Reflectors

[bandit]

Not to bash, But removing reflectors is just downright suicidal. Ever look at your FJR from the side at night? Sounds like a guick way to become a statistic to me. I add reflective material to my bike. I ride alot adn I really like to know I have done everything possible to better my chances of returning home in one piece.

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

Well what if you are riding without the side cases anyway? The reflectors on the bags in the garage won't do you any good. And the same with the Gen 1 reflectors on the front wheel. Remove them to make it easier to take the front tire on and off. I would hate to think that the Nazi inspectors are out just looking for the reflectors off the side cases. Are they gonna pull out their little gov't regs and check to see if the bike came with reflectors or not on the side cases? Don't think so. I got plenty of reflective tape on the bike and on my person. Those two little do dads are not going to help much in a rare situation at that.

 

[brazos parker]

Woot! It's Friday! But I'll be nice, anyway...
Reflectors pop right off. Slight heat to the inside of the bag lid, vice grips to the reflector and twist. Note: If they've been on a while, you might see a slight discoloration of the paint, but that will soon oxidize to match the rest.

As for damage by a drop mitigated by the reflectors; forget it. Most of the damage occurs to the front of the bags.

IIRC, I've seen pictures, on this forum, of a California (I think) bike that had the bag reflectors removed, flipped and returned to the FRONT of the side bags...I'm guessing this was to help mitigate the damage you refer to.

 

[Duff]

Not to bash, But removing reflectors is just downright suicidal. Ever look at your FJR from the side at night? Sounds like a guick way to become a statistic to me. I add reflective material to my bike. I ride alot adn I really like to know I have done everything possible to better my chances of returning home in one piece.

And that is your right... as is your right to have an opinion. Ours differ... that's ok.

As for visibility, I'm all for it. I have bright yellow gear, added reflective tape (black until hit by light), flashing headlights, flashing brake lights and reflective gear. I just prefer to remove the factory supplied accessories that I don't like and replace them with my own. :evilgrin:

 

[phantom]

I too will be adding the reflective stripe kit. It's a hell of a lot more reflective than the ugly ass reflectors. Here in S.E.Tx that damn black plastic surrounding these reflectors will be gray in a month. Ever try to use Back to Black around a painted surface. Here you have to keep the bikes,cars, and trucks cleaned and waxed if you want them to last. There's enough chemicals and salt in the air to eat all kinds of metals and plastics. The stripes will be easier to clean and look better. Bye bye reflectors.

 

[twowheelnut]

Not to bash, But removing reflectors is just downright suicidal. Ever look at your FJR from the side at night? Sounds like a guick way to become a statistic to me. I add reflective material to my bike. I ride alot adn I really like to know I have done everything possible to better my chances of returning home in one piece.

Oh, OK. I suppose that a cager turning left in front of you in broad daylight will see them, too.

IIRC, I've seen pictures, on this forum, of a California (I think) bike that had the bag reflectors removed, flipped and returned to the FRONT of the side bags...I'm guessing this was to help mitigate the damage you refer to.

Keeeerect! That would be Ojai Roy's '05. In fact, one of mine are on his. The other resides in a landfill somewhere around Carver's house.

 

[Mooseonagoose]

So Phantom, what you gonna do w/ them once they're off? Assuming they come off intact w/ no damage [except to the sticky **** obviously] I'd happily relieve you of them. I'll cover your S&H and perhaps even a very nominal purchase price [after all, you've already said you really don't want'em]. I lost my right one in a 2mph drop [idiot cager, who decided to pull out after he'd already waved me around]. I figure it actually did save me a scrape, left a tiny scratch just in front of the reflector but thats all - rubber part stayed on the red plastic is history. Let me know.

 

[Duff]

So Phantom, what you gonna do w/ them once they're off? Assuming they come off intact w/ no damage [except to the sticky **** obviously] I'd happily relieve you of them. I'll cover your S&H and perhaps even a very nominal purchase price [after all, you've already said you really don't want'em]. I lost my right one in a 2mph drop [idiot cager, who decided to pull out after he'd already waved me around]. I figure it actually did save me a scrape, left a tiny scratch just in front of the reflector but thats all - rubber part stayed on the red plastic is history. Let me know.

I may still have a set... have to look if he decides to hang on to them. Had 2 sets in the box at one time because I did the same thing with my 05.

 

[bandit]

Wow you guys are getting all worked up over nothing. Again I said not to bash.

I read on here daily where soeneone crashed thier bike becasue a cager didnt see them, Then we talk about removing the reflectors. Just sounds odd to me. I also wear reflective gear and have quaite a bit of reflective tape added. I like all the help I can get. I really enjoy riding at night more than anytime, Schedule all my cross country trip to leave in the afternoon so I can ride most of the night. Just my opinion, i like reflective stuff on my bike. Oh and I dont take the bags off. I carry stuff in them. So they never get left in the garage.