Riding with a reflective vest...

waterinthefuel · 09-02-2007, 12:00 PM

Before Thursday night I would have generally agreed that riding with a vest is a good idea as you are a bit more visible than without one. I just didn't realize how much more visible you'd be!

A guy at my job who is in charge of the UPS crew is required to wear a safety vest on the airplane ramp. Thursday night he was leaving and I saw this ungodly reflective bright thing ride up to an intersection on a motorcycle. It literally glowed. I realized after getting closer that it was him!! You could see that vest from THOUSANDS of feet away! That was incredible! I spoke with him Saturday morning and he said he just decided to leave it on that night, I told him to leave it on every night!

I'm very seriously thinking about getting one as all of my riding is at night to and from work. I must say, it sure beats that black that they think protective gear should be. Hint: That's the same color they made the F-117 stealth bomber, the U-2 spy plane and the SR-71 Blackbird, and those planes were designed to operate INVISIBLY at night!! Whoa buddy! I don't want to be invisible!!

Nirvana · 09-02-2007, 12:47 PM

Vanson makes something that'll do that.

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Jester · 09-02-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterinthefuel

Before Thursday night I would have generally agreed that riding with a vest is a good idea as you are a bit more visible than without one. I just didn't realize how much more visible you'd be!

A guy at my job who is in charge of the UPS crew is required to wear a safety vest on the airplane ramp. Thursday night he was leaving and I saw this ungodly reflective bright thing ride up to an intersection on a motorcycle. It literally glowed. I realized after getting closer that it was him!! You could see that vest from THOUSANDS of feet away! That was incredible! I spoke with him Saturday morning and he said he just decided to leave it on that night, I told him to leave it on every night!

I'm very seriously thinking about getting one as all of my riding is at night to and from work. I must say, it sure beats that black that they think protective gear should be. Hint: That's the same color they made the F-117 stealth bomber, the U-2 spy plane and the SR-71 Blackbird, and those planes were designed to operate INVISIBLY at night!! Whoa buddy! I don't want to be invisible!!

Brandon, Google conspicuity and retroreflective. Apply them to your motorcycle and you'll be noticed.

J

testrider · 09-02-2007, 05:12 PM

I put SOLAS tapes on the back of my jacket:

Nirvana · 09-02-2007, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by testrider

I put SOLAS tapes on the back of my jacket:

Not a bad idea at all.

waterinthefuel · 09-02-2007, 07:28 PM

Not a bad idea so much that I pm'ed him on where to get it! I should have just asked here as I found a few stores that sell it, nobody less than 1.95 a foot though.

FJRME · 09-02-2007, 07:36 PM

So for like ten bucks you can wrap it all the way around you. You'll spend more than that at McDonalds if you're hungry. Come on Brandon, blow the dust off that wallet and spend a few.

FishWitch · 09-02-2007, 07:58 PM

Why do you think highway workers have been wearing bright orange/non green and reflective gear for years?

BigD · 09-02-2007, 08:06 PM

Brandon... You may find something you like here ---> http://www.reflectivelyyours.com/

testrider · 09-02-2007, 08:11 PM

I got mine from http://www.identi-tape.com/solas.html.
I got the adhesive one. The sew-on type is made of a hard-plastic type of backing that I don't like.
It's the SOLAS tape, the brightest reflective tape.

Here is a pic of my bike at night with SOLAS tape.

-mike-

09-02-2007, 12:00 PM	#1
waterinthefuel Senior Member Name: Brandon Location: Lafayette, LA Motorcycle: 2006 Yamaha Majesty Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 413	Riding with a reflective vest... Before Thursday night I would have generally agreed that riding with a vest is a good idea as you are a bit more visible than without one. I just didn't realize how much more visible you'd be! A guy at my job who is in charge of the UPS crew is required to wear a safety vest on the airplane ramp. Thursday night he was leaving and I saw this ungodly reflective bright thing ride up to an intersection on a motorcycle. It literally glowed. I realized after getting closer that it was him!! You could see that vest from THOUSANDS of feet away! That was incredible! I spoke with him Saturday morning and he said he just decided to leave it on that night, I told him to leave it on every night! I'm very seriously thinking about getting one as all of my riding is at night to and from work. I must say, it sure beats that black that they think protective gear should be. Hint: That's the same color they made the F-117 stealth bomber, the U-2 spy plane and the SR-71 Blackbird, and those planes were designed to operate INVISIBLY at night!! Whoa buddy! I don't want to be invisible!! __________________ It is not image or prestige that makes a difference, but true enjoyment of the ride.

09-02-2007, 12:47 PM	#2
Nirvana Motorcycle Meditation Name: Shshank Location: San Diego, CA Motorcycle: Ducati Monster 620, Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,713	Re: Riding with a reflective vest... Vanson makes something that'll do that. __________________ The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there - Robert M. Pirsig Nirvana's Adventures Unplugged, Uncut

09-02-2007, 05:12 PM	#4
testrider Senior Member Name: Mike Location: Los Angeles, CA Motorcycle: Honda CBR1100XX and Suzuki DR-350 Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 141	Re: Riding with a reflective vest... I put SOLAS tapes on the back of my jacket: Attached Images

09-02-2007, 07:28 PM	#6
waterinthefuel Senior Member Name: Brandon Location: Lafayette, LA Motorcycle: 2006 Yamaha Majesty Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 413	Re: Riding with a reflective vest... Not a bad idea so much that I pm'ed him on where to get it! I should have just asked here as I found a few stores that sell it, nobody less than 1.95 a foot though. __________________ It is not image or prestige that makes a difference, but true enjoyment of the ride.

09-02-2007, 07:36 PM	#7
FJRME BUY MY BIKE...AGAIN! Name: BOB Location: SAN JACINTO, CA Motorcycle: DRZ Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 676	Re: Riding with a reflective vest... So for like ten bucks you can wrap it all the way around you. You'll spend more than that at McDonalds if you're hungry. Come on Brandon, blow the dust off that wallet and spend a few. __________________ ATGATT Ride safe

09-02-2007, 07:58 PM	#8
FishWitch ~~Crazy Lady~~ Name: Sydney Location: FOLSOM!!! Not the Prison! 175K & counting! Motorcycle: '05 Victory Kingpin Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,052	Re: Riding with a reflective vest... Why do you think highway workers have been wearing bright orange/non green and reflective gear for years? __________________ xoxoSydney aka Fishy Member of The Victory True American Road Trip Team

09-02-2007, 08:06 PM	#9
BigD Road Scholar Name: Dennis Location: Rio Vista, CA Motorcycle: 05 ST1300, 09 DR 650 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,544	Re: Riding with a reflective vest... Brandon... You may find something you like here ---> http://www.reflectivelyyours.com/ __________________ Happy Trails.

09-02-2007, 08:11 PM	#10
testrider Senior Member Name: Mike Location: Los Angeles, CA Motorcycle: Honda CBR1100XX and Suzuki DR-350 Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 141	Re: Riding with a reflective vest... I got mine from http://www.identi-tape.com/solas.html. I got the adhesive one. The sew-on type is made of a hard-plastic type of backing that I don't like. It's the SOLAS tape, the brightest reflective tape. Here is a pic of my bike at night with SOLAS tape. -mike- Attached Images

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