Visibility - Black Bikes Are Easier to See

[Gremlin]

obviously the visibility of colours changes with the amount of light around you... and naturally black is almost impossible to see at night. So unless you have some fantastic paint you can change at will to any desired colour, I don't see a point in choosing a bike based on colour.

Always assume they will not see you, and personally, I prefer to always travel quicker than the traffic because I can then track every car around me, without them sneaking up on me.

I prescribe to the theory of black bikers scaring people, especially when you have a tinted or irridium visor. But you can't rely on that either.

meh, the best form of defence is offense, and it often works, but you just have to do what suits you best...

[UrbanMyth]

and black looks the sexiest

[pritch]

I heard that there is something that can 'attach' to your headlight circuitry that makes the light flicker (for want of a better term) either that or loosen the mounts so that the light 'rattles'...

I've seen these advertised, can't remember the term they use.
Headlight modulator?

Yep that's it. Try this: http://ridesafer.com/page/mfc0/Home.html

[Howwaythelads]

I got one of these to help at night, they also give us a bigger outline and every one looks just to see what the hell i am.

looks a bit strange but works
www.higlow.co.nz

[Ixion]

A jolly good idea. Though, strictly speaking, illegal if worn when riding a motorcycle. But not when riding a bicycle. Go figure. An indictment on the crass stupidity of the LTSA.

[Zapf]

My over-dramatic mother almost started weeping and knashing her teeth when she heard that my new bike was going to be black.

So unless you have some fantastic paint you can change at will to any desired colour

Got some Black 3M Vinel that will refect white to headlights yet remain black during the day

[Mr. Peanut]

Looks like an S&M thingy. Very butch.

[Beemer]

and black looks the sexiest

Yeah, baby!

[Dai]

I seem to remember one of the bike magazines in the UK investigated this about 7-10 years ago.

The results of their survey was that other road users were more aware of black motorcycles and black kit.

I had a ZZR1100 written off whilst actually doing the speed limit in UK.

Multi coloured blue/green, I was wearing a yellow high vis vest and the headlights were blazing. The car driver pulled out in front of me from a side road because he couldnt see me and thought there was a space between the cars. He just wasnt bike aware.

Dai.

[oldrider]

I used to think it was just bikes they (all other motorists) didn't see.

I have been taking a lot of notice lately because I hate driving the car and just go with Mrs O/r as a passenger when I have to.

Now I think all the motorists in this country are bloody blind and at least half of them are bloody stupid and incompetent to boot.

About thirty percent manage day to day maneuvers without too many problems.

The remainder are obviously innocent motorcyclists going about their business successfully, despite the best efforts of the rest trying to kill them.

I don't think the "rest" even care or know we are there, in fact I don't think most of them even know that "they" are there!!

We have to stay alive and well on the road to be an example for the rest, they need us and we have a civic duty to uphold.

Life is not easy. Oh the burden. So much to do, so little time! We must be the chosen ones! :slap:

[oldrider]

and black looks the sexiest

Yeah, baby!

Hey!!!! Ivé got a black bike, black leathers??? Errrr sorry, I wont ask again. mumble, mumble, mumble.

[wendigo]

Multicoulored bikes are essentially camoflaged, irrespective of the colours. The patches of colour break down the silhouette of the motorbike into smaller, less noticable chunks.

I'd be well interested to find out the psychology / physiology behind why we notice black objects more. Is it because we live in a multicoloured world and hence the colourless voids stand out more. Is it more to do with the fact that the peripheral vision has a far greater number of rods than cones & hence gets triggered by black more easily. Which of course is a contradiction in terms, because black is caused by the absence of em radiation. My money's on this - while every other coulor is caused by the incidence of light, black is caused by the absence. This makes it unique, and unique stands out like a sore thumb.

A few years ago the RAF changed the colour of there trainer aircraft from bright red? (could have been yellow) to black. It made the aircraft far more visible.

Really though, at the end of the day, who gives a shit. Is it just me, or does anyone else notice that this is a perennial question? I seem to remember this topic getting put through the blender & then some a while ago...

[Steam]

I read in some bike magazine somewhere that some psychologist said something like "Black bikes and bikers in black leathers are most visible of all because your brain is constantly scanning for threats, and bikers like that look threatening and intimidating, and so your brain says "danger!" and you see it. Like recent research where you are shown a picture of 100 little photos of people's faces, and the face which most people immediately notice is the angry person's face. Interesting eh?

[sexy beast]

WOHOOO...Im painting my bike black. was thinkin of a new color scheme. black it will be!!!

[SARGE]

I heard that there is something that can 'attach' to your headlight circuitry that makes the light flicker (for want of a better term) either that or loosen the mounts so that the light 'rattles'...

its called a MODULATOR.. get them here..


they are not legal in NZ, but i have one on my FJ..

better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6