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 Discussion Topic  |
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dandrewk
Standard Member
156 Posts
San Rafael, CA
USA
Ducati
Multistrada 620 Dark
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 Posted - 10/10/2005 : 12:55 PM
 
Like
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Poll Question:
I have asked this question to dealers and riders. Opinions seem to differ.
IMHO, no helmet color is better than another at night. Wearing a halo or reflective stickers help here.
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| Results: |
| Wine Red |
[5%] |
3 votes |
| Candy Red |
[6%] |
4 votes |
| Silver |
[18%] |
12 votes |
| White |
[58%] |
38 votes |
| Graphics |
[12%] |
8 votes |
| = Guests |
(26
votes) |
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Poll Status:
Closed »» |
Total Votes: 65 counted »» |
Last Vote:
11/10/2005 3:44 PM |
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Gs82Seca650
 Advanced Member
1990 Posts
[Mentor]
Southern, PA
USA
Yamaha
1982 XJ 650 R Seca
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Posted - 10/10/2005 : 1:18 PM
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| Why was this poll locked? I would have responded with white, but that's just my opinion. I also like white to reflect as much sunlight/heat energy as possible. I do feel it makes a difference in that regard as I have had black helmets in the past. |
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James R. Davis
Administrator
17381 Posts
[Mentor]
Houston, TX
USA
Honda
GoldWing 1500
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Posted - 10/10/2005 : 1:20 PM
 
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| It appears that a new poll that has NO EXPIRATION DATE specified appears to behave like the expiration date is NOW. I will check it out but for now I will change this poll to have a nearterm closing date and open it. |
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Gs82Seca650
Advanced Member
1990 Posts
[Mentor]
Southern, PA
USA
Yamaha
1982 XJ 650 R Seca
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Posted - 10/10/2005 : 1:22 PM
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| 10-4, thanks James. |
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Thom Thumb
Advanced Member
1595 Posts
[Mentor]
Jordan, MN
USA
Harley-Davidson
Sportster XL883
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Posted - 10/10/2005 : 3:37 PM
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Wouldn't having a halo pretty much imply that one is not a very safe rider? 
TT |
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James R. Davis
Administrator
17381 Posts
[Mentor]
Houston, TX
USA
Honda
GoldWing 1500
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Posted - 10/10/2005 : 3:40 PM
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Nope. It would imply that the person wasn't (past tense) a safe rider, but was otherwise a pretty decent fella.  |
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scottrnelson
Advanced Member
6954 Posts
[Mentor]
Meridian, ID
USA
Honda
XR650L, 790 Adv R
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Posted - 10/10/2005 : 6:07 PM
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Yellow shows up better than white. Orange often shows up better than yellow, but only KTM and Kawasaki make bikes that go with Orange.
My vote would have gone with yellow if it had been one of the choices. |
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kiddal
Advanced Member
1561 Posts
[Mentor]
SE, Indiana
USA
Kawasaki
KLR650
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Posted - 10/10/2005 : 6:32 PM
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The research I have read always points to white being the most "under-represented" in accidents. Whether it's because it's more noticable or not is another question, I guess.
quote:
Originally posted by dandrewk
IMHO, no helmet color is better than another at night.
You really don't think there is a difference between seeing a black object and a white one at night? |
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amazngrace
Standard Member
204 Posts
Townsend, Virginia
USA
Kawasaki
1986 Concours
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Posted - 10/10/2005 : 7:31 PM
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I for one do not have any doubt that a white helmet is more easily seen at night than a helmet of any color that is dark.However, in the overall big picture of the entire bike and rider being seen, I think helmet color is pretty low on the scale.
Reflective material on the helmet goes a lot farther in enhancing your visibility to others than the color of the helmet.
White and black are the only colors I've owned, but I always put scotchlite on the sides and back.
...ED
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Mydlyfkryzis
Senior Member
274 Posts
[Mentor]
West Milford, NJ
USA
Honda
1991 Nighthawk 750
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Posted - 10/10/2005 : 7:35 PM
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FWIW, I have an HJC AC-11 Zeek, a LOUD black/white/red grphic design.
NJ requires 4 Square inches of reflective surface on the helmet.
At the State inspection, the inspector looked at my helmet. I pointed out the American Flag on the back was reflective material. He said it didn't matter as the Helmet was brightly colored and didn't need the material. The Bike ahead of me, who's owner wasn't around when the inspector started on my bike, came out of the MV office with reflective tape, added it to his helemt and showed the inspector. He then got his sticker. His helmet was Flat Black (a half helmet, as many Harley Riders are apt to wear).
So evidently, NJ regards Brightly colored Helemts to have the same noticeability as a helemt with added reflectability.
