Headlight modulation - is it legal in this country?

**PrincessBandit** · 28th April 2010, 06:47

Originally Posted by LBD

Modulating head lights may be a good idea, but if a cage driver does not want to see you........ he won't.

Second that. I've sometimes wondered if wearing a set of skin toned leathers with realistic (well, in my case highly "creative") naked body bits etched/printed on to them would get you noticed more??? Wonder if anyone makes them? Prolly cost an arm and a leg. Ha, imagine the fun you could have with weirdly "body painted" trimmed leathers.

**Guided_monkey** · 28th April 2010, 08:11

Originally Posted by rustic101

HID lights do not seem to be illegal here - heaps of articles about them - http://www.ecobob.co.nz/Member-Profi...ContactId=2536 this ones about cars but is an example..

Actually you'll find that HID fitment is illegal. With a HID bulb fitted, the headlight will not produce the same light pattern. This is cause for a WoF failure.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/ge...hts-right.html

There is nothing to stop you changing the bulb to standard during WoF time...... but don't complain if the nice policeman gives you a ticket.

**blackdog** · 28th April 2010, 08:26

Originally Posted by Guided_monkey

Actually you'll find that HID fitment is illegal.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/ge...hts-right.html

this, from your link........

However, a complete halogen headlamp unit can be replaced with a complete HID headlamp unit provided that the replacement headlamp unit complies with approved standards.

lol, i find it is usually better to not quote sources contradicting your post.

**CookMySock** · 28th April 2010, 08:39

Originally Posted by LBD

One sunny day I came up behind a hilux. I watched the drivers face in the side mirror for 200m or so. The road was clear and he was slow, so I indicated, flashed my head light twice at his side mirror and began to overtake. He then turned right accross my path towards a small farm track.

I am extremely wary about passing where they are able to turn right. Basically I won't do it unless they move to the left and wave me through.

Originally Posted by LBD

Modulating head lights may be a good idea, but if a cage driver does not want to see you........ he won't.

Get a really loud pipe. That sorts them out.

Steve

**imdying** · 28th April 2010, 09:15

Originally Posted by Hurrie

ummmmmmmm why are they illegal????

The reflector in your light is a semi circle (it's not, but for ease of explanation). The bulb is a point that sits near the centre of the reflectors arc. That relationship dictates how the focus of the reflector points the light on the road. If the bulb sits too far away from that centre, the reflector doesn't work as designed and the light scatters, sometimes into the eyes of oncoming vehicles (much like riding on high beam). The direction the bulb produces light in is close but not the same as a halogen, exacerbating the problem a bit too.

They don't all do it badly though. But seeing as nobody is going to pay to certify that XXXX cheap chinky HID kit works correctly with XXX model motorcycle, they just banned all of them.

**avgas** · 28th April 2010, 09:21

I would punch a motorcyclist in the helmet if they rode behind me their light flashing every second.
The road isn't a fricken disco.

**Hurrie** · 28th April 2010, 17:23

Originally Posted by imdying

They don't all do it badly though. But seeing as nobody is going to pay to certify that XXXX cheap chinky HID kit works correctly with XXX model motorcycle, they just banned all of them.

well thats just craptastic, i guess i'll see on my next wof, or when i get pulled over which ever comes first, although i havnt been pulled over for my lights yet maybe its just luck

**phill-k** · 28th April 2010, 17:36

Have a modulator fitted to highbeam, use it when I'm approaching a vehicle perhaps turning across my direction and can't see their face, flick between the modulator and lowbeam to which I have wired two driving lights on a lightbar, thus they see 3 lights then a flickering light. Also have used the modulator coming up behind a cage that I'm going to pass, they do seem to react to it by pulling left, don't do it often unless passing is limited. Modulator has a small daylight sensor that it taped to clutch cable will just tape over the sensor when getting warrant. To answer mr policemans question as to why I have one should I be stopped, stop u doing a u turn in front of me. That should get me a ticket.

**imdying** · 28th April 2010, 17:48

Originally Posted by Hurrie

well thats just craptastic

If everyone ran misadjusted and/or inappropriate bulbs for their reflectors, instances of disorientated drivers crossing the centre line would inevitabily go up, and you don't want that on a bike.

You can chop the reflectors etc out of an existing headlight and retrofit an entire HID setup in their (lot of people have done it to various bikes), which whilst still not legal, gives you more light than one of these kits, as it all hits the road in the right place.

Before you do that, try some relays and some +90 bulbs. Same wattage, but more lumens (i.e. a more efficient bulb). The relays ensure that the bulb is getting full battery voltage, as a drop of 2 volts will cut your lumens by 40-50% (and old switch gear etc robs volts).

**CookMySock** · 28th April 2010, 18:21

Originally Posted by imdying

If everyone ran misadjusted and/or inappropriate bulbs for their reflectors, instances of disorientated drivers crossing the centre line would inevitabily go up..

I find I get the reverse. When people pop around the corner (during the day) and come face to face with my freight train headlights the move to the side of the road. They aren't particularly bright, its just they are a nasty piercing little 6,000 K dot like an LED but 200x.

I think the main problem with lack of focus is with the H4 HID bulb, since it doesn't actually use two filaments as the H4 reflector is designed to use - it has a single 'filament' light source and a movable shade, so it can never be properly focussed on both full and dip.

Modern projector headlamp units have separate bulbs for dip and full, and projectors don't particularly well group the light output anyway - certainly not anywhere near as well as an oldskool H4 with a standard bulb in it.

Originally Posted by imdying

You can chop the reflectors etc out of an existing headlight and retrofit an entire HID setup in their (lot of people have done it to various bikes), which whilst still not legal, gives you more light than one of these kits, as it all hits the road in the right place.

Perhaps. My projectors aren't particularly good from standard, so the HID upgrade made a big difference.

Mine seemed to pass a WOF ok too, and the dealer knew they were HIDs.

I use them mainly for cosmetics and safety. They look good and they stick out like dogs balls.

Steve

**imdying** · 28th April 2010, 18:34

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

I find I get the reverse. When people pop around the corner (during the day) and come face to face with my freight train headlights the move to the side of the road.

Yeah, that would be the instinct of most people, but some people aren't normal, and some like little old ladies can simply panic.

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

I think the main problem with lack of focus is with the H4 HID bulb, since it doesn't actually use two filaments as the H4 reflector is designed to use - it has a single 'filament' light source and a movable shade, so it can never be properly focussed on both full and dip.

Yeah, I think that's the just of some of it. They have kits where the bulbs gets telescoped in and out to the right position, but most cheap and cheerful HID kits from China aren't those type.

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Mine seemed to pass a WOF ok too, and the dealer knew they were HIDs.

Yeah, I have a bike that's pretty well modified and it still gets warrants, doesn't mean it's legal though.