To Tape or Not To Tape

[slaphappytoys]

Just got this bike and it is all taped up.
Do I leave it on or take it off?
What are the pros and cons of such things as tape?

[Ductard]

Wonder if the PO put it there to solve a problem or just for looks.... Doesn't seem like the exhaust is close to anything but I'd hate for you to melt that radiator guard.

I have a 520sx with similar pipes and no exhaust wrap and it's just fine. I think that looks good though do I suggest you leave it....

[Eric Baker]

Pretty much just for looks.

[PhilB]

The aesthetics are a matter of opinion.
The functional advantage is that it reduces heat radiation in the wrapped areas near the ending and lets the bike run a little bit cooler.
The disadvantage is that the wrapping can trap moisture and contribute to rusting or corrosion of the exhaust system.

PhilB

[Chippertheripper]

It's kind of a pita. If it gets wet, it steams like a mutha, and will fill up and fog your helmet when stopped.
I doubt you'll melt that guard, as mentioned above.
It's up to you, but it's really just aesthetic.

[dontpanic]

Kevin Cameron just had an online article about taping. It arose in Nascar to keep engine bays a little cooler, but serves no purpose for motorcycles.

[number9]

If it gets wet, it will look like absolute crap.

[breakdirt916]

Tape!!!

[dontpanic]

Yeah, it does look kinda cool.











I think I'll tape my rear tire.

[SVRACER01]

It's kind of a pita. If it gets wet, it steams like a mutha, and will fill up and fog your helmet when stopped.
I doubt you'll melt that guard, as mentioned above.
It's up to you, but it's really just aesthetic.

i would get some strange looks on hot pit or the grid during a wet race with all the steam pouring out of the bike. i would have to lean back on hot pit to keep it out of my helmet

but serves no purpose for motorcycles.

most of mine has come off but i have left it in some "key" areas. the rear headpipe is right next to the shock so i left it there to keep it from heating up the oil in there. and on the mid pipe where the heel of my boot hits to keep from melting my boot

[South of Heaven]

Interesting thread. I'm curious about the pros and cons too, other than the obvious ones. I just recently wrapped my exhaust with "titanium" wrap. I did it only because my boot kept melting on the high pipe. I was only gonna do the top portion that came into contact with my boot but then figured it would look ridiculous to just have a small portion wrapped (no race plastics yet). The fact that the wrap can facilitate to premature rusting is kinda bad news. Lol

[RocketPunch]

I did a section on my sv where the exhaust was melting my boot.

[tsorfas]

I'm actually going to do mine on the SV now where it touches the fairing.

[xsiliconkid]

I'm actually going to do mine on the SV now where it touches the fairing.

Or stick sticky heat shield direct to the fairing.

[tsorfas]

Or stick sticky heat shield direct to the fairing.

I have done that as well

[The Snowman]

I'm thinking of doing this to my RSV, since I melted a hole in my lower after only 2 trackdays. I already have some of that sticky-back heat shielding on the lower, but it still burned through.

Either that or rivet a piece of metal onto the lower to dissipate the heat.

[Chippertheripper]

I had this on the riser on my sv:
http://www.elineaccessories.com/ecom...at-sheild.html
I think I had to pick up some longer hose clamps though.

[The Snowman]

This one is 1/4 of the price: http://cycleplicity.com/products/287...FShp7AodJEcAnw

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

This one is 1/4 of the price: http://cycleplicity.com/products/287...FShp7AodJEcAnw

I had one of those. The welds broke at the mount after a few weeks.

[Chippertheripper]

This one is 1/4 of the price: http://cycleplicity.com/products/287...FShp7AodJEcAnw

Everybody knows carbon fiber is faster.
I think buying it from rmmc was cheaper than getting it from e-line direct.