Lumivest for commuters. Anyone using one?

[tracyprier]

Hi all :)

As someone who commutes year-round being seen (especially in winter) is something I like to pay attention to.

Is anyone using one of these and if so how do you find it? They look to emit MUCH more light than the glow vests that just use a few LED's.

http://www.exelitesafety.com/recreational.html?product=lumivest



cheers
Tracy

[Hiflyer]

Sorry but call me a poser, I wouldn't ever wear one of those.

[tracyprier]

thank you for that... now can I hear from anyone who does have one of these.

cheers
Tracy

[R-Soul]

Sorry but call me a poser, I wouldn't ever wear one of those.

Poser....

Seriously - as far as commuting goes, more is better. I dont know if I would have the patience to charge them up regularly (I dont even charge my phone regularly enough)

[tracyprier]

yes indeed... what he said :)

middle of winter, morning, dark, wet, southern motorway full of oh-so-attentive car drivers (doing all manner of things EXCEPT concentrating on driving)...

man I wanna be lit up like a Christmas tree!

Tracy


Poser....

Seriously - as far as commuting goes, more is better. I dont know if I would have the patience to charge them up regularly (I dont even charge my phone regularly enough)

[Hiflyer]

thank you for that... now can I hear from anyone who does have one of these.

cheers
Tracy

Sorry for voicing my opinion on a public forum.

[tracyprier]

You are totally allowed to voice your opinion on a public forum...

just as I am totally allowed to say, thanks for the opinion but the question was "does anyone have one of these and if so is it any good", not "what are the fashion implications of wearing one of these and does it make my bike look big?"

Tracy


Sorry for voicing my opinion on a public forum.

[Ixion]

I don't have one. But I'd be real interested also in hearing from anyone who does - as in does it work, how often do you have to charge it, how does it cope with road splodge, is it water proof etc.Oh, and where can you buy them

[chasio]

The reviewers of the pack covers made by the same people sold by Torpedo7 here (http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/ELVZPW8LP/title/exelite-lumipac-high-vis-pack-cover) seem to like them. I have seen them in use and they do catch the eye very well.

I have actually given consideration to buying some 12v exterior LED christmas lights and wiring them up on the bike for a giggle. It would make me smile if I saw it.

Mind you, I'd probably still get taken out by some idiot sending a text message...

Cheers - Chasio

[mikemike104]

Their website tells you where you can buy them and I think they look frekin awesome, bet they are not cheap tho, I'd wear one as iv been pondering getting a vest riding all the way through Hamilton and back morning and night...

[tracyprier]

These guys are doing them with $25 off.

http://www.burkescycles.co.nz/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BCO&Product_Code=lumivest&Category_Code=g562

Might just suss out sizing (so it fits over my Revit jacket but doesn't flap around) and see how it goes.

[Hitcher]

Another "safety" vest for that-way-inclined bikers to wear backpacks over. The sort of vests that kindy mums in Porsche Cayennes would find it hard not to swerve to obliterate, bless them.

[tracyprier]

Certainly not much point in having one then wearing a baclpack... which I personally don't do on a motorcycle.

For me it comes down to due diligence and leaving the rest in God's hands :)

As for cost, well you are looking at $40 for those LED vests and Burkes cycles are doing them for $65, down from $99.

... and I just do all I can to stay WELL away from "frazzled-mummy-in-the-porsche-bus" ... 'cause you just KNOW that she has 10 things on her mind, NONE of which is driving!

Tracy


Another "safety" vest for that-way-inclined bikers to wear backpacks over. The sort of vests that kindy mums in Porsche Cayennes would find it hard not to swerve to obliterate, bless them.

[R-Soul]

I see they have versions that fit the backpack too...

[Paul in NZ]

Lumivest for commuters. Anyone using one?

Nah - I've got a Toshiba laptop - I don't trust those chinese ones...

[Smifffy]

Another "safety" vest for that-way-inclined bikers to wear backpacks over. The sort of vests that kindy mums in Porsche Cayennes would find it hard not to swerve to obliterate, bless them.

Or a copper with the whiff of infringement quota dollars in his nostrils...

[FatHead]

Well as a commuter myself I am with you, need bright and visible and easy to see in all ways. Down to business, I saw what must have been one of these at dusk last night on a cyclist on the Hutt road and wanted one instantly. Very visible and easy to see even in that nasty dusk period. Will be investigating purchase ASAP.

[CookMySock]

Electroluminescent gear has been around for a year or three.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=electroluminescent+shirt

The EL lights don't last as long as LEDs, but they are still plenty cool to play with. If you want to be seen, get one.

I think you are much better off with a loud exhaust. Fancy pants lights mesmerise and distract people - especially animated ones, and then make them run into things. Conversely, loud pipes make them lock their eyes onto the road in front of them and cling to the steering wheel like their life depends on it. :lol:

Steve

[Neon]

Ask hctseng (Hayden), he's got one and it's pretty nifty. Almost said 'cool' but managed to stop myself there.

