An interesting experience with running lights.

**FROSTY:Me** · 24th March 2010, 12:56

Thought an experience I had last night might be of interest.
Jorja has just got a new (to her) Honda VTR250.
I rode the bike back for her because it was getting pretty late at night.
In Papakura a car turned directly in front of me at an intersection.
Scarey moment and no reason for it.
5 minutes later it happened again.
Turns out that one of the orange running lights (in the indicators) had just blown. It looked like I was indicating a left turn.
Hmm ya learn something new every day.

**Cayman911** · 24th March 2010, 13:56

Most bikes with two separate lights at the front, (round ones) usually only have one on during the day...

that technically shouldnt happen, the people that tried to run you over were either thick or colourblind.

**nodrog:Me** · 24th March 2010, 14:10

Originally Posted by Cayman911

Most bikes with two separate lights at the front, (round ones) usually only have one on during the day...

that technically shouldnt happen, the people that tried to run you over were either thick or colourblind.

i think hes talking about those indicators that double as running lights. hence if one is blown it looks like one is stuck on solid.

**blackdog** · 24th March 2010, 15:11

Originally Posted by nodrog

i think hes talking about those indicators that double as running lights. hence if one is blown it looks like one is stuck on solid.

wot i thought. stupid idea if u ask me, esp since most have hard wired headlights too....

**FROSTY:Me** · 24th March 2010, 15:12

yea sorry--the hardwired on indicator lights.

**kwaka_crasher** · 24th March 2010, 15:20

Honda indicator disease. A terrible afliction.

**blackdog** · 24th March 2010, 15:24

Originally Posted by kwaka_crasher

Honda indicator disease. A terrible afliction.

now that you mention it i think it is only hondas.....

**R-Soul** · 24th March 2010, 15:24

Originally Posted by FROSTY

yea sorry--the hardwired on indicator lights.

Another reason why that bloody stupid rule must be changed.

I had a bit of an experience on the regular sunday ride north of auckland. A car was approaching and had its indicator on. I started turning in front of it, as it was slowing down. It then hooted and flashed its headlights at mas if I was doing something wrong.

One of the other riders told me after that, that there is a second left turn soon after that the car was probably indicating for. now some will say that I should have seen this. But it begs the question: How do you know a car is turning left THERE, and not into a driveway after it, or a dairy car park or something?

Now in my opinion, any law that requires mind-reading to avoid an accident is a non-starter. How the hell it even made it into the boooks is beyond me...

**breakaway** · 24th March 2010, 15:34

Guy I knew on a CBR250RR with running lights reported the same; When one of the bulbs blew cars kept turning in front of him all day every day.

Originally Posted by R Sole

But it begs the question: How do you know a car is turning left THERE, and not into a driveway after it, or a dairy car park or something?

Never trust another road user to be competent. If you do you'll pay with your life or limbs one day.

Originally Posted by R Sole

How the hell it even made it into the boooks is beyond me...

By assuming every road user has a basic level of competence.

**kwaka_crasher** · 24th March 2010, 15:47

Originally Posted by theblackstig

now that you mention it i think it is only hondas.....

IIRC it began around the time of the VFR700 Interceptor. I can't think of one any earlier. Perhaps the VF750F.

**hayd3n** · 24th March 2010, 15:54

my old 1995 yzf 600r yamaha had them but its not hard to cut the running wire

**FROSTY:Me** · 24th March 2010, 16:03

Originally Posted by R Sole

How do you know a car is turning left THERE, and not into a driveway after it, or a dairy car park or something?

I guess you assume the worst -ie all of the above

**george formby** · 24th March 2010, 17:37

Originally Posted by FROSTY

I guess you assume the worst -ie all of the above

Always! Never assume. This thread has answered a question yet to be asked. Their were a large group of riders in town a few weeks ago & I had what I think was a BMW ridden by a lady person (pink jacket) behind me with the indicators hard wired on. Thought it looked quite funky, took me a while to figure out what the lights were.
I think i will stick to white lights though.