So I recently joined the Hi Viz brigade

[GSW]

So I recently joined the Hi Viz brigade



After seeing over and over again questions about if Hi Viz, is going to be enforced and if it really makes any difference, and as I leave for work just before 6am everyday and its usually dark, I had a think about what would work best for me and what could I buy that I would use and not feel like a complete knob. I had to get what ever I was going to buy with a very limited budget and see if the Hi Viz thing is really worth the trouble.

I didn’t want to get a Hi Viz vest or fork out for a new Hi Viz jacket as I wear a back pack everyday and it would be covered over most of the time and I wear enough layers as it is.

I came to the conclusion that something along the lines of a Hi Viz Back Pack would work... I found that Camel Back does a very limited run for forestry workers but they don’t hold much more than 2 litres of fluid and a couple of extra pockets. So I spent some time looking at what there was around cheap and no one really had anything that was suitable.

I spent some time on Tardme looking for something cheap that would do and came across 4 or 5 different bag’s but only one that would work for me. So I brought one of these: http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/camp...-497536883.htm

I thought it was a bit expensive, but got one anyway.

So it arrived a couple of days later and didn’t look to bad, bigger than I expected, and thinner material than I was hoping for. I had a good look over it and the stitching looked ok, it had small stainless steel vent holes on the side that I thought might leak, but that’s not that big a deal as the whole bag is not waterproof.

It has a large compartment that I can carry all my usual gear in, wet weather gear, lunch, camera and my balaclava. The “smaller” front pocket is the same height as the main pocket but only half the depth. I feel the front pocket is a bit redundant at that size. I normally carry my iPod, iPod charger, spare ear plugs and any documents I might need for the day. There is also a small inner pocket between the main compartment and the front pocket I keep hand sanitizer in there. It also has a mesh side pocket on each side that you might use for a drink bottle if you were going for a walk?

The bag has 2 50mm x 250mm strips of reflective tape on the pocket, 2 50mm x 150mm strips on the sides and 1 40mm x 200mm strip on each shoulder strap. They are standard 3m reflective strips.

So the first day out, I left for work at 5;50am and headed in to Wellington, got on to the motorway just before 6am and just after getting through the Whitford Brown lights on the motorway I almost got clipped by a retard on an 08 ZX6R doing around 180kmh.. Great start...

So since I have been using the bag I have noticed a couple of things, people who aren’t looking for bikes still don’t see you! People who are looking see you and would have anyway because they were looking. But the biggest differences’ are that I now have more cars sitting right up my arse than I used to even at 110km’s and some cars now think I’m a cop and move over pretty fast. But all in all Hi Viz for me has not made a fuck load of difference.

Oh and after having and used the bag for the last 2 months the shoulder strap stitching is coming away. The bag is far too big for what I need. And the fucking thing leaks worse than a colander, so I carry everything in plastic bags inside the back pack.



Waste of money.

[p.dath]

You need to consider the risk you are trying to mitigate.

A person coming towards you isn't going to see a high-viz vest on your back.
A person in front of you wanting to turn acorss your path isn't going to see a high-viz back pack.

A person behind you will see it (if they are looking), but you don't get that many accidents where motorbike riders get struck from behind while moving.


So yes, no surprise at your results.

[oneofsix]

Riding into Welly from north of the P-town CBD on the motorways before dawn. You basically bought a grey backpack with wide reflective stripes which you hoped would be seen over your tail light, reflectors and side reflectors on your bike. And then it didn't even work well as a backpack
Interesting read though. Confirms my thoughts on hi-viz.

[GSW]

You need to consider the risk you are trying to mitigate.

A person coming towards you isn't going to see a high-viz vest on your back.
A person in front of you wanting to turn acorss your path isn't going to see a high-viz back pack.

A person behind you will see it (if they are looking), but you don't get that many accidents where motorbike riders get struck from behind while moving.


So yes, no surprise at your results.

