Improving visibility at night

[LazinCajun]

A number of years ago I almost made a left turn in front of a motorcyclist at night. I looked (really, I did!) and didn't see him. I was exhausted at the time, and I think that I registered his headlight as either a streetlight or a light on a building. I consider myself to be a decent and safe driver. It was shocking how fast the near-incident happened. Now that I'm riding, I'm a little paranoid about being visible at night -- especially being in a college town with lots of young and sometimes less-than-sober drivers.

Pictures lie about the effectiveness of various visibility tricks for a few reasons -- cameras have totally different sensitivity than eyes, and the real world doesn't come in 5"x8" prints

So what have you found that works? What's only so-so? Which methods are wasted cash? Bonus points for easy / chea.. I mean... cost effective solutions. Lots of bonus points for real-world experiences (seeing another biker that stood out because of X reflector, having other drivers comment on you, etc.)

[noche_caliente]

Trey - I did the HID conversion, and I also did the Halo reflective band on my helmet - it's got scotchlite in it and is really bright! But I finally figured out today that it is the source of my helicopter noise that I get from time to time!

[BlueTyke]

Reflectors reflectors reflectors...

There are a few things. Reflector/reflective materials will always help you stand out. The Band as Noche suggested. There are also vests you can get to wear over your gear (you know the bright orange ones with the yellow stripes) ALSO you can put reflective tape/decals/stickers on your bike to help it stand out....

[LazinCajun]

Hm, the halo looks like a nice idea. I like that it helps from every angle, and you don't risk adhesives doing nasty things to your helmet's shell. What helmet are you using that's giving you helicopter noises?

This is just a link to an old HID thread to try to keep all of this info together:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=23741

[noche_caliente]

I have the Scorpion EXO-400 - it mostly only happens when the wind is blowing from some strange angle and the band has already started slipping - it's not very common, but the handful of times that it has happened drove me nuts because I couldn't figure out where it was coming from!

[littlemike]

I wear a mesh vest over my gear that have reflective stripes on it.

https://store.msf-usa.org/Store/StoreItems.aspx?cid=3

[Jerry]

I like the SOLAS tape on my helmet...Here's some pics I posted on the "other site" of my helmets...with some other suggestions. You can also get sew-on tape, for your clothes

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Reflective_vest/clothing

Course, this really works best for oncoming traffic...my commute doesn't really have many intersections...

and yeah, I know it looks dorky, don't care.

[TrueFaith]

Don't forget about reflective rim strips. They are very noticeable from the side, dress up the bike and are really cheap and easy to apply.

[Talonne]

What does this halo band look like?

I have a black bike and really need to do something to it before I will feel comfortable riding at night... I have a white jacket and silver helmet, but that may not be good enough.

[smcbride11]

I bought a cheap little hi-viz vest. It's meant to be used for runners or bicyclists, but it's amazingly bright at night and makes me a whole lot more visible than I am in my black jacket and dark grey helmet.

[Kawikaze]

I am in the process of installing black reflective scotchlite tape onto the darker parts of my SE. I have reflective striping on my gear, but the additional reflective power of the black tape would make me much more visible at night while blending with the natural color scheme of the bike during the day.

I am also a believer in brake light modulators.

[jola]

Reflective vest would definitely help you out. Bright gear in general would be smart. I believe yellow is the most visible color. Ride with your high beams on if it doesn't blind other drivers. I think the act of simply flipping off the high beams while someone approaches is a small way of altering the driver's perception enough that they might take note.

[ScorpionNinja]

Originally Posted by TrueFaith

Don't forget about reflective rim strips. They are very noticeable from the side, dress up the bike and are really cheap and easy to apply.

Check all the Items on this Page Here!
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/V...014762/c-10111

I love the Idea of Reflective Rim tape ALONG WITH
http://www.jcwhitney.com/STREET-FX-M...4762_10111.jcw

[noche_caliente]

Halo: http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/halo-helmet/

[tylernt]

I'm a fan of turn-signal DRLs for bikes. That's where both front yellow signals are on all the time, and one side blinks off when signaling a turn. This can be accomplished relatively easily with a trailer light adapter by wiring the 'brake' wire into any handy ignition-on wire.

