[axel_2078]

In the Air Force, you have to wear that stupid reflective vest, regardless of time of day, both on and off base. I usually wear the vest at night (on base), but I never have during the day. Not in 4 years of riding on Air Force bases. The cops at Keesler didn't care if you wore anything reflective or not, as long as you're wearing all the right safety gear. The cops here are like that too. Today a second lieutenant bitched at me for not wearing mine. I was always told that we only had to wear the vest during hours of darkness or in inclement weather. I found out today that this is incorrect. You have to wear contrasting clothing or the reflective vest during the day and something reflective at night ALL the time, regardless of where you are or the time of day it is. I feel like such a tool riding around off base with that vest on. :madd:

 

[Trapper]

Get one of these bad boys.

 

[axel_2078]

What model vest is that? I can see it's an icon, but do you know what type?

 

[Trapper]

Icon Military Spec Vests

http://street-bikes.ridegear.com/cg...ts/F-16585_Military_Spec_Vests.html?E+scstore

Shop around, as this was just the first search hit.

 

[Scourge]

Just think of it as your Uncle looking out for ya. The more visible you are the better right. One of the editors of Motorcyclist Magazine, Art Friedman, I believe, wears a day-glow orange Shoei. He swears up and down that it increases his visibility day or night dramatically. Looking at the pics, it really does stand out and draw the eye. Not terribly cool looking, but that's the compromise.

 

[inspiron]

And other people get all bent out of shape about a simple helmet law :roll:

 

[sunny]

visibility should be a factor as well as protection whenever you choose your gear. my riding buddies swear up and down by frog togs for dryness, but they aren't reflective. so when i picked out my rain gear i picked out stuff that is at the very least reflective. i may end up a little bit on the damp side, but at least i will be seen.

 

[axel_2078]

And other people get all bent out of shape about a simple helmet law :roll:

I don't mind wearing my helmet at all. I'd wear it even if I wasn't in the military (there's no helmet law in IL). I still feel odd though when I'm riding around off base in an orange vest and a group of bikers pulls up next to me.

 

[ChicsterMG]

The on-post thing is for all military posts. While at Ft Knox last year, I had to wear one on post. Off post thought, we are not required to wear the vest. Although it is recommended, only a helmet is required for Army personnel on and off post.

Are you sure it is a requlation or just some LTs interpretation of a regulation?

 

[axel_2078]

It's a regulation that we must wear it on and off base at all times. Air Force Instruction 91-207, the US Air Force Traffic Safety Program.

 

[Scourge]

Hell they're probably thinking " look at that, one of Uncle's finest, and on a pretty nice ride too". When I used to live in Savannah, GA, with Hunter and Ft. Stewart, I would see tons of guys out riding w/ the vests on, and you know what, I SAW them, I used to ride then myself so I was probably more alert for them, but I never once thought, " look at that dude in the orange vest...what a gomer".

 

[themeatmanlandry]

Black Bike
Black Gear
White Boy

 

[Gixxerdale]

Black Bike
Black Gear
White Boy

Now get a tan and buy that vest. You're blinding us! :mrgreen:

 

[Tigern]

Navy requires long sleeves, gloves designed for motorcycles, sturdy shoes that cover the ankle, durable pants (of which uniform pants don't count), and a helmet. They don't require the vest but the cops will pick on when on base if you don't. Plus, you are required to wear bright colored clothing and some form of reflective material so it is just easier to wear one at night on base.

 

[Kehau D.]

In the Air Force, you have to wear that stupid reflective vest, regardless of time of day, both on and off base.

Are you sure that's not just a base thing? For us, if we have contrasting colors or are already wearing motorcycle gear that is reflective, then we do not have to wear the vest. It used to be absolutely mandatory up until a few months ago when a memo came down from the Base Commander saying that contrasting colors/reflective was a sufficient substitute for the vest during the day, but that it was still mandatory at night. I've worn my black/silver reflective PowerTrip jacket after sundown, but there was still some light out, and the SPs let me right on without harassment.

 

[tlwisner]

I like my new reflective white Nolan N41 Classic helmet, white helmets do grab attention. Anything that makes the cars and SUVs notice you is a good thing. The sportbikers with mohawks on their helmets are kinda attention grabbing.

 

[prekarious1]

You said in your own post contrasting colors or reflective vest during the day. So get a good riding jacket that is bright (as most are), maybe even some reflective piping on it and be good during daylight. Keep a roadguard vest in your storage compartment for night.