Pointless Rant

[pzkpfw]

I've titled this "pointless rant", because I know that's what it is.


Note to riders: If the old guy in the Wagon in front of you gently slows down *, it's probably because he thinks slowing down is the Universal sign for "please pass me".

It's possible the reason he'd like you to pass him, is because your stupid HID headlights are dazzling him every time he looks in his rear view mirror. He tries to be a careful driver, and watch for things like bikes, using his mirrors and such, but dazzling him DOES NOT HELP.


(* be very clear: this is NOT about jamming brakes on or anything like that.)


End of rant.
Flaming may begin....

[rastuscat]

:whocares:

[pzkpfw]

:whocares:

Well, clearly, me.

[huff3r]

Thats what rear fog lights are for. Dazzle me, and I'll burn your retinas and make you see red!

[GTRMAN]

I've titled this "pointless rant", because I know that's what it is.


Note to riders: If the old guy in the Wagon in front of you gently slows down *, it's probably because he thinks slowing down is the Universal sign for "please pass me".

It's possible the reason he'd like you to pass him, is because your stupid HID headlights are dazzling him every time he looks in his rear view mirror. He tries to be a careful driver, and watch for things like bikes, using his mirrors and such, but dazzling him DOES NOT HELP.


(* be very clear: this is NOT about jamming brakes on or anything like that.)


End of rant.
Flaming may begin....


But you knew he was there right? So the light may be doing its job. Understand your frustration but you could have flicked your rear view mirror up and it wouldn't have been a problem..

[DR650gary]

And me. I am sick of ignorant riders with lights on full beam dazzling me from either direction.

Road courtesy works both ways and the crap argument about better visibility is just that, "crap".

[pzkpfw]

But you knew he was there right? So the light may be doing its job. Understand your frustration but you could have flicked your rear view mirror up and it wouldn't have been a problem..

I know bikes are there without the dazzling, and the dazzling itself is dangerous.

(Also, my car has automatic sensor controlled LCD based auto-dimming on the mirror (which I don't think works very well; which is I agree - my problem (thank you Mr Toyota)); I don't have the simple flick it up style of thing - so it's actually "hard" to avoid the glare.)

[Banditbandit]

As you say - a pointless rant

[James Deuce]

It's not pointless. Poorly adjusted headlights should be ticketed and HID kits for bikes in NZ are of an uncertain legal status.

I really can't stand bikers who ride around with their lights on full beam and the inference that the OP needed the idiot with the overly bright lights to point them right at him is slightly offensive as I know the OP is a considerate motorcyclist and driver and very unlikely to cause you or any other motorcyclist an issue on the road, let alone not see. In the unlikely event he did SMIDSY you he'd take responsibility for that.

So stop being so bloody patronising and start thinking about how you can match his level of "considerate motorist" behaviour.

[Gremlin]

Poorly adjusted headlights should be ticketed and HID kits for bikes in NZ are of an uncertain legal status.
Nothing uncertain. They're illegal unless a full HID reflector housing is used etc (most aren't).

That said, I have one as the stock headlamp must have come out of the 1930s for all the light it doesn't put out.

[iYRe]

the one and only thing that ACTUALLY works visibility wise is a bright headlight.. a headlight so bright that planes can use it to land, or anti aircraft guns can locate enemy and shoot them down.

I have massively bright lights on my motorbike and my bicycle and I dont give a rats ass if people in cars are offended by them. They are not illegal, or illegally adjusted, and it is MY RIGHT! to be seen, and it is NOT their right to make me less visible because its slightly upsetting to them.

If I am in my car and I see a bike of any description coming towards me with a light bright enough that I can see them from a distance... I congratulate them.
A bright light in my mirror for a few seconds or a minute is a helluva lot better than a dead cyclist in the door of my car.

Get over it.

[bogan]

One worry I have with my HID (correct housing so it is legal) is that the beam cuttoff is brutal. Daylight below, nothing above, so it might dazzle over bumps or dips etc; will have to figure it out once I install it though.

