SoCal ZX-14 Rider
Expert Class
Posts: 351
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posted October 10, 2006 01:09 PM
Anyone wear a safety vest at night?
I just heard that one of my students got hit by a car from behind as she was sitting at a light. There wasn't anyone at the light so she was exposed not able to go in between other cars for safety. The guy was on a cell phone and plowed right into her knocking here 10-12 feet into the intersection. She was on a Kawi 750. She is O.K. except for all kinds of soft tissue injuries and will be out of work and school for weeks.
This brings me to my point, I ride a black 14 and wear dark clothes. I work late and as the darkness comes sooner at night I am riding in the dark.
I am trying to find a reflective vest made for motorcycle riders that fits tight so it doesn't flap too much.
Maybe something with a reflective STOP sign on the back.
Anyone wear one or know where to buy a good one?
P.S. Always stop with room in front of you at lights when your rear is exposed and keep looking in your mirrors for anything that isn't stopping! Use the space in front of you to get away from the ass. I flash my taillight also.
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If I'm not riding her, I'm dreaming about riding her! Mount up!
  
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted October 10, 2006 02:09 PM
Helmet mounted LED's work very well I am told...built in brake light via wireless module to helmet. Do a search to see what comes up.
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FYYFF!!!
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Flame On
Needs a life
Fuel Air & Spark
Posts: 17104
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posted October 10, 2006 02:32 PM
Reflective tape for the helmet . Last week some lamo on a cell phone made a left turn on me in a intersection had to lock it up with rear pitch it sideways just missed him. Seemed like he noticed what he did only after hearing my skiding 30% brain 70% cell . From a half brain careless _uck
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77 RD 400
80 GS1000 GT
06 ZX14
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lietoome
Needs a job
Posts: 2033
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posted October 10, 2006 05:10 PM
being in the Army, its mandatory that we wear reflective vests...if we get crumpled up, the Army can dispute our life insurance. I leave the track at about midnight on Friday nights, plenty of drunks & teens on the road. I always wear my Icon military spec vest. I tried the halo which attaches to the helmet(reflective band), but it has a tendency to roll up or off. Lastly, I got a brake light modulator. Flashes the brake light 3 times when I brake.
My biggest fear is getting rearended. I always leave it in first with an eye on my rearview---with an OUT.
hope this helps, it makes me me a bit easier.
jeff
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Tool man
Needs a job
Posts: 4493
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posted October 10, 2006 05:28 PM
quote:
My biggest fear is getting rearended. I always leave it in first with an eye on my rearview---with an OUT.
jeff
Stay out of Gay bars:P
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The banks are failing..
The banks are failing...
Invest in Ammo
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scificanada
Expert Class
Posts: 411
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posted October 10, 2006 05:34 PM
 Edited By: scificanada on 10 Oct 2006 18:35
I agree that more light (passive or active) the better. However i question the safety of any flashing lights.
Numerous studies have been done in regards to "Flashing light fixation"
This is where less experienced and especially Impaired (aka DRUNK) drivers fixate on flashing lights and drive directly into them.
I have read numerous studies by the US NTSA, and military that support this theroy.
New training here in Canada for operators of emergency vehicles is to shut down their flashing lights if off the traveled portion of roadway to reduce the risk of an Impaired driver driving into their vehicles.
The human eye reacts to movement, and just like an inexperienced driver will sway in their lane when the do a shoulder check, an Impaired driver will go where their eyes fixate. This is called eye lead. The body goes where the eyes look. This is the same reason in defensive / advanced driving courses they teach you to look where you want to go, not where you are trying to avoid.
So as I agree with lots of illumination (passive and active) is the way to go, but i question taillight modulators. If someone is going to miss my brake lights (especially the led ones on the 14), then flashing them will do me SFA.
And Toolman, you are bang on! Keep an eye to the rear, keep it in gear and AWAYS have an escape route.
____________
Be a predator, not prey.
2006 Blue(the fastest colour) ZX14, Brock Ti Gen 3, Secondary Butterflies out, PCIII with Brock Map, Muzzy Frame Sliders.
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lietoome
Needs a job
Posts: 2033
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posted October 10, 2006 06:04 PM
gay bars?
