12-10-2016, 01:21 PM
I don't think it can hurt, but it's about as effective as a loud pipe.
Out in the middle of nowhere, as in the picture above, it's very conspicuous.
But in the massive clutter of the Los Angeles Freeway system (or any huge metro freeway system) these colors do not register as anything to take special note of, just as a loud pipe does not register with drivers. There is so much noise and visual clutter that drivers don't pay any more attention than to anything else. In fact, drivers tune out the clutter and noise, usually by rolling up windows and cranking up the sound system.
Agree that on remote and lonely roads the bright Viz is good though and would very much recommend it in those circumstances.
Also how many times has some motorist just simply pulled straight out in front of a motorcycle? Defensive riding is the best approach always. Cover the brakes, slow for blind turns, and so on. It's like all those retina-frying lights the ADV and now HD guys are using. Man, you can see those five miles a way, it seems. But trying to calculate the speed and distance and trajectory of those lights, that's what the challenge is for the motorist. The sense of security I get when I ride comes not from the color of one's gear, but from the skills one continually practices.
I've felt for a long time this forum needs a dedicated section for riding skills. Why not?
Out in the middle of nowhere, as in the picture above, it's very conspicuous.
But in the massive clutter of the Los Angeles Freeway system (or any huge metro freeway system) these colors do not register as anything to take special note of, just as a loud pipe does not register with drivers. There is so much noise and visual clutter that drivers don't pay any more attention than to anything else. In fact, drivers tune out the clutter and noise, usually by rolling up windows and cranking up the sound system.
Agree that on remote and lonely roads the bright Viz is good though and would very much recommend it in those circumstances.
Also how many times has some motorist just simply pulled straight out in front of a motorcycle? Defensive riding is the best approach always. Cover the brakes, slow for blind turns, and so on. It's like all those retina-frying lights the ADV and now HD guys are using. Man, you can see those five miles a way, it seems. But trying to calculate the speed and distance and trajectory of those lights, that's what the challenge is for the motorist. The sense of security I get when I ride comes not from the color of one's gear, but from the skills one continually practices.
I've felt for a long time this forum needs a dedicated section for riding skills. Why not?