Im riding on a 08 600rr and Its the graffiti edition. Everyone says change the color because its black, which is hard to see. What are you guys thoughts on the issue? These people are not bike riders whoa re making the statements. I see tons of black cruisers. Is black really "less safe"?
I mean... yeah. There's science behind color theory and the way humans perceive color, which differs depending on the lighting condition (turns out dark red can be even worse than black after dusk.)
I think all black is fine, but you can make yourself more visible by having good lighting, like avoiding crappy LED lights that aren't bright and most integrated brake lights. Also, you can put some sections of 3M reflective tape on the bike that look black until struck by light - a lot of people put it on the back of their helmet as well. Oh, and as the highest point on your body, having a lighter colored helmet is good for visibility too.
Night riding, it's not going to matter. In the day, it'll slightly make you more visible. If not to motorists then surely to the ladies (maybe guys in your case...IDK...never know).
You can always wear colorful/bright protective gear to help you stand out more too.
Personally I don't like all black vehicles. I feel like all the lines on all black vehicles aren't as accentuated as they are in other brighter colors. Just my .02
Nah screw those non riding folks speaking jibberish. Those 08 graffitis are sick. I mean not as cool as my 08 blk/red of course hahaha. But I do wish mine had your factory black subframe and rearsets.
ahhh who we kidding. Bikes are dangerous especially super sports ect.. Its my opinion the typical cage driver not paying attention enough to hear or see you isnt going to be helped with bright colors on the machine or your gear. Hell they pull out in front of and regularly ignore blazing fire trucks, ambulance and police personal all covered with flashing lights ect and other car drivers (my experience). Call me a cynic but I just dont see the fairly small surface area of a sports bike and our bodies is really enough to grab a distracted drivers attention away from all thats going on on the highway. Certainly not enough to turn you away from an all black bike, which looks nice to you (and me to). Besides half the time all the auto driver sees is a small front end or rear end view....far to small IMHO for color to play a real part. Best thing to be seen maybe strobing brake lights, head lights on bright and STay alert.
Yes, you're losing out on visibility with an all black bike.
No, I don't think that's enough reason to change it.
The posters above have pretty much covered it. It's worthwhile to do little things to increase your odds of being seen, but at the end of the day it's you and your awareness that will get you home in one piece.
Oh, and 'lots cruiser riders do it' is rarely a good motivation for anything. Some of the things they do may have a logical basis, some wont. Don't assume that popularity has any bearing on usefulness.
You'll get a million different 'opinions' on a question like that but, yes, they really are less safe. Also, loud pipes really do save lives.
My other bike has loud exhaust and as soon as I got the 600 (black w/stock exhaust) I noticed an immediate increase in the number of people trying to change lanes into me.
With the other bike (red w/race pipe) most people pull over and let me pass.....It was very rare for anyone to not see or hear me. In fact, it was more like a special treat to remind me that I am actually on a motorcycle and have to pay attention.
With the flat black 600 and the stock pipe - it's now commonplace.
Looking good brother. Core Moto lines? That a Yoshi full system? Those aren't chinese ebay levers I spy though, is it? They do at least seem to be a nice deep anno red. Hopefully they stay that way over time. Anno red can be a real fickle bitch. LighTech I've found makes some of the best. A PSR integrated rear res (in red) would look the tits on there too.
If your really worried about safety you and everyone else would be wearing bright orange and yellow vests like I see scooter people wearing all the time. Way more of a visual then a bike with some color on it. Point is, stop worrying about it or go all out.
I'm not a fan all "all black" although matte black and especially the Graffiti are another story - I really like the Graffiti exterior, and I admire what @VenomRR did with the rich looking red touches... Looks amazing.
I wouldn't change anything on the Graffiti scheme or paint.
I've heard that a white helmet would make you more visible, but I actually prefer matte or frost black since it goes with every bike and it looks more aggressive too.
When I'm riding, I'm already at a disadvantage. I always ride with my high beams during the daylight, plus I try to raise up and stay in the middle lane (or closer to the right) when approaching intersections since that's where a lot of accidents tend to occur with motorcycles. I always assume and know that the worst is about to happen - therefore I plan around in advance, or importantly, I dial myself back when riding so I can give priority to my safety and preservation.
When everything's said and done, I think the exterior color is more psychological than anything else. It's the rider's awareness and decisions while riding which make the most difference.
Thanks @Fanatic. I loved the bike how it is but it just needed a little more to break up the all dark color look. Its the first bike I've had that did not have multi colors or bright colors so it just needed that extra touch to it.
Just passed 5k on my pretty bike in less than a year of ownership. Not much, but I try to ride it at every chance around my city and in close proximity to home. I ride the cruiser on the side and it has just under 3k miles in the same duration of time and ownership. Looks like I end up with about 10k bikes miles per year.
I got it in mid may I just broke 3,000 miles last week. I'll have 6 on it before my north east riding season is over. Puts me at 4K for the season when I still had my 06 I put about 1K on that before selling it.
You all have made good points. I think I've decided to take the grafitti stickers off and replicate them with shiner deep purple reflective ones. She's a Decepticon anyways makes sense.
I was just making broad generalisations - nothing directed at your bike :smile2: Also, just some of my frustrations that I have to fix a bunch of stuff that was done to mine to get back to 'safe' or, at least, safer :grin2:
If you're looking into an exhaust replacement I've got a two bros slip on laying around. Not sure on HP gains and what not but it's the best sounding slip available for our bikes IMO. I only replaced it cause I came into a good deal on an Akra. And while the Akra is so damn gorgeous, I do believe the Two Bros had a deeper throatier sound. PM if your interested in it.
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