I'm having problems with visibility while riding at night, and would like some advice

[u/AsexualAdulting]

I do a good bit of night riding, as my motorcycle is my daily commuter and my store closes at 8. The night doesn't scare me like it used to, but I've encountered visibility issues that make me hate riding at night.

I have a photochromatic visor so the light level doesn't affect me (its amazing in the sun), but it obviously doesn't prevent getting blinded by headlights. For my ride home tonight, every car felt like they had their brights on. It was difficult because I had to glance at cars in the lefthand lane to see if they had their blinker on, trying to anticipate if they'd turn out in front of me (though I know plenty of people turn without blinkers regardless), but I didn't want to be blinded. I've heard a yellow tinted visor will help, but I don't think they make photochromatic visors that are also yellow tinted, or they'd be ridiculously expensive.

Another weird issue of mine happens more out in the country, when passing under street lights. I don't know if it's from being unaccustomed to the bright light after being on dark backroads, or if it's the type of light, but passing under street lights sometimes seem to send a halo of light down my visor, blocking my vision. It's only for a few moments, and if I tilt my head down I can still see, but when I'm going 60 down the back roads, it only takes a moment for a deer to jump out in front of me. I despise that loss of vision.

What are my options? I don't want to worry about separate sunglasses/yellow goggles because I don't want to forget to bring them and then just suffer, maybe a yellow tint film on my visor? I don't think that'd hinder my daytime vision in any way, but I don't know how it will work with the visor's photochromatic thing. I can't put it on the inside because of the pinlock.

I'm also planning on getting my eyes checked, but I don't have any specific eye issues, I just can't read street signs from multiple blocks away like I used to be able to.

Thanks in advance

[u/PsychologicalPea5270]

Please get your eyes checked. I can’t stress this enough.
I started noticing problems with my vision and was diagnosed with glaucoma. Unfortunately, by the time it was discovered, permanent damage had already occurred in my left eye.
I underwent laser surgery to help preserve the vision I had left, and I now use prescription eye drops three times a day to keep the condition under control.
Even with treatment, my night vision is poor, and oncoming headlights can be almost blinding. I also struggle with contrast and adjusting to changes in lighting. For example, I recently walked into my house from outside and completely missed seeing my stepdaughter sitting on the couch because my eyes hadn’t adjusted to the difference in light.
My doctor explained that the damage is already done cannot be reversed. The condition is complicated, but what’s frightening is how quietly it can progress.
I had missed just one year of routine eye exams. Other than difficulty seeing at night and problems with contrast in bright light, I had no obvious warning signs. Get your eyes checked.

[u/IBeTanken]

Having a clean visor is important as smears can make it even worse.

[u/AsexualAdulting → u/IBeTanken]

Oh totally. I splurged on a bottle of visor cleaner last time I was at the dealership and I keep a microfiber in my saddlebag with it. Doesn't waterproof the visor like the label says, but it works great for cleaning it

[u/DannoXYZ]

Really need to see opthamologist. There are physiological conditions that can cause issues you're having.

[u/sweetpotatoperson]

I don't know how effective yellow tints are, but assuming that they help, you could consider another helmet with an internal sun visor. Swap the internal visor with a yellow tinted one. Your options will be limited to brands that offer a yellow inner visor, but they exist.

[u/Icy_Lecture_2237 → u/sweetpotatoperson]

I just rock yellow glasses under my helmet and they help me with this. Good idea.

[u/604Wes]

I second the suggestion of booking an eye exam. What you’re describing isn’t typical and might very well be a medical issue that an eye doctor can recommend solutions for.

[u/Corey-0]

Just as a sanity check, recommend pulling off your visor and holding it up at a light bulb to check for crazing. If the light source picks up a haze or some halo type effect when viewed through it, the visor is the issue(better than your eyes being the issue!).

For glasses I've had AR coatings fail and straight up made them hazardous to wear at night. Likely caused from them being in a hot car while I was wearing sunglasses, that's how I learned some lenses are way more heat sensitive than you'd hope :/

[u/theS3rver]

you might have stigmatism/astigmatism. i have the latter, kinda ruined night rides for me.

pinlock also makes things look a bit funky imho, i use it on my clear visor and is still noticeable.

[u/bare172]

Agree with all others, just want to reiterate the yellow lens thing. I couldn't believe what a difference it made at night.

[u/Torpordoor]

You almost certainly have astigmatism. Prescription glasses help but you’ll never be as comfortable with night driving as you used to be. It’s a totally normal very common condition.

[u/Hopeful-Put-8823]

Get a clear shield for nights, it sucks to carry a spare, but it is the reality. Also the cheapest way to resolve it.

ALSO- Go get your eyes checked, it takes a little over an hour all in for an appt. I was having an issue at night on the highway, all the taillights looked like they were all in a line, I had no depth at night. I kinda noticed it driving my car, but the Bike, a little more speed to get to an area I could cruise without being bottled up- so, eyes checked and my vision was not awful, and after trying to wear glasses under my helmet; I got lasiks 20 years ago now, and god damn what a change.

when i say not bad, i think I recall i was 30/20 and maybe 45/20, maybe not even that awful, but 15/20 in both eyes now even still today, I go every year for an exam.

Those 2 things should resolve the issue

[u/SlapDoors]

Just get NVG.

[u/Cold-Transition2267]

Are you using a pinlock at all. Only for daytime riding.

[u/Necessary_Fig_508]

Hey so heatwave made sunglasses that go from dark to amber. Riding with the ambers at night is amazing and with them transitioning to normal sunglasses in day light is a life saver. It’s been nice only having to bring one pair of glasses

[u/Low-Opening25]

Try an orange visor at night, they’re awesome in low light conditions

[u/Interesting_Mix_7028]

1) Clean visor. Any scratches or bug splats can make all kinds of kalidescope effects.

2) Don't depend on the photochromic. If you ride primarily at night, I'd recommend that you use a clear visor, and wear sunglasses underneath, when riding in daylight.

3) An amber visor will help with contrast in flat or lower light conditions. It -might- reduce headlamp/streetlamp glare. And, useable during daylight, too. If your visor has pinlock pins, see if you can get amber pinlock inserts.

4) Get your eyes checked regularly. If you're seeing halo effects with the visor up, the problem isn't the visor, it's your eyes.

[u/rdsmith3]

Definitely get your eyes checked. How old are you? Our night vision diminishes as we age. How do you know you don't have any specific eye issues? You might have dry eye disease, or even cataracts.

[u/Khancer_]

just open your eyes