Baggers Tested | Illumination 360° Mesh Jacket & Magnetic Light Mine

Harley-Davidson Illumination 360° Mesh Jacket

01. This night shot shows the reflectivity of the applied 3M Scotchlight material.

01. This night shot shows the reflectivity of the applied 3M Scotchlight material.

We’ve all heard the freedom biker mantra that loud pipes save lives. It’s likely more riders have been killed being loud than died due to being seen, but it’s an awfully big gamble if loud pipes are your only safety net. I’ll take the stand that being seen is far more likely to save you from becoming a statistic. Our ears pick up sound from every direction and sound is often hard to locate, especially in urban or traffic conditions; that’s not even taking into account how well insulated cars are, loud stereos, cell phones, yadda, yadda. I’ve never heard someone that rear-ended a 125dB straight piped bike at a stop light say, “I never even heard him.”

Many motorcycles have little rear illumination, none on the side, and the headlight(s) is not as attention grabbing as two wide ones on a car. In traffic or in bad weather it’s not always easy to spot a motorcycle. Most of us wear black clothes and helmets (by law or choice) making it harder to be noticed.

Harley-Davidson’s new Illumination 360° Mesh Jacket ($275-295) enhances night visibility from every direction due to highly reflective stripes, piping, and graphics throughout the jacket. The lightweight mesh jacket allows air to pass through it and is best for warmer temperatures. A removable, waterproof liner is included. See your local H-D dealer or harley-davidson.com for more information.

02. A slight camera flash shows off the visibility. The liner adds some warmth and keeps you dry. Other features include two hand-warmer pockets, one interior zipper pocket, and one MP3 pocket. Body armor pockets are at elbows and shoulders, as well as hydration pockets to keep you cool on the hottest days. Armor and hydration packs are sold separately.
02. A slight camera flash shows off the visibility. The liner adds some warmth and keeps
03. The same night scene using less flash. No matter what angle it’s viewed from, the Illumination jacket will be seen. The slightly pre-curved sleeves have zipper cuffs and adjustable hook and loop waist tabs for better fitment.
03. The same night scene using less flash. No matter what angle it’s viewed from, the Ill

Risk Racing Magnetic Light Mine

01. The Light Mine (left: $6.99) features a bright, wide-angle LED light surrounded by 12 strong magnets. At about the size of a golf ball the Light Mine can go wherever you do. A lanyard with rubber Risk badge and three button batteries are included. The big brother is the baseball size Light Mine Professional ($19.99) with eight times the output through its eight white LEDs. Four red LEDs on the opposite side can be used as a roadside beacon. Three AAA batteries are included.

01. The Light Mine (left: $6.99) features a bright, wide-angle LED light surrounded by 12

When working in the dark or dimly lit situations, there isn’t always an extra hand or a way to aim a flashlight exactly where you want it. We’ve all been frustrated with rolling flashlights, trying to hold it in our mouth, or finding just the right prop to get the light where you want it.

Risk Racing (riskracing.com) has an inexpensive, completely useful solution with the two models of its Light Mine that use magnets placed around the light that “stick” on steel surfaces to put the light exactly where you need it. No more compromises.

02. The Light Mine makes it easy to check the oil in the dark. The LED can be pointed in any direction. A stout switch controls the single intensity.
02. The Light Mine makes it easy to check the oil in the dark. The LED can be pointed in
03. The Light Mine Professional uses strong rare-earth magnets to attach to steel surfaces. There is a low and high output controlled by the red four-mode power switch.
03. The Light Mine Professional uses strong rare-earth magnets to attach to steel surface
04. On the opposite side of the white LEDs are four red LEDs that can be used as red night vision or as a blinking red signal. The only gripe about either of the Light Mines is the push button on the Professional is too easy to mistakenly turn on when in a bag, jacket pocket, etc. It’s still worth it and the battery cap requires less than a quarter turn to remove.
04. On the opposite side of the white LEDs are four red LEDs that can be used as red nigh