Yes, You/We ARE Invisible!! Part1

[planedick]

No longer invisible

I have found a way to not be invisible. Cops around here wear helmets that are white on top and black around the bottom. I had a black helmet that got too hot in the summer, sssoooooooo I painted the top of my helmet white and left the bottom black. I know this works, because every cage I come up behind taps the brake and slows down. I think to finish the job by painting the vents in my windshield red and blue!!! I know that black and white always gets my attention when I'm in the cage. Sort of automatic, like, you know, even in the edges of my visual range I never miss that combination and I think others are tuned into that also. Some have even told me I look like a cop back there, especially when I have on my black leather jacket too.

[ClarkGriswald]

The more I think about that the more I like it.. Great Idea

[tarzan]

I wonder if the cops would harass you if you paint the vents.It
would pretty much guarantee people will notice you though.

[planedick]

I don't care

They will have to change the law, because it says I can't have red and blue lights up front. Painted vents don't count, yet. Maybe a black and white MC would help. LOL

[tarzan]

Re"Maybe a black and white MC would help. LOL"

Ya, and a timing light in your hand (might look like a radar gun).LOL

[planedick]

Looks like...

What do you think?

[TopCatGr58]

Since Spring is here, BUMP!

Just wanted to BUMP this up since I have YET to make it a tech tip!
Also wanted to make sure the photos would work, etc.!

So..newbies and such, if you haven't seen this thread, please read it from the Beginning!
Be safe, be seen, have fun!
T.C.

[DGXSER]

Very excellent TC! Lots of stuff they did not cover in my MSF course.

One concept I have drilled into my little pea brain also is that when someone is turning left and I am not, while I am passing that SUV, the cars approaching from the left have no possbile way to see me. So I assume someone is blowing the light and gonna cream me from the left until I pass the vehicle.

Also, when I went to buy a helmet, the guy at the MC shop explained to me that the most hit colors of cars are in order (IIRC) Grey, white, black. Because they all blend with road surfaces. The main reason I bought a helmet with colored graphics. The bike is black, I wanted something on my head to stand out!!!

[planedick]

It works

I can say for sure that the black and white helmet makes 'em see me. They even let me know they see me by tapping the brake or at least slowing down for a little. I will say for sure that it works.

[BigDick]

I take the military approved MSF course here on base monday, I just forwarded your posts TopCat, the instructor really liked the info and said he will use it. Thanks, you're really making a difference to how people will ride with this.

[madmax-im]

Just wanted to BUMP this up since I have YET to make it a tech tip!
Also wanted to make sure the photos would work, etc.!

So..newbies and such, if you haven't seen this thread, please read it from the Beginning!
Be safe, be seen, have fun!
T.C.

TC this thread deserves to be made into a STICKY! Get on it! This info is way too valuable for people tot come across it by chance...and you wouldnt need to keep bumping it up....just sayin'..... JAT!

[FSCGunslinger]

Just finally read this. It was excellent! Very educational. I agree 100% about trying to have this professionally made into a brochure or little booklet and sold to the MSF and DMV. I think it would really drive the point home about just how "invisible" we really are.

[madmax-im]

I have found a way to not be invisible. Cops around here wear helmets that are white on top and black around the bottom. I had a black helmet that got too hot in the summer, sssoooooooo I painted the top of my helmet white and left the bottom black. I know this works, because every cage I come up behind taps the brake and slows down. I think to finish the job by painting the vents in my windshield red and blue!!! I know that black and white always gets my attention when I'm in the cage. Sort of automatic, like, you know, even in the edges of my visual range I never miss that combination and I think others are tuned into that also. Some have even told me I look like a cop back there, especially when I have on my black leather jacket too.

While I would tend to agree that people see cops more readily than not...Dont kid yourself on thinking that 80 year old lady with one eye is gonna see you 5 secs down the road before she pulls out in front of you... And BTW you and your bike are still too dark... I wear hi-viz lime /yellow jackets and many times people tell me I look like a cop...

[tbishop11]

Great advice

That's the best advice any motorcycle rider can get, new or experienced. I just assume that everybody is going to pull out in front of me, or cut me off and then when it happens I'm not surprised, and more importantly that allows the room for it.

[CatatonicBug]

I hope I didn't step on toes

T.C. - I took the liberty of copying the images and the text from your original thesis for this thread, and created a bit of an informational booklet out of it. It's formatted to be printed, double-sided, on standard paper, and allows the reader to get around the "forum look" of the original post. I really liked the information you put together, and I know that the sentiment is shared by just about everyone else here. I have linked to the PDF file on my website here. If you would rather I not post it, I would not feel at all upset. Just let me know, and I will take it down.