I agree with J2, although we need to be seen, dazzling other motorists to do it is pretty selfish and shortsighted; the individual might get seen, but it raises the risk of the motorist missing something/someone else.

[James Deuce]

iYRe: Bollocks. You're just applying a cyclist's mentality to motorcycles.

It is not your right to put other road users in danger, either by blinding them or distracting them. EOM.

[Str8 Jacket]

I hate blinding other road users however I have found myself having to use my high beams in the mornings (5am-ish) when riding up Hutt Road. This is solely when I see a car approaching one of the side streets and not stopping when I know that they are going to take me out so I turn them on and watch the car come to a screeching halt with half there car over the stop sign, then they go off again. Of course I have already slowed down and am ready to stop as I would rather be able to live a non disabled life...... I NEVER ride with my full beams on full time. Used to but have been converted by listening to the likes of Jim D etc etc

[skippa1]

iYRe: Bollocks. You're just applying a cyclist's mentality to motorcycles.

It is not your right to put other road users in danger, either by blinding them or distracting them. EOM.

Agreed. Blinding the people that are trying to look your way is a sure way of making sure they cant see you.

[Headbanger]

so it's actually "hard" to avoid the glare.

Sunglasses

Solved.

Next thread.

[Usarka]

But you knew he was there right? So the light may be doing its job. Understand your frustration but you could have flicked your rear view mirror up and it wouldn't have been a problem..

Even in the up position it's a waste of time, all you get is one bright spot.

Best option is to turn the mirror so you can't see behind you. There goes your false sense of security.....


Sunglasses

Solved.

Next thread.

Sunglasses are for poofs. Real men stare at the sun.

http://www.iruntheinternet.com/lulzdump/images/clint-eastwood-vengeful-just-sunny-1309813555p.jpg

[pzkpfw]

Sunglasses

Solved.

Next thread.

You'll pay for my Lasik?

[iYRe]

iYRe: Bollocks. You're just applying a cyclist's mentality to motorcycles.

It is not your right to put other road users in danger, either by blinding them or distracting them. EOM.


Never said I was blinding them... just making it "blindingly" obvious that there is a non 4 wheeled vehicle approaching..


Also.. visibility works the same for a bicycle or a motorcycle.. the difference being on a bicycle other vehicles have a lot more time to see you (and therefore avoid) where as on a motorcycle there might be mere milliseconds, and an airforce rated spotlight wont even help..

I use a standard 65/55 headlight on my bike, and it is adjusted correctly.. and I STILL get idiots in cars complaining its too bright - they appear to confuse "too bright" with headlight on high beam in daylight hours..

Until they stop trying to kill us they can get stuffed.

[bogan]

and I STILL get idiots in cars complaining its too bright - they appear to confuse "too bright" with headlight on high beam in daylight hours..

I don't think it's them who is confused, high beam when there are oncoming vehicles is 'too bright', irrespective of the time of day.


Only use main beam headlamps when you’re driving on the open road and there are no other vehicles directly in front of you or coming towards you. You must switch to dipped beam as soon as you notice other vehicles ahead to avoid dazzling them.

from here (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/get-your-lights-right/get-your-lights-right.html#main)

[iYRe]

I don't think it's them who is confused, high beam when there are oncoming vehicles is 'too bright', irrespective of the time of day.



from here (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/get-your-lights-right/get-your-lights-right.html#main)

its not too bright for most people, only dim people.

[bogan]

its not too bright for most people, only dim people.

It's dazzlingly bright for a lot of people, which is why it is illegal to use them on high beam with oncoming traffic.

By all means do a STR8 Jacket does and flash the full beam if another vehicle shows signs they haven't seen you, but how about not just riding around with them on high beam making it harder for them to see others.

[pzkpfw]

I wonder if all the "it's for safety" folk (which generally translates to "screw the cages, I'm a biker") wear Hi-Viz all the time?

(Sure, claim Hi-Viz doesn't really help: but then provide some quantitive evidence for Hi-Viz versus High-beam.)

