Safelite vs Yakima LightMate

Safelite vs Yakima LightMate: Which is Best for NZ?

Yakima is a globally recognised outdoor brand with a strong presence in New Zealand. The Yakima LightMate is one of the most widely distributed bike rack light boards in the country, available at 99 Bikes, Hamco, Sinch Bikes, Cycle Inn, Chain Reaction, Hyperride, Roofbox NZ, and Roof Rack Centre. If you have walked into a bike shop in New Zealand recently, you have probably seen it on the shelf.

But does widespread availability mean it is the best product? This comparison examines the Yakima LightMate and the Safelite Light Bar across the factors that matter most.

At a Glance

Price: Comparable, But Context Matters

At RRP, the Yakima LightMate ($149 to $169 depending on retailer) and the Safelite Light Bar ($160) are priced very similarly. However, the Yakima is frequently discounted at various retailers, so you may find it for less. Safelite's price is fixed and includes free NZ-wide shipping.

Build Quality: Plastic vs Aluminium Composite

The Yakima LightMate is made from injection-moulded plastic. Yakima is a quality brand and their plastic construction is robust, but it remains plastic: lighter than aluminium, more susceptible to UV degradation over time, and less rigid at highway speeds.

The Safelite Light Bar is made from UVP waterproof aluminium composite. This material is heavier and more rigid, which translates to a more stable platform for your lights and number plate when driving at 100 km/h on the open road.

Attachment: Velcro vs Safe Clips

The Yakima LightMate uses hook and loop (Velcro) straps. Velcro is a widely understood attachment system, but it has known limitations: it loses grip when wet or muddy, it wears out with repeated use, and it can fail under sustained vibration. Across the light board category, Velcro strap failure is the most common complaint in customer reviews.

The Safelite Safe Clip and bungee cord system is designed to address these limitations. The Safe Clips provide a positive, locked connection to the rack, and the bungee cords maintain constant tension regardless of weather conditions. The system is also faster to use: approximately 30 seconds from start to finish.

Retail Availability: Yakima's Biggest Advantage

This is where Yakima has a clear and genuine advantage. If you want to buy a light board in person, today, from a bike shop or outdoor retailer in New Zealand, the Yakima LightMate is almost certainly on the shelf. Safelite is currently available online only, which means a delivery wait of a day or two.

For planned purchases, this is not a significant issue. For emergency or last-minute situations (you are leaving for a trip tomorrow and just realised you need a light board), Yakima's retail availability is a real advantage.

The Supplementary Plate Difference

Yakima does not offer a supplementary plate service. You purchase the LightMate and then sort your own NZTA plate separately. Safelite's Panel with Supplementary Plate bundle ($210) handles the entire NZTA ordering process for you, delivering a fully compliant, plate-mounted solution to your door.

The Verdict

The Yakima LightMate is an excellent product with strong retail distribution. If you want to buy in person today, or if you already own a Yakima bike rack and want a brand-matched solution, the LightMate is a perfectly good choice.

If you are buying online and want the best combination of build quality, attachment security, NZ-made credentials, and the unique convenience of the supplementary plate bundle, the Safelite Light Bar is the superior choice.

Shop the Safelite Light Bar →

Yakima product specifications and pricing based on publicly available information as at April 2026. Yakima is a registered trademark of its respective owner. Safelite is not affiliated with Yakima.