Low (dipped) vs high-beam debate

[Jantar]

Headlights must be dipped when:
when other vehicles are coming towards you, so that you don't blind the oncoming driver
when you are following other vehicles
when a police officer is directing traffic
when you park.
In a built up area with street lighting.

[pzkpfw]

Do the "fuck you it's MY safety" people wear hi viz vests?

(Seems to me the "fuck you" part is the bit they like, not the "safety" ...)

[nzspokes]

Meh. I have DRLs in a triangle. People still pull out in front of me.

Try riding with high and low beams on, my rocker switch can sit in the middle so both run.

[scumdog]

as noted, its oncoming. If they are behind you there is a little lever on your mirror you can use to dim it.

..

Oh, I must need new outside mirrors, mine haven't got that function...

[scumdog]

Nothing has been said about hitting the fuckwit using high beam, its effect is to cause eye strain and fatigue causing the dazzled driver to be more at risk of hitting something else; which swbarnett explained pretty well I thought.

And can prevent a clear view of what is behind the bike with the mego-bright headlight...

[scumdog]

Why should a motorcyclist reduce their visibility because it upsets a driver. Never.

So it will never upset another RIDER then??

[vifferman]

Children, children! Stop fucking fighting! All you needed to do was ask my opinion about this. Having recently experienced being dazzled by inconsiderate arseholes on bikes with their lights on full (while I was riding mine), I can say unequivocally that it does NOT aid their safety (nor that of other motorists). I couldn't tell where exactly the bike was to avoid it, exactly how far away it was, and for a minute or two afterwards I couldn't see clearly. An aid to safety?!? Fuck off - it's the complete opposite!!
Maybe from a long way away it may make a rider more visible, but otherwise it's inconsiderate, illegal and ill-considered ("Fuck you Jack, - I'm alright!")

[SPman]

And yet, as studies show, the effects of a highbeam in daylight are so negligible as to be irrelevant.

Do they drive with their fucking eyes shut! The pricks that do it over here get high beams back at them (including spots).They sure don't like it when they're on the receiving end. Fuck em! I'm with vifferman on this one, and also as Jantar has pointed out, it is against road regulations.

[Madness]

ah well.. its always a good way to win an argument I guess. I guess science isnt important.. as long as you're happy.

You're really giving me the learn now eh?

[Mushu]

Oh, I must need new outside mirrors, mine haven't got that function...

That's another point as to why you shouldn't run hi beams, if a vehicle behind me has hi beams on when I'm driving my Levin I push the little button on the dash to fold the mirrors in so I don't have the light in my eyes. Probably illegal, I don't give a fuck but I'll guarantee this reduces my ability to see a vehicle behind me.

[bogan]

And can prevent a clear view of what is behind the bike with the mego-bright headlight...

What do you need a clear view for? there is quite clearly a fuckwith back there so look out!

[Brian d marge]

Ive been riding for years on the Enfield with the lights on full , pointing straight ahead ... no one has complained or flashed back

Stephen

[swbarnett]

Ive been riding for years on the Enfield with the lights on full , pointing straight ahead ... no one has complained or flashed back

Stephen

Perhaps you need a stronger headlight. I've always been very unimpressed with the headlight on 250s.

[Maha]

Isn't there a law that states headlights must be dipped if there is a vehicle in front of you?

Which is what I do, always have....courteous was a key word in my post.

[BMWST?]

Oh right, because we shouldn't care?

Of course it has to do with the issue being discussed. Testing shows headlight on high beam is more visible than low beam. Testing also shows that it has little to no actual effect on other drivers other than they can see you more easily.

If that's not what you're talking about, feel free to discontinue the conversation... (well, if you can call it that..)

you are deluding your self.If your theory was only partly true all vehicles would only have the option of full beam all the time.Using high beam when other vehicles are around is extremely annoying.You are right in that it doesnt cause blindness ,but the glare can cause a temporary reduction in vision.Its similar to sun strike.The glare is extremely annoying and you cant look directly at the vehicle with high beam.The high beam glare also obscures vehicles behind the offending vehicle.So my suggestion to you is that you get your eyes checked if you truly beleive there is no deleterious effect to other road users because of your use of high beam.