This could be it for the season

[bajakirch]

Heavy fog and temps in the 30s this morning, but I decided to ride in anyway. I had hoped to ride all week, but learned of icy conditions on my route just before I left the house yesterday, so I switched to the cage at the last minute.

About 5 minutes into the ride, I was questioning my decision. The fog got so thick I almost couldn't see the fog line (the solid white line on the right side of the road) and I had to constantly keep wiping the front of my faceshield. Cars in front of me were disappearing at about 30 yards, and I could barely see their brake lights. I slowed down to about 30 and had the death grip in full force.

I noticed an increasing line of cars behind me, and then they started passing me and accelerating away. I couldn't believe how reckless they were being, and I got even more nervous, expecting a wreck to loom up out of the fog at any second.

I got to the first town on my route and cracked my faceshield a bit to keep it from fogging up. And then I noticed that the gap between my helmet and faceshield was amazingly bright. I raised the visor up further...and realized that the 'heavy fog' I'd been experiencing was only on the inside of my helmet. The shield was fogged over on the inside to about 25% visibility. I felt like a jacka55.

So then I raised the shield so I could actually see. But the 60 mph wind blast against my face soon had my lips and nose turning numb. Plus my smallish sunglasses weren't really keeping the wind out and my eyes starting watering. Then my tears started freezing to my face.

I ended up tucking in behind my windshield as best as possible, a position made harder by the tank bag in front of me. I finished my ride hunched over like Quasimodo, tears still streaming down my face.

Oh, and I haven't even mentioned the damp roads that looked like ice at every curve and turn.

I've been trying to make it until at least Thanksgiving. But after this morning, I don't know...

[Burgi]

Glad you are OK, live and learn.
We had heavy fog this morning also but it was 50 degrees. I only got a block from home before my shield was fogged over. 

[ariwhiteboy]

Heavy fog is very high on my list of worst conditions to ride in. Any time that visibility drops my stress level goes through the roof and I grip the seat so tight with my butt that my legs start hurting. 
 

[muttstang]

Yeah, I rode in some heavy stuff earlier this year and it was pretty scary even after I figured ou to wipe off my visor!

My bike is put to bed for the winter.  I'll be doing some work on it during that time

[JB1290]

I live close to Lake Michigan so, I don't dare ride the bike in the morning now. The roads tend to be pretty slick in the morning on my way to work and have been breaking the tires loose on my truck alot. I'm not taking the chance of laying down either of the bikes. 

[Moedad]

We had heavy fog this morning also but it was 50 degrees.

You can tell winter's just around the corner. For the second time in as many weeks, I've chosen to wear my non-mesh jacket. Might have to put the liner in it by year's end if this keeps up.

   Me--> <--People that live in places that have a real winter.

[Soupskin]

Found out that hair conditioner makes for a great anti-fog solution.  I used it on my glasses and the inside of my shield.

[Burgi]

  Me--> <--People that live in places that have a real winter.

Someone took their mean pill this morning. 

[skramer360]

Baja, that will be me in a week or so. I'm riding until my tank is empty(working on sending unit this winter), then I'm done. 

[bajakirch]

Nice tip on the hair conditioner. I'll give it a try.

Regardless of today's ride, my remaining riding season numbers in the days at most. I called my neighbor about tearing apart my carbs and replacing my head gasket. He suggested I bring the bike by the week after Thanksgiving and we'll dive into it.

[Option13]

Found out that hair conditioner makes for a great anti-fog solution.  I used it on my glasses and the inside of my shield.

For a second there I was wondering what could be wrong with these people. They don't know the proper term for a hair dryer, and they have them plugged in on their bikes and dry the fog on the move.







Then I realized you actually, truly meant hair conditioner. Any brand preferred? For fog, not silky strands.

[Soupskin]

Considering I keep my head buzz short to avoid helmet hair, the conditioner never sees my hair.

For the conditioner, i put a few drops on my shield and glasses and then rub it in.  I buff it off with a paper towel making sure not to rub it clean, but buff it dry.

[LOKi]

I have found that if I just crack the shield open a little (one notch) it lets in just enough cool air to clear up the fog. This I figured out in an almost identical situation. Fog just kept getting thicker and thicker the I realized the fog was the helmet not outside. Flipped up the face shield until my eyes started watering then I lowered it back down but left the crack at the bottom. That seamed to keep it clear enough to drive safely. 

[bajakirch]

I have found that if I just crack the shield open a little (one notch) it lets in just enough cool air to clear up the fog. This I figured out in an almost identical situation. Fog just kept getting thicker and thicker the I realized the fog was the helmet not outside. Flipped up the face shield until my eyes started watering then I lowered it back down but left the crack at the bottom. That seamed to keep it clear enough to drive safely. 

That's what I will do most days. On this particular occasion, the air was cool/wet enough that it wouldn't clear the shield.

[LOKi]

On this particular occasion, the air was cool/wet enough that it wouldn't clear the shield.

Yep. Had that happen too. The trick is not letting it fog in the first place. If I come to a stop on those wet and cold mornings I'll hold my breath until I flip up the face shield.

Another option is anti-fog face shields. like snowmobile helmets.



http://www.kneedraggers.com/product/633910/Pinlock-Anti-Fog-Faceshield-HJC-HJ-07-Replacement

[fishmeister]

I put a small tab of one sided sticky foam (weatherproofing seal) on the bottom of my shield so it never completely closes.

[LOKi]

I put a small tab of one sided sticky foam (weatherproofing seal) on the bottom of my shield so it never completely closes.

  good idea?    What about when it rains? Does water get on the inside when you get caught in the rain? I like to keep the option of fully closing it in some situations. In the rain that little crack lets water drops form on the inside of the screen.

[fishmeister]

Very seldom do I ride in the rain so I can't say. Prolly not much tho.

If you want to be perpared for that, find some type of nylon u-clip you can easily pull right off and put in your pocket.



If it never starts fogging in the start it stays clear better. Plus I like the bit of extra air

[Burgi]

I put a small tab of one sided sticky foam (weatherproofing seal) on the bottom of my shield so it never completely closes.

Doesn't that create a lot more wind noise in the helmet? Fine for slow slower speeds but at higher speeds it seems like it would create an awful racket?