PINLOCK Helmet Lens Is a Lifesaver! Know Everything About It

Winters have arrived and if you are a rider based out of Northern India where the mercury drops to zero degrees, fog is an alarming concern. Motorcycle riders understand the importance of clear visibility and safety, especially when facing challenging weather conditions.

Fogging on a helmet visor is a very common and frustrating issue that creates problems for riders during cold, rainy or humid weather. It happens due to temperature differences between the inner and outer atmosphere of the helmet. Warm and moist air from your breath meets the cold surface of the visor, causing condensation to form on the insides.

A foggy visor not only obstructs vision but also compromises safety, making it hard to navigate roads or trails. Whether you ride a commuter motorcycle, an adventure bike or a brutal machine, dealing with a fogged-up visor can be a distraction you can’t (and shouldn't) afford.

Thankfully, there are practical solutions and preventive measures to keep your visor clear and ensure a safer, more enjoyable ride and the PINLOCK Helmet Technology is an important one.

What is the PINLOCK technology?

One of the most innovative features of helmet technology is the PINLOCK system. This system has been specially designed to handle the problems of fogging that tend to occur inside helmet visors. If a helmet is referred to as "PINLOCK," then it will come with a PINLOCK-ready visor and an insert lens combination that can truly change the way motorcyclists ride.

This technology at its core is a specially engineered anti-fog insert lens called the PINLOCK. It is crafted to prevent condensation on the inner surface of the visor and actively dries it. Two very powerful principles have been combined to make this work.

The first principle is the way the surface of the lens absorbs moisture, attracting and holding water molecules to keep the visor clear. Moreover, the lens and visor's airtight seal provide a protective layer from the usual primary conditions that cause fogging.

Main components of the PINLOCK system:

• PINLOCK-Ready visor: You can check if a visor is PINLOCK-ready by simply looking for the two small pins pre-installed on the inside.

• PINLOCK Insert lens: This is a flexible lens that fits between the pins and adheres to the visor’s surface.

Types of PINLOCK lenses

The PINLOCK lenses come in three different anti-fog performance levels: 30, 70 and 120.

Level 30 comes in only one design which is effective enough to remove fog for short city commutes.

The Level 70 comes in visor-specific designs and is perfect for daily rides as well as long weekend rides. It is available in yellow and grey lens colours.

The Level 120XLT is ideal for track-oriented riders. It also has max vision and comes in visor-specific designs. It is available in yellow and grey colour tones.

These numbers symbolise the fog resistance level of the insert.

Pros of having a PINLOCK helmet

The main benefit of PINLOCK technology is the reduction of fogging, ensuring crystal-clear vision regardless of the weather conditions. Clear vision is crucial for a safe ride as it reduces the chances of accidents caused by blurred vision.

Riding a motorcycle without a closed visor can disturb your vision, especially at high speeds. Riders often lift their visor to get a clear view when the weather is moist. While this may temporarily provide a clear view, lifting the visor also exposes us to dust, debris and pollution. With PINLOCK, you don’t need to lift your visor as often. 

PINLOCK inserts are available in multiple shades and tints, including clear, light smoke and dark smoke to handle different lighting conditions.

How to install the PINLOCK insert:

1. Remove the helmet visor.

2. Clean it with a microfiber cloth.

3. Place the PINLOCK insert lens on the pins of the visor and gently flex the insert lens to fit between the pins.

4. After this process, reinstall the visor on your helmet. The visor installation process may vary depending on the helmet model.

Is a PINLOCK helmet lens worth it for you?

Many leading brands like Shoei, AXOR, Arai, HJC and others offer compatibility with PINLOCK technology. One of my office colleagues owns an AXOR Hunter helmet with PINLOCK 30 lens visor. He commutes 25 kilometres daily and has never faced any visibility problems in damp and cold weather.

The combination of safety, comfort and practicality makes PINLOCK helmets a valuable addition to any rider’s gear. Whether you’re commuting, touring or racing, PINLOCK helmets can be lifesavers.