Motorcycle Visibility - The SMIDSY

Noticed this video on another forum and posted it here. It includes an interesting review of how motorists perceive (or fail to perceive) an oncoming motorcycle or scooter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqQBubilSXU

I installed a head light modulator years ago and must tell you that I feel like I am much more visable and to the point that some people actually think I am a police officer and pull over. They are 100 % legal here in California and I got the blessing from the Californai High Way Patrol before hand. He actually said "I wish more riders would use them" I have never been pulled over but I do get a heads up from a driver once and a while telling me my head kight is on the blink. Ha Ha

It bothers me to see riders completely dressed in black, with black helmets, black visors, on black motorcycles with a minuscule and dimmed rear light, no mirrors, no turning lights and no reflectors on any surface... but in this state, the rules of the road are scarcely, if ever, enforced.

I ride day an night wearing a red helmet, red gloves, a red and black jacket and a high visibility orange vest with thick reflective stripes over the jacket (like the ones you are required to wear on military bases); I will install a headlight modulator and a flashing brake light soon because you can never be too visible on two wheels.

Thanks for the link - I'd not heard of the avoidance weave technique before.

One the subject of Youtube SMIDSYs, try this for some light relief

Someone asked me that a few days ago. "Why do so many bikers wear black? It's both hot and hard to see, isn't it?"

I didn't really have an answer. My bike is black but my helmet is chrome and I don't wear black, mostly because of the heat here in the south.

"I guess they think it looks cool," was the only thing I could think of. "Being perceived as cool is very important to a lot of people."

Black doesn't show the dirt.

I believe that M/C clothing is a hang up from the good ole days of leathers.

Leathers were predominantly black, until recently clothing designers for motorcyclists made their wares in black. My theory!!!

My clothing is black albeit I cover the jacket in a hi-vis waistcoat. My wife's jacket is silver.

As UK laws on lighting is pretty tight, (referring here to the modulator), I tend to ride with main beam on during the daylight hours. At night I respect the light regulations and use dipped beam then switch to main when I can.

MikeO wrote:

Black doesn't show the dirt.

Or the blood?

I use the Smidsy technique all the time. I used to have a dark visor but switched back to clear, I want to make positive eye contact with the other drivers. My gear is black, but I have installed plenty of extra marker lights that are on all the time. On the bow I have a extra pair of driving lights and on the stern a brake light modulator and auxillary top box lights (similar to admore). I also fly a 6x9 US flag, this gives additional visual movement to the rear of the bike that is eye catching. I am not a fan of hi-vis but this season I am adding a hi-vis mesh vest over my jacket. It just makes sense,

most harley riders wear leather... because chiffon wrinkles too easily

u p tom wrote:

most harley riders wear leather... because chiffon wrinkles too easily

masscoot wrote:

I use the Smidsy technique all the time. I used to have a dark visor but switched back to clear, I want to make positive eye contact with the other drivers. My gear is black, but I have installed plenty of extra marker lights that are on all the time. On the bow I have a extra pair of driving lights and on the stern a brake light modulator and auxillary top box lights (similar to admore). I also fly a 6x9 US flag, this gives additional visual movement to the rear of the bike that is eye catching. I am not a fan of hi-vis but this season I am adding a hi-vis mesh vest over my jacket. It just makes sense,

If you find a hi-vis mesh vest with a zipper, let me know; mine is solid fabric and it is starting to get too hot as it covers the air scoop on my jacket.

Have a Google - thousands there.

I really can' t imagine an American saying ''Sorry mate, I didn't see you.''
Don't you say buddy or mack instead? Or is it '' Hey asshole, look what ya done to my car!''

Meldrew wrote:

I really can' t imagine an American saying ''Sorry mate, I didn't see you.''
Don't you say buddy or mack instead? Or is it '' Hey asshole, look what ya done to my car!''

jejeje, very true

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=safety+vest&ic=48_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=0

for low cost high vis vests

This $9 Wally World version is mesh.

I know there are thousands of vests out there; I have a Vega military spec one but I'm not happy with the flapping around the shoulders. Most of them are too loose, specially the "construction" type. also, velcro closing is not what I'd prefer.

I have seen the Oxford vest, it has elastic panels and is advertised as fitted to the riding jacket.

It's very difficult selecting gear for other riders to wear.

I have a HiViz H-belt which I can wear over any of my bike jackets:

http://www.oxford-shop.co.uk/item3298.htm

I've just Googled motorcycle mesh hi viz.

There are lots which are specifically for bikers and they have zips.
The drawback is that they are expensive.

I just had a driver SMIDSY me Saturday.

I was on the way to a poker run, travelling in a 35 mph zone. I was following three cars, and as soon as the car in front of me cleared the intersection a driver turned left in front of me. I hit both brakes, locking the back for a fraction of a second, and missed his rear bumper by about 5 feet. Once I knew I was not going to hit him, I hit my horn. Was he ever surprised! He was so intent on the cars, he did not even know I was there.

Normally I go a few miles before turning on my auxiliary lights to allow the battery to recharge a bit. I think I am going to just turn them on before I pull out of the garage. Many times in the past I have done the "weave", but it was just too early in the morning to be at my best that day.

I wear a Sam-Bright belt, had it at least 20yrs.
Riding to work most motorists got out of the way as they thought i was police.

Some org in Europe did a study that found wearing a white helmet made you 35% less likely to have an accident with another vehicle.