Hi Vis - Yes or No

[zico]

I use the motorbike at night quite a bit, this is my first winter riding it. With the nights drawing in I feel a bit invisible in my black jacket and helmet. I'm toying with the idea of a high vis vest from Amazon, the type that builders or self important people with clipboards wear. I know this is common sense but I'm curious about who here wears hi vis because I see a lot of bikers not bothering.

[KnuckleShot]

I don't wear hi vis clothing as on my commute 95% of the time I have my bag.
However, I have a hi vis cover for my bag that goes over it because a hi-vis vest is pointless with my bag over it.

[Polarbear]

If they can't see your lights, do you think a bit of yellow cloth will save you?

Defensive riding is your best bet.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[NJD]

Worms, you've smashed open several tins of them and have infected us, much sadness.

If you think wearing a hi-viz will make you feel safer at night then do so for piece of mind, don't expect to be seen any better for it though.

Personally I do not wear a hi-viz and have never done but do tend to aim my helmets towards designs that stick out a little, for example my K3 SV is the Misano 2011 design and when I had my RPHA ST it was black and green, so for me it's anything that isn't just plain black or white, I like graphics.. if they stick out great, if not wearing because personal preference.

Night time riding comes with practice, winter riding is all about being sensible in choosing your moments when to ride and the conditions allow.. needless to add that gear that keeps you warm and dry helps with both of those types of riding.

[ForestRunner]

[G]

[Andy_Pagin]

[grr666]

[c_dug]

I was involved in a hit and run in 2013, I was left laying in a dual carriage way with cars whizzing past wearing all black at night.

I felt incredibly vulnerable for the minute or so (maybe even less) that it took a fire engine to arrive on scene.

I still don't wear one.

Make of that what you will!
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[phatstorage]

I've been told by the cops an a bikesafe course, PINK is the most seen hi vis as it doesn't blend in with fields and other yellow stuff. He then proceed to give us all yellow bikesafe hi vis as a momento.

[ForestRunner]

[zico]

No high vis is well in the lead so far.

I'm surprised at that but I'm not sure why.

That Scotchlite reflective tape looks like a good job, nice and subtle and you don't look like a bell end. I've ordered some of that.

[Beehive Bedlam]

Hi vis is for 'motorcyclists' moral fags. Bikers wear black.

I don't personally wear hi vis clothing nor do I have any of those gay reflective strips on my bike.

[Going]

Nope for me, although my stuff has reflective stuff on it. Also found out that my helmet glows in the dark

[grr666]

[zico]

[pinkyfloyd]

I do but then mine has my job on the back and has got business.
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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.

[recman]

I have to wear a hi vis or she won't let me take the bike to work.

Seriously though, concentrate less on the biker image, more on riding the bloody thing.
I don't think there has ever been a case of anyone saying 'Oh look at that biker in the hi vis, he looks like a cu....oh, he's gone.' Except the polite notice ones of course.
I could be wrong.

[mentalboy]

If it's a choice between getting rear ended or my arse f*cked I'd rather be wearing the hi-viz than tassels any day of the week.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[zico]

[moonzoomer]

[whitedevil]

If i came off at night and was laying in the road i'd wish i was wearing hi viz but i haven't so i don't.
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GPZ500 sold ~ CBR600FS-2 sold ~ ZX6R sold ~ Street Triple R

[talkToTheHat]

I did not used to be high vis clothing.

I occasionally wear the yellow vest. My textiles kit and helmet have retro-reflective stickers stuck to them which works well at night. I like retroreflective tape, works but not as good as lights.

Mostly my vest exists to stop my waterproof oversuit flapping.

Consider how human eyes and image processing work, Only where you are directly looking has the cones that see colour information. Peripheral vision mostly gives contrast information. Try watching videos of bikes moving through traffic with a greyscale or extremely muted colours filter. You need to be visible there. That means having a recognisable outline and a contrasting luminance.

Try turning down the colour setting on your tv whilst watching the motogp, effect is interesting.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[UncleFester]

I do but i don't and wouldn't rely on it. See AND be seen - the two go together.
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2017 Z1000SX