Motorcycle reflective gear

[MissMoxy]

So I've been wearing my Neon Riding vest since I began riding twelve thousand miles ago. I routinely get comments on how I can be seen from far away (I blind the cameras too I know there are a few blinders on the Skips pics). This morning while walking from the parking garage as I usually do to my office , I had an employee stop me and profusely (sp) thank me for wearing such a highly reflective vest (felt like a representative cager-to-motorcyclist interaction). Even though I have dirt and wear marks, the vest still does the job (and has pockets galore- I feel a lump...HOW DO I GET TO IT ??). I even was told while I was in Cycle Gear and wearing my vest that I helped sell 4 'on the spot' because the shopper-motorcyclists liked the idea.

Anything to be safe :According to statistics, all white motorcycle helmets are involved 20% less in accidents- according to Proficient Motorcycling Handbook.

I even modified my riding gear- Yes, I have been a walking fashion show for a few months- I took my recent purchase back because I wanted gear that could accomodate my vest.. I chose function over fashion .

I find myself taking the bike 90% of the time these days...especially after finding the bike pants of my dreams- so much for scouering the internet when they were right around the corner in Concord !!....buttery soft leather that I could wear all day - and I had to the day I forgot my work pants but I felt ubber comfortable !!.

On sunny days I feel like a neon blob out there and 'not hip' but I definately feel safe( I had pulled into a coffee location and heard a comment "we sure as hell can see her!"...which made me smile "YES! My intentions exactly !"

In addition, on the days I carry my backpack, I bought a 'rucksac' cover that is neon orange and green with two strips of reflective piping. This is easily stuffable when not needed. When I went on my trip, I used it to cover my duffle bag on my passenger seat.

I do maintain a 'healthy sense of vulnerability' and heightened awareness despite my 'neonness'.
I am aiming to not be a 'did not see me' statements (aside from the person backing into me....)

RIDE SAFE !

 

[Zerox]

Anything to be safe :According to statistics, all white motorcycle helmets are involved 20% less in accidents- according to Proficient Motorcycling Handbook.

Awesome! One of my streetbike helmets is solid white.

Plus I got reflective tape all around my Givi luggage, I don't wanna get torpedoed.

 

[cbrf3]

Agreed, I have reflective tape on my hard cases and a white helmet and aerostich with reflective strips on it.. I will say one thing I know that we all have to be careful with, especially those of us with lots of bright, visible gear on is to not get overconfident thinking that people can see us, because most of the time people won't, it is still the best idea to be as visible as possible and increase your chances of being seen, but not thinking that people will see you, because they won't at one point or another, and unfortunately its our responsibility to look out for them.. But definitely bright, reflective gear FTW!

 

[Karbon]

reflectives FTW!

 

[Miss Fox]

I've got one of those Halo bands around the bottom of my helmet that I like. I've got an Arai Quantum 2 and it has vents fairly low in the back, but you can put the Halo on securely and not cover those vents up.

I have the Arai Vector (according to Scuderia, the color is technically called "friggin' punch-you-in-the-face yellow") and I was actually having some trouble getting the Halo on without covering up the vents. I think I might even have to cut it down in the back.

And props to you, Robin, for being so responsible! I've been looking for some good reflective gear that's a little fem and not too flap-in-the-wind gargantuan. That one looks pretty fitted, no?

 

[streetsquid]

That's a good idea. Be seen, not squished. Come to think of it, I might want to get a reflective vest like that for commuting these days. Not a bad idea.

 

[Miss Fox]

reflectives FTW!

Coooool! I want one.

 

[Zerox]

I'm actually surprised the helmet manufacturers have not jumped on the "high-viz yellow" bandwagon. That color will burn your retinas, it is so bright. But as actual paint it would probably fade.

When the Shoei RF-200 Jazz first came out in hot pink about 17 or 18 years ago, I bought one of those and the paint faded in a year or so. But damn it was BRIGHT.

 

[Miss Fox]

I'm actually surprised the helmet manufacturers have not jumped on the "high-viz yellow" bandwagon. That color will burn your retinas, it is so bright. But as actual paint it would probably fade.

When the Shoei RF-200 Jazz first came out in hot pink about 17 or 18 years ago, I bought one of those and the paint faded in a year or so. But damn it was BRIGHT.

omg it's like Jazzercise in helmet form! I looove it!

 

[Blind_Io]

I'm glad to hear a statistic that backs up my instinct about white lids. My Shoei is white and I insisted my girl get a white helmet when she started riding. We have both added reflective strips in a pattern that (I hope) makes it easier to judge distance at night.

I've been thinking about a high-viz vest to wear.

 

[Cosmo-M3]

I have all black gear including helmet, and have been recently considering making the buy on a reflective vest. I have to find one that will fit an RC51 though, anyone know of one?

 

[Miss Fox]

I'm glad to hear a statistic that backs up my instinct about white lids. My Shoei is white and I insisted my girl get a white helmet when she started riding. We have both added reflective strips in a pattern that (I hope) makes it easier to judge distance at night.

I've been thinking about a high-viz vest to wear.

I actually got yellow because where I live in the hills, white is hard to see in the fog and in some strange lights like dusk or dawn. My test? I went to a store with a wall full of every color helmet you could imagine, and picked the one that stood out in my periphery and that caught my eye when I glimpsed for a fraction of a second.

 

[moriya]

Reason #85423 why I love my Chrome messenger bag: All the straps are covered in reflective tape. I pair that up with all the reflective Dainese logos covering my white jacket, and a white helmet. To me, it keeps a high level of visibility (albeit not nearly what a dayglo safety vest would provide), while still allowing me to pose at *$s.

Also helps that my bike is screaming yellow

 

[RRR70]

Reason #85423 why I love my Chrome messenger bag: All the straps are covered in reflective tape.

That's how my Chrome bag looks like.

P.S. That's an old one. I got bigger one now in tha same color, with same stickers.

 

[ex911]

...We have both added reflective strips in a pattern that (I hope) makes it easier to judge distance at night.

...

What pattern is that Dave? Will you share? Thanks!

 

[Prabhat]

Something like this may also work ...

 

[islemann]

Scorpion has indeed jumped on the 'hi-viz' bandwagon with both a new hi-viz helmet and a new 3/4 length hi-viz jacket now in dealerships. Pops your eyeballs right out, it does.

I agree with the notion that no matter what gear you wear - you MUST ride as if you're invisible every time you hit the road.

Also - if you really want to increase your odds of being seen by oncoming traffic get yourself a headlight modulator. Please, be sure to disable it if you're riding behind others on a group ride as they're a real aggravation in rear view mirrors.

 

[Blind_Io]

What pattern is that Dave? Will you share? Thanks!

Tiff has three parallel horizontal lines, each about 3.5 inches apart.
I have two vertical parallel lines, about 4 inches apart and a horizontal stripe along the bottom. Each helmet has a reflector just under the visor on each side so drivers from the side can see where you are looking.

The idea behind the patterns is to have multiple uniform shapes with enough distance between each one for drivers to judge distance as they approach. My personal experience is that having multiple points of light help me judge distance, rate of closure, etc. A single spot of light in the darkness is just that, a spot. An open pattern will appear larger the closer you get.

I'll get some photos up in a few minutes.

The stripes are on the lower part of the helmet, making them more visible as you lean forward.

I should point out that I have no idea if this actually works or not, I couldn't find anything about visual acuity studies for night driving. This is just based on what I have found works for me.

 

[moriya]

Tiff has three parallel horizontal lines, each about 3.5 inches apart.
I have two vertical parallel lines, about 4 inches apart and a horizontal stripe along the bottom. Each helmet has a reflector just under the visor on each side so drivers from the side can see where you are looking.

The idea behind the patterns is to have multiple uniform shapes with enough distance between each one for drivers to judge distance as they approach. My personal experience is that having multiple points of light help me judge distance, rate of closure, etc. A single spot of light in the darkness is just that, a spot. An open pattern will appear larger the closer you get.

I'll get some photos up in a few minutes.

The stripes are on the lower part of the helmet, making them more visible as you lean forward.

I should point out that I have no idea if this actually works or not, I couldn't find anything about visual acuity studies for night driving. This is just based on what I have found works for me.

That's actually a great idea. I have the same white RF-1000 and I think I may just do that - may I ask where you got the reflective stickers?

 

[Blind_Io]

You can get a pack of them at Cycle Gear. I can't find them online, but they are in the stores. There are a few short ones and two long stickers.