Do Motorcycle Visors Block UV?

Undoubtedly eyes are essential for all of us. While riding, your eyes are more prone to destruction because of UV rays. Now the question is, do motorcycle visors block UV?

Yes, motorcycle visors block UV. Usually, motorcycle visors are made from polycarbonate material. This polycarbonate material has the property to reflect almost all kinds of UV rays. 

Do Motorcycle Visors Block UV- A, B, C?

Before reaching any conclusion, you need to understand what is UV-A, B, and C. 

Our sun releases three types of UV rays, namely A, B, and C. Out of all, UV-A rays have longer wavelengths but have low penetrating or damaging power.

While UV-C has a shorter wavelength but has high penetrating or damaging power. 

Fortunately, our ozone layer blocks almost 90% of UV rays. Still, a bit of UV rays is sufficient to make you blind.

Typically, motorcycle visors which are made from polycarbonate material, block 99% UV rays. But sometimes, these visors got scratches, which makes them ineffective against UV rays. 

That’s why we always recommend you to go with anti-scratch and anti-fog visors which will last for a longer time. 

What are the Types of Visors?

Apart from protecting their eyes from the harsh UV rays, people also love to see their helmets aesthetically.

Although the visors are made from polycarbonate material which protects you from the harmful UV rays still, you’ll find mainly three types of visors in the market. 

Types of visors.

Cleared visors.

Mirror visors.

Smoked visors.

1. Cleared Visors:

Cleared visors is a standard visor which is transparent and allows maximum light to pass through them.

These visors promote high visibility among all visors. But being transparent, these visors sometimes failed to provide 100% protection against harmful UV rays.

The second cons of a clear visor are that it causes eye stress when wearing for long hours on sunny days. Additionally, these visors aren’t aesthetically appealing. 

2. Mirrored Visors:

Mirrored visors got their name because of the mirror finish on them. 

These visors come with a mirror finish which makes them an excellent reflector of harmful UV rays. 

The mirror visor is the best visor among all visors because of its reflection property. These visors also help to keep your face cool and prevent your eyes from any stress on sunny days. 

Undoubtedly mirrored visors are a boon on sunny days, but it can be cursed using these visors when sundown. Since in the dusk, your eyes need a maximum amount of light to see the path ahead. 

Mirrored visors can almost make you blind when you’re riding at night, and this may cause fatal accidents. That’s why we always recommend you to use a mirrored visor only on sunny days and not at night. 

3. Smoked Visors:

Smoked visors are the best visors if you ride a motorcycle both day and night. 

The smoked visors are colored and are usually found in black color. The best thing about these visors is that they are translucent. 

These visors permit enough light to pass through them, making you look at the path at night easily. And protect your eyes from harmful UV rays in the daytime. 

The smoked visors may not protect your eyes from mirrored ones, but they will indeed save you from fatal accidents at night.

Smoked visors aren’t good looking as mirrored visors, but it’s undoubtedly good looking than the cleared visors.

Smoked visors are even dangerous to use at night if there’s no street light around the road. 

Every visor has its advantages and disadvantages. That’s why we always recommend carrying both cleared and mirrored or smoked visors when riding for long hours.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Motorcycle Visor:

Are you planning to buy a motorcycle visor? Then you must first read our guide to buy a motorcycle helmet visor. 

Here’re things to consider before buying the best motorcycle visor.

1 . UV Protection:

Undoubtedly motorcycle visors protect you from UV rays. But not all motorcycle visors are equal. When purchasing the motorcycle visor, we always recommend you go with UV400 visors. 

UV400 visors are considered the best which are going to protect you from both UVA and UV B rays.

2. Darkness:

It’s clear that in some states or countries you can’t wear Z black or darker visors. That’s why we always recommend choosing a visor color according to your local rules. 

3. Anti-Scratch and Anti-Fog:

Buying anti-scratch and anti-fog visors are essential when riding in cold climates for long hours. 

