Helmets Pinlock Visor - Worth It?

LoneRanger

LoneRanger

Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
67
Location
Central Ohio
Bike
2007 ST1300
I am considering a pinlock for my newly purchased RF-1100 ;) Anyone have feedback on the pinlock system?

Thanks,
 
If you have the visor that is made to accept it, YES, they work, I miss mine from my Nolan, but I hated the buckle more than I liked the Pin Lock.
 
Recently bought a new Shoei Multitech which came with a pinlock and whisper kit. First time I have used one of these and it works really well.... the rest of the visor steamed up but the pinlock area was clear.
Obviously the pinlock insert needs to be fitted properly, the slightest gap betweem visor and pinlock will result in it not working and probably being worse than not having it at all.
 
The Pinlock system works very well. I have one I use in a Multitec or RF-1000.
 
hojo in sc said:
If you have the visor that is made to accept it, YES, they work, I miss mine from my Nolan, but I hated the buckle more than I liked the Pin Lock.
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Wow, hojo - the micro-lock strap was one of the MAIN reasons my second helmet was also a Nolan! I absolutely love the clip versus a D-ring arrangement. Rode a friend's GSXR750 today at a party (not on my bike) so I borrowed his Arai helmet. Reminded me AGAIN how much I love the clip on my Nolan... Oh well, different strokes...

I do like the pinlock system also. In my experience, highly effective. One of the pins on my old face shield broke so I went several weeks with no fog shield. Finally broke down and bought a replacement face shield - as much as anything to be able to reinstall my pinlock fog shield. I sure appreciated it on my CampSTOC run!
 
The pinlock came with my Nolan. It does a very good job of keeping the visor clear of fog, but note you will see some condensation build up (water, not fogging) especially along the lower edge. Not a problem for visibility unless it's cold enough for it to freeze. Some "starring" at night from headlights of on coming traffic, but nothing I can't live with.
 
TNST_Rider said:
Wow, hojo - the micro-lock strap was one of the MAIN reasons my second helmet was also a Nolan! I absolutely love the clip versus a D-ring arrangement. Rode a friend's GSXR750 today at a party (not on my bike) so I borrowed his Arai helmet. Reminded me AGAIN how much I love the clip on my Nolan... Oh well, different strokes...
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My problem was the buckle dug into my Adams Apple and after an hour of riding, I was in too much pain.
 
I have a pinlock and I love it. I only wish I could have a tinted lense with a clear pinlock inside rather than the other way around. I have heard (though not yet tried) that the Fog City inserts work just as well as the pinlock system at much less $$$. You might want to try one of those out first.
 
I love my pinlock and I get plenty of "testing" here in the PNW. I also have a pretty lowly HJC helmet which doesn't have the greatest venting. Has yet to overwhelm the pinlock though as long as it is well seated against the visor. Recently got a smoked pinlock lens as well.
 
juddspaintballs said:
I have a pinlock and I love it. I only wish I could have a tinted lense with a clear pinlock inside rather than the other way around. I have heard (though not yet tried) that the Fog City inserts work just as well as the pinlock system at much less $$$. You might want to try one of those out first.
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I had the Fog City lense thru winter with my HJC IS16 and it failed as soon as I breathed; however, combined with their fog mask they did a superb job (including on preventing my glasses from misting if the seal was right).

I've just picked up a BMW with their own 'pin lock'. It works by absorbing condensation and can therefore become saturated - it says in the manual. Ventilation is the only cure.

Taking the chin skirt off my HJC was an effective ventilation technique - even down to sub-zero temperatures. It seemed to prevent the frozen inner sheild I suffered the winter before, which left me riding visor up at -7c. This winter there was no issue down to -9c, and no fogging in rain. This BMW system had best measure up.
 
cbrgirl1956 said:
I have a pinlock shield and insert for my new RF-1100 and it is worth every penny. I am very happy with it.
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How about a pic of the pinlock shield. Just curious how much of the shield it covers on the RF1100 shield. I am looking at them but am worried about the transition of the edges of the insert.
 
I got an HJC FS-15 a couple weeks ago, which has the pinlock system in it, so I ordered a Dark Smoke pinlock insert - I ride to work at night, and it's not so cool yet, but riding home in the morning, I have the cool weather and rising sun to contend with.

The pinlock insert does what it's supposed to do. I only lament that it doesn't have some sort of sleeve to store in, so I kept the folded cardboard packaging and slip it in there to tuck into my backpack that I bring to work.

It ended up being about the same cost or a bit cheaper than buying a tinted visor, and it's easier to manage in my backpack.

I looked around and found that pinlock has a photochromic (tints in the sunlight, clears up absent of it) insert, and got all excited. I can only find it for sale on a few UK sites for about 44 pounds. A bit pricey. I also wonder if it will work well behind a screen that blocks UV, since it probably only reacts to UV. Having had a pair of Transitions glasses, I can say, they don't work for piss behind UV filtering glass.

There was a company that was supposed to be making a photochromic shield, but their site goes to a squatter now. I got excited because some reviews I found said they would be making sheilds for HJC helmets. I would SO want one of those for my mixed night/day riding. Talk about convenience!


Here's a pic I just took of my visor with the dark smoke Pinlock insert:

IMG_20101021_061617.jpg
 
The pinlock doesn't fog, so it works as advertised. However, on three Nolan helmets I've had with a pinlock insert it scratches the inside of the standard visor, especially where the two materials meet at the edges. If you take out the pinlock the scratches are evident and can create annoying bright spots when you're riding into the sun. I have not been able to polish them out. Be careful cleaning the pinlock as it scratches easily.

Since I like fresh air, even when it's cold, I tend to leave out the pinlock unless I expect rain.

What would be better is if someone would invent optical grade impact resistant plastic that doesn't fog. OK all you petrochemical engineers...hop to it!
 
When I bought the Pinlock for my Shoei helmets I bought a new shield set up for it and just swap the regular shield for the Pinlock one according to the weather. The pinlock insert stays in place all the time except for cleaning. On trips the other shield is my spare and use either as conditions require. Never use anything but terry cloth and soap/water or plastic lens cleaner to clean the pinlock insert. Mine is 3 years old and not scratched (yet) - I carry shields inside a cloth bag for protection.
 
Dave, I wonder if my experience with scratching is a function of the size of the pinlock insert, which on the Nolan is bigger with respect to the standard visor than on the Shoei.
 
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