Riding in the day time - Lights On? Lights Off?

**hXc** · 25th July 2006, 18:33

On all the time. I can turn them off but never do so. Might try the high beam thing during the day tomorrow. A lot of people here seem to do it, might see if it makes a difference.

**yungatart** · 25th July 2006, 19:18

On, always. Don't care if I look like a knob, it's not like anyone can recognise me, I just want to be seen!!

**kiwifruit** · 25th July 2006, 19:37

Always ride with your light on, for your own saftey.

Cars are not looking for you when they pull out of intersections etc.... often a quick glance each way then go. They are looking for cars by default.
Because you have your light on it MIGHT catch their eye and help them see you.
Assume everyone hasn't seen you at all times.
Think "that car WILL pull out on me" instead of "that car might pull out on me"...
If it doesn't you were lucky

But yeah, lights on

Lights off and you will look like a knob

**madmal64** · 25th July 2006, 19:48

I can switch mine on/off. But still they are on. Not high beam though. I personally dont like being dazzled by on coming bikes with the high beam on so Im sure cages feel the same. I do have bloody good lights (twins on low & triple on high) so that heaps for me.

**Macktheknife** · 25th July 2006, 19:50

'You look like a knob' maybe but at least I got your attention!

When riding you really want to be seen as often as possible by as many road users as possible. Lights on full beam really helps to achieve this.
Choose more knowledgeable friends than the first one.
Many people who ride will tell you all kinds of useful information, some of it you may not choose to use. But you should always check the info against what you think is important for the kind of riding you want to do. If you are commuting and want to stay healthy, the lights thing is a great idea and it has been shown to work consistently.
Some people for example have been known to recomend not wearing full leathers/cordura when riding, others who have fallen off or seen the results of falling off without gear will tell you something quite different. You choose what is important to you, keeping your skin intact or having some 'cool' scars to show off.
Welcome to the site btw, enjoy and keep asking questions.

**Oakie** · 25th July 2006, 19:59

If you look like a knob at least it means you've been seen.
Light on dude ... always on.

**mazz1972** · 4th August 2006, 10:42

Gotta always be on - the more you can do to be seen the better. Friend #1 has got to be the knob!

**frogfeaturesFZR** · 4th August 2006, 11:40

On always. Being seen helps keep you alive. Does friend # 1 want your GF or something ? LOL

**far queue** · 4th August 2006, 11:53

Originally Posted by kiwifruit

lights on

Lights off and you will look like a knob

Whenever I see a bike with lights off, I think "what a dick". Lights on, always have done, even when I had a choice.

**skidMark** · 4th August 2006, 12:23

ok heres a fine example got the zxr and just thought twin headlight ill chuck em on low ill be seen as i was used to using low on the gpx cus the battery was a bit buggered for a while and high beam flattened it...long story short....nobody saw me on the zxr for 2 or 3 days constant pull outs infront of me this is even with low beam on.....so think about how invisible you are with no light on...i thought hmm how different is the low to the highbeam from infront(you should do this test yourself and you will be in shock....) i got the bike put the lights on low beam and stood 20 metres back....wtf can hardly see them...flicked to high beam....what a damn difference no wonder they wern't seeing me.....so then i went out with my high beam on and now i am almost always seen the difference in brightnees gets thier attention which is exactly what you want....or else they just pull out...trust me put em on high beam i't's such a difference you will actually notice almost nobody pulls out infront of you...

in saying this you should always be on guard just incase they pull out anyways obviously

theres my 5 oops i mean 10 cents ....5's are no longer in circulation.... thus i gave a long winded reply as value for money...

LOL

Cheers: Mark

**Drum** · 4th August 2006, 12:44

It seems we all agree on something! Who wouldve thunked it!

Mate A is a knob. Lights on. Always on.

**ManDownUnder** · 4th August 2006, 12:46

Always on, but I leave mine on dipped. The RF has a strong enough light and I'm not into pissing people off by blinding them, day or night

**oldrider** · 4th August 2006, 13:04

Try riding with your light turned off and I bet you more people notice you because you have it turned off than will notice you because you have it turned on.
Most of you would make the observation and probably write about it on here.

Go figure! It's all about being seen isn't it?
The only safe way is to ride is like nobody else sees you anyway!

**Squeak the Rat** · 4th August 2006, 13:25

On all the time.

BUT (there's always a but), having your headlight on when it is very bright behind you can make you blend in.

Spend some time observing visibility of cars, objects etc against different light levels. Make up your own mind. Take the red pill to make voice A and B go away....