Daytime Running Lights

[m99dws]

At present, lights on or lights off can be a question of personal preference in the UK. It seems that pressure is being applied by the EU to make it compulsary.

Whilst I've always thought it helps, MAG have posed some interesting points which I have not considered, which can be read here:

http://www.network.mag-uk.org/oct06p15.html

And the consultation paper can be downloaded from: http://tinyurl.com/owop6

Some examples show accident stats in Sweden have increased even though DRL's are on.
Is it right lights are a legal requirement over here during the day??

[Steam]

Is it right lights are a legal requirement over here during the day??

No it's optional, but I ride with my headlight on, on full beam just to get a bit of extra effect.

Here's some things about running lamps from the LTSA:
10.3(1) When operated, a daytime running lamp must emit light that is substantially white or amber.

10.3(2) A daytime running lamp must not operate when a front fog lamp or headlamp is in use.

10.3(3) A motor vehicle of Group L (motorcycles) may be fitted with one or two daytime running lamps to the front of the vehicle.

[oldguy]

I have no option, the lights are on from the moment I turn the key. there is no light switch.

[-df-]

No it's optional, but I ride with my headlight on, on full beam just to get a bit of extra effect.


Don't know about the GN250 but riding with your headlight on full is a real pain in the ass to other drivers (not to mention illegal)...its one of those things that really pisses me off.
:angry: :angry2:

[scumdog]

I've used (for past 10 or so years) a pair of accessory running lights mounted each side of my headlight. (which is also hard-wired to be on all the time)

I wired them through a relay and switch so I can switch them off at night as after dark they are just a massive glare.

I've noticed people in cars on side roads, car parks etc seem to notice me more - plus on the open road I notice car drivers I'm following seem to move to the left more readily for me to get past.

My 2cents worth.

[James Deuce]

It's difficult to buy a new motorcycle that doesn't have at least one headlight permanently on with no facility to turn it off.

[diggydog]

No it's optional, but I ride with my headlight on, on full beam just to get a bit of extra effect.

Here's some things about running lamps from the LTSA:
10.3(1) When operated, a daytime running lamp must emit light that is substantially white or amber.

10.3(2) A daytime running lamp must not operate when a front fog lamp or headlamp is in use.

10.3(3) A motor vehicle of Group L (motorcycles) may be fitted with one or two daytime running lamps to the front of the vehicle.

i have no chose, as my bike is hard wired.

[Steam]

Don't know about the GN250 but riding with your headlight on full is a real pain in the ass to other drivers (not to mention illegal)...its one of those things that really pisses me off.
:angry: :angry2:

Trust me, 35 watts of high-beamin' GN power ain't gonna piss off anyone. My bulb is like a goram candle.

[James Deuce]

Don't know about the GN250 but riding with your headlight on full is a real pain in the ass to other drivers (not to mention illegal)...its one of those things that really pisses me off.
:angry: :angry2:

Does this sound familiar?

"I didn't see you".

If they're pissed off then they saw you. It's all that matters.

[Legolas]

Interesting reading d99dws.

I thought that the photos of the bike being camaflaged by the car were interesting. With car lights (especially HID) getting brighter and brighter I reckon that this happens more than car drivers realise, especially at night.

I also think that a lot of accidents at junctions, where cars pull out in front of bikes are due to the rider easing off the throttle and the forks dropping slightly. From the car drivers view point this could look like a headlight flash giving them right of way. By the time they realise that it wasn't, they are half way across the road. Where they stop.

Personally, I always ride with the headlight on. Always have. I do believe that a lot of bikes sold in the UK now aren't even fitted with a light switch. Just a dip switch. Cars will become the same. I don't think its been done with a view to safty though. Just cheaper to manufacture. :scooter:

[-df-]

Does this sound familiar?

"I didn't see you".

If they're pissed off then they saw you. It's all that matters.

so whats worse? getting hit by a car that didnt see you or getting hit by a car cause they can't see?

