Being Seen....

[FLV]

Hi, gearing up for my first bike and one thought is how to maximize being seen.

I will definitely end up putting some dark miles in over the winter but its the daytime too which is on my mind.

i've got a bike jacket which is grey/black, so buying a bright jacket is out.

I was thinking I would try to get a brightly coloured lid, white or something brighter maybe.
I thought of sticking some reflective bits on the bike to help be seen by headlights.
I guess if I was feeling super sensible I could wear a reflective vest or similar.....

any tips?

[pinkyfloyd]

https://theinspirationroom.com/daily/commercials/2010/3/nick-and-helen-met-online.jpg


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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[CaNsA]

Tips?

Yeppers, ride like you are invisible. No matter what you do you will not be seen mate.

Cagers are to busy chatting on the phone, playing with the stereo, doing make up, shouting at the kids, eating, shaving... well doing anything other than focusing on the road.

Good luck, you're gonna need it out there.

CaNsA

[c_dug]

What he said!

You can get day-glo green helmets, and as you have already mentioned high-vis vests.

To be honest though the best tactic is to learn to ride defensively, try to make sure you're not sitting in peoples blind spot, or minimise the time that you are, strong lane positioning, increase the gap from the car in front. That kind of thing.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Moo.]

If you do decide to go for a vest, try for an unusual colour apparently, people see the orange and green vests so often, they learn to ignore them..
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A2 Passed 18/6/10

[locked]

what cansa just said.

a high viz vest would be a start but you need to ride like everybodys out to get you, in time you will will develop a sort of 6th sense where you can anticipate what the cager is going to do next.

My defenses are up especially whenever I see a junction or a roundabout as most cagers will be looking for a gap to go instead of a biker.
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on the look out for my next bike....
CBT Passed - 13/09/09 Theroy Passed - 19/12/09 Mod 1 Passed 04/05/10 Mod 2 Passed 14/05/10 - Free to ride ANYTHING!
Motorcycles are perfectly safe as long as you remember they're dangerous.

[FLV]

[CaNsA]

[pinkyfloyd]

I was taught to have the mindset "If you can think it then prepare for it because it will happen"

You come towards a junction and a car sitting there. Think, this car can pull out in front of me. So I'll ease the throttle a little and be ready to brake

Little old lady 100 meters up the road, think, She can walk out in front of me. So I'll keep an eye and be ready to brake/swerve

Roundabouts, think, This car on my left/right is in the wrong lane and will try and cut me up. So I'll do my lifesavers and be ready to react

We all hope it never happens but with the mindset in place it makes it easier to react.

Defensive riding saves lives.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[MarJay]

[L4Isoside]

Dont go wearing high vis and a white helmet

i mistake you for a bike cop !

[edeaton]

haha i thought that MarJay. Seriously though I have a very visable yellow bike that still gets un-noticed. U do actually have to be prepared for the worst i.e. they will pull out on you especially if they see L plates.
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Current: 1997 Triumph Daytona T595 (new engine)
Past: 1989 Honda VFR400 NC30 & 2001 Honda CG125

[Marmalade]

If they don't see me coming and put my safety at risk they deserve the incoming boot in the door, i like to think it concentrates their mind and actually think when they drive.

https://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo141/bramble43/ST1100%20white/aDsc06461-600.jpg
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[nowhere.elysium]

Weirdly enough, I've noticed that I have fewer near-death experiences, now that I've stopped wearing high-vis materials.
I'm now in a black bike, wearing black gear, and people seem to see me coming (apart from tipper truck drivers), as opposed to when I was on a loud red bike with a high-vis jacket.

Go figure.

Get some high-vis stuff if you think it'll make you feel better, but I wouldn't honestly expect it to improve your relative road safety.
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[FLV]

[chris-red]

Audi it up, this cost me under £5 to do.
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/Picture004-1.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/Picture005.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/Picture008.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/1d18607b.jpg
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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.

[Marmalade]

[iooi]

Just remember a Hi-Vis vest is only visable when it has lights shining on it.....
So it should work well if you are laid in the road after a off

Lights on, well its not going to make any diffrence soon as from 2011 all new cars will be fitted with daytime lights..

I prefer to ride like no one has seen you. That way, you don't rely on anyone else.....

I had a SMIDSY sounds a great excuse for being taken out.... Shame that you saw them, so what is your excuse for not avoiding them.....
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[2wheelsteve]

[L4Isoside]

Well im more worried about seeing you going down that road or something and im doing something naughty and think "shit shit shit"

I always ride quite defensibly, i was called a granny by my car instructor because of it.

Although i always used to drive quite slow in his car.

[TUG]

Gays, even in hi-viz shit they still "Sorry mate didn't see you" just be more vigilant and if it looks like they're getting sucked off in their car by their OH and pulling out of the junction then take it upon yourself to slow down.
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Haz ER-5, innit!

[chris-red]

[Marmalade]

[ms51ves3]

[ajbsmirnoff]

This thread is why I like BCF. That and Ste's cat picture which should be on its way.

Everything so far has been good advice. Be paranoid, they are pulling out on you, and they don't see you when they look your way. The only time I'm sure I've been seen is when the cars move together to block me while filtering.

Getting eye contact at junctions with the chap who's going to pull out on you is good. It'll give the 'Smidsy' a sense of irony.