Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: ruffride on November 08, 2015, 06:27:40 PM

Title: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: ruffride on November 08, 2015, 06:27:40 PM
I added a bit of reflective trim to the back of the bike. It lights up quite nicely at night but is goes relatively unnoticed during the day.

(http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww237/rufflicks/IMG_6699_zpsj1baui4f.jpg)

Best,

Jon
Title: Re: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: mikeb2411 on November 09, 2015, 11:11:57 AM
I added a bit of reflective trim to the back of the bike. It lights up quite nicely at night but is goes relatively unnoticed during the day.

(http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww237/rufflicks/IMG_6699_zpsj1baui4f.jpg)

Best,

Jon

Hi Jon, good add-on. I added the same reflective tape when I first bought the bike. That tape (you can barely see the tape on the rear of my bags), along with my rear lights, makes it much easier to see me from behind!

(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a209/mikeb2411/WP_20141218_001_zpsk6brecsq.jpg) (http://s12.photobucket.com/user/mikeb2411/media/WP_20141218_001_zpsk6brecsq.jpg.html)

Mike
Title: Re: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: Cold Streak on November 09, 2015, 11:36:38 AM
What kind is it and where did you get it and how much was it and it looks like it would really have an impact at night.
Title: Re: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: mikeb2411 on November 09, 2015, 11:39:37 AM
What kind is it and where did you get it and how much was it and it looks like it would really have an impact at night.

They're called "Tailbrights" and you can get them here -> https://www.bucksporttouring.com/ (https://www.bucksporttouring.com/)
Title: Re: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: just gone on November 09, 2015, 12:36:31 PM
Real Time Industries (http://www.realtimeindustries.com/concours-14-gtr1400-reflective-decals/) makes some pretty good ones as well.

(http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server4600/hbpgdhgj/products/81/images/344/gtr1400-rear-reflection__16718.1367595689.800.600.jpg?c=2)

I thought they made reflectors for the GIVI e55 Maxia top case as well but I don't see it on their website currently. I have some on my top case, pretty sure I got them from Real Time, but sometimes I forget stuff and then my memory makes up stuff to fill the empty space.  :-[

Many top cases have extensive red plastic on them with nothing more than some aluminized paper behind them. I removed mine and back-filled it with silver reflector tape from Walmart. It lights right up now. I'll get an updated photo of mine and put it up in a few.
Title: Re: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: Cold Streak on November 09, 2015, 01:04:07 PM
Great.  Thanks for the info.  Been thinking about doing this and have been waiting for a post like this to come along so I can get the details.
Title: Re: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: Rhino on November 09, 2015, 01:06:24 PM
I did this to mine as well. Sure makes you more visible at night.
Title: Re: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: maxtog on November 09, 2015, 04:10:47 PM
Also did it to mine (just the two rectangular pieces on the back of the bags).  It helps make the bike more visible and "larger" so it is a cheap and easy safety enhancement.  In the daytime, you almost can't tell it is there.
Title: Re: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: AlanS on November 09, 2015, 07:32:30 PM
Why would you not want to make the bike more visible during the day by using red reflective material.
The same drivers that would not see you at night, also drive during the day.
Title: Re: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: maxtog on November 09, 2015, 07:51:58 PM
Why would you not want to make the bike more visible during the day by using red reflective material.
The same drivers that would not see you at night, also drive during the day.

I can't speak for others, but I can for myself :)  Because my bike is nice looking and I don't want tacky red stuff visible in the day ;)  In the day, the bike already is pretty visible... night is always more of a challenge.  Not sure a little passive red in the day would help much.  But I enhanced visibility in both by adding an Admore light bar tail lamp on the rear and turned the front signals into running lights.

Everything is a trade-off.
Title: Re: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: Conniesaki on November 09, 2015, 08:00:29 PM
You guys seem to be implying that drivers are looking where they're going  :-\
Title: Re: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: just gone on November 09, 2015, 08:34:01 PM
You guys seem to be implying that drivers are looking where they're going  :-\
  ;D
Unfortunately you make a very good point.

Regardless, just in case there are one or two out there that do look where they are going....
I'll get an updated photo of mine and put it up in a few.

Here with no flash
(https://fartymarty.smugmug.com/photos/i-TBD7D4B/0/L/i-TBD7D4B-L.jpg) (https://fartymarty.smugmug.com/photos/i-TBD7D4B/0/O/i-TBD7D4B.jpg)

Here with flash
(https://fartymarty.smugmug.com/photos/i-kDnfDjG/0/L/i-kDnfDjG-L.jpg) (https://fartymarty.smugmug.com/photos/i-kDnfDjG/0/O/i-kDnfDjG.jpg)
Yeah, I know, it's filthy.  ::) I need to was....wa..w......park it in the rain for awhile.
Title: Re: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: Rhino on November 10, 2015, 06:24:36 AM
Why would you not want to make the bike more visible during the day by using red reflective material.
The same drivers that would not see you at night, also drive during the day.

For the same reason manufacturers don't sell day glow orange cars and motorcycles, aesthetics. We want to look good when we are riding. This 3M material is almost exactly the same color as the non-painted surface of our side cases. So for nearly zero difference in what the bike looks like when you bought it, you get WAY more visibility at night.
Title: Re: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: SVonhof on November 10, 2015, 01:20:40 PM
I have the same kind of reflective stuff, but tape form in different places:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/SVonhof/moto/IMAG0421.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/SVonhof/media/moto/IMAG0421.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/SVonhof/moto/IMAG0420.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/SVonhof/media/moto/IMAG0420.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/SVonhof/moto/IMAG0423.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/SVonhof/media/moto/IMAG0423.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/SVonhof/moto/IMAG0697.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/SVonhof/media/moto/IMAG0697.jpg.html)

But here are some pics with no flash:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/SVonhof/moto/2012_1030_Concours_02.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/SVonhof/media/moto/2012_1030_Concours_02.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v612/SVonhof/moto/Concours_Yosemite_02_zpsvto0nnpx.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/SVonhof/media/moto/Concours_Yosemite_02_zpsvto0nnpx.jpg.html)

I got mine from http://www.streetglo.net/reflective.tape/ (http://www.streetglo.net/reflective.tape/)

I also have it on my helmet and it blends in nicely (can barely tell it's there until lights hit it).
Title: Re: Reflective Trim Night Visibility
Post by: ruffride on November 10, 2015, 08:40:00 PM
This is what I used

http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Reflective-ScotchliteTM-ME-RK-99/dp/B00CEKUO1O/ref=pd_sim_60_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=41Z91y1e9YL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR108%2C160_&refRID=1NGRQXKY7BHK5Z4RYS3E (http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Reflective-ScotchliteTM-ME-RK-99/dp/B00CEKUO1O/ref=pd_sim_60_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=41Z91y1e9YL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR108%2C160_&refRID=1NGRQXKY7BHK5Z4RYS3E)


(http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww237/rufflicks/81eB6G3FXVL._SL1500__zpsbgbqwffy.jpg)