Reflective Vest..

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Sep 19, 2010 | 06:52 AM

#101

brenn

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 4,933

Likes: 11

From: Kentucky

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamStone

I haven't been able to ride for 4 months because some idiot "DID'NT SEE ME" and turned left in front of me. I will be wearing a Hi Vis Vest from now on. I'm only alive now because I was so uncool and wore a helmet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by edilgdaor

I want my head to quit hurting after being hit by someone who didn't see me two months ago.

I'd rather be seen as unfashionable than to not be seen fashionably laying on the side of the road.

And you didn't see him turning and react - relying on making car drivers see you is no more than a way to repeat the same again. I just expect them not to see me and react when I'm right.

Sep 19, 2010 | 06:58 AM

#102

pgpn

Tourer

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 353

Likes: 5

From: Beasley Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by donr101395

I wear one when I have to, i.e. going on base. It sure didn't help the moron who pulled out in front of me see me about 20 minutes ago on my way home from work.
I went to hit the horn, but gave them the angry left blinker instead, followed by the angry low beam.

I was pretty busy avoiding them.

man I hate it when that happens.

Sep 19, 2010 | 03:49 PM

#103

SamStone

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 3,030

Likes: 177

From: Tipp City, Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by brenn

And you didn't see him turning and react - relying on making car drivers see you is no more than a way to repeat the same again. I just expect them not to see me and react when I'm right.

Well, the guy was completely stopped like he was waiting for me to pass by. I was about 30 ft from him doing 50 when he turned left. I don't think even you could have missed him. Maybe he wouldn't have seen me with a vest either but I'm willing to make the change to up my chances nest time.

Sep 19, 2010 | 07:37 PM

#104

Elginator

Road Captain

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 660

Likes: 2

From: Schaumburg, IL, near Elgin, IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by brenn

And you didn't see him turning and react - relying on making car drivers see you is no more than a way to repeat the same again. I just expect them not to see me and react when I'm right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamStone

Sam, your level headed response is refreshing. Nuff said.

Sep 19, 2010 | 08:09 PM

#105

edilgdaor

Banned

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 13,820

Likes: 6,615

From: Northern California

Quote:

Originally Posted by brenn

And you didn't see him turning and react - relying on making car drivers see you is no more than a way to repeat the same again. I just expect them not to see me and react when I'm right.

No, I didn't see him turning. He was behind me. I don't think he was turning. I got rear-ended on a highway with a 50mph speed-limit going about 30mph. I was looking in my mirrors, and didn't see him. He fled the scene ( so did the witnesses ), so I don't even know if he had his lights on. There had been a fatal hit-and-run of a pedestrian just before I got hit about a mile away on the same road by someone in a white car, which may have broken his headlights (there was glass found at the scene of the pedestrian fatality. I had white paint marks on my bike. If the guy was fleeing that accident he possibly may have not been obeying the speed limit.

So how do I avoid repeating the same mistake ? Become less visible ? Not ride at night ? Not ride if I think a car might be behind me ?

I had specifically thought of that stretch of road when I added extra lights to the rear of my bike. Please, tell me what else you would have done.

As it was, with my inferior-to-your's riding skills, managed to get back on the seat of my rolling motorcycle (I think my backrest and TourPak may have saved my life) that had gotten turned to the left, ride across the median into the oncoming side of the highway without falling. If being more visible won't help, please tell me what will. I don't want to "repeat the same", and it sounds like you have the answer. Please enlighten me.

Really, when you're in front of a car, you kinda have to rely on being seen. Unless you have a better plan.

Sep 19, 2010 | 08:13 PM

#106

edilgdaor

Banned

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 13,820

Likes: 6,615

From: Northern California

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildon883R

Hi res and reflective are not the same. I'm a helmet wearer and i'm about to replace it with the most viseable color *WHITE*. .

Have you thought about bright yellow for a helmet ?

It may be more noticeable than white.

Sep 19, 2010 | 08:31 PM

#107

skratch

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 20,616

Likes: 4,440

From: anacoco, la

for those who are considering buying a vest, let me give you something to think about. the orange (and now green) hd vests do not breathe at all so they are damned hot! the icon vest, while not as 'cool' as the hd vest, is mesh and does breathe.

something to think about. i have both. got the icon after the hd for the reason stated above.

Sep 22, 2010 | 09:11 AM

#108

10ring

Road Captain

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 628

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by skratch

I saw the Icon vest about three weeks after purchasing the non-breathing HD vest and would have purchased it if I didn't already have the HD one...I'm just too cheap! But if will be the next one.

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Sep 22, 2010 | 09:39 AM

#109

strat4u

Stage IV

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From: Marietta, GA

I wear this when riding. It's reflective and has pads and vents. I have thought about getting a vest as well, but for right now I'll stick with the jacket.