Lights on

[awa355]

Now that lights are compulsary, does it have to be the headlight? I have just picked up a mint GB500 that has had the front indicators wired so they are on all the time when the light switch is flicked to park.

Is this legal? I cant find anything in the rode code that states exactly what is a legal light. Is there a minimum level of lighting to be used?

I have always used the headlight as a visibility aid anyway, but wondered if when the bike has been sitting for a while, I can recharge the battery for a few k's with the side lights on and still be legal.

I did a search for this subject beofre posting but too many threads to look through.

[Conquiztador]

From: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/motorcycle-road-code/you-and-your-motorcycle/being-seen-on-the-road.html
"If your motorcycle was manufactured on or after 1 January 1980, you must use your headlight on dip (low beam) or daytime running lamps during daylight hours."

[awa355]

From: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/motorcycle-road-code/you-and-your-motorcycle/being-seen-on-the-road.html
"If your motorcycle was manufactured on or after 1 January 1980, you must use your headlight on dip (low beam) or daytime running lamps during daylight hours."

So would the indicators qualify as running lights? They still work as flashing indicators when needed.

[Jonno.]

Are you asking if indicators are headlights :mellow:

[wysper]

no, he is asking if they are running lights.

The sv for instance, had one of its headlights on, indicators on (not flashing) and a stupid little white light on in the front fairing on all the time.

I don't know what the definition of daytime running lamps is. Would be interesting to know.

[kewwig]

no, he is asking if they are running lights.

The sv for instance, had one of its headlights on, indicators on (not flashing) and a stupid little white light on in the front fairing on all the time.

I don't know what the definition of daytime running lamps is. Would be interesting to know.

Section 8.3 Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004:
Use of motor vehicle lighting equipment on road
(1) A person must not use vehicle lighting equipment in such a way that it dazzles, confuses, or distracts so as to endanger the safety of other road users.
(2) If a vehicle's headlamps are in use, a driver must dip those headlamps—
(a) whenever they would be likely to interfere adversely with the vision of another driver in motion on a road; or
(b) when approaching an intersection or other place where the traffic is or appears to be under the control of an enforcement officer; or
(c) when the vehicle is parked.
(3) A driver, during the hours of darkness, must use the vehicle's headlamp or headlamps.
(4) A driver during the hours of darkness must use the vehicle's position lamp or lamps.
(5) This subclause applies to the driver of a moped or motorcycle manufactured on or after 1 January 1980. The driver other than during the hours of darkness must use the moped's or motorcycle's headlamps or, if fitted, the moped's or motorcycle's daytime running lamps.

A daytime running lamp is defined under the Land Transport Rule (Vehicle Lighting 2004) as:

Daytime running lamp
means a lamp designed to emit a low-intensity light forward of a vehicle to make it more easily seen in the daytime; and includes any lamp that complies with a vehicle standard for daytime running lamps specified in Schedule 1.

It's arguable if an indicator illuminated this way is a daytime running lamp and it would pay to check with NZTA to see if it's the case

[Mokadah]

For the love of god look into rewiring the running lamps so they don't... run. You're one blown bulb from riding around with your "indicator" on.

[Murray]

Very common with a lot of Honda's. I actually like the idea for extra visability. But the headlight must also be on!!

[davereid]

Everyone quoted the law, bjt no one knew the answer.

Same problem with my Beemer.

Bloody great big white light above the headlight. Does it count as a "day running lamp"

I dunno, but I would like to.

As the old tart wont start with the headlight on, so I turns it off to get started. Then I don't always turn it on as I am too busy rejoicing the clatter of german (well russian) aluminium.

So if anyone can actually answer, but not just quote legal garbage, then I'd love to know !