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Riding a Motorcycle with Prescription Glasses or Goggles

Riding a Motorcycle with Prescription Glasses or Goggles

Riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience, but it also requires taking proper safety measures. One of the most important safety measures is choosing the appropriate eyewear. This article will discuss different aspects of riding a motorcycle with prescription glasses or goggles.

1. Prescription Glasses for Motorcycle Riding

Prescription glasses for motorcycle riding must offer the best possible vision and protection.


Factors to consider when picking prescription glasses include the following:

  • Lens Coating: To reduce the glare of the sun and other light sources, consider wearing glasses with anti-reflective and anti-glare coatings. These coatings will also improve visibility in low light.
  • Lens Material: Glass lenses are heavier than plastic lenses, but they provide better clarity. Plastic lenses, on the other hand, are lighter and more robust, making them suitable for riders who require impact-resistant glasses.
  • Prescription Accuracy: To avoid visual distortions, ensure your prescription is up to date and your glasses properly fit.
  • Frame Design: Look for wrap-around glasses to improve peripheral vision and protect your eyes from wind and debris.

2. Goggles for Motorcycle Riding

If you prefer to ride with goggles, there are several factors to consider when selecting the best ones for you:

  • Lens Tint: Take into account the brightness at different times of the day and select the goggles with the right tint. Clear lenses work best in low light, while dark lenses work best in bright light.
  • Lens Material: Goggle lenses are lightweight and impact-resistant, with polycarbonate lenses being the most popular choice.
  • Strap Design: Look for goggles with sturdy, adjustable straps to keep them secure around your head when riding.
  • Foam Padding: Goggles with foam padding around the frame are more comfortable to wear and keep wind and debris out of your eyes.

3. Importance of Vision When Riding a Motorcycle

Vision is one of the most crucial senses during motorcycle riding. Excellent eyesight is required to ride safely, spot possible threats, and respond swiftly to changes in the road. Impaired vision when riding a motorbike can endanger you and other drivers, so it's critical to take precautions to ensure your vision is ideal before getting on a motorcycle.


When riding a motorbike, having a good vision will ensure the rider has full awareness of the condition of the road, other vehicles, and your surroundings. Riders will also be able to better evaluate the condition of the road surface, traffic signs and signals, and possible road hazards.


Riding a motorbike requires being able to properly assess distance and speed. This skill is essential when overtaking other vehicles, turning, or navigating intersections. Poor eyesight can make judging distance and speed difficult, increasing the risk of crashes.


Having good vision also helps you maintain concentration over long periods. Riding a motorbike requires your full attention as any distractions might ruin your concentration and increase the risk of getting into an accident. For example, glare from the sun or other light sources can cause momentary blindness or reduce your field of vision. Wearing the right eye protection, such as prescription glasses or goggles, can help improve visibility.

4. Choosing Prescription Glasses or Goggles for Motorcycle Riding

Choosing the proper prescription glasses or goggles for motorcycle riding is critical for maintaining a clear field of vision and protecting your eyes from wind, dust, and debris.


These are some factors to consider before choosing prescription glasses or goggles:

  • Lens Material: One of the most significant elements to consider when selecting prescription glasses or goggles for motorcycle riding is the lens material. Although glass lenses provide excellent clarity, they are hefty and can easily shatter. Glass lenses are heavier, more robust, and more impact-resistant.
  • Lens Coatings: Anti-reflective coatings minimize glare from the sun or other light sources, while anti-scratch coatings protect lenses from becoming scratched.
  • Frame Design: For motorcycle riding, prescription glasses or goggles with a wrap-around frame are the best options. A wrap-around design with foam cushioning improves peripheral vision while also protecting the eyes from wind and debris.
  • Lens Tint: While selecting prescription glasses or goggles for motorcycle riding, the tint of the lens is also an important thing to consider. Clear lenses work best in low light, while darker lenses work best in strong sunlight. In fog, yellow or amber-colored lenses can improve contrast and visibility.
  • Prescription Accuracy: Verify that your prescription is up to date and your glasses or goggles fit properly. An out-of-date prescription might cause visual distortion, which can make it difficult to see the road ahead.
  • Strap Fit: Make sure your prescription glasses or goggles have a sturdy strap and fit tightly around your head.

5. Tips for Wearing Prescription Glasses or Goggles While Riding a Motorcycle

While riding a motorbike, wearing prescription glasses or goggles can increase your eyesight and protect your eyes from wind, dust, and debris.


Here are tips for wearing prescription glasses or goggles while riding a motorbike:

  • Before riding, make sure your glasses or goggles are clean. Any dirt, smudges, or particles on the lens might blur your vision.
  • Use wrap-around-frame glasses or goggles to improve peripheral vision and protect your eyes against wind and debris.
  • Choose lenses with anti-glare coatings to reduce glare from the sun or other light sources.
  • Make sure your glasses or goggles fit correctly and are securely fastened to keep them from sliding.

6. Make Sure Your Glasses or Goggles Meet Safety Standards

Verify that your prescription glasses or goggles meet safety guidelines. Make sure to check the following:

  • Examine for Safety Certification: Safety glasses or goggles will bear a certification mark, such as the ANSI Z87.1 mark in the United States, indicating that they fulfill specific safety regulations.
  • Examine for Impact Resistance: Safety glasses or goggles should be impact-resistant, and able to withstand being struck without breaking.
  • Check for UV Protection: Outdoor glasses or goggles should have lenses that protect your eyes against UV radiation.
  • Check Lens Color: Different lens colors are suited for different levels of brightness, such as yellow or amber for low light or gray for strong sunlight.
  • Look for Anti-Fog or Anti-Scratch Coatings: Glasses or goggles with extra coatings to prevent the lenses from fogging or getting scratched can improve safety and comfort.
  • Assure Correct Fit: To keep them from shifting around your head, glasses or goggles must fit properly.
  • Follow the Manufacturer's Instructions: While storing and using safety glasses or goggles, always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

7. Tips for Wearing Glasses & Goggles Under a Motorcycle Helmet

7.1 Prescription Glasses

Make sure to get a helmet with enough room to fit eyewear. Pick helmets with grooves and cutouts that accommodate the shape of prescription glasses.


Motorcycle-friendly prescription glasses have straight and thin temples, avoid glasses with temple tips that bend next to your ears, and included padded rims for better comfort.

7.2 Goggles

Well-made motorcycle goggles will protect your eyes from winds, debris, insects, etc. Below are tips to remember how to wear goggles comfortably under a helmet.

  • Purchase Goggles with Adjustable Straps: Experts recommend buying goggles with adjustable leather or fabric straps. It offers better comfort and allows you to adjust the tightness if necessary. 
  • Pair the Goggles with the Right Helmet Model: Though many types of helmets can fit goggles, open-faced helmets are the best options. These helmets help protect you from head injuries while still exposing parts of your face, with your eyes being covered by safety goggles.

8. Last Words

Wearing the right eyewear while riding a motorcycle will ensure your safety on the road. Whether you prefer prescription glasses or goggles, choose the pairs that offer the best protection and field of vision. Remember the tips and factors discussed in this article when buying and wearing prescription glasses or goggles. If you want to improve your motorcycle’s look, you can install saddlebags, tank bags, sissy bar bags, sissy bars, fairings, crash bars, luggage racks, and handlebars.

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