Motorcycle riders are at high risk in low light. Low light can be due to various reasons such as dusk, dawn, or gloomy conditions. It is particularly the case at night because they have a small profile. It makes them pretty difficult to see. They also have a single headlight, making it difficult to assess their distance and speed. Furthermore, most motorbikes have dark paintwork. But there is apparel and aftermarket motorcycle equipment available that you can use to improve visibility in the dark. One of such equipment is the orange and white reflectors. But most riders ask, “where do I put orange and white reflectors on my motorcycle?”.
We will find out all about that in this guide, so keep reading.
What Lights and Reflectors Can I Use?
Before you find the answer to your question, “where do I put orange and white reflectors on my motorcycle?” you need to find what type of reflectors you can use? There are no restrictions on adding these reflectors and reflective tape on your motorbike.
However, there are restrictions on the types of lights that you can use. If you tend to ride an old motorcycle with a low-power lamp on its head and tail, you should change the bulb for a brighter option.
You can also replace the entire assembly and pick a brighter aftermarket light. Moreover, you can double your rear lamp and replace them with a more effective option. However, there are restrictions on lights that should not be too bright, causing discomfort to other drivers and riders on the road.
Neon lights are only legal as long as you can see the light but not the bulb itself. The color should be the one that is permitted by law. You cannot use red light forward or white light backward.
Apart from that, you cannot use green lights because they are reserved for medical practitioners. You cannot use blue lights because they are for emergency vehicles. And you certainly cannot use rotating lights as they are for law enforcement and medical vehicles.
You can display whatever color lights when you are on the move. But you can’t do so when you are on the move. But you can use reflective tape or reflectors on the front and rear ends and the sides.
However, you need to be a bit more specific in their placement. People have been fined for their reflector placement, and you are rightly asking, where do I put those orange and white reflectors on my motorcycle? It can lead to confusion. And we are going to further our discussion on it.
Where Do Orange and White Reflectors Go On My Motorcycle?
Riders have been fined for not having side reflectors on their motorcycles. So, it’s not just about the rear and front reflectors. It is important that you have side reflectors on your motorbike, where the orange and white reflectors come into play.
So, it’s time to find the answer to your questions “where do I put orange and white reflectors on my motorcycle?” There is no other color that you can use on the rear end except red.
So, it’s pretty obvious that red reflectors should go on the rear end. And you have to keep in mind that this is the only color you can use on the rear end. And this is especially the case when you are on the move.
Side reflectors are mandatory on various pole-type trailers and motorcycles. Some states are lenient when motorbikes have these side reflectors, but most of them are pretty strict.
It is better to check with your local regulations for these side reflectors and install them if you do a lot of interstate travel. The side reflectors are mostly orange, white, or yellow. These colors are on the side of your vehicles.
You can use reflectors, reflective stickers, decals, or tape for this purpose. The purpose here is to make your bike more visible. These reflectors work best at night, and they do make your motorcycle stand out.
What is the reflective material?
Everyone understands that the reflective material is a type that reflects light or shines when you throw light at it. But there are two types of these reflectors. One is standard reflective, and the other one is retro-reflective.
Now, this might seem similar, but there is a difference. When talking about retro-reflective, the reflector reflects light to the source of light. And this is what you will need on your motorcycle. However, reflectors will diverge light at an angle, and the light will not go back to the source.
The retro-reflectors are practically useful when it comes to road use. The effective materials will reflect the light to the source, which can be a car’s headlight back to that car.
As a result, it will increase your road safety as the person sitting in the car can see you do the reflecting light going back to them.
Therefore, you need to make sure that you buy retro-reflective materials and not just any reflective materials for reflectors or reflective tapes.
But you need to keep in mind that these reflectors won’t guarantee safety at all. They will only make you think that you are more visible to others in low-light conditions.
You still have to ride carefully and use your head and tail lamps and those indicators. You are just giving a better chance to others on the road to see you in gloomy conditions.
Where should I put these reflectors on my motorcycle?
You can use several places to place these reflectors and increase your safety. The orange reflectors will go on the front and rear forks, while the white ones can go anywhere, you want to highlight.
You have to make sure that you place these reflectors on anything sticking out of your bike. Of course, the orange reflectors are a must on the forks, but you can use white ones on your motorcycle handle and your saddlebags.
The best part about these reflectors is that they increase your safety on the road and look pretty nice. Most of the time, you will see these reflectors on sportbikes.
But you can use them on any other type of motorcycle too. These reflectors can increase your visibility to anyone who drives up close to you at a 90-degree angle.
You can also put these reflectors on your panniers or saddlebags. These saddlebags stick out of your motorcycles and increase their width.
You need to make this width visible to others on the road so they can safely maintain a distance from you. These panniers have plenty of space, and you can conveniently attach these reflectors to them.
You can wear jackets or helmets that have these reflectors on them. But in most cases, you will see the red light on the back of the helmets.
To increase your visibility, you can use orange and white reflectors on the back of your jacket and your helmet. You can even use these reflectors on your windscreen, mirrors, and crash bars.
Can I use orange and white reflectors on the rear end?
You can have orange and white reflectors at the back of your motorcycle. But it is highly recommended to use red reflectors at the rear end as red indicates a vehicle’s tail. You can conveniently use red and orange reflectors on the side of your 2-wheel vehicle.
Just make sure you attach these orange and white electors to the side of your motorcycle or anything that sticks out. You can use them on your handlebars, crash bars, panniers, forks, rear rack, seatpost, or anything that contributes to the overall width of your motorcycle.
FAQ
Where do I use orange and white reflectors on my motorcycle?
It is best to use these orange and white reflectors on your motorcycle on its sides. Anything that sticks out and contributes to the overall width of your motorcycle has a reflection on it.
The idea is to make your motorcycle completely visible to others on the road to maintain a safe distance.
Can I use reflective tape on my motorcycle?
Yes, you can use reflective tape on your motorcycle. They serve the same purpose: to make your bike more visible in low light or dark conditions.
The convenience here is that you can stick these stickers or tape anywhere on your bike, helmet, or even your clothes.
Just make sure you only use the red color on your motorcycle’s rear end. The orange and white reflectors go on the sides.
Is there a difference between reflectors and retroreflectors?
Yes, reflectors reflect light at an angle different from the light source. However, retroreflectors reflect the light to the light source. Therefore, retroreflectors are the ones you need to use on your motorcycle to make it visible to any vehicle approaching close to you.
Is reflective tape legal on motorcycles?
Yes, reflective tape is legal on motorcycles as it makes your bike more visible in dark or gloomy conditions. But you still need to have those indicators and lamps on your bike’s front, and rear ends.
What is the purpose of black reflectors and reflecting tapes?
These black reflectors and reflecting tapes serve a dual purpose. They are not visible and seem like part of your motorbike during the daytime.
But when you throw light on them, they reflect bright white light at night. So, they are pretty cool to use on your motorcycle. But make sure you only use them on your sides.
Conclusion
When you think about “where to put orange and white reflectors on my motorcycle,” you need to make sure you put them on anything that sticks out of your bike. You can place them on your handlebars, windscreen, panniers, or crash bars.
The idea is to make yourself and your bike highly visible to anyone in dark or low light conditions. But make sure you use orange and white reflectors on your side and only red on the rear end of your bike.
