How does colour on your gear affect your safety?

[Mikkel]

Who cares what you look like.

Certainly not the other motorists. They won't see you anyway...

[PrincessBandit]

p.dath, wear whatever you feel comfortable and confident in. While "bright colours" would surely be more eyecatching than flat black (or shiny pvc black...oops, where did that come from?) it certainly is best to NOT rely on your clothing to make you more visible. Riding proactively to protect your "bubble" is better than hoping you'll be seen.

You are most likely only going to look like a fluorescent knob if your outfit consists of a fluorescent tutu, halo, and pixie wings. Somehow I don't think we'll see you dressed like that (unless it's for a Toy Run maybe).

[LaytonNZ]

Welll.....Didnt help me! I HAD a blue helmet red bike red jacket red pants and i still got hurtedddd!

[NDORFN]

Trust me, if a cager doesn't see you, it's coz they're not fucken looking. You could be lit up like Vegas and it wont make one bit of diff if they're not looking in your direction. Headlights are the best you can do, keep 'em on!

[CookMySock]

I noticed on days when I communtered wearing all black, motorists tended to get out of my way more than when I wore the red jacket. I think I was more scary wearing a black helmet, gloves, jacket and pants on a black bike, then wearing a 'friendly' red jacket and ghey gloves (black, yellow and silver).

I agree. Which is a bitch, coz I just bought a new red jacket.. sigh.. not thinking..

And what's wrong with looking like a fluorescent knob? Scared people will snigger behind your back? Poor wee dear.

Hehe, the problem is they think you are weak, and they will fuck wit choo on the road. Not good! Look black and nasty, and they WON'T fuck wit choo, on account of they might get dead.

There was an article in The Press that summer [...] a comment was passed that riders in reflective gear were perceived as 'whimps' by some drivers, whereas they stayed clear of a hard arse biker in tatty old leathers.

Damn straight. Dress like an asshole and you get no problems at all. Little do they know we are mild mannered bikers going home to peel the spuds, but that suits me.

Steve

[DarkLord]

I noticed on days when I communtered wearing all black, motorists tended to get out of my way more

Yes, that makes sense. All of my gear is black and when I am on the road I often see car drivers pulling to one side to get out of my way. Perhaps the whole "Black Rider" thing puts them off?

I like the idea of the white helmet and yellow fluorescent vest as well.

[yungatart]

Colour may (or may not) make you more visible, but it definitely will NOT make you safer.
Only you can do that!

[gwigs]

Got to agree on wearing all black.... I have also noticed how cagers pull over to let you pass when Im all in black....Hey in the movies all the Baddies wear black .I wear all black but if I,m going out on Aucks murderways at night I slip on a flouro vest

[vifferman]

I was wearing my fluoro bib attachment thingo on my jacket for only one reason: my wife asked me to (she bought me the jacket fro Christmas / my birthday). And because I thought it might make a difference if a cop pulled me up and thought I was being 'safe'. I have a suspicion I rode more recklessly when wearing it, much like most people cosseted by all the modern safety gear. I definitely ride much more carefully when not wearing ATGATT. Hang on - doesn't that mean that I NEVER wear ATGATT? Hmmmm.... conundrum...
However (but!) [luckily] one of the tabs on my jacket to which the vest attachmentises is starting to rip, so of course I can't wear the gehy fluoro vest attachment thingo any more.
What a damned shame....

[MSTRS:Me]

It makes no difference at all. There are no statistical indicators to suggest that fluoro vests and white helmets make any difference at all. If it's any help I see more riders with fluoro jackets having a lie down in peak hour traffic than I do people wearing practically anything else.

You're invisible. Get over it, get used to it, and FFS don't lecture people about what they wear.

Perhaps you see them because of the bright colours and you just miss the others?
FWIW I'm with those that say it makes little or no difference. As long as you wear (good) protective gear for if/when it turns to custard.

[CookMySock]

I definitely ride much more carefully when not wearing ATGATT.

Curious isn't it.. Then are you safer when you are fully ATGATT or not? Seriously.. think about that.

I'ts like insurance.. Uninsured riders are going to FUCKen careful, especially on a newer bike. Insured riders - not so much. We can debate which is safer all day, but at first glance which one would you rather have on your six?

Steve
p.s lets not have another insurance war pls

[pritch]

My gear is either black or black. So were my helmets, and so was my bike. That all seemed a bit over the top - so I bought a yellow hat and then a red bike. Well, not just to be visible but I guess it all helps...

I wouldn't mind a jacket like one of those yellow and grey BMW ones to help with the visibility, but definitely don't like the idea of a fluoro safety vest.

Each to his own.

[phoenixgtr]

Hmmm...it's funny alot of people say it makes no difference.

I have two sets of gear:

1. A black cordura jacket and silver/black helmet
2. A red/white/black leather jacket and red/white helmet.

I have ALOT more incidents with cars pulling out in front of me etc. when I'm wearing the black gear. Plain and simple

[cambridgedan]

i think that they should make some gear thats fluro and looks mean

[Hitcher]

I reckon the safest thing a biker could wear is a Harry Potter Cloak Of Invisibility(TM).

Motorists and others would react immediately, saying "Wow, look at that bike riding itself! Isn't that cool."