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blitzkrieg
Needs a job
Road kill = Free lunch.
Posts: 2044
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posted October 10, 2006 06:21 PM
This is just my opinion and I have no scientific fact to back it, but...
Day or night (even more so night) I don't depend on lights or blinkers. You tangle with a drunk that is seeing three's of everything and all the reflective tape in the world ain't gonna save you.
I carry an organic defensive weapon (gotta be careful what you type nowadays) and always watch whats going on around me, and always have an out, day or night. 
I'd teach your girl to watch her mirrors and leave an out in case a dummy approaches..
____________
"BTW....You need to get a girlfriend who's last name isn't .jpg"
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted October 10, 2006 06:32 PM
Edited By: INTIMIDA2OR on 10 Oct 2006 19:33
Even with all the lights i got on my 14 i'd prolly still get hit by someone that didn't see me 
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted October 10, 2006 10:10 PM
quote:
I carry an organic defensive weapon
Which is?
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FYYFF!!!
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted October 10, 2006 10:13 PM
quote:
I agree that more light (passive or active) the better. However i question the safety of any flashing lights.
Numerous studies have been done in regards to "Flashing light fixation"
This is where less experienced and especially Impaired (aka DRUNK) drivers fixate on flashing lights and drive directly into them.
I have read numerous studies by the US NTSA, and military that support this theroy.
New training here in Canada for operators of emergency vehicles is to shut down their flashing lights if off the traveled portion of roadway to reduce the risk of an Impaired driver driving into their vehicles.
The human eye reacts to movement, and just like an inexperienced driver will sway in their lane when the do a shoulder check, an Impaired driver will go where their eyes fixate. This is called eye lead. The body goes where the eyes look. This is the same reason in defensive / advanced driving courses they teach you to look where you want to go, not where you are trying to avoid.
So as I agree with lots of illumination (passive and active) is the way to go, but i question taillight modulators. If someone is going to miss my brake lights (especially the led ones on the 14), then flashing them will do me SFA.
And Toolman, you are bang on! Keep an eye to the rear, keep it in gear and AWAYS have an escape route.
Ooops...you were quoting lietoome, not TM... 
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FYYFF!!!
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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted October 11, 2006 08:37 AM
No amount of reflective stuff will ultimately deter a dumb ass driver who's jerkin around on a cell phone or yackin to a passenger. But every bit helps. The key here folks is to stay alert and continue to watch your back for traffic coming up and like another guy said, keep it in 1st gear so you're ready to roll away in a split second, always keep multiple escape zones in front of you. Always have a strategy.
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SoCal ZX-14 Rider
Expert Class
Posts: 351
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posted October 11, 2006 02:18 PM
quote:
This is just my opinion and I have no scientific fact to back it, but...
Day or night (even more so night) I don't depend on lights or blinkers. You tangle with a drunk that is seeing three's of everything and all the reflective tape in the world ain't gonna save you.
I carry an organic defensive weapon (gotta be careful what you type nowadays) and always watch whats going on around me, and always have an out, day or night.
I'd teach your girl to watch her mirrors and leave an out in case a dummy approaches..
So what was the Organic defence weapon? A rock?
How does that help you from rear enders?
I took a look at the Icon vest, looks cool (in yellow).
I also found a site that has a bunch of safety equipment for motorcycles such as vests, modulators and loud horns.
http://ridesafer.com/page/mfc0/Home.html
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If I'm not riding her, I'm dreaming about riding her! Mount up!
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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted October 11, 2006 03:29 PM
quote:
So what was the Organic defence weapon? A rock?
How does that help you from rear enders?
I took a look at the Icon vest, looks cool (in yellow).
I also found a site that has a bunch of safety equipment for motorcycles such as vests, modulators and loud horns.
http://ridesafer.com/page/mfc0/Home.html
It doesn't protect you from rear enders --- your vigilance does
Green looks better
The best defense is staying alert.
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted October 11, 2006 04:02 PM
Someone said "Stay out of  bars" to avoid getting rear ended...I agree! That's the best defence.
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FYYFF!!!