[rustic101]

I'm actually keen on getting one of these

[tracyprier]

And that burkes cycles is down your way too.

Also, I know from the guys who make the LED vest that it is ok to wear them on a motorcycle even with the light colour the same front and back as they are on the rider NOT the bike itself... because their ones are red and I questioned the guy about showing red lights to the front.

Think I'll get one of these before the weather starts to turn to winter kak.

cheers
Tracy


Well as a commuter myself I am with you, need bright and visible and easy to see in all ways. Down to business, I saw what must have been one of these at dusk last night on a cyclist on the Hutt road and wanted one instantly. Very visible and easy to see even in that nasty dusk period. Will be investigating purchase ASAP.

[EJK]

Perfect for Gay's Thursday Night Out.

[FatHead]

Have put a query in via email to the supplier to see if they do plus sizes for me and asked if I could get a bulk deal for some of the riders at work. Will let suppliers know there may be some interest on here as well see if we can get a KB Discount. Looked at the Burkes site but dont see them having a size that fits me.


And that burkes cycles is down your way too.

Also, I know from the guys who make the LED vest that it is ok to wear them on a motorcycle even with the light colour the same front and back as they are on the rider NOT the bike itself... because their ones are red and I questioned the guy about showing red lights to the front.

Think I'll get one of these before the weather starts to turn to winter kak.

cheers
Tracy

[BMCruiser]

Tracy I think these are a great idea. The more visable you can be the better. Even though many bikers feel a standard hi-viz vest isn't cool to wear I've noticed the number on the road gradually increasing over the last 6 months. But they don't work as well in the dark so these make a lot f sense.

[Jonno.]

Hi vis (provided they are proper day/night) work just as well at night as the reflective tape reflects better during the lack of light.

A lot of people I see every morning wear hi vis and do stupid stuff like ride in people's blind spots and I think it's naive to say someone wearing hi vis is definitely safer then someone not wear one.

Personally I wear black commuting day and night and rarely have close calls which wouldn't have been prevented by hi vis because the person simply wasn't looking. But then again I'm prepared for people to do stupid shit just like in the car.

[Hitcher]

I'm beginning to suspect that this is a serious thread.

[OV Lander]

Check the legals/NZTA regs...

You are only allowed to emit red light from the rear of a vehicle, and these appear to be blue. Wonder what impression you might be accused of giving to the motoring public if you start to display a combination of Red and Blue from your bike.

NB: These rules also exclude the use of white reflective tape (as per day/night vests) on a vehicle, but since the Police use the same reflective materials on their jackets you might be able to argue a case.

[Vinz0r]

It depends how you want to interpret the term "On a vehicle", does it mean that you cannot have the lights on the vehicle itself? Or does this extend to the rider also. Ambiguity in law is such fun..

[Ratti]

In spite of copping a LOT of teasing, I continue to wear a dayglo yellow reflective vest. Combine that with the dayglo yellow scoot I just bought and motorists in Welly are in for a dazzling experience.

spent the weekend riding with a bunch of oldfarty bikes and was told I certainly stood out. Even got spotted by someone I dont know while going through a town somewhere on the way to the rally. he worked out it was me, noticed that I was riding with two distinguished but unidentified oldfarty's.

Point Im making is that being highly visible is a helpful tool to add to your riding skills. It wont save you, only sheer bloody luck will do that sometimes, but it is still a useful tool. You cant rely on just a vest as tho its a magic spell that will 'keep' you safe. Only a tool

[R-Soul]

Ask hctseng (Hayden), he's got one and it's pretty nifty. Almost said 'cool' but managed to stop myself there.

It would be cool if it had lasers...

[R-Soul]

I think the main idea behind the vests/lighting is not that it will mnake people see you if they are not looking. It is more a case of (for example) a driver looking right at night, and actually seeing your headlight, but thinking it is from the car behind you, and pulling out in front of you anyway.

By having a vest or running lights (or both), the light from them "frames" your headlight and puts it into perspective as belonging to a bike in front of the car.

I have (lots of) reflective tape on my helmet, to also put into perspective that there is a helmeted rider associated with the headlight.

[tracyprier]

These should be fine as they are on the rider, not the bike. The local guy who makes the LED vests has confirmed this.


Check the legals/NZTA regs...

You are only allowed to emit red light from the rear of a vehicle, and these appear to be blue. Wonder what impression you might be accused of giving to the motoring public if you start to display a combination of Red and Blue from your bike.

NB: These rules also exclude the use of white reflective tape (as per day/night vests) on a vehicle, but since the Police use the same reflective materials on their jackets you might be able to argue a case.

[Swoop]

The more visable you can be the better.
Unfortunately I'm not convinced.
After witnessing a scroter-rider wearing a white helmet and what appeared to be an overcoat, which was made entirely out of orange day-glo material that extended from shoulders to ankles, having to take evasive action from a cager who still had not seen him/her...:no::no:

[FatHead]

Hey all.
Just got off the phone with one of the Excelite http://www.exelitesafety.com people in Dunedin. They are keen to get exposure so may be up for giving us a discount, will keep you all posted on progress.

