[TK-421]

I've seen some threads where someone has put reflective auto tape on his bike and it looks great. I too am in the black and want to be more visible. But DOT auto reflective tape is EXPENSIVE! What do you guys recommend for high-viz reflective tape? I'd really like to go gold on my black Wee.

And I know that auxiliary lights (i.e. under fairing, lighting up the wheels, etc) is ticket-able in Colorado. But I'm not sure I care. If I put it on a switch and can turn it off when in doubt, I'd rather risk a ticket than getting hit by a careless cager. What cool light-em-ups can you recommend?

 

[MikeM]

I've seen some threads where someone has put reflective auto tape on his bike and it looks great. I too am in the black and want to be more visible. But DOT auto reflective tape is EXPENSIVE! What do you guys recommend for high-viz reflective tape? I'd really like to go gold on my black Wee.

And I know that auxiliary lights (i.e. under fairing, lighting up the wheels, etc) is ticket-able in Colorado. But I'm not sure I care. If I put it on a switch and can turn it off when in doubt, I'd rather risk a ticket than getting hit by a careless cager. What cool light-em-ups can you recommend?

I just bought 20 feet of reflexite v92 for around $39. 20 feet is more than enough to be confused for a UFO at night.. what exactly is your price range?

 

[TK-421]

"Where did you buy it?" is the question.

That's not bad. I was finding 75' rolls for $150-250! :jawdrop:

Less than $50 is good.

 

[Mud Puddle]

Try this place I bought some tape from them. I didn't think it was too bad. They have 150' rolls for $38 to $77 dollars. I got the Engineering grade black tape (15' roll). I like it, it's hard to see in the day time (being on the black parts of the bike) and shines bright white when hit with lights at night.

IDENTI-TAPE - Reflective Tapes

Hope this helps.

 

[larry0071]

If you have a Pep Boys auto parts store around, you can get 3M reflective tape in the trailer section. I'm betting other large auto parts stores will have it as well.

If you have a bike that you want color matched reflective material, hit up your local sign shop, every town has a sign shop! They buy bulk rolls of material, and many times have various colors of reflective material. You can buy a couple feet from a bulk 3' wide roll and cut your own for cheap-cheap!

 

[MikeM]

here are two sellers

V92 items - Get great deals on V97, Yellow items on eBay Stores!

IDENTI-TAPE - 2" High-Intensity Reflective (Conspicuity) Tape

and some information on the subject http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220610

 

[larry0071]

Here is a thread I started on high vis decals:
http://www.stromtrooper.com/photography-videos/64915-pictures-your-high-reflective-treatment-your-strom.html

 

[PTRider]

Here's a good page describing the different types of retroreflective tape. Some have more reflectivity, some have less. Some have a wider field of reflectivity, some have a narrower field for stronger reflective return--if you're lined up in the right place to see it. Be sure you get a product that meets your needs.
How Reflective Tape Works - Types of Reflective Tape

 

[TK-421]

Thanks, all! Great info!


Sent from my iPhone using Motorcycle

 

[The Golden Monkey]

all about reflective tapes

...What do you guys recommend for high-viz reflective tape? I'd really like to go gold on my black Wee.

EDIT: Oops, I just realized I duplicated a lot of what's in the link posted by PTRider. Oh well, now there's an executive summary on the forum.
---

Identi-tape.com has the best combo of selection and price I've found.

The gold tape looks cool, but it's not very bright. In general, spherical-lens (microscopic glass beads) "engineering grade" tapes are the least expensive type, but they also have the least reflectivity. They are quite flexible and stretchy so they work well on tight curves like fork tubes or compound curves like your helmet.

Prismatic tapes, such as Reflexite and 3M Diamond Grade, use microprisms and are generally much brighter:
- Reflexite comes in a variety of colors including fluorescent yellow and orange, which have the advantage of helping visibility in daylight as well.
- SOLAS and USCG tapes are as bright as Reflexite, and also are highly flexible and can adhere to fabrics.
- DOT conspicuity tape is the red and white stuff you see on commercial trucks and school buses.
- 3M high gain sheeting is available in both microprism and spherical lens types, and are the brightest versions of each type.


High-intensity red and fluorescent yellow on sidecases, engineering grade yellow on forks.

Engineering grade white between the high-intensity red strips on the rear.

This photo doesn't it show it that well, but the reflexite stuff blows the engineering grade tape out of the water.

Note: The fluorescent tape is quite thick and a bit stiff, and does not work well on tight or compound curves. It's great for flat surfaces though. As with any decals, make sure the surface is clean, then wipe it down with rubbing alcohol to remove any oils (from the bike or your skin) before applying the tape.

 

[The Golden Monkey]

And I know that auxiliary lights (i.e. under fairing, lighting up the wheels, etc) is ticket-able in Colorado. But I'm not sure I care. If I put it on a switch and can turn it off when in doubt, I'd rather risk a ticket than getting hit by a careless cager. What cool light-em-ups can you recommend?

Auxiliary lights like running lights or fog lights are legal in all 50 states, I believe. The bling lights you describe are generally most visible from the side or behind, whereas most car-bike crashes where the car is at fault happen because the driver didn't see the bike coming toward them. Here's my solution to the front visibility problem (there are many others on here, just search for auxiliary lights): http://www.stromtrooper.com/v-strom...led-cop-lights-=-ultimate-running-lights.html

The other most common cager scenario is being rear-ended. There are lots of legal auxiliary tail/brake light solutions. I've been using the same Hyper-Lite kit for almost 5 years, on two different bikes.

 

[MapBoy]

I have used the SOLAS tape in the past, and have had it on my Joe Rocket Ballistic jacket for about 4 years now with only very slight peelage at a few of the corners... so yes, it does work on clothes! It is very bright stuff when the headlight hit it!

 

[biker128pedal]

I've seen some threads where someone has put reflective auto tape on his bike and it looks great. I too am in the black and want to be more visible. But DOT auto reflective tape is EXPENSIVE! What do you guys recommend for high-viz reflective tape? I'd really like to go gold on my black Wee.

And I know that auxiliary lights (i.e. under fairing, lighting up the wheels, etc) is ticket-able in Colorado. But I'm not sure I care. If I put it on a switch and can turn it off when in doubt, I'd rather risk a ticket than getting hit by a careless cager. What cool light-em-ups can you recommend?

How about black tape. Identi-tape

They have good stick on and iron on tapes.

 

[DrPaul47]

I didn't check any of the links but where is a good place to get a large selecion of different colored reflective wheel tape?