Hi-Vis - interesting article on preferences

[rjamesohio]

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/why-motorcyclists-wont-wear-high-visibility-gear?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=boosted-posts%7Ctpfn-content&utm_content=common-tread-opinion&utm_term=why-motorcyclists-wont-wear-high-visibility-gear-102219-%7Ctpfn

Interesting article confirming what I suspected ; most motorcyclists are sadly more concerned about how they look than adding another layer of safety.

Since my accident - I like my motorcycles to have added LED lighting and when my black Summer mesh finally wears out itll be replaced by a hi /vis mesh.

But it appears thats the  minority view...

[Kiwi Dave]

You could be wearing a bright clowns suit with flashing lights and bright streamers, and the cage drivers still wouldn't see you.

I don't think they want to see you.   

[cliffrod]

Even with our heavily HD-populated Antique Bikes on Main rally, we found when we started offering hi-vis color shirts that they now typically sell out faster than the other color schemes.  The first time we offered the hi-vis yellow and safety orange colors a few years ago, we worried they would never sell.  They were gone almost immediately. 

Not everyone likes or wears them, but enough do that there are always hi-vis shirts available now.

[cookiemech]

I have the advantage of knowing that I'm not cool, and have never been. So I wear Hi-Viz, and I'm the weirdo who (among my other bikes) rides Harleys with stock mufflers. Hi-Viz is not magic, and relying on it to save your butt is foolish, but it's part of your arsenal.

I don't have a gremlin bell, either . . .

[rjamesohio]

Nope nothing is guaranteed to save us. It’s merely a process of increasing our odds.

I heard that the BMW school encourages riders to ride with their brights on in the day.

Having had a significant accident I’ll do everything I can until I can’t ride anymore. I’m enjoying being back on the road but definitely have a new approach post accident.

[kirby1923]

You could be wearing a bright clowns suit with flashing lights and bright streamers, and the cage drivers still wouldn't see you.

I don't think they want to see you.   

IMHO
Most if not all non riders driving autos are not looking for motorbikes, they are looking for things that are as big or bigger than themselves, things that can do them in and motos are not likely to be on that list.

Doesn't matter what your wearing as far as Hi Vis. A white helmet is probably more conspicuous and noticed more as it can be a policeman.

Its risky, riding a moto as we all know. I have decided long ago that the best thing I can do is be vigilant and wear good moto gear w/pads, abrasion resistant apparel w/armor, and a good quality helmet.(almost always).

:-)

[Sheepdog]

I've been using Hi-Viz for years...I rode with a blaze orange backpack as a kid. Nowadays, I like my yellow drybag and the red or yellow accents on my textile jackets, but the reflective and auxiliary lighting options help, too.   

Gosh...I guess I am getting a bit long of tooth.

[SED]

Out riding the old Ariel and pulled over by a motor officer who told me that he'd recently returned to work after having been rear-ended with his blues flashing!  I couldn't believe it!  Search image is everything. 

He still wrote me a ticket.   

Next helmet will probably be white.  Moon eyes or some similar graphics probably help.  This image from a German helmet supplier.




https://www.24helmets.de/en/mooneyes-sticker-moon-eyes

[larrys]

Out riding the old Ariel and pulled over by a motor officer who told me that he'd recently returned to work after having been rear-ended with his blues flashing!  I couldn't believe it!  Search image is everything. 

He still wrote me a ticket.   

Next helmet will probably be white.  Moon eyes or some similar graphics probably help.  This image from a German helmet supplier.




https://www.24helmets.de/en/mooneyes-sticker-moon-eyes

I have to ask. What possible illegal thing could you have been doing on an old Ariel? Cops in your area don’t have any real crime to fight?
Larry

[Scud]

Thanks for the read. My personal input / reaction:

I prefer leather for street riding and I carry a high-vis chest strap that I wear at night. My helmet is mostly white with a splash of high-vis yellow and some reflectors.

I just put a 2 inch strip of black reflective tape around all three cases on my Stelvio. It's hard to see during the day - but it pops brilliant white at night.

The article cites some study that "the presumption" is that high-vis gear helps. Does anyone know of any actual evidence for the effectiveness of hi-vis gear? Personally, I don't think it helps during clear days. But my rain gear is 100% hi-vis yellow. I'm open to seeing the evidence.

I also ride with the high beam during the day.