[Edbear]

My cruiser had a headlight flasher switch called "Pass" so if you have this feature and you are coming up behind a driver who may not have seen you, you can flick this little switch and the flashing will attract more attention than a steady beam, without annoying the driver.

My Boulevard also had auxilliary driving lightsd so with the running lights, there were five forward facing lights. No need for full beam, methinks!

[Usarka]

High beam riders - even other bikers think you're a cunt. :lol:

[iYRe]

best practice, according to the interwebz, is STILL to ride with your headlight on highbeam in daylight hours (as it has been since the 80's).. however, they do suggest as a courtesy to dip your lights if pulling up behind someone at an intersection. NO WHERE did I find anything say it was illegal...

[bogan]

best practice, according to the interwebz, is STILL to ride with your headlight on highbeam in daylight hours (as it has been since the 80's).. however, they do suggest as a courtesy to dip your lights if pulling up behind someone at an intersection. NO WHERE did I find anything say it was illegal...

Maybe you didn't look at the part of the internet which deals with the laws then?

http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2004/0427/latest/whole.html


8.3 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.

Compare: SR 1976/227 r 37(2), (6), (8), (10)

Clause 8.3(5): added, on 1 November 2009, by clause 30 of the Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2009 (SR 2009/253).

Notice how 2) a) doesn't have the following subclauses
i) unless the driver thinks those who are being dazzled are idiots
ii) unless the driver is a selfish prick on a motorycle

[iYRe]

it also doesnt say "subjective to what the other motorist feels is dazzling, confusing, or distracting"

If someone gets dazzled, confused, or distracted by a (normal powered) headlight, they should get off the damn road and remain in their mobility scooter. At night time.. its one thing. In daylight hours.. get a grip.

[bogan]

it also doesnt say "subjective to what the other motorist feels is dazzling, confusing, or distracting"

Actually that is exactly what "such a way that it dazzles, confuses, or distracts so as to endanger the safety of other road users" and "be likely to interfere adversely with the vision of another driver in motion on a road" mean.

[Gremlin]

At night time.. its one thing. In daylight hours.. get a grip.
Perhaps you need better lights. Lights can still be dazzling in daylight.

[iYRe]

Actually that is exactly what "such a way that it dazzles, confuses, or distracts so as to endanger the safety of other road users" and "be likely to interfere adversely with the vision of another driver in motion on a road" mean.


oh great.. I guess I will stop using my indicators and turn off my brake lights too.. for they might confuse or distract other road users..

[Str8 Jacket]

oh great.. I guess I will stop using my indicators and turn off my brake lights too.. for they might confuse or distract other road users..

Are you being purposely obtuse?

[iYRe]

Perhaps you need better lights. Lights can still be dazzling in daylight.


nope.. mine are fine - just normal standard headlight wattage. Same as they have been for 30 odd years..

[iYRe]

Are you being purposely obtuse?

no, I'm pretty sure I was being sardonic.

[bogan]

Are you being purposely obtuse?

Well I don't think he's the sharpest bowling ball in the rack...

[Str8 Jacket]

no, I'm pretty sure I was being sardonic.

I never did like sardines.


Well I don't think he's the sharpest bowling ball in the rack...

I didn't say he was dumb, quite the opposite really. Just a bit much time wasted on being stubborn me thinks...... ;)

[skippa1]

nope.. mine are fine - just normal standard headlight wattage. Same as they have been for 30 odd years..

depends on which side of the light you are looking I think.......from the riders side it will be fine but it may be very bright if on full beam. Night or day.:blink:

[huff3r]

oh great.. I guess I will stop using my indicators and turn off my brake lights too.. for they might confuse or distract other road users..

21watts vs 55watts. Surely even you are bright (see what I did there) enough to tell the difference. You might even find if you blind someone with their high beams then they may cut you off just to spite you. Inciting road rage is definitely not the safest way to go about riding.

Personally the problem I have with it is... you give other courteous and respectful motorcyclists (and cyclists!) a bad name.

BTW, I cycle, without bright as f**k lights, and I have no issues with traffic. Maybe you're just doing it wrong?

[Road kill]

You'll pay for my Lasik?