Not sure of the legality for motorcycles but cars are coming this way from the factory so I figure I'm safe.

I also like headlight modulators, though they won't work at night of course (federal law).

[emt250]

I bought some reflective tape at the dollar store for...well...a dollar. I put it on the back of my jacket , it hasn't started peeling up at all and my buddy riding behind me told me it lit up pretty well, miles and miles beyond the "reflective piping" that my joe rocket jacket claims to have. I plan on putting some of it on the front of my jacket and on the back of my helmet as well.

[websniper]

I find that the big cruisers with there amber running lights and triple head light setups register to me more when I'm driving the cage as a motorcycle. I'm currently looking for a way to setup my '01 250 with some amber running lights up near the mirrors. Basically, the extra width of the distance between the lights helps your brain comprehend(because of our stereo vision) that you are a motorcycle (rather than a car with a headlight out, or a street lamp, etc).

[ASecretNinja]

What about your visibility during the day? People hardly see bikes during the day.

My two solutions: don't be some coordinating weirdo who has to have matching colors. I can't believe how many friggin threads I read about people who bitch because they can't find a green helmet to match their green hulk underoos. Who cares? Do you plan your clothing around what color your car is too? I purposely look like a skittle bag when I ride around. I have a yellow leather jacket, red/silver helmet, black/silver A*s, and my bike is black with rockin purple/turquoise stripes that were all the rage in the 90s.

Second, my HID set-up ($50 from lightningindustries.com) has not only stopped cars who have started pulling out in front of me during the night, but also stopped them during the day. Yeah, it is that bright. Tape just seems tacky to me (PUN FULLY INTENDED), especially on my $400 Shoei that I wax weekly and sleeps in my bed with me (not really... i swear...)

In conclusion: Unless you only ride at night, you may want to address your day-time visibility as well. While riding at night, HID should be your first upgrade. Reflectors are helpful from the side, sure. But if you are driving down the road, the person pulling out in front of you isn't going to see them. Tape is a complete personal preference.

[LazinCajun]

Originally Posted by ASecretNinja

What about your visibility during the day? People hardly see bikes during the day.

My two solutions: don't be some coordinating weirdo who has to have matching colors. I can't believe how many friggin threads I read about people who bitch because they can't find a green helmet to match their green hulk underoos. Who cares? Do you plan your clothing around what color your car is too? I purposely look like a skittle bag when I ride around. I have a yellow leather jacket, red/silver helmet, black/silver A*s, and my bike is black with rockin purple/turquoise stripes that were all the rage in the 90s.

Second, my HID set-up ($50 from lightningindustries.com) has not only stopped cars who have started pulling out in front of me during the night, but also stopped them during the day. Yeah, it is that bright. Tape just seems tacky to me (PUN FULLY INTENDED), especially on my $400 Shoei that I wax weekly and sleeps in my bed with me (not really... i swear...)

In conclusion: Unless you only ride at night, you may want to address your day-time visibility as well. While riding at night, HID should be your first upgrade. Reflectors are helpful from the side, sure. But if you are driving down the road, the person pulling out in front of you isn't going to see them. Tape is a complete personal preference.

All excellent points. I do have concerns about using HID bulbs without proper projectors, but I'm sure that's been discussed here and in other forums. I don't want to beat a dead horse.

I really like the idea of DRL's to add some visible punch -- maybe that is a decent alternative to HID's for frontal visibility. I found another nice idea on those other forums, but it looks like a bit of work, especially for somebody who isn't familiar with the bike's electronics: http://forums.ninja250.org/viewtopic...=743914#743914

for punning and being proud of it!