[GonzoB]

Not related to motorcycles, but I discovered that hi-viz clothing actually makes you invisible.

How? Well here in Oz all tradespeople wear hi-viz shirts. In one job I was regularly wearing hi-viz and had to travel in lifts (sorry, elevators) a lot in hi-rise office blocks. All the other people in the lift (usually in suits) would ignore me. It's like I wasn't there. No eye-contact, no "g'day", nothing. I was obviously a tradesperson and therefore invisible.

Gonzo

[SED]

I have to ask. What possible illegal thing could you have been doing on an old Ariel? Cops in your area don’t have any real crime to fight?
Larry

Typical Snohomish county speed trap.  Rural road, mostly trees, posted 45-50.  No real change in the road except a couple of residences ahead but the limit had dropped to 35.  He was off the sight line in a gravel logging(?) road with a chain across.  53mph.  Stopped just past him but he threw the book anyway.  Called it a tax.

This was way more fun.   

   

[wirespokes]

My brother would ride with high beam and it irritated the hell out of me. It was blinding in the rear view, and blinding coming at you. If a headlight is so bright it's hard to look at, it's hard to judge speed.

I think it's just plain rude using high beams around other drivers.

There's no substitute for commanding the space around you and demanding others see you. It's something of a spiritual thing - sort of like using THE FORCE.

[Roebling3]

I'm with wirespokes. It's gotten much worse with modern lighting, much of it poorly installed or purposely aimed to boast their brilliance. All those riding about on matte black bikes with glaring headlights are a rolling oxymoron. They don't see the glare from others?  R3~

[Kiwi_Roy]

This was way more fun.   

   

Is that the 37 0r the 49 red Hunter, Im guessing the 1937 by the girder forks
My first real bike was a 600 single side valve VB Ariel, I think 1949 with telescopic forks.
I had another old 600 with one piece head and barrel, brass plugs to get the valves out.

[bigbikerrick]

Typical Snohomish county speed trap.  Rural road, mostly trees, posted 45-50.  No real change in the road except a couple of residences ahead but the limit had dropped to 35.  He was off the sight line in a gravel logging(?) road with a chain across.  53mph.  Stopped just past him but he threw the book anyway.  Called it a tax.

This was way more fun.   

   

What a Dick,that cop was for "throwing the book " at you SED! He should have given you a break just for riding such a cool old bike!   
I sure would have ,were I the cop....I guess thats why I am not a cop!
Rick.

[larrys]

Typical Snohomish county speed trap.  Rural road, mostly trees, posted 45-50.  No real change in the road except a couple of residences ahead but the limit had dropped to 35.  He was off the sight line in a gravel logging(?) road with a chain across.  53mph.  Stopped just past him but he threw the book anyway.  Called it a tax.

This was way more fun.   

   

Sorry for the thread drift. I wear hi-vis at at the construction sites that I visit every day. On the bike, black leather. Just old school, I guess.
Larry

[Blaufeld66]

Here in Italy, the problem is not that they don't see you, but that they don't CARE about you...

[jas67]

Here in Italy, the problem is not that they don't see you, but that they don't CARE about you...

That is true here in the US too.     Too many people care more about texting their friends than the lives of the strangers around them.
Maybe when someone they care about if maimed or killed, then they'll change their priorities.   

I do what I can to be seen, but, assume that I'm not, and ride accordingly.

[Lannis]

There's no substitute for commanding the space around you and demanding others see you.

People smash their cars into school buses with their lights flashing.

They crash at full speed into fire trucks with all lights on and sirens going.

They hit semi rigs with clearance lights all around.

You can "demand" all you want and the average driver's attitude is "I've got something else to do.   Don't you realize how IMPORTANT my time is compared to your or anyone else's life?   Learn how to multitask."    They're not going to pay attention to any demand you may think you're making.

Be that as it may, I've started going bright - We have bright yellow helmets, Fay has a HiViz harness on her Rukka, I have a HiViz Aerostich.    We did that, and got away from the traditional stylish black leather, because I noticed that I could see motorcyclists half a mile away when they're wearing that sort of gear.   But given the  brain-dead nature of your average 21st century driver, the improvement in safety is likely only marginal.   

Doesn't matter what you're wearing or how many lights are flashing if the opposing driver is staring down at their smart phone ...

Lannis

[Lannis]

Maybe when someone they care about if maimed or killed, then they'll change their priorities.   