Buy a pair of prescription sunnys like I did ya'cheap bugger,,,after all you already have the flash Toyota so you's obviously loaded.

Or just flip your mirror right up an only use your wing mirrors,,,,also Like I do.

See I'm one of the enemy,,I drive a truck all day and I have no center mirror because they's pretty crap at looking through 30 tonne of fert bags or any of the other crap I haul.

So when I get in my ute to go home I can suddenly see all these tail gating fuckers that I usually can't see unless I look directly at my wing mirrors,,,an even then they still look waaaaaaay closer in the center mirror,,,,so flip it up,,,problem solved.

Next you'll tell us you got no fingers huh ?

No ?

Ok,so give the cunt one,,,he'll crawl up his own arse in an effort to get in front of you to return it.

An don't worry about him kicking your mirror off,,,,all the guys that say they've done that are liars with very poor imaginations and the belief everybody else is as stupid as they are and are reeeeeeeeeally going to buy that shit.

You did say RANT,,,,yes:msn-wink:

[iYRe]

nah.. bollocks...

a headlight on full beam in daytime does not a discourteous biker make.

Its not even that bright.. build a bridge.

I have never, ever been "dazzled, confused, or distracted" or otherwise affected by any normal set of headlights on full beam in day time. Perhaps I need my eyes checked... because it would seem abnormal for it to be the other way around... I can understand someone being upset by a 1500 or 2000 lumen light being shone in their eyes..

People who complain about headlights are the same people who complain I am riding in the bus lane (allowed), or going to the front of the queue at the traffic lights, or just generally enjoying myself riding my bike while they are stuck in their tin can in the traffic.

[pzkpfw]

...
People who complain about headlights are the same people who complain I am riding in the bus lane (allowed), or going to the front of the queue at the traffic lights, or just generally enjoying myself riding my bike while they are stuck in their tin can in the traffic.

Nope. I'm not complaining about any of that.

I ride a bike too, and make use of its abilities, and have fun. I happily lane split. As long as I do it sensibly - I'm not causing anyone any grief. I'd happily use bus lanes (the ones that don't specifically exclude bikes) if it was relevant down here. (I tend not to filter, but that's just a personal choice). But it's also my responsibility to not bother anyone else unduly. Heck, I put a stiebel horn on my bike, it's loud - I could ride around tootling that every few seconds for "safety" to make sure people know I'm there. But that'd be beyond safety into annoying.

Most bikes and some cars, ride/drive around all day with their headlights on. That's fine, and legal. They don't dazzle me. But those that have high beam on, on purpose, are just being smug arses; and are being a distraction.

What is it with people being all over their own rights, but not their responsibilities?

[James Deuce]

I have never, ever been "dazzled, confused, or distracted" or otherwise affected by any normal set of headlights on full beam in day time. .
It does.

I have. I've stopped and waited until the hole in the middle of my vision has cleared. That was from a "mate" following me who had a poorly installed HID kit on his Bandit and I glanced in my mirror at the "wrong" moment. Not everyone is the same and obviously some of us aren't as well made as you are, but that doesn't give you the "right" to inflict your illegal high beams on everyone around you. At night you have plenty of warning of a vehicle approaching on high beam and can avoid looking directly at it. During daylight hours not so much.

As the Teutonic Tank fan said, I'm not averse to using the advantages of my bike to my advantage in traffic either, but I'm not going to consciously do something that pisses someone off. That particular lottery is difficult to justify from a hospital bed because someone opened the door of the car on your, or swerved at you, or brake tested you.

[bogan]

nah.. bollocks...

a headlight on full beam in daytime does not a discourteous biker make.

Its not even that bright.. build a bridge.

I have never, ever been "dazzled, confused, or distracted" or otherwise affected by any normal set of headlights on full beam in day time. Perhaps I need my eyes checked... because it would seem abnormal for it to be the other way around... I can understand someone being upset by a 1500 or 2000 lumen light being shone in their eyes..

People who complain about headlights are the same people who complain I am riding in the bus lane (allowed), or going to the front of the queue at the traffic lights, or just generally enjoying myself riding my bike while they are stuck in their tin can in the traffic.

