SMIDSY versus SMIDC

[Maha]

All that is needed to solve this problem is for every bike made from here on to be painted with yellow and blue strips and all riders to wear white helmets...I am suprised this has not been thought of earlier..

[Gremlin]

Just need a white helmet and you're done

Yeah... everyone says so. Can't bring myself to spend all that coin on an ugly white helmet. Black only thanks.

You have friends?

Yes, you're one. Congratulations. It's a life long sentence by the way.

As soon as I put a hi-vis vest on, I've noticed the change in attitude, People cutting me off, ego at the lights, tailgating etc.

Interesting. I've noticed the opposite. While out and about, it even looked like very few wanted to overtake me (when travelling the limit), and sometimes slowed down when I was behind. Can only put it down to the official look (plus one guy staring at me as he turned through a light while I was waiting on a red).

I would agree though, black is a threat, greater chance of fear rather than contempt. If you want to be colourful, you best look like a cop, because that also = fear.

[rastuscat]

It would be cool if the birth of SMIDC meant the death of SMIDSY.

It won't. Smidsys are the result of a human failure, which is explainable but not largely preventable.

Wouldn't it be nice to be rid of them. Sadly it probably isn't going to happen.

[Blackbird]

Interesting. I've noticed the opposite. While out and about, it even looked like very few wanted to overtake me (when travelling the limit), and sometimes slowed down when I was behind. Can only put it down to the official look (plus one guy staring at me as he turned through a light while I was waiting on a red).

I would agree though, black is a threat, greater chance of fear rather than contempt. If you want to be colourful, you best look like a cop, because that also = fear.

Me too Even if they think I might be a cop for a nanosecond, it's done it's job in making me seen. If too many people wear them through legistlation or any other reason cagers will stop noticing. That would be a shame

[AD345]

It would be cool if the birth of SMIDC meant the death of SMIDSY.

It won't. Smidsys are the result of a human failure, which is explainable but not largely preventable.

Wouldn't it be nice to be rid of them. Sadly it probably isn't going to happen.

It was only meant to be a change of phrase, not a change of happenstance. People will still fail to react to the presence of other vehicles and when challenged will still fall back on the SMIDSY defence

The reality is that the problem was not that they didn't "see" the other vehicle, but rather that they did not notice anything that made them care enough to change their behaviour

(preaching to the choir I know - but hey, I'm bored)

[RDJ]

I tend to wear mostly grey gear, with reflective inserts for night riding. My present ride over here in Arizona is mostly black. A couple of weeks back I picked up a genuine 7th cavalry John-Wayne-era trooper's sword in a scabbard; being carless by choice as well as circumstance, I strapped it alongside the rear saddlebag and rode back to my apartment (about 30 miles, 12 miles of that in heavy traffic on the interstate).

Never before, nor since, have I had car traffic give me such a wide berth...!

[rastuscat]

The reality is that the problem was not that they didn't "perceive" the other vehicle, but rather that they did not notice anything that made them care enough to change their behaviour

Fixed it for ya.

You are totally on the money. Couldn't agree more.

[skippa1]

Maybe.......it is more the fact that the cagers identify all black with outlaws bikers and dont want to bring the wrath of the brotherhood down on themselves?
I know when I was commercial fishing years back, black flags on dan bouys were far more visible against the background than fluro orange. Take a look some time at commercial tuna, ,ongline or seine boats, they mostly use black flags.

[rastuscat]

All that is needed to solve this problem is for every bike made from here on to be painted with yellow and blue strips and all riders to wear white helmets...I am suprised this has not been thought of earlier..

If only. I ride one, and people still pull out in front of me.

Harumph.

[Berries]

My present ride over here in Arizona is mostly black.

Nice one. Mine is a large Asian.

[Clockwork]

Just need a white helmet and you're done

All that is needed to solve this problem is for every bike made from here on to be painted with yellow and blue strips and all riders to wear white helmets...I am suprised this has not been thought of earlier..

Slightly off topic but... I'm sure I caught a glimpse of what I took to be a Police bike a couple of weeks ago but the rider was waring a yellow helmet, the same shade as the yellow on their cars.

[Maha]

Slightly off topic but... I'm sure I caught a glimpse of what I took to be a Police bike a couple of weeks ago but the rider was waring a yellow helmet, the same shade as the yellow on their cars.

Like this? ----->> http://www.bikebiz.com.au/products/P...ow-Helmet.html

[rastuscat]

Slightly off topic but... I'm sure I caught a glimpse of what I took to be a Police bike a couple of weeks ago but the rider was waring a yellow helmet, the same shade as the yellow on their cars.

There's a rider in the Wellington bike section with a flouro helmet. Schuberth and BMW both do a flouro version. Not sure what brand he uses, but I know him, and know he has a flouro work helmet.

Just FYI.

[riffer]

Interesting observations. I too have noticed similar effects.

My previous ride for six years was a bright red Suzuki RF900R, a sporty-style bike, with standard Suzuki pipe. My new ride is a K8 Suzuki Bandit 1250S, black upon black. It's a standard, or upright bike, with a Leo Vince SBK-L pipe.

I have observed that car drivers give me a much wider berth on the new bike, and the SMIDSY events have lessened.

The Bandit presents a much taller profile with a more upright rider. On the RF I was a lot more bent over. The Bandit is also louder.

[Gremlin]

There's a rider in the Wellington bike section with a flouro helmet. Schuberth and BMW both do a flouro version. Not sure what brand he uses, but I know him, and know he has a flouro work helmet.

I saw him when I was in Wellington for work a few weeks ago. Boy did he stand out, with the bike seemingly slab sided in flouro, then the helmet as well... Felt a bit sorry for him actually.