- This topic has 16 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 10 months ago by ShannonG.
visibility
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June 30, 2008 at 7:41 am #1633nau_lax21Participant
So I completed the MSF course today and will be taking my M1 license test this week. Ive decided that Im going to be getting an 08 ninja 250r. Ideally, I could have a black bike, and wear all black gear. Personally, Im a huge fan of the “murdered out” car look, and I would love to ride in all black on a black bike. However I realize that riding a black bike in all black is a TERRIBLE idea, and nothing short of a death wish when it comes to night riding.
I want to be visible, but I cant see myself rolling on a lime green bike with a neon yellow jacket and a helmet so reflective you might as well put a solar panel on it to power the bike.
The two options Im looking into now are a blue bike with blue gear, and a black bike with white gear.
What do you guys think about these color options in regards to visibility? And any other color scheme ideas that dont scream rice rocket?
Thanks
June 30, 2008 at 2:09 pm #8085linuxpimp20Participantwhy not go with the black gear but on the jacket maybe put a strip of reflective tape across the back and down the sleeves and maybe if you get riding pants down the side of those? My jacket is black but I have a white helmet. A plus of that is the plain helmets are cheaper then the onces with the graphics on them.
June 30, 2008 at 2:39 pm #8088MattParticipantBlack textile is pretty safe at night. Or at least, Joe Rocket is. They have reflective stripping in the black trim! Pretty awesome, it looks black during the day, but it shines white in headlights (or a camera’s flash). Not sure which other brands also do this. I think all the high end ones do.
The downside, black is still a lousy idea during the day. All black is worse: The human perception notices changes more than things or shapes.
So, the best way to get someone’s attention is to “change”. At night, you can do this to oncoming traffic by wiggling the front end just enough to have your light beam move from side to side (works as well as flashing your high beams without blinding the guy or making him think you’re telling him to go ahead and turn left across your path).
When you wear clothing with different colours (say, red jacket with black trim and white helmet), as you move about different areas are thrown into contrast and you are more visible. If you, your bike, and your helmet are all black, than the only thing that you have going for you is your silhouette and any reflections.There are some very slick looking jackets (imo) that have black arms but a white torso (or black body, large white stripe in arms). When kept clean these high contrast jackets can look really cool while, be visible, and avoid the fluorescent yellow look.
June 30, 2008 at 2:54 pm #8087megaspazParticipantMost quality makers of gear have reflective logos and such on the back/sleeves/collars/tails of their jackets. While I personally go with all black for gear, I suppose any little that makes you think you’re more visible to cagers helps. Personally, either a driver’s going to see you or they aren’t. I think with the myriad of distractions afforded drivers with cell phones, blue tooth, changing cds, changing radio stations, picking up stuff the kids drop, drinking, eating, fuming over work, bills, daycare, etc. colorful gear really doesn’t help much… unless it might be used for picking up <insert preferred gender here>… You’re much better off, looking at your mirrors behind you or turning your head to look behind you at stops and leaving yourself escape plan(s). Lane splitting at stops is a good way to make sure you don’t get rear ended. On the road, do all the S.E.E. stuff they showed you at the MSF and leave your self open space on all sides. If someone’s moving up fast behind you, move to an open space. The list goes on… Anyway, just my opinion.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…June 30, 2008 at 4:35 pm #8095AaronMerlotParticipantBoth my Shift and Teknic jackets have reflective stripes and my Icon boots are reflective on the heels. I do drive around 24-7 with my high beam on. I figure what better way to get attention than to annoy some drivers. But I think the best way to stay safe is build good riding skills. You really need to find some experienced people to ride with they tend to have the most practical advice. And if you are still concerned try Icon Mesh Mil Spec Vest, Scorpion Vision Vest, or Alpinestars Stealth Vest (why call it “stealth” when the point is to be seen?) Wear it when you want and under your jacket or tucked some place when you don’t.
June 30, 2008 at 5:58 pm #8099BenParticipantYou could go all black and then get something like this for night riding:
Just slips on right over your jacket, and it looks pretty badass in my opinion. Although I have to say I am a big fan of white gear, I really want to get a white leather jacket bad!
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles AdminJune 30, 2008 at 6:13 pm #8102JirikiParticipantI am kinda thinking of going over the top for visibility, because I find myself riding a lot at night and i’ve had a lot of cars not notice that I exist (with a blue bike & white/blue gear, with a Halo on my helmet)…
I was going to add 3M reflective tape to the side of my bike in pretty big sheets. It looks grey/white int he day and blinding white at night.. this is the same material as speed limit signs. I’ve seen a couple bikes done up like this, and they look great. It would also be nice to have a slightly different bike than all those 250s that are showing up
If I really have a lot of time and am still having to avoid blind drivers, I was thinking of putting some EL strips onto my jacket… basically this is the same stuff that Daft Punk use and you’d be riding around looking like you’re from Tron.
June 30, 2008 at 7:55 pm #8110BenParticipantWhere can you get the 3m stuff in big sheets? I think thats a great idea
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles AdminJune 30, 2008 at 10:59 pm #8119megaspazParticipantLoud cans work the best…
Srsly, I’ve had no issues riding at night. *shrugs*
I guess it’d be good to point out that using horn is a good thing ™ as well. I’ve used it plenty of times for them homes that are on the side of the street and people backing out of their driveways into the street. Don’t be afraid to use it. If people aren’t paying attention, zoning out, sound works the best to get their attention.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…June 30, 2008 at 11:00 pm #8120megaspazParticipantI wanna say, any hardware supply store? like orchard mebbe… if not there you could probably find it online…
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…July 1, 2008 at 12:30 am #8125nau_lax21Participantthanks everyone! im really liking the idea of that mil-spec vest to go over the jacket for night riding.. and maybe all black gear except go for a white helmet with some reflectiveness
July 1, 2008 at 12:44 am #8127nau_lax21Participantacutally, now that i think about it a little. if people see black gear and white helmet, im betting that a good number of people who glance in their mirror are gonna think youre a cop. of course cops dont ride street bikes and their bikes arent black either. but at least when i see anything black and white in the mirror i check my speed and keep an eye on them. of course when i get close people will realize i am definitely not a police officer, but im thinking that people might pay a little more attention to a rider in black and white.
what do you guys think?
July 1, 2008 at 2:29 pm #8152MattParticipantA note on the highbeams:
Have you ever owned/driven a low car, like a mazda 323 or older civic?
It puts you right at eye level with headlights on trucks and motorcycles. I can say from experience that even in day time a highbeam aimed at your face is far more than an annoyance. It is painful if they are right behind me, and I can’t look at them (or what is behind them) when on coming. At my experienced riders course they expressly stated not to run highbeams for exactly that reason.Similarly, if you ever come up to Canada, you’ll be ticketed since running highbeams during the day is illegal (in Ontario at least).
As you said, best way to stay safe is to build good riding skills, relying on obnoxiously bright and potentially dangerous headlights, not my idea of a good riding skill.
My 2 cents (for what they are worth… I’ve recently noticed 2 cents doesn’t buy very much)
July 1, 2008 at 3:54 pm #8155AaronMerlotParticipantI totally get where you are coming from. One thing I really hate about my bike is the fact that the low beam in nearly worthless. I am trying to find some way to correct it.
July 1, 2008 at 5:39 pm #8156JirikiParticipantyou can get 2″ strips all over the place (just search online)… if you want to do panels (like I do), then your best bet is to get some from ebay… this works especially well if it is a group buy.. hint hint
anyways, this was pretty much my inspiration:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239228scroll to bottom to see pics at night
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