The world of colour... Seeking worthy insights...

**shadynz** · 22nd February 2007, 22:50

howdy.. I'm pretty new here, only a couple of posts, but am going to be getting my first bike in a few weeks. Sifting through the forums I can't find much posted on colours of bikes.

This is kind of a serious question, but I know I'll probably have the piss taken out of me anyways so I'll shoot for it and duck later...!!

What is the best colour for a bike. I'm going the hoe hoe way, and since buying new, need to decide on red, black or yellow.

I like the black. It looks the part. But I'm guessing they aren't the safest colour to get. Also dirt wise of course could be a pain. To confuse things, I like the yellow, and I like the red too.

Yellow is probably safer, and red of course probably 4-5 bhp faster

but which would you prefer.. From the point of view of a combination of looks and safety. What would you be proud to be seen on and be as safe as possible? (any answers welcome aside from "anything but a hyosung" !!)

So something safe is the key factor, but looks come into it for me. I'm no show-off though (I wouldn't last long), am a bit of a showman (just my style in life). Has anyone had any really bad riding experiences with black bikes vs riding brightly coloured?

Cheers!

**onearmedbandit** · 22nd February 2007, 22:57

Black looks the part, yellow is probably the safest, but red adds at least 4-5hp. There you go.

Doesn't matter what colour your bike is, most people won't see you. However yellow would increase the chance of someone seeing you. Black does look quite cool on bikes, it's timeless, but as you noted it requires more cleaning. Red, well red's red isn't it?

Take into consideration resale appeal as well, some colours just don't sell well.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 22nd February 2007, 22:59

what colour tickles your fanny errr I mean fancy

seriously... a brighter coloured bike is probably easier to see, if its bright fluro orange or yellow like the safety vests... other than that a bike is just a ghost blur to most cage drivers...

**Drum** · 22nd February 2007, 23:24

Nah, I can't see the colour of your bike making too much difference to drivers seeing you.

You havn't said what kind of bike you're getting. Cruisers might be more suitable for black or some dark reddish tones (for example), but look a bit funny in bright yellow. Kwaka's look nice in Green!

**ravenfeeder** · 23rd February 2007, 02:06

I have been having similar dilemma except in my case red or black. Finally decided on the black and would you believe that now in the shops i looked at only red available. So whilst i initally thought the black looked better, really the red is a bit brighter and a bit different. Reality of it is it's my learners bike and will be upgrading at some stage so as long as it goes well and i enjoy it, the colour in a sense is irrelevant. Must admit i was initally disappointed i couldnt get the black but am now quite liking idea of a red bike and think safety wise is a little brighter too

Does any of that make sense? Main thing is you like it!

Thanks for that i can now apply all i said to myself hehehe

**Grub** · 23rd February 2007, 04:26

I don't get the 'black is cool' thing - it's just sooo boring, everyone has a black bike. You can't tell them apart, you can't see the shape of them and if there was ever a way to be invisible to cars, then black is right up there.

Having said that, you don't want one that looks like mine, not even I do - I like yella.

**SixPackBack** · 23rd February 2007, 05:40

Independent test results claim black is harder to laser and combined with stealth paint gives a significant advantage in laser avoidance.
My last bike was yellow [this ones black] motorists still pull out frequently, I think the colour makes little difference.

**disenfranchised** · 23rd February 2007, 07:49

You haven't said which hyosung you like.
I reckon the GT250R has to be either the red or black, but got the GT250 yellow is the only colour to go with (although the black frame on the 2007 model makes it slighly less appealing)

**avgas** · 23rd February 2007, 08:12

poo brown - worked for holden

**shadynz** · 23rd February 2007, 08:24

Originally Posted by disenfranchised

You haven't said which hyosung you like.
I reckon the GT250R has to be either the red or black, but got the GT250 yellow is the only colour to go with (although the black frame on the 2007 model makes it slighly less appealing)

Ah true - GT250R is tha baby I'm getting. I thought of ditching the desired to go faired as I'm worried about any drops, but I reckon after a couple of months of having the GT250, I'd wanna get the faired version anywayhaha...

yeah, edging towards red or black on the gt250r I agree. Resale does come into absolutely, but i'll probably trade-in and up rather than sell when get the full.

**shadynz** · 23rd February 2007, 08:27

Originally Posted by ravenfeeder

Must admit i was initally disappointed i couldnt get the black but am now quite liking idea of a red bike and think safety wise is a little brighter too

Does any of that make sense? Main thing is you like it!

Thanks for that i can now apply all i said to myself hehehe

Yep that all makes perfect sense! I know JFK's in Otahuhu have all the colours at the mo, so heading there on the weekend to decide.. argh... I might just say to them choose the colour for me and be done with it haha

**Mr Merde** · 23rd February 2007, 08:28

Whatever colour floats your boat, you should go for.

Dont worry what others think, you are going to pick the bike you love and the rest can swing.

I've had bikes of all colours and loved each and everyone of them. I bought them for me to ride not for others to look at.

My 2c worth.

Welcome to bike riding. Have fun. Ride safe.

**shadynz** · 23rd February 2007, 08:57

Originally Posted by Mr Merde

Whatever colour floats your boat, you should go for.

Dont worry what others think, you are going to pick the bike you love and the rest can swing.

I've had bikes of all colours and loved each and everyone of them. I bought them for me to ride not for others to look at.

My 2c worth.

Welcome to bike riding. Have fun. Ride safe.

Cheers and well said! Worth 10c easily

**Roj** · 23rd February 2007, 09:03

Originally Posted by shadynz

yeah, edging towards red or black on the gt250r I agree. Resale does come into absolutely, but i'll probably trade-in and up rather than sell when get the full.

If you look after your bike well you will get a much better price selling it rather than trading in, resale of 250s is very good the dealers want to make a good margin as well...

**Roj** · 23rd February 2007, 09:05

Originally Posted by Grub

I don't get the 'black is cool' thing - it's just sooo boring, everyone has a black bike. You can't tell them apart, you can't see the shape of them and if there was ever a way to be invisible to cars, then black is right up there.

Having said that, you don't want one that looks like mine, not even I do - I like yella.

doesn't matter what colour bike you have; my lady had a red bandit riding with her light on and still the drive said "I didn't see you"