What Is Your Opinions On High-visibility Jackets When Riding A Motorcycle?

Aleks

Aleks

Wannabie Member
As some people already know, I am a noob. So I was wondering if it is necessary to wear a high-vis jacket when riding a motorcycle. Is it really that much safer? I usually only wear a high-vis jacket if its raining quite heavily, if its foggy or if its night time, but I rarely wear it on a clear day.

Thanks.
 
Yes of course it makes a difference, you will die in a day glow jacket instead of a cool black one lol !

The actual science behind it is different. Its common sense isn't it that being seen better must be better? The evidence is not clear from the science if it has reduced accidents. Bearing in mind that the most common accident is failure to negotiate a left hand bend (dayglow will not help your cornering skill), the second most common is failure to negotiate a right hand bend (dayglow wont help). A right of way violation is third, SMIDY Sorry Mate I didnt see You.... I think if your filtering at low speed it may help. But a bike approaching a junction at high speed, with headlight on doesn't really in my personal opinion help people see you.
I don't wear one, I am a ROSPA tutor trainer and had 22 years on a full license without an accident. Plus it would cover up the big rukka R on my back ;-)
 
I Don't see riders in high-vis any earlier than riders in normal gear, also Queensland Police rider's don't wear high vis, the only benefit I can see is the extra reflective bits, which only really work at night & you can add on without wearing high vis.

No harm in wearing one though, just don't rely on it.
 
Oh your vanity Shifty :)

A hi-viz won't make you be seen, it can HELP you be seen. If you ride differently or thinking you are safer because of the hi-viz, then you have defeated its purpose. It's just one more thing in your arsenal of safety measures.

Other thing with hi-viz, or any clothing - will you stand out from the background. A yellow hi-viz won't make a massive difference against light greens behind you, and if you've a light sky behind you then a dark outfit might help you stand out more. In summer, for example, I'm more likely to spot a black helmet than a white one.

So yes, do wear one, it might help, and probably will do, but don't rely on it, rely on good effective observations and good forward planning (remember that Plan B if Plan A goes tits up).
 
They will be able to line you up better lol. Problem is most accidents are because of blind spots. Hi vis wont help in those situations. Same as with the reflective stuff, only works when lights being shined on it. Hi vis is to improve your visibility in poor visibility conditions, fog, rain, night.etc. Bad thing is most people on the road have tunnel vision and are not that alert to surroundings. When we are smaller, faster and more nimble they don't see us until its too late.
 
No harm to wear hi-vis jackets. They really do make you stand out more on the road, but whether drivers give a shit to notice you is still undecided.
 
Shifty said:
Yes of course it makes a difference, you will die in a day glow jacket instead of a cool black one lol !

The actual science behind it is different. Its common sense isn't it that being seen better must be better? The evidence is not clear from the science if it has reduced accidents. Bearing in mind that the most common accident is failure to negotiate a left hand bend (dayglow will not help your cornering skill), the second most common is failure to negotiate a right hand bend (dayglow wont help). A right of way violation is third, SMIDY Sorry Mate I didnt see You.... I think if your filtering at low speed it may help. But a bike approaching a junction at high speed, with headlight on doesn't really in my personal opinion help people see you.
I don't wear one, I am a ROSPA tutor trainer and had 22 years on a full license without an accident. Plus it would cover up the big rukka R on my back ;-)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, I have noticed there is a lot of mixed opinions about wearing high vis jackets.
 
SighBored said:
No harm to wear hi-vis jackets. They really do make you stand out more on the road, but whether drivers give a shit to notice you is still undecided.
Click to expand...

I have not been on the road long but I personally cant tell the difference much with or without a high vis jacket because it seems my L plates mean people notice me either way but don't care. Thanks for the reply!
 
jthomas said:
They will be able to line you up better lol. Problem is most accidents are because of blind spots. Hi vis wont help in those situations. Same as with the reflective stuff, only works when lights being shined on it. Hi vis is to improve your visibility in poor visibility conditions, fog, rain, night.etc. Bad thing is most people on the road have tunnel vision and are not that alert to surroundings. When we are smaller, faster and more nimble they don't see us until its too late.
Click to expand...

The L plates make me a more obvious target on the road as well haha. Thanks for the reply :)
 
Don't get one of the "POLITE" ones, you will get knocked off, run over and they'll reverse to make sure they did it properly :)
 
Lurch said:
Oh your vanity Shifty :)

A hi-viz won't make you be seen, it can HELP you be seen. If you ride differently or thinking you are safer because of the hi-viz, then you have defeated its purpose. It's just one more thing in your arsenal of safety measures.

Other thing with hi-viz, or any clothing - will you stand out from the background. A yellow hi-viz won't make a massive difference against light greens behind you, and if you've a light sky behind you then a dark outfit might help you stand out more. In summer, for example, I'm more likely to spot a black helmet than a white one.

So yes, do wear one, it might help, and probably will do, but don't rely on it, rely on good effective observations and good forward planning (remember that Plan B if Plan A goes tits up).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. From what I have read a high vis jacket will help me in terms of safety, but I think that my L plates must cancel it out lol!
 
MiGlyRides said:
I Don't see riders in high-vis any earlier than riders in normal gear, also Queensland Police rider's don't wear high vis, the only benefit I can see is the extra reflective bits, which only really work at night & you can add on without wearing high vis.

No harm in wearing one though, just don't rely on it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply.
 
Lurch said:
Don't get one of the "POLITE" ones, you will get knocked off, run over and they'll reverse to make sure they did it properly :)
Click to expand...

Haha, I watched BaronVonGrumble's video on POLITE jackets and I agree with everything he said :D I have never seen one in person though.
 
Over here leaner riders have to wear them.

It doesn't do shit. But we do live in a high vis society, so you stand out more not wearing it.
 
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