BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Posted: **Wed Dec 30, 2015 8:06 pm**

I was stationary in a queue of traffic last week when I heard that scary sound of a car sliding to a halt behind me. So I have decided to improve the visibility of the RT from the rear. I know it will never protect me from that driver who just isn't paying attention but anything that can grab the attention is better than nothing.

This is the before and after using reflective material from eBay.

Rear Chevron Markings

Posted: **Wed Dec 30, 2015 8:19 pm**

Hopefully that should do the trick  iRider......  :whistle:

Posted: **Wed Dec 30, 2015 8:36 pm**

I highly recommend skene design P3 lights, attention getting

Posted: **Wed Dec 30, 2015 9:06 pm**

When stationary & in neutral, I've got into the habit of showing a brake light, to help me be more visible from the rear.

Posted: **Wed Dec 30, 2015 9:21 pm**

T6pilot wrote: I highly recommend skene design P3 lights, attention getting

Posted: **Thu Dec 31, 2015 5:25 am**

Beyond adding extra light a simple graphic can increase the possibility to be seen. A hated the (mostly) black bulk of the bike back side too...

Posted: **Thu Dec 31, 2015 8:09 am**

Brings back memories of myself being shunted up the rear. There I was sat stationary in the middle of the road waiting to turn right into a petrol station when I  heard the scary sound of something ? sliding up behind me. Next thing I remember was being catapulted off my bike (actually it was a friends bike) and ending up lying in the road.  It was another bike that had rammed me from behind. Luckily the bike I was riding (AJS 350) had rear crash bars which took all of the impact and no doubt saved my right leg. A few stitches to a hand and a bruised knee later I was pronounced fine at Hartlepool Hospital. The chap on the other bike did say sorry and that he hadn't seen me !!.

Posted: **Thu Dec 31, 2015 4:21 pm**

Looking at those pics by USTourer I prefer it with the raised section cut out so I have been back with the knife :-)

Re: Rear Chevron Markings

Posted: **Fri Jan 01, 2016 3:09 am**

It is funny, I cut the raised sections out in the second round too.

Android thinks: this a place for commercials

Posted: **Mon Jan 04, 2016 9:04 am**

I was keen to make myself more noticeable from the rear. As the bike is grey and silver I went for what I thought was the stylish option. However in the UK we have rather specific requirements laid down in our Traffic Regulations (I had completely missed this so thank you to bunny2585 for pointing it out).
Basically here reflectors and lights to the rear should be red. Exceptions are things like reversing lights, number plates and reflectors on commercial vehicles and trailers which can include yellow as well.
I've got some red reflectors to attach to my panniers so I'm hoping that will keep me out of trouble.

Posted: **Mon Jan 04, 2016 10:43 am**

I know that all these things are good ideas but a bit like weather protection kits I couldn't live with looking like the back of a motorway service vehicle.

Posted: **Mon Jan 04, 2016 1:46 pm**

RTman10 wrote: I know that all these things are good ideas but a bit like weather protection kits I couldn't live with looking like the back of a motorway service vehicle.

+1 I was going to say that or very similar, but since I already upset someone recently I thought I would give it a miss, however. Since it been said I would agree with RTman, sorry.

Posted: **Mon Jan 04, 2016 6:48 pm**

Spencert231 wrote:
+1 I was going to say that or very similar, but since I already upset someone recently I thought I would give it a miss, however. Since it been said I would agree with RTman, sorry.

Afraid I'm with RTMan and Spencert321 on this one chaps.  Similar issue to engine/pannier bars for me.  I get the practicality arguments but I'm too concerned with what my bike looks like, so all these reflective panels and extra steel tubes are not for me.

I wear a hi-viz helmet, have added the LED driving lights, and have fitted cylinder-head protectors and the OEM plastic pannier protectors.  Oh, and in the winter I add a red (non-flashing)LED strip-light to my helmet.

Beyond that, I'll take my chances.

Of course, i may come to regret my approach but at least I'll have the consolation of looking cool on my (faster) callisto grey stealth bike in the meantime...

:enjoying:

Posted: **Mon Jan 04, 2016 7:18 pm**

I reckon high vis clothing is the way to go.  I use a BMW Airshell jacket all year round. Only once when waiting on a closed road did a motorist coming the other way shout "when are you lot going to open the road"

Posted: **Mon Jan 04, 2016 9:31 pm**

Each to their own guys.. But I really don't give a monkeys what the tosser behind me thinks when he sees it, so long as he does see it. ;-)