Reflective Vests - Do They Shit You ??

[MickLC]

I ask the question because they shit me to tears.

OK, so no group buy then?

[Neka79]

I ask the question because they shit me to tears.

OK, so no group buy then?

mwahahah i was thinking the same thing...

[daffy67]

I see your point about them(pollies) at some stage trying for this, wow it would be an easy revenue raiser to ping riders not wearing a 'safety' vest.................
Some states in the USA deer hunters have to wear hi-vis gear because too many of them were shooting each other..

[mike-s]

that reminds me of one of jeff foxworthy's acts. "That'll teach him for driving a brown cadillac, with a luggage rack."

[BladeBoy]

My 2c for what it's worth.

As motorcyclists we are individuals we basically choose what to ride, what colour it is and manufacturer, when it comes down to tin tacks whether you are wearing a "safety jacket" or not you may not look "cool" but if worse comes to worse you will be pretty cool on a morgue slab as well, each to their own it is a free county to a point, what should be outlawed is aftermarket indicators the majority are useless, safety issue surely? But are considered "cool" therefore acceptable to the motorcycling community.
Thinking that by wearing safety jackets will make them compulsory is no more a likelihood than seat belts for motorcycles that was considered 20 years ago.

[daffy67]

Who knows what may come, eh??

[red_dave]

Not sure about the vests thing, but there was this one time Yappa dropped into my work...

He was wearing the brightest fluro MC Hammer pants in the southern hemisphere...

[Benno]

I'm all for reflective piping in jackets. It doesnt look out of place, and can actually look quite good.

But if I am forced to wear a reflective vest, I think I'll give the game away.

[gco0307]

I have worn reflective vests when leading the Camp Quality rides as well as when marshalling in the Sydney To 'gong bike ride, otherwise the only reflective vests I wear are when marshalling at the racetrack.

But, I work with a guy who uses one (over his bike jacket) and for him it is mental as he feels more visible which, after he was knocked off twice in 2 months by cars if this keeps him riding then all the better.

But Gos, (and this may open a can of worms) is someone wearing a fluoro high visibility vest any different to the guys with their bright and lairy leathers?

Personally I have no problem with them and if it means that people are riding when they otherwise may not, then more power to them.

As for politicians knee jerk reactions and attempts to force the wearing of them, it may happen but having to wear a vest wont stop me riding, I just love riding to much.

[hoffy]

In a word ...yes.

[Neka79]

id prefer to have the piping, but maybe as a logo on a jacket...not just lines....

if i had a big hi vis KSRC logo on the back of my jacket..well THAT would be cool...

[Gosling1]

....OK, so no group buy then?

You can guarantee that !!

There have been some good valid points raised about these, I didn't intend to include posties in the broadside against vest-wearers and Barra's reference to couriers..........I have to admit I didn't think about couriers at all.

My real point was about wearing these vests day in day out, in bright sunny conditions, where the vest wearer is basically making a statement to all other road users that: "......its not YOUR responsibility to watch out for motorcyclists, its MY responsibility to be as bright/fluoro/flashing as possible so that you will actually see me.........."

This is what shits me. The whole onus of responsibility is being passed from the cage-drivers to the riders !!! Is this what we all want ? Its not like the old 'Lights-On' campaign, even though there is no doubt that having your lights on in the daylight may help some drivers see you, there will always be the fuckwits who claim to have never seen you..... these of course being the same drivers that can't see the semi bearing down on them when they turn out straight in front of it...........nothing we do can stop these dickheads.......as a few people have pointed out....

Wearing multi-coloured leathers is not really the same - it is just a fashion statement (albeit a dangerous one - multi-coloured leathers tend to dissapear into the background, much like cameoflage, making you less likely to be seen, not more likely).

Some old wise heads (riding instructors from >20 years ago) drummed into me that a *Solid Mass of Black* is the safest and most easily-distinguished object for drivers to see. It simply contrasts with most backgrounds better than any broken-colour combos.

Night riding is not relevant, your lights are the reference points. Your bike could be black, blue, green, red etc at night, it doesn't matter at all. Nor for that matter does the colour of your leathers at night.....

Reflective vests for large group rides and/or marshalling purposes for treadlie rides have merit, I think that wearing them every day commuting to/from work, regardless of the conditions, in the mistaken belief that they make you 'safer' has no merit whatsoever.

[Neka79]

im still gunna send u 1 for ur bday

[Sulli]

Hi Gos
you have stirred up a hornets nest

My real point was about wearing these vests day in day out, in bright sunny conditions, where the vest wearer is basically making a statement to all other road users that: "......its not YOUR responsibility to watch out for motorcyclists, its MY responsibility to be as bright/fluoro/flashing as possible so that you will actually see me..........

As I recall all road users are a member of the human race and the responsibility is shared for for road use and after doing refresher courses the main point was to make yourself and the bike as visible as possible mainly as you would know road position ( these include riding along side a cage in the blind spot moving to the outermost limit of the road for left and right t junctions etc)
The advent of hi-vis jackets will improve the SMIDSY syndrome.
The reference to posties are a workplace health and safety issue and the laws associated have more balls and bigger fines for both the employer and the worker, than the transport and safety act that we as riders operate under.
I'm sure you remember the slogan " LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE" for the implimitation of the helmet laws.
However as no enforceable standard is available for motorcycle riders and apparently no ASA code is available for riding apparel (t-shirts thongs or leathers )
Why Do you wear a leather jacket if it's not enforceable is it something like self regulation
What do you think of a trade off hi- vis or leathers
IMHO it will come but other standards must be set first.
We all hate squids because of the opinions we have formed as dedicated riders over the years.
Experience is the best educator but not at the loss of life
My2cents worth

[Gosling1]

Hi Gos
you have stirred up a hornets nest .....

Yes indeed mate .......

....Why Do you wear a leather jacket if it's not enforceable is it something like self regulation
What do you think of a trade off hi- vis or leathers ....

The leather jacket is self-regulation, based on experience over many years, and the safety factor of wearing cowhide - its the best material for bikers *as a rule*.....textile jackets also have their place as well.....

If it came down to a question of Hi-Vis v Leather, well its clear that leather would be the first choice, for me anyway....

I am all for riding safely, staying out of blind-spots etc, this is all good. But riding safely is one thing, wearing a flashing David Hasslehoff jacket with 200 flashing globes is something else altogether.....

Its the possible legislative repercussions that may result from too many nobs wearing fluoro vests over their protective gear, if some bureacrat gets the *smart* idea that Heh, all Bikers should be forced to wear Reflective Hi-Vis fluoro vests. If you don't, you will be Fined ......

I would hate to see this occur.