Headlights on

**Muppet** · 29th October 2009, 19:03

Most of the bikes I have owned have their headlight on automatically, I can't help but think this is another 'you're on a bike so it's your fault' law if you're with me? Why not make it compulsory for all vehicles to have their headlights on. I mean there's more car crashes than bikes crashes.

**davereid** · 29th October 2009, 19:45

You have a late model bike.. 2 out of three of my bikes simply cant manage to run with the light on all the time. I will be able to comply with the law by putting a very low wattage headlight bulb in.

It will be fine as long as I dont expect to be able to see in the dark.

Such is the price of safety !

**monkeymcbean** · 29th October 2009, 19:57

Originally Posted by Muppet

Most of the bikes I have owned have their headlight on automatically, I can't help but think this is another 'you're on a bike so it's your fault' law if you're with me?

Why not make it compulsory for all vehicles to have their headlights on. I mean there's more car crashes than bikes crashes.

I personally don't like the idea of cars with headlights as it makes it harder to see a single light of a bike agmongst all the other lights, just a perception

.

**duckonin** · 29th October 2009, 20:05

Originally Posted by monkeymcbean

I personally don't like the idea of cars with headlights as it makes it harder to see a single light of a bike agmongst all the other lights, just a perception

.

Yes but those in a car will still see a headlight hopefully, if not

lights on lifts the image of all vehicles, even in dence traffic....

**Mikkel** · 29th October 2009, 21:12

Originally Posted by Slyer

You'll also blind all oncoming traffic if you're a moron and did a straight swap without replacing the lightbulb housing.

Don't worry, he's been elaborating on here about how he's always on high-beam anyway... so no big difference there. And no, don't waste your time on it, he won't get it.

**TygerTung** · 29th October 2009, 21:41

Originally Posted by davereid

You have a late model bike.. 2 out of three of my bikes simply cant manage to run with the light on all the time. I will be able to comply with the law by putting a very low wattage headlight bulb in.

It will be fine as long as I dont expect to be able to see in the dark.

Such is the price of safety !

Well if they can't run with the light on all the time, chances are they are pre '79 so you are sweet as anyway!

**Laxi** · 29th October 2009, 21:50

i found out about this 2 weeks ago, about the same time i found out it wasn't already a law

**CookMySock** · 30th October 2009, 06:28

You might also be able to add some running lights and fit ultrabright LEDs to them. These draw about 1 watt and add nothing to your night vis, but otherwise stand out like dogs balls and quite likely the cops won't stop you for "no lights on". So you draw only 2 watts continuously and leave your 55 watt headlight off. Also change your combination tail/brake light for a LED unit as well - these draw like half a watt compared to 5 watts.

You might have to unplug your heated pink knickers too..

Steve

**oldrider** · 30th October 2009, 06:55

More people will see you if your lights are "not" on now, because they get used to everyone else having theirs "on".

What's the point of difference now?

They should be making car drivers more aware that motorcycles are a legitimate form of transport!

And that they (motorists) should look out for them and give way when they should!

And keep left and let them through, not block their path because they themselves are stuck in a line up!

Oh, the list goes on and on!

I'm getting excited now...........

I'm going back to bed now!

**scumdog** · 30th October 2009, 07:00

Originally Posted by Muppet

Why not make it compulsory for all vehicles to have their headlights on. I mean there's more car crashes than bikes crashes.

Cos mainly it's the case of car drivers not seeing bikers - not the other way around.

**avgas** · 30th October 2009, 07:15

Originally Posted by oldrider

They should be making car drivers more aware that motorcycles are a legitimate form of transport!

And that they (motorists) should look out for them and give way when they should!

And keep left and let them through, not block their path because they themselves are stuck in a line up!

Err sorry to poke a stick at correctness here old chap.
But are you saying that we are a legal form of transport that is allowed to bend the rules?
I mean I let bikes go past regardless, but "legitimate" and "splitting" should not be in the same sentence in my mind. Its like "safe" and "chainsaw".

**Bounce001** · 30th October 2009, 07:26

A lot of bikes after 1980 have lights permanently on anyway. The trouble with pre 1980 bikes is that they have Mr Lucas (Prince of Darkness) wiring and are not reliable.

**oldrider** · 30th October 2009, 08:47

Originally Posted by avgas

Err sorry to poke a stick at correctness here old chap.
But are you saying that we are a legal form of transport that is allowed to bend the rules?
I mean I let bikes go past regardless, but "legitimate" and "splitting" should not be in the same sentence in my mind. Its like "safe" and "chainsaw".

Fair enough, feel free to poke away but safe and chainsaw are OK if you use it correctly!

Wouldn't want to be sharing a log with some people I have seen using them though.

I don't ride in the City or heavily congested roadways any more if I can avoid doing it!

It's like a mouse walking into a mince meat machine, I reckon!

Failure to keep left on open roads is the worst behaviour I observe these days.