Hi-Vis vest designs

**PhantasmNZ** · 29th October 2009, 07:02

I have no intention of getting into a flame war here, and I don't think infighting amongst ourselves is particularly productive - I also appreciate I'm the newbie here.

Have you considered that hoardes of riders shunning their PPE, and removing every shred of clothing that makes us more visible to the tunnel visioned, half blind cage driver whose busy adjusting the radio and talking on the cellphone whilst eating a pie - might hurt our image as responsible riders getting a less than fair go. Maybe we should all turn our headlights out as part of the protest too?

There is no doubt that riding a motorcycle is risky - there's not a cage pilot I know who would be fooled into thinking bikes are safer because it's rider wears nothing but a g-string and jandals...

In my opinion (and I'll stress it's nothing but opinion!), showing that we understand the risks and are doing our best to mitigate those risks (and reduce the chance of injury (read: ACC spend)) by wearing appropriate PPE if that goes wrong! does nothing to hurt the image.

I maybe should clarify that I'm not a safety nerd, my leathers gloves, boots and cordura jacket are black, my bike is charcoal grey, but I do wear them all and my fullface lid when I ride. I wear a high vis waterproof jacket when it rains cos cage drivers limited ability to navigate our roads halves in bad weather. The Hi-Vis protest vest was my idea to reduce the need to pull on and off a t-shirt everytime I ride (every day rain or shine) - and, yes, as Klingon pointed out - "look at me" is the whole point.

That said - even if you don't want to - I'd be more than happy to ride with you on a protest run Jame - we need to all stick together in this.

slight aside though - I have been thinking that some cage drivers will not get the graphics - you could view the whole design as being just a pro-safety message if you didn't know about the levy protest. Thinking of adding some words to my jacket like "say no to ACC lecy hike" or something to push the point home - anyone got any ideas?

**klingon** · 29th October 2009, 07:10

Well said, PhantasmNZ. Don't worry, you'll get used to JII soon enough. It's not his fault he's grumpy and lives in Lower Hutt.

**James Deuce** · 29th October 2009, 07:20

Phantasm, they can't see you. It doesn't matter what you wear. There's a great deal more science around why hi-vis clothing doesn't work, than around why it works. The stuff supporting its application in motorcycling tends to come from Government cost accountants or manufacturers like 3M.

I don't care what you wear. Seriously. It's your choice. All I said is that I don't like riding or hanging out with Hi-Vis clothing wearing motorcyclists. They tend to be tedious conversationalists and have below average road sense.

My comment about "look at me" is based on the fact that NZ motorcyclists have operated in a daze for years and seldom question how laws affect them until it hits them in the pocket, and then everyone is the hero fighting the good fight. "Loot at me, I'm saving the world!".

We've had a couple of decades to apply consistent, strong pressure at Government level to remove motorcycle ACC levies, but we've chosen to let all the politically active elements of motorcycling whither and die, and then criticise their performance just as the brown stuff hits the fan.

Too late.

**Laxi** · 29th October 2009, 07:29

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Some of us don't need a strap on, but you fill your boots sweety.

Jim's a taker not a giver

**klingon** · 29th October 2009, 07:38

Originally Posted by James Deuce

... I don't like riding or hanging out with Hi-Vis clothing wearing motorcyclists. They tend to be tedious conversationalists and have below average road sense...

Yeah, sorry about that. I will attempt to improve my conversations in the future and try to pay more attention to the road. It's just distracting when I keep seeing my glowing yellow self reflected in my chrome handlebars.

**Azi Dahaka** · 29th October 2009, 11:16

i do have to admit i hate wearing fluro vests but for the purpose of advertising this event i am and after that NEVER AGAIN. i have gotten so manny question from service stations and other bikers about the bikoi so as far as i am concerned it is a success

**sunhuntin** · 29th October 2009, 16:31

Originally Posted by klingon

Errrm... one small point:

The entire purpose of a protest is to say "look at me and look at how many of me there are!"

Please feel welcome to have your quiet and shy protest, on your own, dressed in black, behind closed doors.

The rest of us will be out there shouting "look at me!"

ummmmm.... all my gear is black as well. tried it all out today and lets just say i hope its not a dull day! plus i look like a mobster. lol.
i will be wearing a fluro though. and have even managed to find a full face helmet [ick!] and will wear full gloves. im undecided about wearing the bike pants... they are too small and horrid to ride in.

im gonna get a pack of transfer paper as well as sticker, and will attempt to put that on a fluro, and am also going to put one on a black tshirt in the event of the site one not arriving on time.

klingon... just a note with hi viz vests: i was looking at some second hand and many said warm iron was ok, so it must depend on the type i guess. i didnt find one that fit my criteria though, damn it.

**Mom** · 29th October 2009, 16:38

I am actually with J2 here, it makes not a blind bit of difference what we wear, we are not seen. I never wear fluro anything. The only time I wore one was doing a fundraising ride last year, it has languished on a peg in the garage since.

However, I have dusted it off for this and am about to apply some transfers to it so I can wear it over my gear on the road. I have my t-shirt for under the gear on its way, right now this is the fastest way I have of getting the message seen. I am not doing it to be safe, but I most certainly am doing it to be noticed.

**R-Soul** · 29th October 2009, 16:53

Originally Posted by PhantasmNZ

Hey guys... thanks for the praise ! I was quite impressed with how it came out myself

My transfer sheets were pretty generic (I'll check the brand later if you like) - and they too told me to use the highest setting for the transfer...

And where do you get the transfer sheets? I have no idea where to start looking.

**sunhuntin** · 29th October 2009, 16:54

Originally Posted by R Sole

And where do you get the transfer sheets? I have no idea where to start looking.

i have seen them at kmart many years ago. warehouse stationary should have them too.

**Maha** · 29th October 2009, 16:58

Originally Posted by R Sole

And where do you get the transfer sheets? I have no idea where to start looking.

We got ours from Paper Plus $24.95 for Five A4 sheets.

**AllanB** · 29th October 2009, 17:15

What's this IRON thing you men speak of? Is it a new model of Harley?

**Maha** · 29th October 2009, 17:34

Originally Posted by AllanB

What's this IRON thing you men speak of? Is it a new model of Harley?

Im not too sure myself but Mom says we have one and knows where its kept.

**retro asian** · 29th October 2009, 17:53

While it won't stop a car not seeing you, I think yellow can make a difference.

A fellow Kb'er I ride with once wore one of these:

I could see him from miles and miles away. Couldn't tell it was a bike tho, all you could see was this bright yellow figure with arms and legs outstretched...flying towards you