Ballacraine Posted February 7, 2006 Posted February 7, 2006 In the controversial area of increased safety measures, I would just like to put forward my personal,....possibly controversial ... unfashionable credo. Convention is that we have heavily silenced, garish multi-coloured, high power bolides and wear garish multi coloured random pattern leathers and top of the range helmets and ride with lights on. All fine and good. I can't help feeling that my alternative approach...Used sucessfully ( touch wood) for the last thirty plus years is just as valid in its own way. I have 'fruity' exhausts on a predominantly black bike, wear black two piece leathers and usually a black helmet. I only use my headlamp in reduced visibility. I can't help feeling that todays jap rocket ships are too quiet and quick for their own good on todays roads. Just a flash of headlamp in the car mirror and they are with you and gone...Quick as that! No audible warning of impending whirlwind at all. At least if you have a reasonable amount of audible presence you are not solely reliant on the visual sense of other road users. Headlamps being on in daytime can give difficulty to others in judging speed and distance. Now the human eye is set up to be driven by shape recognition. Military camouflage breaks up the outline of objects with garish multi coloured random patterns...... Sound familiar? I'll admit black may not necessarily be the most sensible choice but any block colour bike, helmet and leathers, should theoretically give you a better chance of being seen and recognised immediately for what you are. That'll do for the first postulation. Off you go then.... Nige.
Martin Barrett Posted February 7, 2006 Posted February 7, 2006 Firstly do not rely on others to see you. If your safety solely depends on that you're as good as dead. A little bit of noise is good especially when filtering. Motion camouflage where you seem to be stationary against the back ground If you're moving across it you will be seen easier. Big blocks. The headlight is right to an extent it can make you speed distance harder to judge, the theory is that having seen you they will then take that extra bit of time to accurately access your speed distance. Main beams are just anti social, illegal and dangerous use your dipped beam. In camouflage was taught to avoid, shape, silhouette, motion, shine and sky line. So do these. Having said that. I ride a black bike with my head light on, wearing black suit and a matt black helmet. with standard exhausts Only ever had one two vehicle accident and that was been struck in the rear in the car. Struck by a car who lost control moving from the 3rd lane to the middle in the snow <_ so the defensive driving must be working wood>
Ballacraine Posted February 7, 2006 Author Posted February 7, 2006 In camouflage was taught to avoid, shape, silhouette, motion, shine and sky line. So do these. 77563[/snapback] Right so, block colour, go like the clappers, polish your bike and always ride on top of a hill.... Sounds fair enough. Nige.
Martin Barrett Posted February 7, 2006 Posted February 7, 2006 Right so, block colour, go like the clappers, polish your bike and always ride on top of a hill.... Sounds fair enough. Nige. 77564[/snapback] Be seen from miles away get vascared* between two points and lose licence This is where the observation comes in, and the need for balance EDIT- VASCAR (Vague and Spurious Calculations at Random) Method of calculating speed - time between two measured points. okay it realy stands for Visual Average Speed Computer and Recorder
orangeokie Posted February 7, 2006 Posted February 7, 2006 I'm a proponent of brightly colored helmets and leathers. Here in the U.S. I am of the opinion that most, if not all States require headlights on at all times for motorcycles. Might be incorrect on that assesment, but motorcycles are sold with electrical connections that light the headlamp whenever the inginition switch in in the on position. I am very diligent to not trust any cager who is in a position to turn or pull out in front of me. I always slow down to a speed which allows me to take evasive action in case he tries to kill me.
Ballacraine Posted February 7, 2006 Author Posted February 7, 2006 A valid enough view.... Still think block colours are going to do you more favours though. A bit of audible presence can help too! Nige.
helicopterjim R.I.P. Posted February 7, 2006 Posted February 7, 2006 Someday we'll be required to have a pulse-light for daytime use, similar to what trains and aircraft use. Won't that be fun!!
