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

[Oakie]

as for high vis. I'm not convinced personally.

It is important, especially when using it, to remain unconvinced. Never rely on it.

[Zedder]

Did I say that people who ride around with their headlights on full beam are arrogant wankers?

I meant to, after having one behind me today. I mean, if you are that concerned about your own safety that you are wiling to piss off and annoy every other road user you'd be better off with a nice safe car.

Notice them much though?

[Urano]

hi viz is a good idea.

always remember that by itself it is not sufficient to keep us alive.
anyway it helps.

at this point though i'd do the full step:
http://www.jofama.com/motorcycle_wea...=2&id=48&cid=5

hiviz AND certified CE gear.

comparable price...

[James Deuce]

You know that stuff manufactured in China and Pakistan can fall foul of the habit of less scrupulous or contracted manufacturers just stamping "CE" on an item to claim CE certification? This is where the compulsion falls down badly. Certain manufacturers can be trusted to follow the process. Others less so. How do you tell? Cost? I don't think that's a good guide.

Hi-Viz doesn't do anything except make bureaucrats feel like they are doing something. You can design studies to prove that it does, and equally doesn't do anything.

What works for me is not riding at all. Which is more stupid than wearing Hi-Viz. From a personal perspective, Hi-Viz makes no difference to the amount proactive risk avoidance management I have to undertake.

[swbarnett]

Notice them much though?

What's the point of noticing the bike behind you if you only to rear-end the one in front of you because you're blinded?

[swbarnett]

hi viz is a good idea.

always remember that by itself it is not sufficient to keep us alive.
anyway it helps.

I am now totally black - bike and all gear. I also have PVC rain gear that's bright yellow. It matters not whether I'm in yellow or black. I am seen or not seen by the same amount.

[Zedder]

What's the point of noticing the bike behind you if you only to rear-end the one in front of you because you're blinded?

There was no mention of being blinded.

Plenty of web sites/bikers forums advocate riding with lights on full beam.

[MSTRS:Me]

And plenty of them also advocate breaking the law in other ways too...

From the NZTA website:
Only use main beam headlamps when you’re driving on the open road and there are no other vehicles directly in front of you or coming towards you. You must switch to dipped beam as soon as you notice other vehicles ahead to avoid dazzling them.

The other requirement is NO USE of high beam IN A BUILDUP AREA.

[James Deuce]

There was no mention of being blinded.

Plenty of web sites/bikers forums advocate riding with lights on full beam.

Well, they're both rude and stupid. High beam will mask the vehicle behind it making it impossible see what is generating the light source - in some circumstances.

Humans gauge distance by triangulation which is why headlights are on the corners, as far apart as possible. Which is why people "don't see" motorcycles, even with their headlight on. It's difficult to gauge the distance and speed of an object with only a single point of reference.

Why make it any harder for people to see you? A single bright light is a brilliant way to log a UFO sighting. Large meteors skimming the atmosphere 10 miles up can look like they are "just over there" and moving impossibly fast.

I have a mate who used to ride on high beam, plus had two HID spotlights just under the headlight. You'd get purple afterimages if you glanced at him in your mirrors. Head-on, you could only tell how far away he was if you knew the terrain and could guess what he was driving past. Of course you could only see with your peripheral vision thanks to the purple afterimages and black spots that would last for hours after accidentally glancing at the UFO cresting the rise on the opposite side of the road.

[Zedder]

And plenty of them also advocate breaking the law in other ways too...



The other requirement is NO USE of high beam IN A BUILDUP AREA.

Berries post didn't have time of day or place etc but was a blanket statement about "arrogant wankers" who had their headlights on full.

The person in question could have just forgotton to dip them.

[MSTRS:Me]

Berries post didn't have time of day or place etc but was a blanket statement about "arrogant wankers" who had their headlights on full.

The person in question could have just forgotton to dip them.

Maybe. But the subject is about being seen. There are plenty of riders who use hi-beam ALL the time during the day. They don't care what other motorists OR riders suffer as a result of being dazzled. They are the arrogant ones that I'm sure Berries refers to. As do I and JD etc...

[Zedder]

Maybe. But the subject is about being seen. There are plenty of riders who use hi-beam ALL the time during the day. They don't care what other motorists OR riders suffer as a result of being dazzled. They are the arrogant ones that I'm sure Berries refers to. As do I and JD etc...

Are motorbike lights on high beam that dazzling? Maybe I've just got used to it.

[MSTRS:Me]

Are motorbike lights on high beam that dazzling? Maybe I've just got used to it.

Just like cars, some are better than others on that score.
Tell me - if you drive a 'normal' car, do you get pissed off with SUV headlights following directly behind you? They physically sit higher to start with (just like 'most' bikes)...imagine if they flicked them on high too...

[Zedder]

Just like cars, some are better than others on that score.
Tell me - if you drive a 'normal' car, do you get pissed off with SUV headlights following directly behind you? They physically sit higher to start with (just like 'most' bikes)...imagine if they flicked them on high too...

How dare you ask if I drive a car!

Seriously though, I can't think of the last time I was hassled by high beams. It's not like I've been blinded to the extent that I couldn't control the vehicle I'm was driving /riding.

Most drivers/riders seem to be very courteous and realise quickly if they're being an unintentional nuisance. If it's the other case then some sort of signal sorts it out.

[swbarnett]

There was no mention of being blinded.

I've been blinded by a bike's high beam while driving a car. Depends on the bike and the light. Even if the driver isn't blinded it seriously increases eye fatigue for those with sensitive eyes and can render the rear-vision mirrors useless.