It’s easy for car drivers to unintentionally overlook motorcycles, especially smaller ones, on the road. This is because they might be looking for larger vehicles in their mirrors and blind spots.
Don’t worry! This guide will show you how to maximize your visibility with various lighting and visibility gear.
From brightly colored helmets to strategic light placements, we’ll cover everything to make you a beacon on the road, both day and night. Increased motorcycle safety is our top priority when riding.
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Motorcycle Visibility Products for a Better Road Presence
How can I increase my motorcycle visibility? Every biker must have wondered about this, at least for once.
Here are some outfits and accessories that will make even a drowsy driver spot you.
🔎 Motorcycle Conspicuity Issues and Intervention: A Systematic Review – The study found that combining high-visibility clothing with a headlight was the most effective strategy for increasing motorbike’s conspicuity in all lighting conditions.
Motorcycle conspicuity can be increased with appropriate (bright) rider outfits that help distinguish them from the surrounding background.
Center for Transportation Research and Education, June 2012
1. Wear a Colorful Helmet
The helmet remains at the top height when you’re riding a bike. So, drivers in bigger vehicles are likely to see that helmet first before spotting you or the bike.
In that case, wearing a hi-viz helmet and glove kit seems to be the best safety measure you can take to avoid any unfortunate event.
SEE MORE: Best Motorcycle Helmet for Visibility: Top Picks
Motorcycle visibility studies favor fluorescent and colorful helmets, such as yellow, orange, and red.
White and green are good options too for those who don’t want to look too dorky in their colored helmet.
Which color you should choose is absolutely your preference. But keep the weather and riding time because some colors may appear faded in certain conditions.
Remember, reflective materials on protective motorcycle gear are fantastic at night, but they won’t make you stand out as much during the day. So it’s important to combine them with bright colors for maximum visibility.
2. A Highly Visible Jacket
If possible, pair up your helmet with a jacket that is bright in the upper torso or shoulders.
From a young age, it has been ingrained in our subconscious mind to pay attention to high-viz colors like yellow, orange, and neon green.
HWK Motorcycle Jacket for Men Adventure/Touring
Key Features at a Glance:
- Weather resistant for all seasons
- CE approved armor for impact protection
- Removable insulation for temperature control
- Ventilation panels for air flow and breathability
- Reflective accents for low light visibility
A colorful jacket is likely to shift the attention of other drivers from the cheeseburger on their hands to you.
You can have a couple of jackets in different colors to wear in different weather.
3. Motorcycle Visibility Lights
Lights will draw the eye of other drivers instantly. Install a flashing light in a side vent or on the back of the helmet, to make a high-viz helmet even more visible.
Kairiyard LED Motorcycle Driving Lights
Key Features at a Glance:
- Bright 9000 lumen output for 250m visibility
- 3 lighting modes – spot, flash, fast strobe
- Weatherproof aluminum alloy housing
- IP67 waterproof rating
- Large heatsink for cooling performance
Keep the lights on all the time, day and night, because a rotating beacon or a blinking strobe light will make you visible from a long distance.
It will be annoying for others on the road but will surely make them notice you.
Some other lighting fixes could be a tail light that you can set at steady or blinking modes. Setting at the steady mode makes the light easily visible as it produces brighter illumination.
Light strips could be another option in your shopping list for motorcycle visibility products. Fix it on the number plate or saddlebag to signal your presence.
Change the Headlight: According to a study, motorcycles with a 40W, 180 mm diameter headlamp can increase their conspicuity from 53.6% to 64.4%.
4. Reflective Tapes and Stickers
You can paste motorcycle reflective tape or stickers anywhere you like — on the helmet, jacket, and rear side of the bike.
These can also stick out from the edges of panniers or anywhere that is highly visible from a distance.
customTAYLOR33 (All Vehicles) Red High Intensity Grade Reflective Safety Rim Tapes
Key Features at a Glance:
- Made from highest grade reflective material
- Strong adhesive and durable UV/solvent resistant coating
- Covers full rim circumference in one piece
- Easy application without removing wheels
Have you thought of applying some tape around the wheels? It will definitely create a cool rim stripe.
Using motorcycle reflective stickers or tapes will boost your visual footprint when you are on the road.
Remember that these products are almost invisible during the daytime. But they absorb and reflect light at night, helping other drivers to spot your motorcycle.
⚠️ Remember: Visibility products are an additional safety measure, not a replacement for careful riding practices. Always be alert, maintain a safe distance, and prioritize defensive riding habits.
The Final Words
Hi-viz motorcycle gear help others, including car drivers and other motorists, to be aware of your presence on the road. But it is important to remember that these products alone do not make you invincible.
Thousands of fatal motorcycle accidents occur every year because car drivers do not notice the presence of a motorcycle on the roadway. Therefore, it is crucial to remain cautious and ride safely, using these visibility products as an additional measure to increase your conspicuity. By following these precautions, you can ensure road safety and reduce the risk of accidents.
FAQs about Motorcycle Visibility Products for Motorists
What are the benefits of using motorcycle visibility products?
Motorcycle riders face a higher risk of accidents because they are not easily visible to other road users. Visibility aids like reflective vests, safety lights, fluorescent tape, and a hi-viz glove kit can make bikers 10 times more visible.
What types of visibility products are best?
Reflective motorcycle helmets and jackets, auxiliary driving lights, stick-on fluorescent tape with strong adhesion and reflective surfaces will keep you visible. These products are effective in day and night conditions.
Should I wear a high visibility motorcycle riding jacket or vest?
Either can work. A hi-viz vest is compact, affordable and easily adjustable. But it covers less of your body. A brightly colored motorcycle jacket offers more coverage and protection while still being highly visible.
How often should I replace visibility products?
Replace fluorescent colors and reflective tapes every 1-2 riding seasons as they fade with UV exposure. Lights typically last 2-3 seasons if used sparingly. Make sure all lights work properly, and replace immediately if any burn out.
Why are lights so important?
Safety lights attract drivers’ attention to your presence instantly. Red lights in rear and flashing rear lights are especially important to alert following vehicles. Front and side LED lights make you visible from all directions, improving reaction time for other drivers.
Should I wear highly noticeable colors when riding?
Yes! Wearing fluorescent yellow, orange or lime green motorcycle jackets, leather gloves, helmets, or pants can increase your visibility by up to 300% compared to black. Neon colors “pop” for drivers, even in their peripheral vision.
How do I apply reflective tape properly?
Clean the surface thoroughly and let it dry. Stretch the tape as you apply it along edges and corners for a smooth finish. Apply in straight lines for best reflectivity. Overlap strips for fuller coverage. Use heat from a blow dryer to activate the adhesive.
Can I upgrade my existing gear with hi-viz products?
Yes, absolutely. Add bright stickers, reflective tape and accessories to your existing motorcycle jacket, helmet, pants and boots. Consider installing auxiliary lights if your bike lacks enough visual accents. The upgrades only take minutes but make a huge difference in how visible you are on the road.
Do reflective stickers on my bike increase safety?
Placing reflective stickers on your bike’s fenders, gas tank, and hard panniers increases the motorcycle’s overall visibility, especially from the sides. Consider multi-directional stickers for best effect. Apply to clean, grease-free surfaces for strong adhesion.
How do I clean my reflective products?
Use a damp (not wet) cloth to wipe dirt from reflective surfaces. Avoid harsh cleaners as they can damage adhesives. Air dry or pat dry with a towel. Some reflective products are machine washable – check tags for instructions. Avoid storing wet or expose to direct heat.
