Advice .....helmet with goggles.

DamageInc

Member
This is a topic that gets revisited every year, but I'm happy to report my experience. Obviously, there are pros and cons to both setups. However, for me it just came down to reliability. It seemed like every other year I was replacing a $90 electric visor. I switched to goggles about 5 years ago, and I'll never go back to an electric shield. It doesn't really matter what kind of goggles you use, most will get a good seal, you just have move it around for a second and make sure it's seated. I find the most important component is the mask, if you wear a Klim mask you cant go wrong. I usually wear the lighter one, but if it gets really cold, I'll wear the heavier one. Last, if you want the best of both worlds, get a set of heated goggles (very handy in freezing mist). My only complaint about goggles is the peripheral vision is not as good, and it can be a little noisier, but I'm on a four stroke so that's a non-factor. I usually carry three goggles in my trunk bag, one for bright sunlight, one for darkness or flat light, and the electric for the funky stuff.

There is no wind noise at 90mph on a four-stroke? Wow, crazy.

It's not the engine that creates the most noise (for the rider) at high speeds, even on a two-stroke. It's the wind noise, which is worse with goggles than with a full face shield.

And it absolutely does matter what brand of goggles you buy. They all fit differently, both to the face and to the helmet. It's best to try on the goggles and helmet (together) at the time of purchase.
 
There is no wind noise at 90mph on a four-stroke? Wow, crazy.

It's not the engine that creates the most noise (for the rider) at high speeds, even on a two-stroke. It's the wind noise, which is worse with goggles than with a full face shield.

And it absolutely does matter what brand of goggles you buy. They all fit differently, both to the face and to the helmet. It's best to try on the goggles and helmet (together) at the time of purchase.

Look, I have Klim goggles, FXR goggles, 509 goggles and Cat goggles. Yes, they all fit slightly differently, but I don't have issues with either one of them. I do agree that you should try them on together if you have the chance. As far as the noise, there isn't much difference in the wind noise. And if you ride a piped sled, it is certainly the main source of noise at any speed.
 

DamageInc

Member
Look, I have Klim goggles, FXR goggles, 509 goggles and Cat goggles. Yes, they all fit slightly differently, but I don't have issues with either one of them. I do agree that you should try them on together if you have the chance. As far as the noise, there isn't much difference in the wind noise. And if you ride a piped sled, it is certainly the main source of noise at any speed.

Loud pipes have been illegal on WI and MI trails for decades. When wearing goggles at high speeds, wind is louder than the engine, even on a two-stroke. This isn't conjecture; I've been wearing both for decades, and have ridden thousands of miles on UP rail grades. If it wasn't quieter with the full face, then your face shield wasn't sealing properly. No wonder you didn't like it.

I had some Castle goggles that wouldn't seal on my face no matter what I did, and would fog up within a few minutes. So yeah, it can be a big problem. Just because you never had issues doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

I don't know why some people feel that you can only choose one or the other. Goggles are far better for off-trail or the racetrack, and full face is better for high speed riding. Get both, and wear the one appropriate for the day's ride.
 
Loud pipes have been illegal on WI and MI trails for decades. When wearing goggles at high speeds, wind is louder than the engine, even on a two-stroke. This isn't conjecture; I've been wearing both for decades, and have ridden thousands of miles on UP rail grades. If it wasn't quieter with the full face, then your face shield wasn't sealing properly. No wonder you didn't like it.

I had some Castle goggles that wouldn't seal on my face no matter what I did, and would fog up within a few minutes. So yeah, it can be a big problem. Just because you never had issues doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

I don't know why some people feel that you can only choose one or the other. Goggles are far better for off-trail or the racetrack, and full face is better for high speed riding. Get both, and wear the one appropriate for the day's ride.

I didn’t say that I didn’t like it, I said that I was tired of constantly replacing shields. Also, I’m sure my windshield size has a lot to do with the lack of noise, the original one was a wedge which blasted me right in the chest and face with wind. I still take my full face helmet and electric shield on trips for a contingency, but I’ve never unpacked it.
 

yamadooed

Member
Best to shop for goggles with the face and helmet they'll be on for best fitment... I always get two pairs of goggles one tinted for daytime and a clear set for night... I wear the facefull with goggles for most conditions but will switch up to a modular when cold or freezing rain is in the forecast... All the M
 
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