Cheers
Brian

[Ratti]

You're a champ dude!

[wysper]

Hey all.
Just got off the phone with one of the Excelite http://www.exelitesafety.com people in Dunedin. They are keen to get exposure so may be up for giving us a discount, will keep you all posted on progress.

Cheers
Brian

Did they mention how long they hold their charge?
I was looking at these when I was on my bicycle - but being a cheap arse, didn't buy them. I would consider them - especially in the pea soup fogs we are getting in hammy hole just now.

[FatHead]

Did they mention how long they hold their charge?
I was looking at these when I was on my bicycle - but being a cheap arse, didn't buy them. I would consider them - especially in the pea soup fogs we are getting in hammy hole just now.

All the details of charge longevity are on their website.

Update: I have an email from the Senior Executive and he has indicated that they are up for giving us a deal. I just need to have a couple more emails to the guy to see what they can do for us here on KB and was thinking BRONZ members may also be interested. Could whoever owns the KB logo/this site please PM me and if a BRONZ repo can do likewise so I can sort out how this is represented to them who I can talk to in each camp etc to understand what channels to use etc. I have never done anything like this before so any assistance from these camps would also be well accepted. Thanks
Brian

PS Anyone wanting to take advantage of this please hold off PMing me until I sort out how to get your details in a coherent fashion(or if in fact I will be doing the collecting and collating). I will post here once I have discussed with the powers that be.

[wysper]

All the details of charge longevity are on their website.



Faaark that was hard to find. I think I found the info in a press release. It seems there is a 12hr and 24hr battery. At least I think that is what they meant, that it LASTED 12 or 24 hours not took 12 or 24 hours to charge. Mwahahaha

If that is the case, that is a fairly decent length of time for a motorcyclist. Especially us commuters.

[FatHead]

Faaark that was hard to find. I think I found the info in a press release. It seems there is a 12hr and 24hr battery. At least I think that is what they meant, that it LASTED 12 or 24 hours not took 12 or 24 hours to charge. Mwahahaha

If that is the case, that is a fairly decent length of time for a motorcyclist. Especially us commuters.

And they have a 12 volt charger which on certain bikes you could use to charge and use the unit as you ride (have confirmed with bloke in Dunedin that they will work while being charged) so with that optional charger you would never have to be without charge while you are riding. Cant wait to see what sort of price I can arrange for us.

[Ratti]

pm me as a possible contact for Ulysses club. SOme of our members might be interested in such an offer.

[FatHead]

OK SO i have details from Jamal at http://WWW.EXELITESAFETY.COM The prices below include Batteries and Charger for the units but do not include GST or postage.

Jamal has agreed to give us this deal if we do all the order taking and posting so might be asking for some help in that area. Please PM with your real name and email address by the end of this week 21 may so I can get back to you with further details in a more efficient fashion if you are interested (not looking for committment just yet just want indication of interest). Also if you can disperse this info through any other biker type organisations that would be appreciated. If we can get enough orders we will get additional discount.

I am willing to do some of the work here and not get any financial benefit other than a discounted vest so am passing you the prices as quoted to me.

LumiBelt $49.99
LumiStrip ActiV $54.99
LumiPack $59.99
LumiSash $64.99
Lumivest $69.99
LumiLite Harness $89.99

I am getting a vest sent through so I can evaluate so will let you know how it goes on here as soon as I have it.

Cheers
Brian

[FatHead]

Have the vest is very bright in the daylight, Will post a review in the weekend once I get time to write one. First impressions though is WOW I will not be sending this back.

TTFN

[wysper]

Have the vest is very bright in the daylight, Will post a review in the weekend once I get time to write one. First impressions though is WOW I will not be sending this back.

TTFN

that sounds good. Is the battery pack a pain to wear or will that be covered in the review :sherlock:

[FatHead]

that sounds good. Is the battery pack a pain to wear or will that be covered in the review :sherlock:

Will be covered in the review, but to answer your question. The Battery packs are nice and small and placed very conveniently in the vest pocket designed for same. You can access them with gloves on for changing on/off/flash function.

[FatHead]

Review of Lumivest posted here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/123907-Lumivest-Safety-Vest-Review?p=1129762910#post1129762910

Enjoy
Brian

[Ixion]

Terminally shitty website. They mention various colours, and sashes as well as the vests.? I already wear a hi-viz jacket (if I'm going to wear anything reflective), and I don't want to go back to a vest.

[p.dath]

Certainly not much point in having one then wearing a baclpack... which I personally don't do on a motorcycle.


Bear in mind that the majority of accidents are vehicle pulling out in front of motorcycles - your visibility from the front is more important.

[Teflon]

Dude, youll look like a cock..

Buy some horse power and ride like every cunt is out to kill you