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Message started by JLC on 04/10/18 at 13:29:05

Title: Hi viz safety vest
Post by JLC on 04/10/18 at 13:29:05

I am getting tired of drivers not seeing me at intersections, despite having the high beam on, wearing a white helmet and clothing with reflective strips, and even doing the "English weave"... so I bought a hi viz safety vest. Too early to tell if it will make a difference, but I found one problem with it: in any kind of bright daylight and with any sunny conditions, I cannot see my GPS screen. The reflection of the hi viz vest completely obscures the screen!

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by Dave on 04/10/18 at 14:46:51

So it happens in CO too!

Let us know if it makes any difference.

The Savage headlight is a bit puny.....maybe a headlight with a larger "footprint" would help as well.

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by JLC on 04/10/18 at 15:09:26

I have a Suzuki windshield fitted, so that limits me to a headlight the diameter size of the stock one. The modified headlights I have seen discussed here are bigger.

I would like to fit two auxiliary lights on each side of the headlight, something like those on the Harley Touring bikes. Anybody on this forum has done that?

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by jcstokes on 04/10/18 at 16:26:04

Does your vest have Silver reflective stripes on the front?

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by oldNslow on 04/10/18 at 16:48:30

Quote:

Every little bit helps I guess, but the safest strategy is to assume that the folks that don't see you now, still won't see you., and act accordingly.
The unfortunate fact is that not getting hit while riding a motorcycle is almost entirely up to the person on the motorcycle. I think that's just one of the risks you have to accept when you decide to ride, no matter what you chose to wear.

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by badwolf on 04/10/18 at 17:07:16

My motto is ''EVERYONE AROUND ME IS TRYING TO KILL ME''!
Ride with the truth on your mind that 'The only one that wants to see you get home alive is YOU'!
If you are not paying attention, NOBODY cares!

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by engineer on 04/10/18 at 18:18:10

I bought a hi vis mesh riding jacket last year and it made a big difference. I've seen drivers sit and wait when they could have safely pulled out. I got one after I noticed that the bicyclists that are the most visible to me when I'm driving a car are the ones wearing the hi vis vests. I think the vest works well because it is up high at a driver's eye level and it is big compared to any of the lights.

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by JLC on 04/10/18 at 19:24:46

jcstokes wrote: Does your vest have Silver reflective stripes on the front?

Yes it does. It is a class 3 safety vest. I will wear it every time I ride from now on.

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by jcstokes on 04/10/18 at 19:31:22

I'm assuming your vest is hi viz orange or yellow. I'm just wondering if the silver stripes aren't causing your reflection issue. I don't think the main colours will do this.

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by JLC on 04/10/18 at 19:50:37

Good point. It is yellow, with thick silver reflective stripes bordered with red lines.

This is what I bought: KwikSafety EXECUTIVE | Class 3 Safety Vest | 360° High Visibility Reflective ANSI Compliant Work Wear | Hi Vis Breathable Mesh Multiple Pockets

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by jcstokes on 04/10/18 at 23:08:50

Possibly blank off a little of the front silver part with non reflective tape, and see if the screen improves

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by youzguyz on 04/11/18 at 05:08:06

No matter how "visible" you are, you will still be invisible to someone.
My wife always wants me as visible as possible. She figures the more visible I was, the more she can get in an insurance or court settlement!

I wear a red jacket, or hi-vis vest over my leather jacket, a cab yellow helmet, hi-vis gloves. And I ride with the high beam on unless it is night.
Even then.. near misses are the order of the day.
I've even had "didn't see you" events when I was flying a full size US flag on the bike!

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/11/18 at 05:26:19

I was behind a modern ambulance, basically a small garage on wheels, painted up like they are, with stripes and reflective stuff, just rolling, no lights/sirens, and a guy pulled out right in front of him. He had to swerve and hit the horn.
THAT'S the moment when I understood, you'll never be visible to everyone.

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 04/11/18 at 09:44:07

All of the reflective tape in the world isn't gonna get the attention of a cage driver with her/his head down looking at their iPhone. Ride like everyone is out to kill you, otherwise someone will.

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by JLC on 04/12/18 at 04:42:09

I am well aware of the risks. I stopped riding a long time ago when too many of my friends were dying on their motorcycle. Five dead in less than a year to be precise.

Now that I am riding again, I am way more careful than in the past. We have safer motorcycles (better brakes, tires, etc) and better gear, but many car drivers are more distracted than ever. I know that.

PS: I follow the ATGATT rule, and that includes the Hi Vis vest now.

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/12/18 at 05:53:33

They are

OTGYATT
Out to Get You All the Time

Title: Re: Hi viz safety vest
Post by HAPPYDAN on 04/12/18 at 06:54:11

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation course really hammers that in - YOU are ultimately responsible for accident avoidance, regardless who's right or wrong. Because, YOU will always lose. I quit riding bicycles (on the road) years ago, because too many friends got hit. And worse, the culprit just drove away. Now many wear a GoPro, in hopes to get a license number and video witness to use in court. Hi viz is good, and may save your life. I'd stay away from flat black, OD green, and camo paint schemes.