Does Color Matter??

[libbynyc]

I am looking to purchase a new bike and I was buying white. I have been told by a few people that I should select another, brighter color as a safety mechanism- to be seen. Anyone have any thoughts on that or does it matter. I have google safety for motorcycle and can't find anywhere if it really matters or not.

Share your thoughts.

[sachiwilson]

Bright is better, yes. Yellow, Orange, bright red, are all going to stand out better than blah colors like white or black.

[The_AirHawk]

There's statistical "laboratory proven" evidence colour helps you be noticed and seen......... and empirical evidence that motorists can't see an 8-1/2 ton, acid-green Firetruck with lights and siren blazing away.

It's a mixed bag.

Often cops notice brightly-coloured bikes, and target the riders for any small infraction. (primarily garish colours like fluorescents and wild graphics)

Whatever colour you choose, if you ride Defensively and never assume they can see you, or pay attention to you if they DO see you (or that rare fraction-of-a-percent that actively tries to KILL you just because your astride a moto), it shouldn't matter what colour the bike (or your helmet and gear) might be. You'll be responsible for yourself, and will avoid tire-tracks across your neck.

[bbtowns]

The more visible the better, sounds like some people are looking out for you. Airhawk is correct that whatever color you choose, you have to assume you're not seen, but you might as well make it as likely as possible that you're identified.

[Kenneth_Moore]

Apparently you've never heard the saying: "Arrest-Me Red."

VStroms look quite good in the "Bumble Bee" color set of bright yellow and black. And if you can get the matching suit to go with it, then you've not only relived a great moment in SNL history, but you've added the "Hi-Viz" feature to your riding clothes.

Mo-om! Barry keeps buzzing off! He's got honey all over his stinger!"

[pushrod]

Go with any color you want.

If you're feeling invisible, well - great! But if you want to stand out more, get some moto-lights for the front and Hyper-lites for the rear.

Just assume no one can see you. Usually you'll be right. Even when they can see you, they can't figure out how fast you're going.

[sarnali2]

Well now, I think color matters a great deal. For example bobber style bikes such as my modified Dyna are only acceptable if they're black with a minimum amount of chrome....Suzuki's on the other hand should be two tone blue and white or all blue such as my Bandit...
Honda's are best in red while Ducati's look good either red or yellow. ....

BMW's for the most part look good black while certain shades of blue or pale green are acceptable..Yamaha's have their own shade of blue though silver looks good on FJR's and the red FZ1's are passable..

Triumph Bonneville series look best two tone blue and white or orange and white while BRG, red or yellow works best on the sport bikes... Moto Guzzi's are so cool you can paint them any color though the Italian flag design on the V11 Coppa Italia has been know to make grown men drop to their knees and thank God for giving them eyeballs to see such beauty on earth...Silver Norge's are similarly impressive...
Harley's and Japanese cruisers can be any color while Victories look good with the grey and tan or silver look. Goldwings suit a cream or yellow paint scheme while K1200LT's suit silver.

I hope that clarifies matters for you, these are of course only my opinion and you can ugly up your bike with whatever color you like..

[pushrod]

Go with any color you want.

If you're feeling invisible, well - great! But if you want to stand out more, get some moto-lights for the front and Hyper-lites for the rear.

Just assume no one can see you. Usually you'll be right. Even when they can see you, they can't figure out how fast you're going.

[Riza]

For a woman color matters in many ways
But for a biker only in one - safety!!!

But I think for safety what matter more than a color are your riding style, bright lights, loud (but not very) pipes, reflecting stripes on saddle bags, helmet, jacket.

My 5 cents..

Hey, don't forget air horns

[acecycleins]

Originally Posted by Riza

For a woman color matters in many ways
But for a biker only in one - safety!!!

But I think for safety what matter more than a color are your riding style, bright lights, loud (but not very) pipes, reflecting stripes on saddle bags, helmet, jacket.

My 5 cents..

Hey, don't forget air horns

Right you are....

Gear is your best weapon. Bright safety gear is your friend. Pick a LOUD A$$ helmet and a jacket with bright colors and your in business. Bike color matters to a degree, but I own a gold bike with my company logo's plastered all over it and people still don't see me. Now, ask Ken how hard it is to miss me on the road. I'm no little person. And I'm loud- vocally. Bike color is nice. But gear will get you noticed.