Most crashes occur in broad daylight. Wear bright colored clothing to increase your chances of being seen. Remember, your body is half of the visible surface area of the rider/motorcycle unit.

Bright orange, red, yellow or green jackets or vests are your best bets for being seen. Your helmet can do more than protect you in a crash. Brightly colored helmets can also help others see you.

Any bright color is better than drab or dark colors. Reflective, bright colored clothing (helmet and jacket or vest) is best.

Reflective material on a vest and on the sides of the helmet will help drivers coming from the side spot you.

Reflective material can also be a big help for drivers coming toward you or from behind.

http://tinyurl.com/33w7k9

http://www.streetglo.net/

http://www.motoequip.com/HK.htm

http://reflectivedecals.com/index.html

another site with reflective stripes
http://www.colebrothers.com/

charlybrwn134 wrote:http://www.streetglo.net/

I used the reflective pinstriping from these guys and was really pleased with the results.

Their black coloured pinstriping looks almost invisible on a black GTS during the day, however provided amazing reflectivity at night.

Just remember to put soapy water on the surface before you affix it so you can adjust the position prior to it drying.

Great points & sources!!

I also like Harris decals, at: http://www.harrisdecals.com/

Where I got my reflective cowl decals:


These make my black scooter far more visible, even in the daytime.

They also sell yard-wide reflective vinyl by the foot, so that you can make your own patterns.

I've had my scooter for about three weeks now, and although I'm loving it, I've been starting to slightly obsess over safety. I realize this may not be a bad thing. But reading some of the posts about people who have gone down or been hit -- it's kind of freaked me out. After doing some research, I'm planning to add the following safety mods to my scooter (in addition to me wearing a Corazzo jacket, riding gloves, and a helmet):

Headlight modulator
Taillight modulator
A louder horn (if possible)

I'd be interested to hear what some of the more experienced riders think of these mods,whether you recommend any particular brands for an LX150, and if there are any other safety mods you'd recommend. I don't plan on riding on highways and 90% of my riding will be in my neighborhood in Brooklyn, only 10% in Manhattan.

Thanks!!

This will keep you safer than any of those things: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2340

See also: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5149

I want to take that course, but I've been a little apprehensive about taking it on a motorcycle. Do you know anyplace offering the course that will let me take it on a scooter?

a driving school is available for new scooter buyers with expedited road tests
http://www.prodriveny.com/vespa.htm

i know that adding the stebel horn and keeping your speed down can keep on the road for a long time
communicating
http://www.brooklynbretta.com/html/accessories.php#
being seen
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5841
drive defensively
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/Defensiv ... le-Bob.htm

jenakacirce wrote:I want to take that course, but I've been a little apprehensive about taking it on a motorcycle. Do you know anyplace offering the course that will let me take it on a scooter?

I think the course is by far, your best safety investment.
When I took the course they did offer private lessons and private lessons with a scooter that was provided. Call MSS. http://www.ridemss.com/ and ask.

If it helps your apprehension at all...I had never rode a motorcycle before the class...I didn't even know which was the throttle or the break and by the end of the two days, I was a shifting fool. I was even considering buying a motorcycle. You will not be the only one who has not rode a motorcycle before. The instructor was great and walked us all through it, you could tell she was prepared for students with zero experience.

If your a do-it-yourself-er, you can order a horn from these guys... http://www.scooterwest.com/index.php I just ordered one, myself.
I'm glad you're obsessed with safety and the lights and horn are a good investment but keep in mind no matter how many lights and horns you put on your scooter, if you are not riding in a safe manor to begin with it won't make any difference.

I see you mentioned you have an armored jacket, gloves and a helmet... Obviously that's good. You can make your self even safer with reflective material and bright colors. Also make sure you have a DOT/snell approved Full Face. Also get some boots with ankle protection and another option to consider...pants with armor in them. Check out your local scooter store that sells rider apparel or check out some on line sources like http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/textile_jackets_and_pants/ or http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/2/50/DEPT/Street-Bike-Pants-Womens-Riding-Gear.aspx

you should see me on a counrty road .. i'm a christmas tree.

it doesnt hurt to be seen
http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... ryId=15080

The tail light modulator is an excellent add on, it makes a noticeable difference to the reaction time of people following you.

As Jess said definitely take the course. Don't worry about the motorcycle thing, they use small bikes and the learning curve is pretty shallow. They teach you good habits that can potentially save you alot of grief and the best thing is you will have learned a skill (and gained a potential love affair) beyond a twist and go scooter.

Also a *WHITE* full face helmet is one of the best safety mods you can invest in. Always buy white.

Lots of good advise here!

Basically, you need to come up with a set of safety strategies that work for you
* Strategies to make yourself visible
* Strategies for dealing with the many crazy/inept drivers that you'll encounter
* Strategies for avoiding serious injury if you hit the pavement

But beware!
There's nothing that you can buy that will save you from a close encounter with an SUV
Your most important strategy is to ride alert--spotting, planning for & avoiding hazards

The MSF class can help you develop your strategies, whether or not you take it on a scooter
So this really, really, really is a good idea

My strategy for making myself visible on a black scooter
(reflective decals on the scooter & helmet):

jenakacirce wrote:I want to take that course, but I've been a little apprehensive about taking it on a motorcycle. Do you know anyplace offering the course that will let me take it on a scooter?

Pass or fail, you still learn!




-Vinny

Learn to find an escape route every other sixtieth of a minute (second). & a good pair of gloves, the 1st thing your gonna do is stick your hands out.
Alan
It's everyman fer' himself.... sorta, most'a the time.

Porn-Hair wrote:Learn to find an escape route every other sixtieth of a minute (second). & a good pair of gloves, the 1st thing your gonna do is stick your hands out.
Alan
It's everyman fer' himself.... sorta, most'a the time.

Good tip Alan. Escape routes are good and they go hand and hand with your scanning habits.

You want to scan in front of your scooter, approximately 2 seconds, 5 seconds and 12 second scans...this helps with pedestrians, cars, red lights, pot holes just about everything that could get you killed... In the MSS course they will teach you to do this, with videos and on the road course, it's not much different than when you ride a car on the highway and your trying to keep a safe distance so you pick an object in the foreground and then count the seconds it takes to reach you. The counting seconds thing is really what you do as a beginner to figure out a reasonable distance to scan for hazards...after a while it will just come naturally. This is a good habit to get into now and stick with.

having been in my share of crazy wipeouts and situations on both motorcycle and scooter:
full face helmet,armored jacket, good boots, great gloves, and reflective stuff all help tremendously.
Get really nice gloves, because you will be comfortable and safe. Get a really nice FF helmet, for the same reasons.
Get a really good armored jacket that breathes, mesh with armor works well year round, because you can wear it under a parka if need be. Make sure it fits well enough that the padding/armor doesnt move around too much.
As was said above, learning to be in control of yourself and your scoot is the thing that will most likely prevent you from needing all the other stuff... hopefully.

Steel-toed boots saved my toes from being crushed.

Put some flags on the back. It will make you more visible to others.

ive notice something nice from turtlevespa mention
http://www.harrisdecals.com/products/st ... sp?ctid=30

I've put on strips supplied by http://www.antisliptapeshop.com