Choosing a highly visible color for your Buddy?

[Boccegal]

I'm torn between the Italia and the Pamplona, in terms of color choices. I really like the Italia, but lots of my friends have discouraged me, saying that green just isn't visible enough and blends in too much with the landscape. What do you guys think, and how much was color (and being highly visible) a deciding factor when you purchased your Buddy? Thanks

[jfrost2]

Most motorcycles are black, and they've survived all this time. When choosing color, choose what you like, not what'll be seen the easiest, because when barbie is driving her hummer and texting, she still may run you down even if you were glowing with neon lights.

[rabbitgod]

I agree with jfrost2. When someone hits you they're not going to see any color.

Pick the color you want. If you want more visibility add some lights, a vest, maybe play a trumpet to announce your arrival. That kind of thing.

[jmazza]

Hi Boccegal and welcome to MB!!!

Visibility is something we all need to be concerned with... but there are differing opinions as to what lengths we need to go to get it.

I'm of the opinion that the color of the scooter itself isn't as important as the color of the jacket (or shirt) the rider is wearing and, more importantly, the color of the helmet.

The scooter sits pretty low to the ground and will be obscured by cars, whereas the helmet rides above the roofs of many cars. So I'd concentrate your hi-viz efforts there and get the scooter that you like.

However, I also understand the opinions of some that you might as well go as hi-viz as possible everywhere. For me, I needed to buy the scooter that I really loved and that spoke to me in the showroom. So I chose the Italia without regard to its visibility. I did just switch from a black to a silver helmet though.

It's all a toss up and a game of give and take when it comes to safety and gear. It's certainly a good option to go as safe (gear-wise) as possible and as hi-viz as possible. But if that's your position, I'd go for orange rather than the Pamplona or the Italia. Both are pretty dark (the Pamplona's red isn't bright red) so I don't know that the visibility factor is THAT different.

Good luck with your choice and hope you stick around and learn a lot as well as contribute a lot!

[jfrost2]

If you worry about visibility, go get a riding jacket with armor in it. Usually riding jackets have reflective piping or designs on them, these help better at low light conditions and at night, but they also help in case you ever crash, they keep you from grinding your arms and body to the bare bone when you get tossed and slide around.

[Howardr]

I have to agree with the above posts. The average person, IMHO, has about a much, or more, surface area as your scooter. (I know I do.) Making sure you wear hi-viz clothing. That is what is going to be seen.

Plus it makes the body easier to find under the bushes in the dark.

[illnoise]

And reflective tape is great, it's hard to see cyclists and even motorcyclists at night, anything you can do to increse your visibility is not a waste of time. Especially if you're riding a 50cc in fast traffic or a rural area.

I'd argue that anything you can do to be seen helps, aside from strobelights and valve-cap lights and other stuff that's usually illegal and distracting. I agree that clothing and helmet are probably *more* visible than the bike itself, but a bright-colored scooter can't hurt.

See my thread on the new hi-vis Scorpion helmet.

[r0sa]

pick a color that matches with all of your shoes, makes you look cool






Jk, pick a color that fits your personality

[k1dude]

I'm old enough to where looking cool doesn't matter anymore. But looking safe does. I chose the brightest loudest color made by Genuine. I chose orange simply because of how visible it is. I then mounted a bright yellow toolbox on the rear rack as a topcase. I will be installing an additional brake light on top of the toolbox. I wear a bright red helmet and jacket. I might look like a circus clown, but I will guarantee I'm visible for miles. I also have a hi-viz vest that I wear occasionally. I will be purchasing a hi-viz helmet and jumpsuit sometime in the future. I have reflective stickers on my helmet and scooter. I'm sure they can see me from space and I prefer it that way.

[chancerbeans13]

I've been told by friends that they can see my Orange Buddy and white helmet from about a mile away.

[hcstrider]

I did not choose the color of my Buddy’s based upon the color’s high visibility. The Italia I chose because I liked the color, the orange Buddy I chose because I liked the price.

The Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center describes 20 excellent tips for making yourself more visible on a motorcycle/scooter. The color of the motorcycle/scooter is number 18 on their list of 20 top tips. Here is their list of tips and they also have a test that you can take to see if you are highly visible to other motorists.

1. Fluorescent/Reflective Safety Vest 4 Points
2. White Helmet 3 points
3. Brightly Colored Jacket 2 points
4. Strategic Lane Positioning 2 points
5. Headlight Modulation 1 point
6. Flash Your Taillight 1 point
7. Reflective Materials 1 point
8. Movement 1 point
9. Auxiliary Driving Lights 1 point
10. Hand Signals 1 point
11. Avoid Riding at Night 1/2 point
12. Avoid Riding at Dawn/Dusk 1/2 point
13. Aftermarket Horn 1/2 point
14. Position/Marker Lights 1/2 point
15. Avoid Riding in Poor Weather 1/2 point
16. Avoid Riding during Low-Sun Angle or Seasonal Times 1/2 point
17. Bike Profile 1/2 point
18. Bike Color 1/2 point
19. High Beam in Daytime 1/4 point
20. Unusual Effects 1/4 point

Here is the link to the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center so that you can read their tips in more detail.

http://www.motorcyclesafety.state.mn.us/latest/MMSCHomeSecondary.asp?cid=5&mid=279&scat=84

[dsmith65]

I was in the same boat as you. I ended up going with the Italia becuase of availability. I hadn't seen either in person when I put down my deposit on the Italia. I got the same visibility comments about the green, on my way to pick up my scoot saw a Pamplona and Italia side by side comming towards me. I don't think one stood out over the other, I just thought the Italia looked better. Then when people who had been concerned about the color blending in saw it they changed their minds. The color of the green with the light color panels is different enough from the greens you see in nature that it doesn't blend in. The biggest things you can do are in your choice of helmets, jackets as others have said.

Don

[fhujay]

hcstrider, thanks for that great link!

I recently bought an uber-cool safety vest and shiney white helmet. (Like Howardr said, it makes the body easier to find... )

[7eregrine]

I was going to buy black but didn't because I wanted to be a bit brighter. Got red instead.
Still wish ida' got black. Get what you want.

[Boccegal]

Thanks for the replies - your tips and comments have been very helpful.
I think I will go with the Italia with a white or bright red helmet, and colorful jacket. This forum has been great - thanks again & happy scooting.

[KABarash]

I had one of those orange whip style bicycle flags on my Honda for a while .......... Got LOTS of great laughs!!!!!!!