I know where you are coming from but some of the newer bikes with xeon lights shine very brightly and I've had to look in the other direction cause it was herting my eyes, and this is in the middle of the day.

maybe I'm just to sensitive... :o

edit: don't get me wrong, I always ride with my lights on...just not full beam.

[-df-]

Trust me, 35 watts of high-beamin' GN power ain't gonna piss off anyone. My bulb is like a goram candle.

Yeah, it was more the newer large sport bikes that get me.

I'll stop hijacking this thread...

[m99dws]

I have seen a discussion online where an accident investigator claimed that the bikes lights affected the depth perception of the driver. The investigator was a biker from another forum.

I ride with dipped lights on, but more out of habit as I was taught to, than anything else.

[topher]

Hadn't considered the cynic's view; it's economy of manufacture rather than safety that's the reason for having no off wsitch for the headlight. Having seen inside the switchgear on my bike I find it difficult to believe they could make it any cheaper!

[Lou Girardin]

The MOT trialled daytime lights on patrol bikes in the 80's. But it's a bit hard to know if they work on a cop bike.
But, this morning alone I had three fuckwits move to pull out in front of me until they realised the bright glowing high beam was attached to a bike.

[Legolas]

Hadn't considered the cynic's view; it's economy of manufacture rather than safety that's the reason for having no off wsitch for the headlight. Having seen inside the switchgear on my bike I find it difficult to believe they could make it any cheaper!


Look at the bigger picture. If you can save £10 (Sorry don't what the NZ rate would be) on one vehicle. It adds up when your manufacturing 20,000 or more. Manufacturers are only in it for the profit. :laugh:

[RnB Fan]

My lights hardwired on the minute I turn the key. Even if it wasn't I was taught to ride with the headlight on all the time. Touch wood I havn't been skittled yet so maybe it works - or maybe I just ride like a nanna!!

[Fatjim]

Look at the bigger picture. If you can save £10 (Sorry don't what the NZ rate would be) on one vehicle. It adds up when your manufacturing 20,000 or more. Manufacturers are only in it for the profit. :laugh:

Mate, if you're going to populate a kiwi site, at least have the common fn decency to learn the exchange rate. It's 5 to 1 ok!

[sunhuntin]

when i had my ginny, i tried riding with the lights on full for a day or so, but then a biking buddy of mine complained it was too bright in his mirrors.
the virago they are hardwired on, and also has hazard lights [which i love]

[Pixie]

Look at the bigger picture. If you can save £10 (Sorry don't what the NZ rate would be) on one vehicle. It adds up when your manufacturing 20,000 or more. Manufacturers are only in it for the profit. :laugh:

Most of our bikes are Aussie market models and in Aus daytime lights are compulsory

[Legolas]

Mate, if you're going to populate a kiwi site, at least have the common fn decency to learn the exchange rate. It's 5 to 1 ok!


Whoops.

Sorry Fatjim. Didn't mean to offend.
I'll do my homework next time. :innocent:

[Bob]

Mate, if you're going to populate a kiwi site, at least have the common fn decency to learn the exchange rate. It's 5 to 1 ok!

If you are going to be pedantic... as of 15:12PM, Greenwich Mean Time, the official exchange rate is GBP 1 = NZD 2.837 (also using ISO currency symbols so as not to have any confusion)! :dodge:

I've been loosely following the whole AHO issue over here in the UK for years. As far as I can tell, no matter how many times a trial is run, the benefits or otherwise of AHO never seem to be proven. But it is suggested in the Highway Code that bikes run with headlights on (can't recall if it mentions running with dipped beam, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did) - and bearing in mind the Highway Code can and is called upon in legal matters, it makes sense to do so.

I'd not ride with full beam unless the road merited. Blinding a driver in front isn't going to make them very "onside" with you... and remember, there are a lot of car drivers out there that get drawn to a light like a moth to a flame! I know it happens fairly often that I am filtering... only to find a car start to wander towards my position as they've looked up, seen the light and started moving in the direction they're looking.

