety gear.
Here are some of the most critical maintenance and care tips you should consider.
Proper installation
The first and perhaps the most crucial snap-on face motorcycle helmet shield care and maintenance procedure is correctly installing and securing it on the holder such that the shield doesn’t fall off when riding. While the idea of your snap-on face shield for motorcycle helmet falling off might sound utterly ridiculous, it happens and it’s a reality for many riders.
If your shield falls off, the bike might run it over shuttering it into tiny pieces especially when riding at great speeds. While the reinforced polycarbonate is resistant enough to survive low-speed impacts, the integrity of the coatings can be greatly affected.
Remove scratches and scuffs
The tussle to keep your snap-on face shield for motorcycle helmet free from scratches and scuffs is more to often an effort in futility. I mean, as long as you are using your shield, these ugly abrasions will eventually appear. For a rider like you, it can get pretty frustrating.
Scratches on a motorcycle helmet shield are a rider’s worst nightmare. They not only make your shield look ugly and beaten up but also can have a major impact on your visibility. If not careful, especially at night or during foggy days, poor visibility can lead to grizzly accidents.
And that’s why it is important now more than ever to remove scratches and scuffs from your snap-on face shield. Even so, you need to remove the scratches professionally and carefully, otherwise, you might end up further damaging the visor.
To ensure that your snap-on face motorcycle helmet shield doesn’t suffer any secondary damages, it is recommended you detach it from the helmet first.
Here’s a complete guide to help you remove scratches and scuffs on your snap-on face shield for motorcycle helmet
- After you’ve detached it, place the motorcycle helmet shield under warm running water and using sandpaper carefully scrape off the scratched areas. A 15 grit sandpaper is recommended for normal scratches.
- Sand it for around 30 seconds while gently rubbing your finger over the surface to feel the effects.
- When the surface feels glossy smooth, stop sanding and wipe out the excess water with a dry microfiber cloth
- Leave your snap-on face shield to dry…approximately 2 hours and by now you must be pretty done unless for the one last step.
- Take a heat gun, set the temperature to 500 degrees, and leave it for some time to achieve the said temperature.
- switch on the lamp and constantly move the snap-on face shield for motorcycle helmet in front of the light for about 2 minutes. This helps remove any remaining scratches for a brand new glossy smooth texture.
- Lastly, leave the shield to cool down for about an hour and then install it back
Tip
- The shield should be held at least 3 feet away from the light of the heat gun
- Don’t hold the shield at one spot for more than 2 seconds
- Follow the manufactures instructions when reattaching your motorcycle helmet shield
Regular cleaning
The 3rd care and maintenance procedure for your snap-on face shield is removing dirt, debris, mud, and dust. This is the simplest and even a 5th grader can do it without guidance.
All you need to do is wipe your motorcycle helmet shield with a clean piece of cloth. Do the clean up regularly and if possible after every ride.
Recommended Snap-on Face Shields
I’ve listed some of the best snap-on face shields available on Amazon.
Wancar Retro Universal
The first snap-on face shield that I want to share with you is the Wancar Retro Universal Standard 3-Snap Open Face Motorcycle Helmet shield (Amazon).
This design is an excellent choice if you are after a snap-on face shield that offers all-round protection. In addition to that, the shield looks stylish and the attaching mechanism locks in easily.
The Wancar Retro is ideal for half helmets and is made from polycarbonate materials, which are considered the best. With its 3-snap feature, this product is pretty versatile and comes in handy in almost any setting. In the culmination of it all, this snap-on face shield is fully certified on safety and legal standards.
Pros
- Premium quality
- Protects against fog, scratch, and glare
- 3-snap feature with fully adjustable visor
Cons
- The product’s durability is yet to be proven
- Ideal for half-face helmets
Pilot-Style Universal 3 Snap-Button Visor
The next shield I foud was the Pilot-Style Universal 3 Snap-Button Visor-best for open-face helmets (Amazon).
If are after a product that offers full protection and stands cool, here’s a great option. The Pilot-Style Universal 3 Snap-Button Visor is designed with advanced safety features to ensure maximum comfort and convenience when ridding. First and foremost, the design is robust and adjustable as well. The shield is resistant to glare, fog, debris and a perfect choice for adverse conditions. Its anti-scratch cover ensures extra durability.
And with dimensions of about 5 by 3 inches, the Pilot-Style Universal 3 Snap-Button Visor is not only lightweight but also suitable for use with glasses.
Pros
- Inbuilt adjusting buttons offers more convenience and ease
- Offers multiple color options
- Its 3-snap feature allows compatibility with almost any helmet design
Cons
- The guarantee is not comprehensive-covers only the product’s parts
- Can hamper your vision
Final Take
Overall a motorcycle helmet face shield is a great safety accessory and a must-have for any motorbike enthusiast. It Protects your eyes, face, chin and sometimes the neck. Some models will also protect your eyes from hazardous chemicals so that you can cruise safely and in style. Both fixed and snap-on face shields offers all of these functionalities and either would be a great option.
But as mentioned earlier, riding a motorbike is all about enjoying the sensational feeling of the cool breeze as it swipes over your face and cheeks. Snap-on face shields for motorcycle helmets are designed just for this purpose. Unlike fixed models, which hardly allow air in, snap-on face motorcycle helmet shields are incredibly flexible, stylish and lighter to help you cruise in style and comfort.