Hi Viz

[stephen_o]

Just wondering who/how many of you wear a High Vis when riding. On my 125 my lights worked permanently and I also 99% of the time wore a high vis such was my concern over being seen. My thoughts were that other road users and particularly at junctions I was safer and other drivers reacted faster because they saw me earlier.

Since having the GPZ I had carried on wearing the high viz and also switching the lights on every time until a couple of days ago when I decided to go without and see what happened.

My motorbike gear is reflective, and I always go out with it on, I had heard or seen a rumour somewhere that if I was involved in an accident and it was found that I wasn't wearing high viz then I could be found to be at fault irrespective of what actually happened.

I know some new gear has high viz panels on it, but my finances don't allow me the luxury of new gear and I was looking to get leathers and a high viz with leathers? hmmmm

over to you guys
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current scoot 2009 Yamaha YBR250 + Current Pootle 2013 Nissan Leaf

[MarJay]

No, I used to occasionally wear a Sam Browne belt in winter, but after I heard they made it compulsory to wear High Viz in France and Ireland I threw it away.

My jacket has red and white bits on it, thats high enough visibility for me. High vis is seriously overrated IMO, I'm sure that it is so common that most people don't even see it anyway.

Its far too common to have any effect. As long as you don't wear black, you'll be fine.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[keggyhander]

[the_quick]

I'm still on 125 and wear hi viz all the time, maybe I don't look great in them but I hope I will be easier to spot than without one.

Last 4 month did not have close encounters with cars (so far touch wood).

Does it help? As a car driver I think I would some one easier in bright green than someone in black.

Doesn't do any harm so I keep wearing it
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Bandit GSF600 '00

[recman]

I don't wear one when I'm out and about at the weekend but during the week my shift patterns mean that I'm usually riding to work early mornings or returning home late at night.
Either way I have to ride in low light so I'll stick with the cunt brigade if its all the same.

[Tenantry13]

If visibility is really bad, ie fog mist then I might put it on but if not then no as a cba.

[soforene]

I always wear mine and I'm (currently) alive which proves 100% that it does work.

Would I be dead without it? - Maybe.
Am I dead after wearing it all the time? - No.

There's your proof.

It's down to personal choice (at the moment) and I'm quite happy to wear it as part of my PPE.
Second nature now. Just like strapping on my seat belt in The Bentley.

[Walloper]

Hi-VIz probably adds to the Gladiator Effect in protections systems.
If I wear Hi-Viz then other road users should see me easier and not kill me.

My arguement against.
If I do not have to wear Hi-Viz and just be aware of my surroundings then I will anticipate and observe the dozy fooker (not) planning to kill me.

I wear a jacket that is Hi-Viz and sometimes don't. The same reaction from the people who simply do not see you.

My advice, Wear Hi-viz if you like but more importantly look out for Mr. Mrs, Miss didn't see you.

I do not agree with SMIDSY stuff. I think if you ride a bike you should have a mind that other road users are dangerous and ride accordingly/play the accordian.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[Walloper]

[Jynister]

I'll normally not as my jacket has reflective stuff on it anyways, but in low visibility or at night I'll chuck it on.
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Current Bike: 2002 Honda CBR F Sport / Previous Bike: 2005 Honda CBR 125 (R.I.P)
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[cdlxxvi]

[Vincent]

The last time I stuck a Hi Viz vest on, I got knocked off Best to ride 100% defensively
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[keggyhander]

Wear reflective stuff at night by all means but when I see non-coppers wearing day-glo, I cringe.

[soforene]

[daemonoid]

[Andy_Pagin]

During the thirty odd years I drove a car before taking up biking I never noticed bikers regardless of what they wore. Only thing I did notice was a loud bike. Wear hi vis by all means, it might get you noticed, but don't kid yourself that It's some kind of magical beacon to cagers.
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the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[Maccydee]

I don't wear Hi-viz, I'm on a big bike and I think people will see me on it.

If I was on a small 125, I might think differently as I feel more exposed on the smaller bike.

However, what does get on my tit ends is bikers who call out those who choose to wear hi-viz? What the fuck has it got to do with them? Trust me, if you think it looks gay, you should hear what the none biking population think we look like in our "leather power range suits" to quote the girlfriend.

[Walloper]

[EXC-Rider]

The only time i use Hi Viz is when going to work because i need hi viz for work so its much easier to wear it on the journey

but i never use one outside of that, if i got out for a joy ride or for a ride anywear but work i wont use one
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owned bikes: DR50, Thumpsta 110 , Honda CR85, Speedfight 100, Yamaha XT125X, Honda CRF450, Honda Hornet '07
current bikes: KTM EXC525 AKA the wheelie machine
A friend in need is a friend indeed but a friend with weed is better!

[G]

I was sceptical until seeing, or rather not seeing a bike on an unlit section of the motorway. Sure, it had a tail light, but not that bright and could have easily been a car a fair bit further off.
Rider in black, of course.

Does make a big difference in some situations.

Had noticeably more people pulling aside when I was commuting on the M4.
Suspect they might have thought I was a cop (on a blue bike).

Headlights on all the time can actually make things worse as it's harder to judge speed and distance. Also, with more cars with always on lights, can actually make you blend in more!

If you're in it for the style, fair enough, go for a higher risk on the based of perceived views of other people.

If you're looking to get from A to B or to have fun from the riding it's self, certainly sensible.

Some might say I went a bit too far :
https://gees.zenfolio.com/img/s2/v1/p915023763-3.jpg

I often don't ride with one. But doing regular night time riding I try to make myself reasonably reflective; note the extra high-vis stickers on the bike pictured too.

[Maccydee]

[TheSmiler]

Don't wear my jacket unless I'm going out on a long unknown journey, don't know why but still being a learner it's like I get more recognition from other riders than not wearing one.
Now this below is from teflon mike's post but as the now "usefull" minimization of large quotes is in effect it doesn't look right quoted..

[shooter]

[TheSmiler]

[Vincent]

I reckon it's the contrast that stands out well, for example a black faired bike with dayglo flashes on the front.
I had a bike come up behind me on the M6 today while in the motor - no lights but he had a yellow, (not Hi Vis), and black jacket which stood out quite well.
A mate of mine used to have a 550/4 that had a white polaris fairing with orange flashes and he wore a white helmet. He would always get people move over for him and, if he got cut up, he would pull the car over and have a word with them. He didn't pretend to be a copper, would just say things like " do you realise what you did wrong back there?" and let them off with a warning
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