As someone else mentioned above, there is a suggestion that headlights in the daytime make distance perception more difficult. That said, I'd rather they see a light and then have to think about how far away it is than to see nothing at all.

Personally, I have always ridden with lights on dipped, as I was taught this when I started riding over a decade back. Of course, I have no option now, as the ER-6f is AHO anyway.

The big concern at the moment is about all vehicles being forced into AHO. So any benefit of bikes running with lights on is lost. Without being able to look at that original link at the moment, the fear is that you're running with a single light, you move into a position where a truck is behind you, with one of it's lights directly behind yours... and you become effectively invisible.

This one will run and run... but I'm pretty sure from the biking lobby the issue has moved from "Why should bikes run lights on in daytime" to "We don't want other vehicles to run with lights on in daytime". Interesting shift of position, no matter what any benefit or otherwise there may be for us riding with daytime lights.

[What?]

Most of our bikes are Aussie market models and in Aus daytime lights are compulsory

More to the point, hard-wired lights is a Merkin requirement. By giving us all the same, the factories only have to produce one wiring loom, and that is where the cost savings are (not in eliminating the on/off switch).

Oh, and Aussie repealed the lights-on law. But there might be plans to repeal the repealing act. Or something (I think Oz politics are actually worse than ours!)

[Hawkeye]

Mate, if you're going to populate a kiwi site, at least have the common fn decency to learn the exchange rate. It's 5 to 1 ok!

Shit, where can I get that exchange rate?:scratch:

[Hawkeye]

The MOT trialled daytime lights on patrol bikes in the 80's. But it's a bit hard to know if they work on a cop bike.
But, this morning alone I had three fuckwits move to pull out in front of me until they realised the bright glowing high beam was attached to a bike.

Maybe we should try blue flashing lights. Everyone seems to see them:rofl:

[Bob]

Maybe we should try blue flashing lights. Everyone seems to see them:rofl:

If you want to be noticed over here, ride a white bike with a big fairing, wear a yellow reflective jacket, a white helmet with a black stripe round it. Oh and red-yellow reflective tape on panniers etc.

Without going as far as blue lights and having "POLICE" written on the side (which gets you arrested), that should make sure you are noticed by everyone!

And yes, you do see people do this...

[Ixion]

Works for me.

[ManDownUnder]

Don't know about the GN250 but riding with your headlight on full is a real pain in the ass to other drivers (not to mention illegal)...its one of those things that really pisses me off.
:angry: :angry2:

Yup - what he said.

[ManDownUnder]

Without going as far as blue lights and having "POLICE" written on the side (which gets you arrested), that should make sure you are noticed by everyone!

LMAO... you'd think so anyway.

Slight digression but tootling up the NW last night there a bike cop heading up the bus/emergency lane, lights on... not too fast but making good progress and lo... the bus ahead of him decides "ugger this - I'll use the bus lane!"

He obviously didn't bother checking to see who he's about to run over and I'm sure it was only some emergency the cop was attending the prevented the fuckwit behind the wheel of the bus getting ticketed.

Bykey or Nod - or anyone else for that matter... if you need to know... it's a bus either PS3615 or TS3615 (unsure of the first letter, the rest is 100% accurate).

I'll be happy to hear the idiot behind the wheel has been dealt with.
MDU

[Al]

Always ride and drive with headlights on low beam during the day. In town, car lights are off, but as soon as I get onto the highway, lights on dim beam.
Bike lights are on all the time because they are hardwired to be like that.

If people don't like it, tough, at least they see you!

Al

[Fatjim]

Whoops.

Sorry Fatjim. Didn't mean to offend.
I'll do my homework next time. :innocent:

Sometimes writing p/t at the end of a post just ruins th effect. I thought maybe the "5 to 1" would give it away:argh:.

Yes the exchange rate is usually between 2.5 & 3 to 1.