10 More High-Viz Tips

Tips 11-20 will not be as effective as tips 1-10, but they can edge you a little closer to becoming a Perfect 10. Each tip is assigned a point value. The more points a tip has, the more effective it will be at increasing your conspicuity. These tips fall into two categories: "When not to ride," and modifications that can make you and your bike stand out from other vehicles on the road.

11. Avoid Riding at Night
1/2 Point
Cost: $0
Know the Limitations of Vision

One way to increase your conspicuity is to avoid putting yourself into situations of low visibility, such as riding at night. At night, our eyes become very sensitive in order to see, but they compensate by missing fine details and color.
Read more....

12. Avoid Riding at Dawn/Dusk
1/2 Point
Cost: $0
Beware the Transition from Light to Dark

One way to increase your conspicuity is to avoid putting yourself into situations of low visibility, such as riding at night. Riding at dawn and dusk are even worse when it comes to vision, because the human eye takes a long time to adjust to changing light.
Read more....

13. Aftermarket Horn
1/2 Point
Cost: $15-170
Loud Horns Save Lives 

An inexpensive, easy modification to draw attention to yourself is to install a loud aftermarket horn. While a loud horn won't make you more visible, it will be more effective at alerting other drivers to your presence. Read more....

14. Position/Marker Lights
1/2 Point
Cost: $10-120
Help Others Gauge Your Speed and Distance

A simple and effective way to increase your frontal visiblity on your motorcycle is to add position/marker lights. On many newer bikes, the front turn signals are wired as marker lights—meaning they're on all the time, except when being used as turn indicators. (flashing). The effect of marker lights is to give other drivers a better sense of your speed and distance. Read more.... 

15. Avoid Riding in Poor Weather
1/2 Point
Cost: $0
Moisture Affects Visibility

16. Avoid Riding during Low-Sun-Angle/Seasonal Times
1/2 Point
Cost: $0
Invisible in Broad Daylight

Twice a year, as the seasons change in spring and fall, most east-west roads will end up pointed directly at the sun for a week or two, particularly during morning and evening rush hours. This creates a hazardous situation for all drivers, especially motorcycle riders trying to be conspicuous in traffic. Read more....

17. Bike Profile
1/2 Point
Cost: $200+
Dare to Be Different 

Believe it or not, the Hurt Study (1981) found that the shape of a motorcycle can have positive impacrt on rider visibility. According to the study, "Motorcycles equipped with fairings and windshields are underrepresented in accidents, most likely because of the contribution to conspicuity and the association with more experienced and trained riders." Read more....

18. Bike Color
1/2 Point
Cost: $500+
Choose the Unusual

Even though the 1981 Hurt Study found that motorcycle color was not a factor in crash involvement, it makes good sense to choose a color that stands out in traffic. It's not a huge leap of logic to suggest that a bright yellow bike will stand out better than a black or gray bike. Read more.... 

19. High Beam in Daytime
1/4 Point
Cost: $0
Let Your Light Shine

Most riders agree that it's smart to have the headlight on at all times. During the day, riders don't need the headlight to see—they use it to be seen by other drivers. So why not run the high beam more often, and add to your visibility? Read more....

20. Unusual Effects
1/4 Point
Cost: $0-?
Stand Out Like a Sore Thumb

Last on the list of high-viz tips is using "unconventional" methods to get yourself noticed. It's not such a stretch to truly customize and personalize your motorcycle and riding gear to help you stand out from the crowd. Read more....

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Last Updated 3/6/2008

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