Ballacraine Posted February 7, 2006 Author Posted February 7, 2006 Someday we'll be required to have a pulse-light for daytime use, similar to what trains and aircraft use. Won't that be fun!! 77568[/snapback] Jeez...You mean some folk don't see a TRAIN!! Well like I say...Don't rely on the one sense! Nige.
Steve G. Posted February 7, 2006 Posted February 7, 2006 In the controversial area of increased safety measures, I would just like to put forward my personal,....possibly controversial ... unfashionable credo. Convention is that we have heavily silenced, garish multi-coloured, high power bolides and wear garish multi coloured random pattern leathers and top of the range helmets and ride with lights on. All fine and good. I can't help feeling that my alternative approach...Used sucessfully ( touch wood) for the last thirty plus years is just as valid in its own way. I have 'fruity' exhausts on a predominantly black bike, wear black two piece leathers and usually a black helmet. I only use my headlamp in reduced visibility. I can't help feeling that todays jap rocket ships are too quiet and quick for their own good on todays roads. Just a flash of headlamp in the car mirror and they are with you and gone...Quick as that! No audible warning of impending whirlwind at all. I would argue that the modern Japanese machines are not too fast, but that the morons who are allowed to own [and crash] them are not up to the task. At least if you have a reasonable amount of audible presence you are not solely reliant on the visual sense of other road users. Headlamps being on in daytime can give difficulty to others in judging speed and distance. Now the human eye is set up to be driven by shape recognition. Military camouflage breaks up the outline of objects with garish multi coloured random patterns...... It has been widely argued that accessory driving lights [much like you's see on a big D/P bike] make a huge visual recognition with cage drivers. Ciao, Steve G.
DeBenGuzzi Posted February 7, 2006 Posted February 7, 2006 I usually go out like this. notice the pit stains and the excessive tightness I want to be sure I stand out.
jrt Posted February 7, 2006 Posted February 7, 2006 My G5 was an LAPD cop bike- has the spots, the black and white paint scheme, floorboards and I put a Harley shield on it. I had more people be courteous and notice me riding it than on any other bike. So, in addition to the camo and the lights and riding on hilltops, there's an effect like the cuckoo bird- fool 'em and they'll respect you. (the cuckoo bird lays it's eggs in other bird's nests and lets them do the work)
g.forrest Posted February 7, 2006 Posted February 7, 2006 i wear mainly black gear. black helmet, metal grey and black bike, and even stay with black tyres but do allways ride with headlight on [low beam] exhausts fairly quite.. but stay with my belief. keep moving past any traffic,never sit behind, or infront for more than a minute or two keep moving forward of others,never trust other vehicles to do the right thing, and keep eyes scanning. it's interesting to note that here they've just dropped compulsery db compliance plate on mufflers. ADR 39 decibal output label no longer law post 2/3/06.
dlaing Posted February 7, 2006 Posted February 7, 2006 These would be better if they were bright solid colors. good Bad Goodbad Good cops Bad cops BAD CHiPs Khaki The only valid arguments are that patterns make you look other than human and fit into the landscape of bright signs and bright colors attract fixation, which can be a problem. I don't know how you guys think that your mufflers are loud enough for anyone to hear you coming. Maybe pedestrians without iPods... Most cars don't even hear sirens. When I am in a car stuck in traffic with the radio and AC on, and a loud pipe Harley motors by, I don't hear him tell he is right beside me. When I am lane spitting I put on the high beam and rev the engine, and the people notice me no more than if I was invisible and quiet....they just don't pay attention to what is behind them. The one in fifty that do pay attention, probably ride. I do hear motorcycles once they pass by, but that is about the only time. Besides most motorcyclists decelerate when someone is looking like they might pull out in front of them. This decelleration quiets the pipes, and I would not recommend accelerating to make your bike louder in that frequent situation. Slowing down enough for an escape route as mentioned by OrangeOkie is key....if no one is on your tail.
dlaing Posted February 7, 2006 Posted February 7, 2006 When you are target, like Mad Max was, black is a good color for a good cop
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