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Q-Tech Race Goggles Review

Review Date October 2015

By Ren Withnell

Along with the helmet I reviewed (Q-Tech 901 Motorcross Helmet Review) came a pair of Qtech RACE Tear-Off Motocross Goggles. After a lifetime of wearing typical road helmets fitted with integrated visors I was rather curious how riding a motorcycle with goggles might feel. The first thing to note is that motocross goggles probably won't fit with ordinary motorcycle road helmets with visors, the aperture just ain't wide enough. You'll need a motocross helmet and before you buy it's worth checking that the goggles will fit within your motocross helmet too. 
 
Putting the helmet and goggles on the very first thing I notice is a slight narrowing of my field of vision. This is a little disorientating but doesn't seem to impair my view, I just have a red border around my peripheral vision. The elasticated strap is very tight and fitted with a rubbery substance on the inside to stop the material sliding off the back of the helmet. So here I am, ready to ride out on the roads.

Ren with his helmet and Q-Tech goggles on
Well I look like a motocross...but I surely am not a motocrosser...

Hang on...can I ride on the public roads with goggles? According to the UK government's own website (https://www.gov.uk/motorcycle-helmet-law) the goggles must be BSI Kite marked or have a European equivalent marking. Now be assured I am NOT an expert but these goggles are "CE" marked and a cursory internet search suggests this makes them acceptable. So I am legal...I think. Wouldn't it be nice if these things were much easier for us ordinary folks to understand?

The
Hopefully this little "CE" symbol suggests the goggles have been tested and legal.

Normally when I stop at traffic lights I flip my visor up to get some fresh air. The fresh air is not a problem with goggles as my nose and mouth are never covered but I can't help but want to remove the goggles anyway. I could but it's a big old faff and there would be another faff to put them back in place before riding off. It's not a problem with the goggles, it's overcoming years and years of habit.

Around the edge of the goggles is a mixture of soft rubbery plastic and foam. The purpose of the foam is 2-fold. Firstly it shapes to my face to create a seal but also allows the goggles to breathe. Motocross is a physical sport and you don't want sweaty eyes and the air movement reduces fogging. This is a good thing while fighting around a dirt track but we lazy sit-in-the-saddle road riders will find this quite breezy. On one cool October morning with the draughty helmet and aerated goggles I quickly came to the conclusion frost bite would be an issue in January. But these are not road goggles...

The sponge or foam around the goggles
The foam allows for comfort and air flow. Comfortable, if a little breezy.

To wear the goggles is perfectly comfortable. Apart from the culture shock of the new sensations on my face and change in vision I feel happy. I was worried about the rain, when a typical visor gets wet you can quickly flip it out of the way if needs be, what do you do with goggles? So far it seem the close proximity of the clear plastic to my eyes puts the rain out of focus. I'll need more varied wet weather riding to solidify my views on this. After a long 2 hour ride the foam did start to itch and ache on my face but then most things start to ache after that length of time.

As far as I can tell the Q-Tech goggles are OK. I have nothing to compare them with so it's hard to make useful observations. I'm going to keep on using the helmet and goggle combination over the next few months and I'll report back on this in the future. Now..does anyone want me to test ride a motocross motorcycle? It will be the slowest, daintiest and least thrilling ride review you will ever read. You can find the Q-Tech goggles at Quads Inn's website (http://www.quadsinn.co.uk/goggles/adults-goggles/qtech-race-tear-off-motocross-goggles.aspx) for what I think is a reasonable £14.95

Reader's Comments

Ian Soady said :-
As a traditionalist (aka stick-in-the-mud) I stayed with Davida helmets and Mark VIII type goggles for many years but they were a nightmare in the wet when the elastic stretched, rain got inside, and they misted up terribly - not helped by the fact I wear glasses and they misted up as well. Vision is not too good when you're looking through 4 layers of mist & water droplets plus trying to keep the things from dropping round your neck.

About 10 years ago I finally saw the light (albeit dimly) and went to an open face Nitro helmet and visor which are much better. I still can't get on with full face helmets however as they make me feel terribly claustrophobic.

I also have a belief that if other road users can see your face they may be better disposed towards you and not see you as some sort of robotic aggressive creature.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hey Ian. Davida helmets and Mark VIII goggles! You're very retro. Now I can't imagine NOT wearing a full face helmet, I'd feel naked and vulnerable. Hopefully below I'll show the full face lid I was wearing when I crashed, I don't think I'd have a face today if it hadn't been for the full facer.

I can see where you're coming from though regarding other road users being able to see you. Your face makes you a person and therefore more real. Behind a tinted mirror visor you are indeed just a machine. I would be curious to see how peoples attitudes vary with an open facer.

Curious, never thought of it that way.

Crash damaged helmet
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC

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