Gear Question

[Brobee]

After a negligent driver plowed into me in May, I need replace my bike and all riding gear. I plan on buying a 2011 or 2012 FJR in about a month and have decided to go with the Tour Master Sonora Hi-Viz jacket. My choice of helmet will be the HJC Sy-Max III, but I keep flip-flopping on what color to get that may compliment either color of bike. One option would be to go for the complete yellow power ranger look (Hi-Viz), but then I start thinking about silver or white.

Here's what the jacket looks like:

So...what color helmet would you go with if you were sitting on a blue or silver FJR with this jacket? I don't want to get black again.

 

[Goodman4]

I think my next jacket will be this very one you have or something very simlar. I like your idea of silver with it. Some variety would make you stand out even more IMO. Did you get hit from behind or side? Day or night? Just curious.

 

[Brobee]

It was daytime (about 4:45pm) and I was going north, she was going south and decided to turn left right on top of me. I had zero time to react, and according to the police report - it's the most famous line in motorcycle history. "I never saw him..."

Hence, my new found interest in Hi-Viz instead of flat black.

 

[VanHarlan]

I have the Sonora and love it . . . I have a Black Shoei X-11 . . . and a new Arai Profile Trident the is Grey/Silver that both look fine with my hi-viz jackets. Started wearing Hi-Viz gear when a friend of mine got laid out by a Volvo that made a left turn right in front of him . . . spent months in the hospital and will never walk right or physically be the same again . . . as much as I woujld love to place 1005 of the blame on the driver I honestly think he shares in the blame for not being visible and never dressing ATGATT . . .

Also bought my wife and kids their own Sonora Jackets as well . . . good multi-temp jacket with liners it comes with

 

[GinaMcD]

Check out the Shoei Qwest Overt TC-3 if you want something that goes with the jacket.

 

[Tyler]

Take a look at Olympia Motorsports jackets. I have an Airglide jacket that I absolutely LOVE! They have several options in the neon yellow color as well. B)

https://olympiamotosports.com/category/catalog/

 

[user 28803]

Between silver and white I'd go with silver.

 

[someguy]

Silver.

goes with whatever jachet you choose. Even if you go back to black someday

Its cool temp wise (though white is even cooler)

Looks great no matter what Colorado tout bike is

faster than white.

 

[Brobee]

Thanks everyone - the silver helmet was actually my first choice that I had picked out. Here's a pic of all the combinations that I threw together:

 

[wfooshee]

[RANT]

I just have to say, if it happened to me, and they said "I didn't see him," I might do something that lands me in prison. I have exactly the right temper to go after someone with everything I have for that.

That means they just didn't take the extra second to actually look.

You hi-vis jacket plan is all well and good, but it wouldn't have helped. That bitch was in a hurry and since you weren't a semi truck you didn't matter in her plans for her immediate future. She wouldn't have seen you if you had 47 flashing red and blue police lights on the bike!

"I didn't see him" when obviously at fault should be 90 days in jail, and license suspended until certified driving retraining and vision testing has taken place. At the offender's expense.

[/RANT]

 

[majicmaker]

[RANT]

I just have to say, if it happened to me, and they said "I didn't see him," I might do something that lands me in prison. I have exactly the right temper to go after someone with everything I have for that.

That means they just didn't take the extra second to actually look.

You hi-vis jacket plan is all well and good, but it wouldn't have helped. That bitch was in a hurry and since you weren't a semi truck you didn't matter in her plans for her immediate future. She wouldn't have seen you if you had 47 flashing red and blue police lights on the bike!

"I didn't see him" when obviously at fault should be 90 days in jail, and license suspended until certified driving retraining and vision testing has taken place. At the offender's expense.

[/RANT]

I Absolutely Agree! And I would not stop suing her until her 100th Birthday! Just to make sure she never forgets to look twice again. h34r:

 

[majicmaker]

Thanks everyone - the silver helmet was actually my first choice that I had picked out. Here's a pic of all the combinations that I threw together:

I'd definitely go with the silver helmet. With the yellow, even the real Power Rangers would look at you and think: Damn Dude! That's too Ghey even for Us!!

