Motorcycle Hi-Viz & Neon Jackets

Being visible to automobile drivers is the main concern for any rider. Thousands of motorcycle accidents happen every year because drivers fail to see a biker on the road until they get too close to him or her. If you’re one of those riders that take safety seriously, wearing a reflective jacket is one of the best ways to increase your visibility. A high-visibility or neon jacket will significantly increase your conspicuity, thus reducing the chances of a crash. Depending on the type of your bike and your riding style, it can be a sport, racing or another motorcycle jacket with reflective inserts.

There is a broad variety of high-visibility and neon jacket styles, including the ones made entirely from reflective or neon materials and jackets made with several hi-viz accents. While, at first sight, a motorcycle jacket made solely from a high-visibility material seems to be the best way to go if you’re looking to improve your conspicuity, it may get dirty very quickly if you prefer off-roading. That’s why if you ride an off-road bike, consider purchasing a motorcycle jacket with sleek neon or hi-viz accents rather than a completely neon one.

The majority of high-visibility jackets are manufactured using several types of materials, including fluorescent and reflective ones. When it comes to fluorescent materials, they receive UV light and emits it into the visible spectrum, which makes the jackets look brighter than any other fabrics. Needless to say that this type of material is efficient only during daytime, which is why if you are in need of a hi-viz jacket to make your riding safer and more confident in the day, choose the one with fluorescent inserts.

If you’re in the market for a hi-viz motorcycle jacket to make your riding safer from sunset to sunrise, your product of choice is a jacket with reflective strips and/or accents. Since there is no source of UV light in the nighttime, fluorescent materials will be completely ineffective, which is why you can only rely on reflective properties of your jacket. Reflective materials work by bouncing back the light from cars, trucks, and other motorcycles on the road. The most efficient of them are retro-reflective materials that bounce back almost all the light from the source.

Choosing the type of hi-viz jackets is a matter of your personal preferences and needs. However, it is always a good idea to be prepared for any situation that may affect your riding safety. If you want to be sure that you are visible to other road users all day round, choose a hi-viz jacket that features both fluorescent and reflective materials. Neon accents of such jacket will help everyone on the roadway notice your presence during daytime hours, while reflective strips or inserts will help car drivers and other riders see you at night.