Originally Posted by mstateglfr

Its a rare day I agree with Bob, but you do realize you are in the touring forum here, right? What touring bike in use doesnt have grease/road grime/brake dust on the chain, tires, and cassette? Carrying a rag is fine to do, but I cant imagine creating my decisions with aesthetics as the primary motivation.
The OP goes thru bikes like water, so his situation is almost certainly different from what considerations to make for touring. For him, sure- white bar tape works great. And even for touring, white bar tape can work great, but just accept that itll get grimy from rain, sweat, dust, and hands. Wiping off my hands with a towel before touching bar tape seems like the last thing I want to remember each time I get on my bike.

As always, to each their own though.