Shark Helmets have released an innovative instant photochromatic IRID® Visor that can change from tint to light in less than a second.
Photochromatic visors aren’t exactly new, but they can be quite slow to transition, taking up to 40 seconds to change (not much use if you’re riding into darkness or bright sunshine). This one is much more user-friendly, but it comes at a price.
Which helmets?
Shark and IRID® have formed a partnership and have developed the IRID® visor, which is exclusively compatible with the Shark Race R Pro, Shark Aeron GP and Shark Aeron helmets. The photochromatic technology has been developed for daytime motorcycle use.
How does it work?
The system has four main components:
- The visor
- A liquid crystal film
- Base lens mirroring treatment
- A solar panel
The small solar panel mounted on the visor powers the unit, so no batteries are required. It takes less than one second from light hitting the solar panel for the energy to reach the liquid crystal film and change the opacity of the visor.
This super-quick transition, built-in anti-fog layer and 100% waterproof visor mean your daytime vision should never be compromised.
Three striking colours
There are three different visor finishes to choose from:
- VZ Clear – Minimal tint for daytime road use
- VZ Dark – A more intense dark visor for track use
- VZ Iridium Blue – Again for track use, but with an iridium finish
Price and availability
Prices for these start at a whopping £339.99, plus the cost of the helmet (unless you already own one of the compatible models). This may well put IRID® out of the reach of most road riders, but the price of tech usually comes down once it becomes more mainstream.
You can find out more about these and the full range of Shark helmets at nevis.uk.com
Smart Helmets
2026 seems like the year Smart Helmet technology will become very popular among manufacturers. We covered much of the new tech after EICMA back in November. You can read about it here.
