So I recently joined the Hi Viz brigade

[oneofsix]

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!

Saw a bright (fluro) pink one yesterday, does that count?

[oneofsix]

Contrast is better than straight hi-viz

If done right, yes. Contrast that disguises shape or causes you to blend into the background would be a wrong move, I'm thinking along the lines of naval ships using contrast to disguise their shape or zebra using contrast to actually blend into the background (of course most drivers aren't colour blind, just motorcyclist blind).

[Gremlin]

(of course most drivers aren't colour blind, just motorcyclist blind).

I used to think it was about threat, now I'm not so sure, as cars pull across trains and pull out in front of trucks... It's basically inattention I think. My BMW has a triangle of light on the front... people seem to see and give it a wider berth than normal. Who knows, it works so I like it!

[CookMySock]

Why do you need to be highly visible from behind?

The best way to get awareness on the road, is to get a loud zorst, bright headlight, and ride like a complete asshole. Everyone stays the fuck out of your way then!

I bet the 180k bloke never gets rammed from behind... There's a very good reason for that...

[bluninja]

Why do you need to be highly visible from behind?

If your tail light dies then the only chance of being seen from behind is a little reflector...hi viz may be beneficial then....especially if it's dark
If your bike dies, then hi viz may help you be seen when you are at the side of the road.....

I guess for a bike failure a lightweight hi viz under the seat would work; but it's a bit of a crapper if your lights fail or bike fails on an unlit street in the dark and someone then doesn't see you.

[f2dz]

I've thought about getting a hi viz backpack instead of wearing my vest but just for the sake of money have opted not to.

I don't enjoy wearing it and don't believe it helps a great deal to increase my visibility but it definitely can't hurt.

That being said, I don't wear it during light hours..

[CookMySock]

If your tail light dies then the only chance of being seen from behind is a little reflector...

You're right of course, and since the tail light is on continuously it gets a lot of work. I think every second WOF mine fails for no tail-light (I ride a lot) and I didn't even know! However, the other WOF item is a rear-reflector which I think is intended to be the fall-back in this case.

I don't like hi-viz. I think it makes the rider look soft, and soft bikers are cage fodder. This is not the power-balance you need on the road.

[oldrider]

Reminds me of my time as an engineer on British ships, if you find an oil leak, standard procedure was fix a drip can under it, to catch the drip!

Somehow it just never seemed to occur to them that the leak should be fixed ... end of problem!

Fix the need for the flouro Hi Viz bullshit! .ffs!

[Fast Eddie]

grrrr

I hate hi viz..

can that be made into a plate.. h8hivz

not short enough for a bike, drat.

[Fast Eddie]

Reminds me of my time as an engineer on British ships, if you find an oil leak, standard procedure was fix a drip can under it, to catch the drip!

Somehow it just never seemed to occur to them that the leak should be fixed ... end of problem!

Fix the need for the flouro Hi Viz bullshit! .ffs!

haha, I went for a flying lesson last sunday, the plane we went in had a big sticker on instrument panel saying "caution this aircraft is not subject to airworthiness checks" Ran s6 I think it was. or s9.
only noticed the sticker at about 15,000 ft

[nerrrd]

I don't like hi-viz. I think it makes the rider look soft, and soft bikers are cage fodder. This is not the power-balance you need on the road.

I can definitely vouch for this - since I started wearing a hivis vest I've noticed cars making a special effort to get in front of me in traffic if they can; but then I fall into the category of a "soft biker" anyway (on a "soft" bike.)

[Gremlin]

I can certainly see how some would seem like even easier prey to cars, but it can go both ways. On my big BMW I'm reasonably certain cars take me for a cop, so give me a wider berth.

I ain't complaining...

[gammaguy]

fuck Hi Vis

as far as I am concerned each and every other road user is a blind,self obsessed,distracted homicidal maniac hell bent on my doom.

I am paranoid as hell with a twitchy draped brake finger and an eye on the escape route at all times.

I have been riding since 1976,never had a crash with another vehicle and I attribute this to a mixture of my paranoia and skills.

wearing a Hi Vis puts the onus on them to see me,and I for one dont hand over responsibility to fools so readily

Ill stay alive and paranoid thanks.

[oneofsix]

Hay I saw the hi-vis on a rider heading in the opposite direction pre-dawn this morning. Two barely visible dirty white strips briefly glimpsed behind the glare of his headlight. Come to think of it it wasn't so much the hi-vis I glimpsed as the reflective strips, got no idea what colour the hi-vis was.

[skinman]

Tried the hi vis thing, didnt work still had cars pull out in front. New tactic, big black bike with noisy as F..K exhaust & look angry all the time, seems to work so far. even get cars pulling out of the way as I approach occasionally, except for taxis & white vans