There are Hi Viz Strips on the sholder straps that are easy to see when looking at the rider from the front and side. The light on the front of the bike is also seen when in front of the bike/rider.

[GSW]

Riding into Welly from north of the P-town CBD on the motorways before dawn. You basically bought a grey backpack with wide reflective stripes which you hoped would be seen over your tail light, reflectors and side reflectors on your bike. And then it didn't even work well as a backpack
Interesting read though. Confirms my thoughts on hi-viz.

It was an experiment that I wanted to try.....

[oneofsix]

It was an experiment that I wanted to try.....

No offence meant. You have saved me the bother of going there and for that I thank you.

Still considering wet weather gear that has reflectors but only because the wet weather gear will cover the reflectors already built into the cordura gear. Current techniflex gear is plain dark blue.

[GSW]

No offence meant. You have saved me the bother of going there and for that I thank you.

Still considering wet weather gear that has reflectors but only because the wet weather gear will cover the reflectors already built into the cordura gear. Current techniflex gear is plain dark blue.

None taken Brother.

I am also thinking of getting new Wet Weather gear with reflective strips , but only because what I have is old and leaking... nothing worse than getting to work and having wet undies.

[oneofsix]

None taken Brother.

I am also thinking of getting new Wet Weather gear with reflective strips , but only because what I have is old and leaking... nothing worse than getting to work and having wet undies.

Wet undie, wet socks, cause its run down the inside of the leg not because the boots leaked, a bit like pee your pants only not as warm, and if you a fat fella like me a wet belly where the jecket is squeezed between belly and tank.
I find the Techniflex good as it rolls up reasonably small, is tough (made for farmers) and more flexable than the PVC hardware store stuff. Starting to flake after something like ten years use around home, tramping and as bike wet gear and it was seconds when I got it. I saw they also make a Techniviz range but am waiting until I have had a look at it in store.

[GSW]

Wet undie, wet socks, cause its run down the inside of the leg not because the boots leaked, a bit like pee your pants only not as warm, and if you a fat fella like me a wet belly where the jecket is squeezed between belly and tank.
I find the Techniflex good as it rolls up reasonably small, is tough (made for farmers) and more flexable than the PVC hardware store stuff. Starting to flake after something like ten years use around home, tramping and as bike wet gear and it was seconds when I got it. I saw they also make a Techniviz range but am waiting until I have had a look at it in store.

Sounds like great stuff and something I will have a look at. Thanks for the information.

[GTRMAN]

Wet undie, wet socks, cause its run down the inside of the leg not because the boots leaked, a bit like pee your pants only not as warm, and if you a fat fella like me a wet belly where the jecket is squeezed between belly and tank.
I find the Techniflex good as it rolls up reasonably small, is tough (made for farmers) and more flexable than the PVC hardware store stuff. Starting to flake after something like ten years use around home, tramping and as bike wet gear and it was seconds when I got it. I saw they also make a Techniviz range but am waiting until I have had a look at it in store.

http://www.betacraft.co.nz/products/...iz-taped-parka - bright as

[oneofsix]

http://www.betacraft.co.nz/products/...iz-taped-parka - bright as

yeah that's were I saw it, it is just will the 5XL fit over my fat body and bike gear?

[Lozza2442]

http://www.betacraft.co.nz/products/...iz-taped-parka - bright as

Anyone know price?

[The Lone Rider]

Whatda reckon likelihood of less danger occurs, if the next bike I build is done fully in hi viz paint?



Something to think about. Will let you know when I get another bike, and build and paint it!

Don't think anyone else has done a chopper in hi viz!

[Bassmatt]

Whatda reckon likelihood of less danger occurs, if the next bike I build is done fully in hi viz paint?



Something to think about. Will let you know when I get another bike, and build and paint it!

Don't think anyone else has done a chopper in hi viz!

You'll probably just end up a victim of target fixation instead.

[Gremlin]

Whatda reckon likelihood of less danger occurs, if the next bike I build is done fully in hi viz paint?

Contrast is better than straight hi-viz