[Cat-Man]

I was given a GMAX helmet with integrated LEDs in the rear. I am black on black on black unfortunately (only color I could find a good deal on when I bought the bike, only jacket color in stock, helmet a donation also black). Although the GMAX brand wouldn't inspire much confidence at the track, I am surprised how much more distance people give me when I have the helmet on and set to blink. This only affects your rear visibility mainly, but is very high up compared to the bike an closer to driver eye level.

[Worldtraveller]

Originally Posted by BlueTyke

Reflectors reflectors reflectors...

There are a few things. Reflector/reflective materials will always help you stand out. The Band as Noche suggested. There are also vests you can get to wear over your gear (you know the bright orange ones with the yellow stripes) ALSO you can put reflective tape/decals/stickers on your bike to help it stand out....

Take your pick!
Lots of good stuff there, most of it's pretty subtle when it's not reflecting.

[Ghostt]

I have a number for modifications to not only enhance the looks of the bike but also safety as well.

I converted my aftermarket front turn indicators to a switch back CREE LEDs in running light mode they are bright white, and when in turn mode they automatically switch to amber.

Another modification I did I removed the OEM graphics and replaced them with silver reflective vinyl, also added reflective silver rim tape and a red reflective vinyl for the taillight due to the OEM ones got eliminated with the rear fender chop.

I also added a brake light modulator and two small red CREE LEDs to the bottom of the license plate frame. Also replaced the OEM brake light and turn indicators with CREE LEDs, which are extremely bright.

Another modification I did was to replace the front fairing OEM amber reflectors with small amber LED turn indicators, tied them into the other turn indicators, this gives extra safety to the side of the bike, and they are bright.

I also added a rearview camera system, which is quite handy to have as well.

And finally I add an HID conversion kit from DDM TUNING H4 HI/Low 55w/5k

I'm sure in forgetting some more, but you all get the picture, and speaking of pictures here you go.

Also few links as well,

https://picasaweb.google.com/1006527...Iz7pKC8lo6CiAE

https://picasaweb.google.com/1006527...IDXyZXyoe2m0QE

https://picasaweb.google.com/1006527...JCB6ffS-973wgE

[NevadaWolf]

It's a good thread with good info, but still have to say it..

[Ghostt]

A very good point, needs to be added to the Wiki page then

[cbinker]

Training training and more training. assume know one sees you anyways, you cannot control what others are going to do. At night slow down and guard your brakes coming to corners.

[adouglas]

Biggest issue at night is what the OP described... not registering an APPROACHING motorcycle, whether from the front or coming up from behind.

All the reflective stuff (and I use it too) is for those following. Doesn't really work when your headlight washes out everything behind it.

The best defense at night is... good defense.

Don't outride your light. That means going slower at night.

Lift your vision and give yourself more time to react.

Develop spidey-sense regarding potential hazards. Driveways... parking lots... intersections... downtown areas... lines of parked cars... anything and everything.

[Ghostt]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Biggest issue at night is what the OP described... not registering an APPROACHING motorcycle, whether from the front or coming up from behind.

All the reflective stuff (and I use it too) is for those following. Doesn't really work when your headlight washes out everything behind it.

The best defense at night is... good defense.

Don't outride your light. That means going slower at night.

Lift your vision and give yourself more time to react.

Develop spidey-sense regarding potential hazards. Driveways... parking lots... intersections... downtown areas... lines of parked cars... anything and everything.

I fully agree, the best safety item is your brain, reflexes, and superior attention to your environment constantly, no exceptions.

[flitecontrol]

A headlight modulator and Photon Blaster system will help you be seen from the front. The modulator should only be used during the daytime. http://www.lights.skenedesign.com/PB_Features.shtml?

[Ghostt]

Originally Posted by flitecontrol

A headlight modulator and Photon Blaster system will help you be seen from the front. The modulator should only be used during the daytime. http://www.lights.skenedesign.com/PB_Features.shtml?

Similar to the switchback CREE LEDs I'm using in the turn signal housing, except a lot more money for them, than my setup.

[flitecontrol]

Not sure what the CREE LEDs do, but the Photon Blasters have lots of options such as conspicuity flicker, for increased visibility.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2JhaKzs_IE