Total Motorcycle Community Forums

On two different forums I go to there have been posts that imply you don't want to be riding an all black motorcycle in California. Some kind of gang thing, too much sun makes the bike to hot, anybody?

Reminds me of the urban legend about not flashing your headlights at a car that is driving with their lights off at night. Legend was that it was a gang initiation and by flashing them you would be killed. Fake of course, but sounds like it is along the same lines.

I see black bikes around here all the time, all sorts of different people riding them, so I doubt it's a gang thing. Now personally, I wouldn't want all black not because of the heat (which might be a factor) but because all black tends to show all kinds of water spotting, dust, dirt, etc more than lighter colors. I had an all black car once and I swore, never again.

That would apply anywhere, though, not just CA.

I'm in northern CA, though, so if it's a gang thing, maybe it's southern CA... Never heard that one, though.

It seems it would not be the color of the bike, but the colors on your back the 1%-ers are looking at.
--Dave

Independents are not really worried over, especially the color bike you're riding. But as said above, it's the colors you're wearing that matter more.

Only reason I know of not to ride in all black gear on a black bike is that many motorcycle manuals will tell you it dramatically reduces your visibility to other drivers. They always recommend wearing bright colors while riding to improve your chances of being seen on the road.

Even though I am new to the "biker" world, I do live in southern Cali and I see more all black bikes than any other color combination. I personally don't want one because of the heat. If there is any gang thing going on then probably 60% of the riders here are either in trouble with the gangs or are in the gangs.

Everybody knows Black is the fastest color.

AZRider wrote:Everybody knows Black is the fastest color.

Everybody knows it's red, black just gets you associated with KITT M the talking motorcycle.

All black bikes? Ooooooooooooooo scarry!