Light colored jackets and visibility

[jsd2]

A couple years ago when I got back into riding I decided that I wanted to make sure I had some decent gear.  I also thought that a jacket with light colors in it would be more visible but I am not sure how true that is.  Do you think that light colors make you more visible?  I am sure there is no scientific way to prove or disprove this I am just looking for opinions of some people that have more experience on the bike than me.  Currently both my jackets have some white in them but I have to admit I would rather not have a white jacket. 

Thanks,

Jim 

[thought]

if you're looking for visibility, the current trend is the high viz neon green stuff.

here's a good selection of it:

http://www.revzilla.com/hi-viz-neon-motorcycle-gear

it does work, you're really easy to pick out as the color is super bright... but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

[danaid]

  For me, I stay away from black because it attracks heat. It's already in the low 100's where I live.

[rideserotta]

I don't think any color but the hi-vis colors standout any better than they others. White, black, blue, even standard red don't seem to stick out to me. Now the high vis yellow... BAM! That catches my eye EVERY TIME.

[lawmaster891]

i live in texas and my gear is all black. my key to letting people i know im there is my loud pipes. people always know im there. also i have a motodynamic integrated tail light with sequential blinkers and a triple flash brake light that i believe helps

[RBX QB]

I tell people that I wear black because people can't hit what they can't see. My mom LOVES when I tell her that one. But, I do have auxiliary lights up front, and I'm sure that helps.

That high viz yellow is crazy in daylight. It's also bright on cloudy days, nights, eclipses... And will probably be a good color for the Rapture. It works for visibility.

[sbrguy]

the high viz really stands out even more when its twilight, basically when its going from light to dark it almost looks like its glowing when you have it on.

i like it and have a bmw jacket , but then again its not really stylish at all,.  dainese makes some really awesomeon leather jackets that look "casual" but still have all the armor in them, i'm saving up for one.

[Slide Panda]

I am sure there is no scientific way to prove or disprove

Uh yeah there is. There have been plenty of studies about how the human eye perceives things. Generally, the lighter the easier it is for the human eye to spot. Think about it - someone in a white t-shirt standing in the shade of a tree will be significantly easier to spot at a distance than someone in a black shirt.

As said, if you really want to be the most visible, look at the link from Thought. Otherwise look for jackets the the most light colors you can stand.

Also, don't forget your helmet. The helmet is the highest and usually most visible from a distance part of a rider. A high viz or even white helmet is easy to pick out at a distance. One of my buddies has always run all white helmets and usually sweeps groups and I can always pick him out of a group in my mirrors.

[bikepilot]

I definitely notice lighter colors more easily, particularly if its a solid light color as its a bigger blotch of something to see and I agree that the high-viz stuff really stands out.  That cagers frequently don't see huge yellow school buses with strobe lights and run right into them (my mil works school bus crashes), so all the high viz in the world isn't a total fail safe, but may help a little.  I say run good mirrors, keep a close look-out and stay out of cagers' way.

Loud pipes really don't help at all as best I can tell.  Even totally obnoxious ones can't be heard if you are in a cage with the windows up until the rider is passing you and by then its probably too late.  HD riders are big on this, but its just an excuse to be obnoxious imo.

I do wish there were more colors easily available than black, I'd go for a light tan or off white jacket I think, or even an oiled natural brown could be nice.  As it is i have a few black jackets, a silver/gray jacket and one high-viz jacket.

[okpanic]

I used to have the same theory with the light colors. until i almost got broadsided in the middle of the day with my brights on. people are going to see you only if they are actually looking. I have jackets that have white and reflective stripes but the are a pain to keep clean. now I wear mostly black. I do wear a reflective vest over my backpack at night so at least someone coming up behind me might notice more than my tail light. just my .02 cents.

[thought]

i think the other reason that the hi viz stuff works is because the only other people that wear those colors are generally construction workers, emergency workers, and the police.  all of which are people that most drivers are trained to recognize and pay attention to.  probably more so in europe though as i believe that hi viz is standard gear for a motorcycle cop, meaning that missing that hi viz dressed rider could mean a ticket.

also, that hi viz stuff is way way brighter than any light colored jacket out there... you can see it in the pictures of the jackets along with the videos... the jacket just looks washed out as the lens have a hard time adjusting for how much brighter the color is.  go watch the revzilla video of that rev'it jacket and you can easily see the effect.

[ChrisH]

I go the opposite direction. I wear an urban camo mesh jacket during the summer and a black leather jacket during the colder months.  I did put reflective Ducati stickers on my helmet for night time riding and they stand out like a mutha when lights hit them. Ill slalom in my lane to get peopl to notice me, and I have loud pipes I that helps at all. I typically just ride defensively and assume that everyone is out to get me.

That said, I agree that the bright hi viz stuff and white lids do help.