I did not expect that!

Don't always wear hi-viz gear myself but yesterday was a bit wet so I donned my reflective waistcoat and white helmet. On the 1250, I rode the same route I have ridden during the recent nice weather, at the same time, in dark gear. Wow! What a difference! Far more drivers pulled in when I filtered. At roundabouts and junctions,  fewer chanced it, reducing the need for me to brake suddenly. Out of concern for bikes? Being considerate in poor weather? I doubt it. No, it was pretty obvious who they thought I was! I ride a black bike so I imagine a white one would get even more reaction.

 Interesting!

Ps. When I ride with high bars, open face helmet and attitude, they pull in too - maybe they think I'm 'ard!  

Did you have 'POLITE' on the back of it too?

Skidalot wrote:

Did you have 'POLITE' on the back of it too?

You have to be careful what you put on the back. I have Harley Davidson on the back of my other jacket. That increases the risk of being rear- ended no doubt! 

I fully agree with anyone that wears 'high viz' or anything to make you more visible    I completely disagree with anything  with 'polite'  on the back unless it's on a horse rider 

Don't like polite on the back of anything. As for horses, I don't think the roads are good places for them, but I always shut off the throttle. Some of the motorcycle hi-viz touring brigade can get a bit 'holier than thou'. If I can, I wear for comfort, weather and abrasion protection. I only wear hi-viz in poor visibilty. Never wear it with custom gear! Still it's our bike, our life, we do what suits. It does work though!

Bluesman wrote:

Don't like polite on the back of anything. As for horses, I don't think the roads are good places for them, but I always shut off the throttle. 

I'm not a fan of horses on the roads either,  anything that slows motorist passing them by has got to be a good thing though, especially as half a ton of horse landing on a car screen or motorcycle would prove quite painful 

Any biker who has "POLITE" on the back of his high vis should be forced to wear one of these every other weekend 

What gets me is they hold back cos they think they might get done by a copper for pulling out but if it was just a bike, oh that doesn't matter! Don't mind knocking you off but won't risk 3 points!

Each to his own with this sort of think - For me Hi Viz - yes- anything that helps not getting knocked of my bike - POLITE across my back?....never.  I did meet a guy at the barn once looked just like Mals pic - a right supercilious, holier than thou, self opinionated tosser... Never been knocked of his bike but I bet he'd been call a c*nt on many occasions!

Yes, in the past, when commuting to work in foul weather I wore a plain Hi-Viz jacket at the same time as I'd bought an nice new good quality helmet - it was in a sale - because it was plain white ..... & just that combination of plain white helmet and yellow hi-viz jacket did have an effect in that motorists did seem to 'see' you more readily, and gave more consideration for me as a motorcyclist .... often moving over to allow me to filter through etc.

I can see how some people are drawn to the 'Polite' & chequered Hi-Viz vests - but that is taking things further than necessary. You probably wouldn't get much hassle from the plod if you were riding like 'Grandma', but I guess they would want to throw the book at you if you stepped over 'the mark' .... even by committing minor misdemeanours that they would often ignore.

Reap what you sow springs to mind - if you want to draw attention - then fair enough - but you cannot choose the source of that attention .... & you could get more than you bargained for !


  

I would imagine, that when they realised they haven't pulled over for a cop, their hatred of you would be immense.