Hmm. I've had a change of attitude on this hi-viz thing

[Oakie]

I've been a little sceptical over how much difference a hi-viz vest would make. I've thought if people can't see a 55w headlight coming at them let alone something the dimensions of a motorbike on the road, how much difference would a hi-viz vest make? Especially if it is obscured behind a fairing screen. I don't disregard hi-viz completely though and my next jacket will have some.

ANYWAY ... toodling home today after a brain-draining day, I leaned into a gentle tree lined curve minding my own business when my eyes were suddenly assaulted by two patches of yellow (rider and pillion in slip over elastic hi-viz vest things) coming the other way. What blew me away though was that the two patches of yellow registered consciously in my brain before the bike did ... and it was a freakin' Gold Wing! Perhaps the random thought 'bike coming the other way' did slip in and was dismissed as 'situation normal' before the hi-viz registered a half second later but the hi-viz certainly grabbed my attention like being slapped by a flounder.

Summary: if hi-viz grabs the attention of a biker who looks for bikes on the road, I guess perhaps it just may grab the attention of a car driver who doesn't look for bikes. This would be a good thing.

Still not keen on a vest thing (fiddly) but this is what I've been planning to buy when I have assembled the necessary financial wherewithall. http://www.revzilla.com/product/revit-dragon-jacket

[DR650gary]

"Mate, I think you're dreaming"



http://www.fc-moto.de/epages/fcm.sf/...HV-Jacket-0001

SMIDC is what it is and you care because you are riding aware.

Think of the people that pull out in front of trains and buses. You think they need flouro?

I have no problem with wearing flouro, but I personally think it is worthless. People have run up the arse of cop cars and cop bikes. You can't get more flouro than that.

I just think a great majority of people in charge of motorised vehicles have poor skills.

Cheers

[Usarka]

Still not keen on a vest thing (fiddly) but this is what I've been planning to buy when I have assembled the necessary financial wherewithall. http://www.revzilla.com/product/revit-dragon-jacket

You'll probably still need to put a vest over top of this if the cheese dicks make it law.

[Swoop]

... when my eyes were suddenly assaulted by two patches of yellow (rider and pillion in slip over elastic hi-viz vest things) coming the other way. ...and it was a freakin' Gold Wing!

I know the feeling. I would much prefer to look at a piece of bright fabric, rather than a lead wing, as well.

[Scuba_Steve]

& remember theres always the flip-side - target fixation
that ability to hit the only thing you were trying to avoid & the only thing round for miles

I'll stick without the "hit me I'm here vests" regardless of if they ever become law

[scumdog]

Unlikely that anybody will find out that hi-vis saved them, it's not like the person that became aware of the biker because of the hi-vis is going to follow them home to tell them that.

But it only has to do so once and it's paid for itself.

[davebullet]

Were they loose / flapping about high viz vests?

I'd wager loose flappy clothing (rapid random movement) is what the eye detects, moreso than the colour.

Therefore, although not as stylish, some flappy might be more visible than a "Designed in" high viz panel(s) on a jacket. Plus they get grubby and it's easier to clean the vest than soak / clean the whole jacket (to keep it purposeful).

[whowhatwhere]

Keep your current gear..

http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/reveathos.aspx

[DangerMice]

don't think its a particularly great jacket, but the mil-spec yellow is likely to sear the eyeballs of all those who gaze upon it lol



http://rideicon.com/product_details....=3433&id=12266

[Oakie]

You'll probably still need to put a vest over top of this if the cheese dicks make it law.

That is partly what I'm tryng to avoid by getting a jacket with the hi-viz treatment. Wearing a yellow flappy bib would just annoy the pus out of me.

Were they loose / flapping about high viz vests?.

Nah. Quite form fitting ... and bright

don't think its a particularly great jacket, but the mil-spec yellow is likely to sear the eyeballs of all those who gaze upon it lol

Arghhhhh, my eyes ... my poor eyes.

[Bassmatt]

this is what I've been planning to buy when I have assembled the necessary financial wherewithall. http://www.revzilla.com/product/revit-dragon-jacket

I have one of these as my winter jacket and it is warm and waterproof and very comfortable but.... after wearing it for 4-5 months the yellow hi vis part (which is much brighter than the photo shows) has faded badly and I expect after another season it will have faded to the point of being useless.

[rastuscat]

Remember that it's contrast that makes things stick out.

If the rider was dressed top to toe in lemon, a black helmet would stand out like dogs nuts.

Popos ride in yellow, and there's one with a yellow helmet. He's less visible than his Popo mates with white helmets. It's contrast that counts, it attracts the eye.

Also, ride around looking like Sandra Bullock and I'll see you from 200 metres, every time.

[GingerMidget]

I won't go down the hi-vis road myelf, because I have a black and white jacket, which is enough to me.

[mashman]

Something to consider

[Kemet]

For me, you could have a bloody neons flashing (if it were legal) all over the bike and you would still get hit, it's all in the circumstances and if you have the bad luck to be there...


even scarier with the give way rules reverting.


I totally back BRONZs mission statement / slogan
"education, not legislation, saves lives"