 

[graler]

I have a silver Shoei Quest. Love it!

 

[Patriot]

I wear the Sonora hiviz for 3 years

now have a white HJC IS-Max and am saving for a hi viz SyMax III

(and a pair of summer/vented SIDI boots)

the helmet is the highest point on the bike and hi viz most effective up there IMHO

ride safe

Mike in Nawlins'

 

[Brobee]

[RANT]

I just have to say, if it happened to me, and they said "I didn't see him," I might do something that lands me in prison. I have exactly the right temper to go after someone with everything I have for that.

That means they just didn't take the extra second to actually look.

You hi-vis jacket plan is all well and good, but it wouldn't have helped. That bitch was in a hurry and since you weren't a semi truck you didn't matter in her plans for her immediate future. She wouldn't have seen you if you had 47 flashing red and blue police lights on the bike!

"I didn't see him" when obviously at fault should be 90 days in jail, and license suspended until certified driving retraining and vision testing has taken place. At the offender's expense.

[/RANT]

I Absolutely Agree! And I would not stop suing her until her 100th Birthday! Just to make sure she never forgets to look twice again. h34r:

Tell me about it. She was out on the road the very next day like nothing happened, I'm sure. Meanwhile I was having new hardware installed in my leg for a tibial plateau fracture. I do know that her phone records have been requested :/

And yes, there really should be a stiffer penalty out there for such an offense. There's just too much of it going on now and people in general, are not satisfied simply focusing on driving while in a car.

 

[bluesdog]

[RANT]

I just have to say, if it happened to me, and they said "I didn't see him," I might do something that lands me in prison. I have exactly the right temper to go after someone with everything I have for that.

That means they just didn't take the extra second to actually look.

You hi-vis jacket plan is all well and good, but it wouldn't have helped. That bitch was in a hurry and since you weren't a semi truck you didn't matter in her plans for her immediate future. She wouldn't have seen you if you had 47 flashing red and blue police lights on the bike!

"I didn't see him" when obviously at fault should be 90 days in jail, and license suspended until certified driving retraining and vision testing has taken place. At the offender's expense.

[/RANT]

+1

I always ride as if 90% of the cagers don't see me; the other 10% do see me, and are actively trying to kill me :dribble:

As well, human perception seems unsuited to reliably perceiving objects coming head on. A lateral 'weave' from side to side as you approach an intersection, or any oncoming traffic, may help a little.

This article explains how motorcyles are invisible, in a bit more depth

 

[Road_Runner]

I work on a military base and therefore wear a reflective vest. I have gotten used to it and now wear it all the time whilst riding. I believe that it does in fact help drivers to notice a rider. The Sonora sure looks like a great Summer jacket, I might have to take a look at one also.

Have to agree with VanHarlan here...

. . . as much as I woujld love to place 100% of the blame on the driver I honestly think he shares in the blame for not being visible and never dressing ATGATT . . .

There is a lot we can do as riders to get noticed by what we wear and how we adorn our cycles. In addition to visability, we can also practice ultra-defensive driving. Example: Change lanes or move to the right side of the road and adjust speed when approaching a left turner. There are still unavoidable situations, but when reviewing my "close calls" I have always found that there was something that I could have and probably should have done to avoid the situation.

 

[majicmaker]

I always ride as if 90% of the cagers don't see me; the other 10% do see me, and are actively trying to kill me :dribble:

As well, human perception seems unsuited to reliably perceiving objects coming head on. A lateral 'weave' from side to side as you approach an intersection, or any oncoming traffic, may help a little.

This article explains how motorcyles are invisible, in a bit more depth

Silver, you and me must be cut from the same cloth. I do that exact same thing. I think it's freaks them out to see that. A violent lateral weave coming to a stop definitely gets their attention. Actually, living in Florida, weaving is the only way I can shave off the flat spots on my tires but, Freaking them out is an unintentional Bonus! :lol:

 

[captainRob]

You need all the help you can get - add a headlight modulator to your list too. Really admire you for getting back on the horse....!

Rob