Firstly, it doesn't matter whether you get distracted by them, its about whether other motorists do (which from your previous posts, you know they do). I don't see why this is such a difficult concept for you to grasp?

Secondly, riding with full beam, you will be emitting around 1000-2000 lumens, so you should understand why they might get upset.

Thirdly, isn't riding on dip then flashing to full if they haven't seen you going to increase the chance they do? (a change in light is more effective than the maximum brightness) and checking if they have seen you also increases your defensive driving ability.

It just seems to me you're going around pissing off (some) motorists for no reason other than you're too lazy to identify the troublesome ones and take corrective action.

And FYI, whether you or other motorists consider it dazzling or not, it is always illegal to approach an intersection with your lights on full beam. As far as I can tell it is never policed, but I think you'd have a tough time claiming its your 'right' to do so.

[SPman]

the one and only thing that ACTUALLY works visibility wise is a bright headlight.. a headlight so bright that planes can use it to land, or anti aircraft guns can locate enemy and shoot them down.

I have massively bright lights on my motorbike and my bicycle and I dont give a rats ass if people in cars are offended by them. They are not illegal, or illegally adjusted, and it is MY RIGHT! to be seen, and it is NOT their right to make me less visible because its slightly upsetting to them.

If I am in my car and I see a bike of any description coming towards me with a light bright enough that I can see them from a distance... I congratulate them.
A bright light in my mirror for a few seconds or a minute is a helluva lot better than a dead cyclist in the door of my car.

Get over it.
It is also illegal to use full beam into oncoming traffic! I feel like ramming the cunts with retina searing lights, but the bull bars would probably melt before I hit them! Slightly upsetting, get fucked! When I see these fuck heads, the last thing I think of, is congratulating them!

[GTRMAN]

Wow.

Can. Open. Worms. Everywhere.

[mossy1200]

Last time I did a long haul at night I almost hit a cow. Good high beam saved me but I have a stock low beam lamp.
i keep mine adjusted low because it changes a bit with a passenger on the bike.

[James Deuce]

No one is suggesting you shouldn't ACTUALLY USE high-beam when required.

[Str8 Jacket]

Oh FFS, one of these days I am gonna invent something that'll make people think about what they do before they do it and then even take responsibility for it. Gonna put that shit it bottles, reckon it'd sell well?

[James Deuce]

If they can bottle Tui and call it "beer", then one can sell ANYTHING.

[Berries]

If I am in my car and I see a bike of any description coming towards me with a light bright enough that I can see them from a distance... I congratulate them.
I tend to stick my lights on full beam and give the arrogant wankers the finger. Hey ho.

[awayatc]

Last time I did a long haul at night I almost hit a cow.

I agree

Cows should have high beam on I reckon.....

at night at least....

[pzkpfw]

I agree

Cows should have high beam on I reckon.....

at night at least....

Hi Viz.


...

[imdying]

I don't see why this is such a difficult concept for you to grasp?Because he's a deluded arrogant self centred twat... read his posts... they're all I I I I. He incorrectly believes that he is special, and that he doesn't need to follow the law. Now just what it is that he is over compensating for, I cannot not tell you. One could hazard a guess; that he mistakenly believes his penis is smaller than the average man's... when in reality it's probably just plain old average. Ironic isn't it... even in that respect he isn't special.

[schrodingers cat]

Now admittedly I've been speed reading and I'm not very clever to start with but al I'm getting from this thread is night, cow, penis and high beam (which I presume is a metaphor for something)
Wait till the RSPCA get hold of this

[caspernz]

I agree

Cows should have high beam on I reckon.....

at night at least....

Fulton Hogan with 400 cones and three barrier trucks :laugh:

[Banditbandit]

I know what thsi thread needs - A Silly Hat

http://img.izismile.com/img/img3/20100505/640/swedish_king_who_640_01.jpg

[skippa1]

I know what thsi thread needs - A Silly Hat



..........more cow bell....thats what it needs:woohoo: