To HIGH-VIZ or not

[keith_d]

I've been riding a whole year now so I'm not sure if I still qualify as a newbie. This winter I opted for the full high-vis jacket, partly for visiblity and partly because I was freezing in my leathers.

Keith.

Originally Posted by keith_d

I've been riding a whole year now so I'm not sure if I still qualify as a newbie. This winter I opted for the full high-vis jacket, partly for visiblity and partly because I was freezing in my leathers.

Keith.

If you have to ask you'll never know...

Course you don't. Otherwise I do. Only had my license 20 months, but a few years on a Honda Cub have to count, right!

Originally Posted by philbut

I never asume folk have seen me though, especailly in London - they obviously have some sort of rule which allows them to drive whilst asleep.

Couldn't be more true. Take it from a predominantly London biker...people here just don't give a toss, including those bus drivers who will cut you up to pull out and advance on. I've even seen car drivers pull out in front of huge red buses so no chance of a high viz making any difference there, so you've gotta ride accordingly regardless of high viz or not. Death traps everywhere in London. I wish I had the chance to ride more in my beloved home town of Milton Keynes where the roads are open and the speed limits are 60/70 mph!

Just ordered a one piece rain suit with gurt big hi viz bits on it as personally don't feel too comfortable riding in the rain when it's dark as my current waterproofs are all black and so is my bike - drivers here in Mallorca are stupid-scary at the best of times - so it's just to up my presence in bad visibilty.

Rule of thumb: I rely on my eyes and not theirs!

i Keep one under the seat but it never comes out and would only if really heavy rain or fog..but then i try to avoid these as its just a whole nother level of danger.

Being all lit up still wont help if they havent looked.
Loud exhaust seems to be the best option.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by chilli

Rule of thumb: I rely on my eyes and not theirs!

I like that phrase

I wear one for commuting, but then I have a black bike & all black kit (including lid).

As others have said though, it didn't prevent me bouncing off a Zafira who changed lanes while I was filtering past, "Sorry mate I didn't see you"

I often wear one, specially when observing for the IAM as it has OBSERVER emblazoned on the back, it's amazing how car drivers hang back if they think you are training someone, we had one of the IAM test examiners,( police grade 1 rider) give a talk to us and he remarked how many associates didn't wear one on the test, and asked us to tell the associates to wear one to get a few extra brownie points. Away from the IAM I still wear one most of the time, anything to make me more visible has got to be good, but they don't guarantee that everyone will see you , hence the need for good observation, defensive riding and road sense, and riding to the road conditions.

Daryl

Originally Posted by petevtwin650

Everybody out there is out to kill you. Ride accordingly

In that case should I be packin' heat?

I only wear hi-viz at night or in mist/fog. Basically when being able to see me is going to be harder than at day time. Other than, that standard kit with reflective strips included in the design do me fine. Generally riding defensively is your best form of protection. At least that's what the oldies say.

[5hort5]

I wear hi Vis when commuting and don't when having fun