Hi all, When I was looking to buy a bike I noted that sellers were emphasizing 'black' as a positive selling point. I also observed the number of black bikes on the road, with riders wearing black helmets, jackets and dark pants. I remember thinking to myself how invisible these black bike and riders were to other road users. I vowed not to buy a black bike for safety reasons. I purchased a bright coloured bike, light coloured helmet and wear a florescent over-jacket (same lime green colour as postal deliverers). I believe my presence on the road is obvious to other road users from a considerable distance, and therefore safer as I ride my bike. I'm not sure I understand why many bike riders identify with black so much when riding our roads. Can anyone help enlighten me?
Personally I love Black, if done properly looks sexy as, I work in the electricity industry and have vowed never to own another black car, I had an Black Focus xr5 turbo a few years back and I would park in the car park at a coal fired station and its would be grey when I went to leave. Gloss black has a certain allure.. I'm not all that keen on matt black paint, in saying that many of the factory bikes that are black have splashes of colour through them. My commuter bike is mainly red with a bit of black, my Aprilia is all black, my jacket is black, but I have a bright red helmet, its my beacon :Thumbs_up:
Hey Divad Have you not heard the term, "Black is Beautiful". I find black cars, bikes to stand out when polished and clean, they do require much more work to be kept in that state. You will find that many motorcycle manufacturers offer bikes in a variety of colours, choice is up to the individual. If your comment is based on visibility on the road, I would have to disagree with you on that point. Studies on this subject were carried out in Europe a few years ago now, and results showed that dark or black bikes and even garments had no increased issues in accident reports. Having said that, if you feel better and more visible on the road with other colours, go for it and as always enjoy the ride.
Im with these guys ..... black is beautiful! Chris' Aprillia is an awesome looking bike, apart from the fact its an Aprillia and a 2 smoker! :Thumbs_up: I love black cars (a black Audi Quattro please :angel: ) and yes a pain to keep clean and keep cool. I have a dark green Accord and even if a butterfly farts as it flys by, u have to get out the polishing cloth :o I think the best thing to do to be seen on a bike is lights on during the day.....I initially see a bike while Im driving that has its lights on , long before I see its color or the riders clothing. I replaced the tail/brake lights and "parkers" on the Fizzer with LEDs .....I will also upgrade the headlights when I can track down the right fitment . I put LED parkers in the Honda Accord as well and they are just super bright compared to the stock globes.
My bike is black and silver although I would not be upset if it were a brighter colour. I read somewhere recently about a light triangle and that having 2 daylight running lights mounted low and apart as much as possable makes you more visable. Today I went past a bike with a large light triangle and it stood out like snail eyes. :Thumbs_up: The bike was silver but couldn't tel you what the rider was wearing. So I don't think a black bike is harder to see as it is normally the light(s) that you notice first anyway.