Most of the manufacturers claim that their visors come with anti-scratch and anti-fog layers. But after some time this claim proved to be another myth. 

We recommend purchasing visors from only trusted manufacturers whose visors will last for longer times. 

Are Dark Motorcycle Visors Legal?

Yes, dark motorcycle visors are legal all over the world. Still, you’ve to pay attention to not wear a dark motorcycle visor while riding at night.

Instead, you can go for a yellow visor which enhances the permeability of light and at the same time protect you from UV rays. 

Some Myths about Helmet and Visors:

There’re many myths regarding the visor spreading like forest fire among bikers that need to stop. Here’re some common myths found among riders.

Tinted Visors are Not Legal:

Tinted visors aren’t legal is a common myth that you may hear. According to the law in various countries, the luminance transmittance of any visor shouldn’t be less than 85%.

In other words, very dark visors aren’t legal in the USA. 

According to Wayne, it’s not possible to measure the luminance transmittance of everyone’s visors. 

Dual Visors aren’t Worth it:

Many people still think that dual visors aren’t worth it to buy. If you still think the same, then you’re mistaken. 

Dual visors technology is made for particular purposes, that is, to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays when riding for long hours.

The best thing about dual visor technology is that these visors come with darkened sun visors attached below the standard visor. 

You can lift the sun visor at night to allow the light to penetrate through the cleared visor. 

All Motorcycle Visor Fog in Cold Seasons:

One of the biggest reasons why people don’t wear helmets is fogging in cold climates. 

But now, manufacturers of helmets bring the pin lock technology. This pin lock technology uses microstructure to prevent fogging in cold climates. 

In case your visor doesn’t have pin lock technology, then you can apply the toothpaste onto both sides of your visor. 

After doing this, wipe up the toothpaste with soft cotton. Doing this will prevent any fogging on your visor in cold climates.

Another solution to prevent fogging on your visor is to apply an anti-fogging spray on your visor. Doing this will also protect your visor from developing fog in cold climates. 

You Don’t Need to Close Strap:

Wearing a helmet is necessary but closing the Strap while wearing a helmet is also essential.

People many times forget to close the Strap while wearing helmets. They are not closing the strap risk of flying up off the helmet under the impact.

That’s why you shouldn’t think that Strap is optional. And always consider wearing a helmet with a strap-on. 

Loose Fitting Helmet is Better:

Riding in the hot and humid climate can be challenging for anyone. But what most people think is that riding a loose helmet is better. 

If you think the same, then you’re mistaken. 

Lose helmets wobble when at the time of riding. And this wobble of the helmet is enough to cause distraction and any fatal accident.

If you generally feel challenged riding in the hot summer, then we’d recommend you to buy an open face helmet or any modern helmet. 

But buying a loose helmet is a terrible idea.  

Does Smoked Visor Protect You from Under-Eye SunBurn:

The answer to this question is yes and no both. No, because many manufacturers are still using cheap quality smoker visors in their helmets. 

These cheap visors don’t stop the UV light, which ultimately causes under-eye sunburn.

On the other hand, some manufacturers use the best quality smoked visor, which stops 99% of UV rays. 

We’d recommend you to buy a helmet from only trusted manufacturers. CWR1 can be the best helmet visor for you if you ride on hot sunny days and it’ll protect you from under-eye sunburn.  

Frequently Asked Questions:

Our Verdict:

Do motorcycle visors block UV? Yes, they block 99% UV rays which are enough to make you blind.

In the market, you’re going to see three types of visors named cleared, mirrored and smoked visors.

If you generally ride at night time, then we’d recommend you to be cleared visor. A cleared visor allows light to pass through them and helps you to see the path.

If you generally ride on the hot day time, we’d recommend you to buy mirrored or smoked visor.

When buying visors, we’d recommend you to consider some facts, including UV protection of the visor along with darkness and anti-scratch and fog features.