Bike Color - Safety

DanAW · Post by **DanAW** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 6:35 pm

Hi.

I'm new here and am in the market to buy a new Buddy. My wife and I are split on what color to buy, but agree on the black. But, I'm a little concerned about the visibility of black at night.

Has anyone heard about this being a problem?

Thanks!

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 6:42 pm

I wouldn't worry about it.

Any shortcomings on the part of the scoot itself can be addressed by aftermarket lighting such as led strips (where allowed by law and in compliance with any regulations as to prohibited colors), the addition of reflective tape, and/or the use of riding gear with good night visibility qualities such as reflective patches and piping.

We have a rule here in NJ that helmets (which are mandatory) must have at least two square inches of reflective material applied on each side.

DanAW · Post by **DanAW** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 6:46 pm

Thank you. I did see a helmet (I'm in Maryland) with a flashing red light on the back.

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 7:16 pm

DanAW wrote:Thank you. I did see a helmet (I'm in Maryland) with a flashing red light on the back.

Since you're contemplating black, you might be interested in something similar to this:

http://www.streetglo.net/reflective.mot ... e.kit.html

It's basically a reflective tape that appears to be black in daylight. A good way to increase your nighttime visibility without detracting from the appearance of the scoot.

DanAW · Post by **DanAW** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 7:20 pm

That's a great idea. Thanks!

snoozy · Post by **snoozy** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 7:38 pm

As you drive around, notice all the motorcycles and scooters that are on the road. Soften your eyes' focus on the whole road scene, and note what stands out. Which ones are most visible to you? Notice the jackets. Are they neon or bright, or are they black or grey? Which catches your peripheral vision quickest?

Look at the cars. There are a lot of black and asphalt coloured cars out there. The few bright red or yellow cars really stand out, don't they?

Reflective decals and tape will only help you at night, but car drivers need all the help they can get to see you during daylight hours, too.

Being all stealth looks fine and rad on the cinema screen, but on the road, being visible can be a lifesaver.

DanAW · Post by **DanAW** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 7:58 pm

Thank you. That's also good advice. My wife and I just need to agree on a color!

Seafoam is nice.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 11:52 pm

Make sure the jacket you may or not wear is either bright in color ( I ride Hi-viz yellow jackets, myself ) or with plenty of reflective materials. People may not see the scoot, but they will see you.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 12:53 am

I wear one of these.
http://www.revzilla.com/product/icon-mil-spec-mesh-vest
I don't think the color of the scoot would help with visability

DanAW · Post by **DanAW** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:07 am

Good idea. Do you wear it during the day...or only at night?

I've thought of riding with one at night...only a little rough in the winter with my winter overcoat on top of my suit

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:19 am

DanAW wrote:Good idea. Do you wear it during the day...or only at night?

I've thought of riding with one at night...only a little rough in the winter with my winter overcoat on top of my suit

I wear it all the time, it's sized so it can be worn over any outer garment yet snugly enough so it won't 'billow' up like the construction 'safety' vests do.
(My son's Colonel gave them to us upon passing the MSF class)

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:41 am

I had a flat black Buddy. And I too was concerned with visibility. But I came from riding little 49cc scoots on country back roads, so I was already gearing up "hi viz". Even a hi viz motorcycle flag that I bought on line.

Hi viz saddle bags, hi viz flag, hi viz jacket, hi viz vest. You can even buy hi viz helmets, gloves, pants/chaps, top cases.

Dorky? Some may think so, but I'd rather be a "live dork than a dead duck"!

I have one of those vests too and I have some hi viz tees and mesh vests that I bought in Wally World in the mens' work wear department.

Lime green, that's me!

DanAW · Post by **DanAW** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 11:11 am

Hi deb

You must be a sight to see! Thanks for the info.

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:56 pm

More than anything, visibility is a two-to-tango proposition - you need to do your part, and others need to do theirs (i.e., pay attention). My scoot is bright red, as is my armored jacket, and my helmet is bright safety orange. And yet, people still "do not see me".

I'm convinced that you could ride in broad daylight with a hundred strobes on your scoot and a Roman candle up your butt, and you still "wouldn't be seen". Think about it: even emergency vehicles, with all of their colors, lighting effects, and noisemakers get t-boned far too often for it to be a simple matter of visibility.

So, do everything you can to be visible, but ride as if you're not.

DanAW · Post by **DanAW** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 1:35 am

I appreciate the words of wisdom.

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 1:54 am

charlie55 wrote:More than anything, visibility is a two-to-tango proposition - you need to do your part, and others need to do theirs (i.e., pay attention). My scoot is bright red, as is my armored jacket, and my helmet is bright safety orange. And yet, people still "do not see me".

I'm convinced that you could ride in broad daylight with a hundred strobes on your scoot and a Roman candle up your butt, and you still "wouldn't be seen". Think about it: even emergency vehicles, with all of their colors, lighting effects, and noisemakers get t-boned far too often for it to be a simple matter of visibility.

So, do everything you can to be visible, but ride as if you're not.

Couldn't be better stated!

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Thu Aug 07, 2014 4:16 pm

True indeed!

My wife had a very large yellow truck. someone slammed into it, and tried to say "Sorry, I didn't see you".

A friend stated "Having visibility is great, but if you're relying on others to see you, well...your funeral will be very nice."

Sad but true.

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 2:38 am

Put another way: "Ride like every other driver is out to kill you!"

alleycat2332 · Post by **alleycat2332** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 3:16 am

I have to agree with most of the advice, if you dig the black scooter, get the black scooter. The most important thing you can do is be a vigilant rider. You have close calls when you're driving a car, you have close calls when you're on a scoot.

If you're really concerned you can load yourself down with light strips, reflectors and safety vests, but people are still gonna miss you every now and then.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 4:42 pm

skully93 wrote: "Having visibility is great, but if you're relying on others to see you, well...your funeral will be very nice."

I believe in Hi-Viz, but this is all too true in my experience. (I have found I need to ride with the assumption that others are trying to hit me)

DanAW · Post by **DanAW** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 7:39 pm

Thanks again for everyone's advice. It's really appreciated. I decided to get the black buddy 50.. I pick it up on Saturday.

I've really taken to heart all your advice about being seen and being safe.

I'll also wear a full face helmet..

happy riding!

Dan

wheelbender6 · Post by **wheelbender6** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 2:03 am

Get whatever color scooter you want. You can put reflective tape on your helmet, place a light on your backpack and do all kinds of things to be visible.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:46 am

What Deb and Dooglas said is spot on, excellent advise. Always be a little scared when you ride.

Post by **jmazza** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 2:19 pm

In my anecdotal experience of seeing which motorcyclists / scooterists stand out visibly, the helmet color is always what sticks out. I wear very visible white or yellow helmets for everything now. Enjoy your new scooter!!

Modern Buddy

Bike Color - Safety

Bike Color - Safety

Thanks!

Re: Thanks!

Great idea

Reflective vest

Re: Reflective vest

Vests

Good advice

Thanks!