Total Motorcycle Community Forums

CaptCrashIdaho wrote:Icon Mil Spec. Very comfortable.

I agree, I got one before I realized it came with the vest.

Marine Corp Order 5100.19E specifies that a marine has to wear a vest at all times. They also must have a bike registered, and have taken a class in order to ride. You can get in trouble for having an unregistered bike, no class and riding off base even if you have a license.

Don't believe me- look it up.

I feel safer with mine but there's a big fight going on currently within a committee to decide the fate of the vest (among many other things don't worry). Many guys on the west coast find it to be a waste. In my opinion ANY increase in visibility is a good thing

I wear a high viz vest at night and bad weather it does make a differance. Buddies of mine luagh at me ,but after a rider crashed his bike was thrown went over an over pass landed on the highway below. then got run over by about a 1/2 dozen cars ran him over thinking he was trash before someone realized it was a person. High Viz Vest you bet won't leave home with out it. My Son is a Marine and and if your not wearing your gear forget about getting on base. SEMPER FI MARINES

I ride PGR missions out here in SOCAL and if you are going on base, even as a civilian, you have to have the vest on.

Here is the requirement from page 23 of the latest OPNAVINST and a link to the document. This indicates vests are not required night or day. The only thing required is Reflective outer garments but it does not say how much. I know some of the requirements like the experienced course will not go into effect until the end of September but where is the clarification information written down?

OPNAVINST 5100.12H CH-1 25 Jun 08
"(4) Protective Clothing. Riders and passengers shall
wear a long sleeved shirt or jacket, long trousers, and full fingered
gloves or mittens designed for use on a motorcycle.
Motorcycle jackets constructed of abrasion resistant materials
such as leather, kevlar, and/or cordura and containing impact absorbing
padding are highly recommended. To enhance the
ability of other vehicle operators to see and avoid
motorcyclists, outer garments constructed of brightly colored
and reflective materials are highly recommended during daylight
hours. Reflective outer garments or vest shall be worn during
nighttime hours."


http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/050 ... 20CH-1.pdf

It would be nice to know the minimum area. Most new jackets have reflective piping and you can add iron on tape like the 3M material. I have some from Identi-Tape.

http://www.identi-tape.com/iron-on.html

The silver/gray looks brighter at night then the colors.[/url]

I am not in the military and often ride with a high vise vest. I wonder how many riders who are not military personal ride with high vise vests or some other type of high vise identification? The purpose is to be seen. If there were some fashionable choices would it be more accepted?

biker128pedal wrote:Here is the requirement from page 23 of the latest OPNAVINST and a link to the document. This indicates vests are not required night or day. The only thing required is Reflective outer garments but it does not say how much. I know some of the requirements like the experienced course will not go into effect until the end of September but where is the clarification information written down?

OPNAVINST 5100.12H CH-1 25 Jun 08
"(4) Protective Clothing. Riders and passengers shall
wear a long sleeved shirt or jacket, long trousers, and full fingered
gloves or mittens designed for use on a motorcycle.
Motorcycle jackets constructed of abrasion resistant materials
such as leather, kevlar, and/or cordura and containing impact absorbing
padding are highly recommended. To enhance the
ability of other vehicle operators to see and avoid
motorcyclists, outer garments constructed of brightly colored
and reflective materials are highly recommended during daylight
hours. Reflective outer garments or vest shall be worn during
nighttime hours."


http://doni.daps.dla.mil/Directives/050 ... 20CH-1.pdf

It would be nice to know the minimum area. Most new jackets have reflective piping and you can add iron on tape like the 3M material. I have some from Identi-Tape.

http://www.identi-tape.com/iron-on.html

The silver/gray looks brighter at night then the colors.[/url]

I have the same thoughts. I just figure the upper brass wants us to AT LEAST take the initiative to wear SOMETHING that will make us more visible.

This is from the Army however since its a DOD (Dept. Of Defense) policy it applies across the board. This applies to all military AND Civilians riding on post. As for off post, like it was stated earlier you are requiered to wear a reflective upper garment (?) or face losing your medical coverqage if you are involved in a crash and found to be not wearing it.

c. All soldiers, DA civilians in a duty status, and all persons on a DA installation, must properly wear the personal protective equipment (PPE) listed below while operating or riding a motorcycle, (DODI 6055.4, paragraph E3.2.7.1). Army requirements reflect the DOD requirements discussed below except where differences are noted, (AR 385-55, Appendix B, paragraph B-3).
(1) A motorcycle helmet that meets standards established by the U.S Department of Transportation. The helmet must be fastened under the chin.
(2) Impact or shatter resistant goggles or full-faced shield properly attached to the helmet.
(3) Sturdy footwear. The Army specifically requires the wear of leather boots or over-the-ankle shoes, (AR 385-55, Appendix B, paragraph B-3e).
(4) Long sleeved shirt or jacket, long trousers, and full-fingered gloves or mittens designed for use on a motorcycle.
- 4 -
(5) A brightly colored outer upper garment during the day and a reflective upper garment during the night.e. Motorcycle operators may not use headphones or earphones while driving a motorcycle on a DOD installation, (DODI 6055.4, paragraph 6.6; AR 385-55, Appendix B, paragraph B-3h).

Our campaign strongly promote the use of high viz vests, all of our Marshals are required to use them on and off duty and our stats are telling us that visibility increases the safety factor.

We do high viz yellow, pink and believe it or not "black bibs". The patch wearers use these over their colours at night

www.thinkbike.co.za go have a look in the shop for the pics of the bibs

Interesting old thread.

Maybe some of you have picked up the news about rider protests in France recently. The French Government are planning to impose compulsory reflective vests for all riders.

If this goes ahead it will only be a matter of time before it becomes a European Law & then compulsory here in UK

MAG UK (motorcycle action group) are against it as there are currently NO reliable statistics proving it prevents accidents. Their argument (which I agree with) is that the onus of blame must NOT be perceived as the fault of a rider. If another vehicle collides with a non reflective rider it IS the fault of the other road user!

Whilst I agree it is wise to use every means to protect ourselves I don't believe the law should excuse vehicle drivers who fail to see a rider. Most such collisions are because they failed to LOOK not failed to see.

Personally I mostly wear black leathers with some reflective piping. If I was planning an out of town night ride I would consider extra reflection, however I don't see a good reason to wear it all the time.

We must continue to educate & raise awareness of other road users to LOOK for bikes.