Open face and retro helmets usually come without a face shield. That's part of the look, but at 50 mph, wind, bugs, rain and road grit go straight for your eyes. The good news: you can add exactly the eye protection you want. Here's how to choose between a bubble shield, a flip-up shield, a sun visor and goggles for an open face (3/4 or jet) helmet or a vintage full face, and how the 3-snap mounts they use work.
Your options at a glance
| Option | Blocks wind, bugs and rain | Blocks sun from above | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bubble shield | Yes | Tinted or chrome versions cut glare | Open face (3/4) helmets with 3 snaps |
| Flip-up 3-snap shield | Yes | Smoke or gold versions cut glare | Vintage full face helmets with 3 snaps |
| Sun visor (peak) | No | Yes | Most 3-snap helmets |
| Goggles | Yes | Tinted lenses cut glare | Open face and vintage full face helmets |
How 3-snap mounts work
Most open face and vintage helmets have three snaps above the eye port: one in the center and one on each side. A 3-snap shield or visor presses onto those snaps. To take it off, you just unsnap it, so you can ride with a shield on the highway and go back to the open look in town.
Before you ride, press every snap all the way in. A half-snapped shield can pop loose in the wind.
Bubble shields
A bubble shield is a domed, clear or tinted shield that curves out in front of your face. It's the classic look for a 3/4 helmet, and it blocks the wind, bugs and rain that hit an open face helmet head-on. Most flip up, so you can lift it at a stop without taking it off.
Because it curves away from your face, a bubble shield leaves room for glasses. If you wear them, see helmets for riders who wear glasses.
Keep in mind that a 3/4 helmet with a bubble shield still doesn't have a chin bar. The shield protects your eyes and face from the wind, not in a crash. For the differences, see half vs 3/4 vs full face helmets.
Flip-up shields for vintage full face helmets
A retro full face helmet, like the 70s-style GDM REBEL, has a wide eye port and a chin bar, but no shield. A 3-snap flip-up shield covers the eye port: snap it on, flip it down to ride, and flip it up at stops. It keeps the vintage look while giving you the protection of a closed helmet on the highway.
Sun visors
A 3-snap sun visor is a short peak that sits above the eye port, like the brim of a cap. It shades your eyes from the sun overhead and gives the helmet a classic look, but it doesn't block wind or bugs. Pair it with goggles or sunglasses.
Goggles
Goggles are the old-school choice for a vintage full face or open face helmet. They seal around your eyes, so they block the wind well. Choose a pair that fits inside the eye port, and keep a clear pair for night.
Which color?
- Clear: night, dusk and rain. If you ride after dark, you need a clear shield.
- Tinted or light smoke: sunny days.
- Chrome or gold: bright sun, with a mirrored look.
Never ride with a tinted or mirrored shield at night. More in which visor color to use when.
Eye protection and the law
Many states require motorcycle riders to wear eye protection, such as a face shield, goggles or glasses, and some make an exception if the bike has a windscreen. Check your state's rules. Even where it isn't required, a bug or a stone in the eye at speed is dangerous.
Caring for your shield
Clean shields with mild soap, warm water and a soft microfiber cloth. Skip glass cleaners with ammonia, paper towels and anything gritty, which scratch and haze the plastic. Store the shield in a soft bag when it's off the helmet. Once it's scratched enough to blur your view, especially at night, replace it. Our guide to cleaning a motorcycle helmet covers shields too.
GDM shields and visors for open face and retro helmets
- GDM 3-Snap Bubble Shield: a flip-up bubble shield made of optically correct, injection-molded polycarbonate. It fits the GDM RENEGADE 3/4 helmet. You can also add a clear, tinted or chrome bubble shield when you order a RENEGADE or RENEGADE Bluetooth.
- GDM REBEL 3-Snap Flip-up Shield: made for the GDM REBEL and REBEL Bluetooth, in clear, light smoke or gold. It fits every REBEL size.
- GDM Vintage Helmet Sun Visor: a black 3-snap peak for the REBEL and other 3-snap vintage helmets.
See all open face motorcycle helmets, our retro and vintage motorcycle helmets, or every replacement visor and face shield. New to vintage helmets? Start with our retro and vintage helmet guide.
FAQ
What is a bubble shield?
A domed face shield that snaps onto an open face or vintage helmet and curves out in front of your face. It blocks wind, bugs and rain, and most flip up.
Will a bubble shield fit my helmet?
Only if your helmet has the matching 3-snap layout above the eye port. Shields made for a specific helmet, like the GDM bubble shield for the RENEGADE, line up best.
Can I add a visor to an open face helmet?
Yes. If your open face helmet has 3 snaps, you can add a bubble shield for wind protection or a sun visor for shade.
Can I wear a sun visor and goggles together?
Yes. The visor shades your eyes from above, and the goggles block the wind. It's a classic vintage setup.
Can I ride at night with a tinted bubble shield?
No. Tinted, smoke, chrome and gold shields cut too much light after dark. Switch to a clear shield or clear goggles.