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scificanada
Expert Class
Posts: 411
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posted October 11, 2006 06:02 PM
quote:
This is just my opinion and I have no scientific fact to back it, but...
Day or night (even more so night) I don't depend on lights or blinkers. You tangle with a drunk that is seeing three's of everything and all the reflective tape in the world ain't gonna save you.
I carry an organic defensive weapon (gotta be careful what you type nowadays) and always watch whats going on around me, and always have an out, day or night.
I'd teach your girl to watch her mirrors and leave an out in case a dummy approaches..
Hmmmmmmm? Does it work well on HOT wings??? 
____________
Be a predator, not prey.
2006 Blue(the fastest colour) ZX14, Brock Ti Gen 3, Secondary Butterflies out, PCIII with Brock Map, Muzzy Frame Sliders.
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MATTZ14
Expert Class
Posts: 282
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posted October 11, 2006 06:10 PM
So cal
I believe it is called a Halo. It's a reflective band that is removable that goes around the base of your helmet. It's aimed toward snowmobiles I think. It's on the sit you linked above. I also have the Hein Gericke tribal jacket in blk w/ white tribals and reflective inserts. Not a stop sign but people I know, know who I am from blocks away at night by the jacket. I guess you can see it well at night.
 on the staying out of a gay bar thing
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Later days, better lays
07 BLACK ZX14 Getting customized waiting for the white stuff to go away
06 BLACK ZX14 GONE Recall was a little late.
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SoCal ZX-14 Rider
Expert Class
Posts: 351
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posted October 12, 2006 06:56 AM
quote:
So cal
I believe it is called a Halo. It's a reflective band that is removable that goes around the base of your helmet. It's aimed toward snowmobiles I think. It's on the sit you linked above. I also have the Hein Gericke tribal jacket in blk w/ white tribals and reflective inserts. Not a stop sign but people I know, know who I am from blocks away at night by the jacket. I guess you can see it well at night.
on the staying out of a gay bar thing
Thanks, I will look in to that Jacket.
____________
If I'm not riding her, I'm dreaming about riding her! Mount up!
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MAXIMUS
Needs a job
Posts: 4156
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posted October 12, 2006 07:07 AM
i think most riding gear such as jackets and riding pants have some sort of reflecting material, I dont know if its enough.
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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted October 13, 2006 10:03 AM
quote:
Someone said "Stay out of bars" to avoid getting rear ended...I agree! That's the best defence.
Got any pics for reference?...:milk
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htosado
Zone Head
Posts: 949
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posted October 13, 2006 12:37 PM
I have a jacket that looks completely black, and it lights up bright as hell when lights are on it. It's agreat jacket. Heats up too.
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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted October 13, 2006 04:35 PM
quote:
I have a jacket that looks completely black, and it lights up bright as hell when lights are on it. It's agreat jacket. Heats up too.
Wow...is it a subdued flourescent type thingy?
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htosado
Zone Head
Posts: 949
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posted October 13, 2006 04:55 PM
I don't exactly know. I never noticed until we took those pics at Friscos bike night and it lit up. I just put it on Craigs list.
Those pockets and stripes are black when you walk around.
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htosado
Zone Head
Posts: 949
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posted October 13, 2006 04:56 PM
By the way, it has thermostat control seperate for the pants and the jacket. The socks plug in as well.
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mugsymd
Expert Class
Posts: 169
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posted October 16, 2006 08:16 AM
Bottom Line: As a former F-14 pilot - I keep my head on a swivel at all times when I ride, especially at night. This morning at 0500, on my way to work, I saw an idiot riding with no reflective clothing (and dark clothing to say the least) and he had no working tail/brake light - he was asking to be rear ended - lucky for him I rode up behind him and flagged him down at the next light - probably saved his A_S. And, like above, I watch my mirrors at lights at all times, I only relax it a bit when I have 1 or 2 cars already lined up behind me. I also have reflective tape on my helmet, and I wear a corbin jacket that has reflective material built in on the jacket. But, I never fight with a drunk - learned that lesson from my x-wife!!!
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1987 Red/White Ninja 750
1988 K1
1991 FatBoy
2004 VROD
2005 K1200S
2006 ZX-14 - Red
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