Rear reflector: OK at top of license plate?

[S_Bodi]

Hi there
Due to a high mounting of my license plate - I want to mount the red rear reflector on the actual plate but above the lettering.
Does anyone know if this will pass a WOF inspection?
Cheers!

[Gremlin]

As long as you don't obscure any letters, you should be fine.

[neels]

My bikes have had the reflectors in different places above and below the plate, as long as it's on the back and everything's visible don't think it matters.

[S_Bodi]

Thanks - on it goes :)

[BigAl]

A lot of tail lights have reflectorised lenses built in that will pass the wof (from a bike shop at least)

I know mine does, so you might be able to toss reflector.

[S_Bodi]

I know mine doesn't have the inbuilt reflector (Royal Enfield Classic)
I've mounted the reflector to the bottom of the license plate and since gone for a ride and its still stuck there so all happy
Thanks for the quick help guys

[russd7]

really don't know why a bike needs a rear reflector :weird:

[awa355]

really don't know why a bike needs a rear reflector :weird:

Awhile ago, there was talk of doing away with rego plate lights. The reasoning being, that the reflective white background and black numerals were more readable at a greater distance than relying on a weak bulb that for the most part, only lit up half the digits anyway. Dont know if they are still looking at this issue.

[Gremlin]

really don't know why a bike needs a rear reflector :weird:
Same as cars. If your tail lights fail, it provides some visibility. Also if the car is parked (or some vehicles have small park lights)

[AllanB]

Technically speaking you don't need to add a small one anymore as the number plate is a friggen big reflector. Be a interesting test case ............

Unless the regs stipulate a red reflector.

[HappyGOriding]

I've got an aftermarket tail light with a smoke coloured lens on my bike.No ugly red reflective strip on it and I've never had any problems from my local VTNZ

[russd7]

Same as cars. If your tail lights fail, it provides some visibility. Also if the car is parked (or some vehicles have small park lights)

meh, only fail if it gets bloody gremlins in em, two bulbs in mine and they won't pass a warrant unless both bulbs are working, as i said before still don't see the need for reflectors, had a couple of people try to fail me for not having reflectors until i pointed out that they just didn't look hard enough

[Juniper]

I've actually been wondering this. I've had 3 WOF's so far I think and never failed one. But I don't have a number plate light or any reflectors at the back at all.

[russd7]

I've actually been wondering this. I've had 3 WOF's so far I think and never failed one. But I don't have a number plate light or any reflectors at the back at all.
some wof places can be bloody slack, had a noob turn up for one of our thurs rides on an older 250, had just got warrant two weeks before, fork seals were absolutely knackered, and rear tyre was both perished and below 1.5mm tread depth, couldn't beleive it, the young fella thought his bike was safe because it had passed a warrant. he didn't know any different as this was his first bike, he knows now tho

[Banditbandit]

really don't know why a bike needs a rear reflector :weird:

Only because it is legally required ...


I've got an aftermarket tail light with a smoke coloured lens on my bike.No ugly red reflective strip on it and I've never had any problems from my local VTNZ

Hasve a look for a small reflector somewhere on the bodywork.

Mine are both small red oblongs (maybe 1 and a half inches) .. no need for reflective tape or anything. LIke this

296903

Can you see the reflector?


I've actually been wondering this. I've had 3 WOF's so far I think and never failed one. But I don't have a number plate light or any reflectors at the back at all.

If you go in the daylight (and I've never seen VTNZ work any other time) then they can't tell if the number plate light is working or not unless they look really hard .. but I'm surprised they have missed the reflector .. it's on the tick off list ..

[Big Dog]

meh, only fail if it gets bloody gremlins in em, two bulbs in mine and they won't pass a warrant unless both bulbs are working, as i said before still don't see the need for reflectors, had a couple of people try to fail me for not having reflectors until i pointed out that they just didn't look hard enough

Aye, but then I have been out in the middle of nowhere when all of a sudden no lights in the back half of the bike.

So to recap. A black bike, with a rider dressed in black. Yes that was a nervous ride home.
Blown fuse was the cause.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Erelyes]

Unless the regs stipulate a red reflector.

They do unfortunately. (https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/motorcycles/lighting/rear-reflectors)

Note the reflected light has to be visible from 100m. While no size is specified this would indicate that teeny tiny reflectors may fail on this point.

Also note 1) that says it has to be an actual 'item', e.g. tape is not OK.
Also note 2) that says if it's the OEM reflectors they can do whatever the fuck they wanna do.

[Juniper]

tbh even though I haven't failed because of it I might go out and get one. I'm always really conscious that I'm dressed all in matt black. Even though my bike is lit up like a Christmas tree. I'm thinking about wearing the fluro reflectors and maybe adding some to my pegs and other rear and side facing fairings.

[Big Dog]

tbh even though I haven't failed because of it I might go out and get one. I'm always really conscious that I'm dressed all in matt black. Even though my bike is lit up like a Christmas tree. I'm thinking about wearing the fluro reflectors and maybe adding some to my pegs and other rear and side facing fairings.

Depth and speed perception becomes harder if there are too many.
I have been in the position of following a bike that had every imaginable reflector. I found it bloody hard to judge their speed and found I kept suddenly being a lot closer to them than I thought. Possibly because there were three colours o reflector some of which moved in relation to the body of the bike.

We all have to do our bit to be seen. My observation has always been other road users are more polite when you are wearing a vest, but rarely see you sooner except in mirrors or when your lights have all failed. Where a lime dayglo and you see a lot of panic braking.

Word of warning: if in your quest to be seen you are offered flashing valve caps, the ones that take multiple LR 44 batteries have a nasty habit of pulling the valve out of the rim.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Ribit]

What about a reflective number plate surround? standard size (good for judging distances), easy to mount....

I'm gonna google it

[Erelyes]

What about a reflective number plate surround? standard size (good for judging distances), easy to mount....

I'm gonna google it

If you find one to fit bike size plate