Never happen.   The annual butcher's bill from smart phone abuse on the highways today is estimated at about 8,000 per year.   That's more Americans in the past 10 years than died in Vietnam.   

The addiction is too strong, like opiods.   They just don't care.

Lannis

[jas67]

The distracted driving problem is going to force us all into autonomous-only vehicles.

[Two Checks]

Not only are highbeams annoying but with approaching traffic they are illegal at least in MO.


I think a lot of drivers have the attitude they own the road and you should stay out of their way. My son says he can be laying on the air horn, have all lights flashing and have the siren screaming and drivers don't move. Some even tell him he's #1.

[oldbike54]

 Probably the most effective way to be more visible is to increase your profile . Depth perception in humans works better when the eyes pick up larger objects . Hi viz is helpful in some situations , but making your profile wider is likely a better ploy .

 Dusty

[wirespokes]

It's true, Lannis. no matter how visible you are, you're still at risk. There's no substitute for being aware and ready to handle whatever comes up.

We're living in interesting times (and old Chinese curse) when 80% of the drivers out there are on drugs or medication, and the rest are texting or talking on the phone. Never assume they'll do the right thing.

[Motormike]

Unfortunately, getting and keeping a drivers license in the states is far to easy.  That goes for M/C as well.  When my father was in his early 80's he was stricken with Parkinson's disease.  He could barely walk unaided, yet he was able to renew his drivers license with just a vision exam.  When I told him he was in no condition to be behind the wheel and would kill someone, he said, "I've got lots of insurance!"   

[Lannis]

Unfortunately, getting and keeping a drivers license in the states is far to easy.  That goes for M/C as well.  When my father was in his early 80's he was stricken with Parkinson's disease.  He could barely walk unaided, yet he was able to renew his drivers license with just a vision exam.  When I told him he was in no condition to be behind the wheel and would kill someone, he said, "I've got lots of insurance!"

Even at my age, I already know that my sense of manhood and self-respect is NOT tied to my ability to drive a car.  I've watched very many people do it right - ritually hand over the keys even before others sense that their driving abilities are getting dangerous, and they are my role models - my two grandmothers, my two grandfathers, my mother-in-law.   

Others have driven (my mother, my uncle) until there had to be an intervention, and they felt that their life was over if they couldn't drive themselves any more.   I suppose that an aging brain whose filters are gone results in this warped sense of priorities ("Who cares if I kill someone - I have to drive!"), but I've already put down in writing what my sons are to do if I get that way due to my brain shutting down and me not being the same person I am now ...

Lannis

[rocker59]

I've been wearing white helmets and yellow hi-viz for years.

I think the white helmet is the most help.  They really stand out in traffic.

The yellow hi-viz also seems to be good.  With all the police/fire/contruction workers wearing it, I think the color registers with drivers.

Even with the white helmet and hi-viz, I still get the occasional driver pulling out in front of me.  Still need to ride vigilant.

[SED]

Is that the 37 0r the 49 red Hunter, Im guessing the 1937 by the girder forks
My first real bike was a 600 single side valve VB Ariel, I think 1949 with telescopic forks.
I had another old 600 with one piece head and barrel, brass plugs to get the valves out.

Cool bikes Roy!  Thanks Larry.  1947 with girders put on by the previous owner.  It is a fun bike and the one I'll always keep.  Sorry for the thread drift.

My next helmet will probably be white and I may start wearing the hi-vis vest.   A friend did the entire hi-vis neon helmet, suit and accents on the bike.  We were riding down a river road and you could see him well ahead (1/2 mile?) across a meander bend. He was riding in a group and the only one you would notice or could pick out on a clear sunny day.

[Moparnut72]

"Not only are highbeams annoying but with approaching traffic they are illegal at least in MO."

I had to renew my license last spring. Never know what Cali is going to do and since I had to take a written test due to my advanced age I figured I better get the study materials. There used to be all kinds of screwy questions and dubious answers in the study guides so I wanted to be able to provide the answers they wanted and not necessarily the correct ones.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the MC study guide is quite good with lots of excellent advice. One thing that surprised me was that California actually recommends riding with your high beams during daylight hours. I agree with this especially now that most new headlights are so well focused that they are actually hard to see when they are on low beam. I now ride with my high beam on. I would rather be in one piece and obnoxious rather than the alternative. However I don't when riding with other bikers. I would check your state laws before doing it.