High viz vest saved my bacon

[Pickle]

On my way home last night when I realised my seat wasn't on properly. Pulled over into a side road to sort it out then set off again, except I realised it was a one way street and I had gone down it the wrong way - oops.

Cue U turn on the wet and slippy road... one dropped bike. Apart from being bloody embarrassed there was no-one there to help me pick my bike up so it was lying in the middle of the road and as soon as the lights changed I was going to have traffic coming right at me.

No sooner said, than a line of taxis came charging towards me, and as my gear is all black if I hadn't have been wearing a high viz vest they probably would have hit me and my bike. As it is they just carefully edged around me with none of the bastards stopping to help - luckily two lovely pedestrians came and gave me a hand a few seconds later. No damage to me or bike.

Moral of the story: high viz might make you look like a numpty, but it does what it says on the tin.

[cicatrez]

good story that. with you wearing all black, and the bike on the floor, there's nothing reflecting back at the taxi drivers to spot you from a distance.
I've always wondered why doesn't a helmet manufacturer make a helmet that has the bright yellow (or range) His Vis colour all over the helmet, I'd be more then happy to get something like that. It would help if you have all black gear, and can't really wear a Hi Vis bib because you have a bag on your back

[Bendy]

You can get reflective stickers that are black to look at, but reflective when light hits them. Ideal for not looking like a numpty but still having some hi-viz-ness.

That said, at this time of year when the roads are rife with fogged-up, iced-up peeps who aren't looking much further than the end of their nose, there's certainly nowt wrong with the old yellow vest.

[neil.]

Indeed, I've started wearing mine too, after not wearing it much in the summer except for night time. I've found it makes a difference with traffic tending to avoid me a lot more. Also noticed a lot of others wearing them over the last week or so. Yep I may look a numpty but I don't think my other half and kids would appreciate that as an explanation for me not wearing it one day and being mullered by someone who didn't see me.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Acemastr]

I wear them to get to work and back, or if i know it'd going to be dark when i go out late afternoon, during the day i wear my black textiles. I may look like a plank but at least i'm safe.

Recommend it to anyone, plus people think you're a cop when filtering and get out of your way of put their mobile phone down (had that 3 times now) lol
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2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[rotax81]

kwak green bike with kwak green leathers here.
no need for a vest
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ZX636C6F road. ZX636C1H track. ZX7R redundant. ZX0.5R minimoto as ornament.
Audi A4 Avant 1.9TDi and VW Transporter 2.5TDi 888 Special (no mot and tax lol)

[Pickle]

[steppen22]

Got mine out too.

Given how daft some cagers seem to be during broad day light, take no chances.

I think a high viz jacket also works in your favour in event of a collision. "Didn't see me? Open your eyes and you can see me from the moon with this thing on"
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no regrets, no retreat, no apology.
I've made mistakes in the past, and I apologise for FUCK ALL.

[yandy_yay]

Same hear feel like i look like a plank but with it been so dark it's a must really...

Soon forget your wearing it a few miles down the road anyway.

Andy
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past bikes: (20 years ago) cg-125 (wriiten off), C-50 (thrashed n' finnaly scrapped), CZ-125 (nicked - never recovered, insurance payout was more than i paid for it !!!)
Current bikes: GN 125(now sold), Divvy 600s.

[bazza]

I reckon 95% of the dopey morning drivers rely on sonar for their journeys...
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"That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college."
'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter

[tommybhoy]

I currently wear a bright orange harness style...My textiles are all black with a wee bit of white reflective....

So im looking for a plain white reflective harness anyone know where i could buy one ,i have been looking for months now and all i can find is yellow..

[scrambled]

[JockyT]

Just a word of caution:

Whilst I agree that Hi Viz helps. mainly due to the reflective strips lighting up at night, don't take it for granted that you are more visible.

I wore a Hi Viz vest while I was learning through last year. Passed my test in October and continued wearing the vest. Two days after passing I was out on a clear, cloudless day, excellent visibility, with lights on and got hit from behind while waiting to go onto a roundabout. SMIDSY - reason he didn't see me - he wasn't looking at me.

JT
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Current Bikes:
YBR125 - low running cost commuter
XJ600s - a bit dull but cheap and reliable first big bike

[rotax81]

a very apt title "High viz vest saved my bacon" considering the pigs wear them
____________________
ZX636C6F road. ZX636C1H track. ZX7R redundant. ZX0.5R minimoto as ornament.
Audi A4 Avant 1.9TDi and VW Transporter 2.5TDi 888 Special (no mot and tax lol)

[Pickle]

[Kal]

[swiftb]

[Syx]

I'm tempted to get a high-viz as these darks nights are dangerous! Any recommendations on where to get one?

[cicatrez]

second that. I'd like to know too. There must be someone selling those vests for £1 or something

[chris-red]

I think I would rather get run over than have to wear a hi viz.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Mudskipper]

[Kal]

[Syx]

[Kal]

[Syx]

Damn, I was hoping to see you wearing 50 odd jackets at once! That would have been very amusing
I'll happily take one off your hands if you're offering...