New helment, new problem

This summer I decided to finally give up on my old helmet that I purchased 10 years ago and buy a new lid. The old helmet was a full-face model, faded and weathered, the liner was coming apart and the faux leather straps for the d-ring were cracked and would poke my chin if they weren't tuck in "just right". It was hard to give up on this lid since it has seen at least 30,000 miles of action, from the Rocky Mountains of BC (on my KZ750) to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
So, I decided on my new helmet, which has a removable liner, vents everywhere, is actually soft and comfortable, padded chin strap, quick release sheild, etc. I also spent the extra $$ for the "smoke shield" so I could ditch the sunglasses. That turned out better than I could have ever hoped (sometimes there are disadvantages to being thrifty:laugh: ).
The reason for this long post is that I have all black riding gear and ride my black KZ to work everyday (in full riding gear). Well, soon after I got the new helmet I would be riding to work and people would be staring at me. Not just checking the bike out (or me:laugh: :silly: :laugh: ?) but really looking hard. I'm thinking what the...check turn signals...not on...check shoulder bag...still there...check bike for flames shooting out engine...nope. Then it occurs to me that they can't see my eyes with the dark smoke shield but they stare really hard to see if they can see me. It has taken a while for me to get used to this. Anyone else have this experience? I live in the land of the hogs and a no helmet state, so perhaps people just aren't used to it. Now I know, I think it is funny. Yes, I have eyes and am a real person riding a motorcycle to work...

I get that too. I have a green mirrored shield on mine.
Oddly enough, I have people ask "Can you actually see through that thing?"

Don't forget, that smoked shield won't be so cool at night we it's too dark to see! :blink:

Post edited by: mariozappa, at: 2007/07/27 13:22

Oddly enough, I have people ask "Can you actually see through that thing?"

I have gotten that one as well. Who said that!?:laugh:

Don't forget, that smoked shield won't be so cool at night we it's too dark to see!

Don't worry, the helmet came with a clear one, which rides with me in my shoulder bag.

I have gotten that one as well. Who said that!?

Believe it or not, it was a Harley rider! :laugh:

I have a silver screen, and my dad has a copper one. Haven't really noticed anyone staring, but my sister was kind enough to point out that we looked like a couple of legos :woohoo:

She could be right!

My helmet has the "black" shield, never noticed what your talking about but will look for it now. And they won't know I'm looking! :woohoo:

It's not uncommon to see smoked or mirrored shields around SoCal. I was using a clear shield until it was too scratched up to see through, then I bought a new spiffy mirrored shield. The only riding at night I do is early dawn hours (4-5am), but it really hasn't hampered my ability to see (it's tinted, but not that dark).