I always add reflective material to my helmet. The moving, reflective light has to help at least a little with the motorcycle invisibility factor. |
Edited by - Mydlyfkryzis on 10/10/2005 7:36 PM |
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amazngrace
Standard Member
204 Posts
Townsend, Virginia
USA
Kawasaki
1986 Concours
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Posted - 10/10/2005 : 7:40 PM
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Kiddal, To tell the truth, I don't see many bikers with white helmets anymore. Maybe that accounts for the accident stats ?
...ED |
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dandrewk
Standard Member
156 Posts
San Rafael, CA
USA
Ducati
Multistrada 620 Dark
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Posted - 10/11/2005 : 11:19 AM
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My bad - I completely forgot yellow. Most likely it is tops in visibility, save for safety orange.
Still, it was interesting to see that white scored highest. I keep thinking white would blend too much in bright, sunny light, and that perhaps silver or bright (candy) red would get more votes. |
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ZKP
Starting Member
2 Posts
Stockton, CA
USA
Harley-Davidson
Street Rod
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Posted - 10/11/2005 : 2:34 PM
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In my opinion I'd prefer a sunshine yellow in daytime. White would be second choice because Highway patrol's helmets are usually white - we all watch out for them 
But there's some evidence to a white helmet being the better choice as published in a 2004 study by the British Medical Journal
here |
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kiddal
Advanced Member
1561 Posts
[Mentor]
SE, Indiana
USA
Kawasaki
KLR650
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Posted - 10/11/2005 : 4:24 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by amazngrace
I don't see many bikers with white helmets anymore. Maybe that accounts for the accident stats ?
The statistics reflect the ratio. So the relative popularity of white is not important in the calculations.
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Indiana Randy
Moderator
2118 Posts
[Mentor]
Fort Wayne, Indiana
USA
Honda
2000 Magna V4 750
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Posted - 10/11/2005 : 4:29 PM
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I read studies that conclude WHITE is the most visible colored helmet day or night. I've read studies that indicate reflective material on ANY color helmet dramatically improve presence at night.
I have a reflective 'halo' around my full face helmet and it DOES illuminate in others lights.
I've noticed other riders with helmets and have seen that the most obvious were the white helmets and least obvious were the black helmets. If the debate is over white or yellow or silver, I'd conclude it doesn't matter as long as it's a light color. Bonus points to those who have reflective tape on the helmet also.
If you really want to take it a step up, there are LED lights you can affix to the back of your helmet which flash/shine when you apply the brakes. 
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dandrewk
Standard Member
156 Posts
San Rafael, CA
USA
Ducati
Multistrada 620 Dark
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Posted - 10/11/2005 : 5:21 PM
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Well, I couldn't decide between yellow, white, silver or blue (the color of my bike). So I went for all four.
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marsam
Advanced Member
510 Posts
[Mentor]
Birkirkara
Malta
Yamaha
Dragstar & Vmax
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Posted - 10/12/2005 : 12:47 PM
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| I think yellow is only better than white during daylight in bad weather and especially fog. |
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SteveS
Advanced Member
1208 Posts
[Mentor]
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
Harley-Davidson
2018 Tri-Gliide
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Posted - 10/12/2005 : 2:46 PM
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Since I own a white helmet. I won't argue. I also use silver and black with orange flames.
My rain jacket is orange and I feel very visible useing it in any condition when visibility is anything but 100%
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kiddal
Advanced Member
1561 Posts
[Mentor]
SE, Indiana
USA
Kawasaki
KLR650
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BadaBing
Advanced Member
1196 Posts
[Mentor]
Houston, TX
USA
Harley-Davidson
Heritage Classic 04
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Posted - 10/21/2005 : 10:31 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by scottrnelson
Yellow shows up better than white. Orange often shows up better than yellow, but only KTM and Kawasaki make bikes that go with Orange.
My vote would have gone with yellow if it had been one of the choices.
I have to agree with ScottRNelson with yellow. Intuitively, one would think white was the most visible color, but based on the physiology of the eye with its array of cones and rods, it has been demonstrated the yellow gets one attention the quickest.
Ciao,
BadaBing |
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aleks
Junior Member
78 Posts
Galilee
Israel
Suzuki
GZ
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Posted - 10/23/2005 : 3:05 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by scottrnelson
Yellow shows up better than white. Orange often shows up better than yellow, but only KTM and Kawasaki make bikes that go with Orange.
My vote would have gone with yellow if it had been one of the choices.
I actually think that yellow isn't better than white. If you check the statistic about accidents/color, you will see that yellow was involved more than other colors. Yellow is like sun light. |
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Discussion Topic |
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What color helmet is the most visible during daytime?