Is it an issue for older bikes? From November 1st headlight on all the time no matter the age of the bike and lovely fines to back that up. My bikes will run a headlight full time for a few hours on a good day But if I am on one of the Guzzi's around town then it will not actually charge the battery under 3,200rpm with the light on. I always cram the biggest battery I can in the hole so it would take about an hour or more trickling around town to notice it struggling to start. So it is not a major for me but.. One of the many reasons I like the older bikes is to have the damn CHOICE if I want my headlight on or not, I might be trying to save the battery or something, I might think that a motorcycle headlight on during the day actually makes it harder for other motorists to judge my speed and distance, as shown in several reputable studies... I'm not one for conforming to yet another kneejerk bit of 'safety' leglislation.
I don't mind the concept as I tend to have mine on pretty much all the time. If older bikes charging systems and battery struggles can you fit a lower watt and amperage park light on another switch?
headlights on all the time has been in the legislation in the states and most of europe since the '80s so i got used to it and have my bike headlight on all the time and often on my car too. it certainly makes you MUCH more visible to the others on the road. but it is a bummer if your bike doesn't support lights on for long. not sure that there's a way around it other than using LEDs but they're not legal i don't think. i guess if the headlight has a pilot light you could have that on, it still makes you more visible and in the daylight gives the impresion that the headlight is on. dunno...
Thinking about it a bit more. The question, I mean. Existing older bikes that weren't made to support nanny state requirements should be exempt. Their performance could be detrimentally impacted by the extra load and subsequently made inoperable and unsafe... such as failing at night when ya really need the light.
What he! said.Light is usually on all the time,have been known to forget though. Now it's not even a choice and I'm sure that those amongst the country's finest officers who wont turn a blind eye will continue to do so, mongrels.
