Retroreflective tape or paint... which is best?

[Yager200i]

For reflecting car's headlights to improve conspicuity (since nearly all of my riding is done to and from work when it's dark or when the sun is just coming up), I want to use either tape or paint on the following areas:
Wheel rims
Front area around headlight
Front side of rear-view mirrors
Sides of body panels just ahead of where your legs are
On body panels along lower edge of seat
On back and sides of rear wheel fender

What is the best method so it doesn't look like I've dressed the bike up in safety yellow and orange like some overanxious paranoid nerd? LOL

Is there tape or paint that is pretty much invisible until the light from headlights hit it?

What shapes / patterns / colors are best? Should I just make a reflective outline of the entire bike, front, sides and rear, so drivers can tell what they're looking at easily (ie: one long strip of reflective tape or paint following the lines of the bike from front to rear and from side to side)?

I know in California light reflected to the front needs to be amber, and light reflected to the rear needs to be red, but what about the sides?

[NeoGenesisMax]

I vote tape. I saw what one of the members here did with his People and it looked good.

[wkreps]

I vote tape cause you can remove it easily if you don't like it or change your mind.

I would think chevrons on the front and back as a shape would be good.  Think these.  ----->   <<<>>>

Or rotated like the pic below..
http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.607992319382588832&pid=1.7

[johnson]

To match your bike color you can get reflective tape in almost any color you want.  There is even a HIGH reflective black tape that is almost white when light hits it.  I have red bikes that I use the bright black on and it looks like black trim during the day but really shines at night.  Look for 3M PRISMATIC reflective tape.  It's like the material used on stop signs and will reflect light from all directions back at the light source. 

[mrmike]

I used blue and black on my GTI300. I cut little diamond shapes and put them on the sides. My topbox has black and you don't even notice it until the lights hit it. I liked it so much I put strips on my car wheels and door jambs. Black during the day and reflective white when light hits it at night. It comes in a variety of colors also.

[blackhawkfan]

I have white tape markings that came already on my S8, so what I did was take white reflective tape, cut it in shapes sort of like what is already on the scoot, and added those.  I also put red reflective tape on the rear bumper and the back and sides of my white helmet.

[Urbestfriend]

Urbestfriend is a huge supporter of the tape.  "Google-images-uK Police Motorcycles or Cars".  I was quoted around $200 to paint all prepped removed panels or the same just for paint.  2 rolls from Findtape.com about $80.  If you wreck,  saves the paint and you just replace the tape.  Have used it for about 5 years now.

[nushipwright]

where do you get your tape from? especially the black ones? thanks!

[mrmike]

where do you get your tape from? especially the black ones? thanks!

Look online under reflective tape. I bought mine from Uline and Streetglo. I bought 1", 2", and 3" rolls of black. You can also get thin black reflective pinstripes. I used it on my scooter, cars, bicycles, and even my mailbox post. It reflects bright white at night when hit with a bright light.

[nushipwright]

Look online under reflective tape. I bought mine from Uline and Streetglo. I bought 1", 2", and 3" rolls of black. You can also get thin black reflective pinstripes. I used it on my scooter, cars, bicycles, and even my mailbox post. It reflects bright white at night when hit with a bright light.

thank you!

[Urbestfriend]

See previous post...Findtape.com

[Yager200i]

I'm going to use this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Intensity-REFLECTIVE-Rim-Wheel-Tapes-Decals-Motorcycles-Bicycles-Cars-Bikes-/190998088624?pt=Apparel_Merchandise&var=&hash=item2c785f8bb0

But I have to determine whether California law allows white reflective tape on the rims, or if I have to have yellow on the front rim, and red on the rear rim.

For the sides of the body, I'm going to make an outline of the bike in white reflective tape, so drivers immediately know they're looking at a bike.