For short term use you can buy "low tack tape" which as the name suggests isn't very sticky so it comes off without leaving residue. It's often used while servicing business jets to make sure none of the expensive woodwork inside gets scratched. The downside is that it isn't very durable - intended for single use, and would probably wear through on a bike after a little while. The only other option is clear Fablon (sticky backed plastic film). This is thicker and stickier but of course looks bad when it starts to wear and get dirt embedded. But at least it'll protect your plastics.

Honestly though, if you're going to be doing high mileages through all sorts of terrain you'll get wear and tear on the bike anyway, may as well accept it.

Does anyone have any experience with helicopter tape?

I hear that transaprent "automotive protective film", originally known as "helicopter tape", is some really great stuff... as long as it is from a good brand.

I have never seen or tested the stuff, but it is supposed to be a bit elastic so that it conforms well to contours. Some brands can be applied on wet-on-wet or dry.

This stuff was invented for helicopter rotors. Upon take off and landing, a lot of debree gets blown through the rotors - causing the lead edge to deteriorate fast. To reduce the frequency of rotor replacement, this tape is applied to the leading edge - and simply replaced every now and then. I guess it must be pretty tough.

It seems like a really good product to use on bits of the frame where bags and straps would contact (and similar smaller surfaces). Puting it on a tank or on large plastic parts - it would probably be an eyesore. What do you think?

Has anyone here tried it? Applying the tape to simple convex contours seems easy from the videos I have seen. I have not seen it applied in sheet form nor to more complex contours - i.e. convex shapes. Would complex contours require applying heat, and if so - how much, and would the original stickers or the plastics fare from the necessary heat? Or does it simply not work well with complex contours?

Also, I have no knowledge yet as of how easy this stuff is to remove? Does it peel off easily, and with very little effort? Or, will I need to use tools, heat or chemicals? Does it leave stubborn glue residue after you have peeled it off?

What will happen to original stickers if you put this stuff on top and then remove it a year later? Three years later?

If this stuff peels off easily - then this is something I think I would really like to try out. If it doesnt take my stickers with it, then I can see it being used many places on the bike.

I have my doubts putting it on large visiible patches of this stuff to the tank or any other large surfaces - except if it comes off extremely easily - so easy that I would conscider using it on a trip by trip basis.

Does anyone know if this stuff only comes in tape form, or does it also come in sheets?

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