Running without lights?

[NordieBoy]

well ,,most of us take our riding very serious...
anything to improve saferty is no..1
you will find riding in NZ is probably a bit different to what you are used to
BTW..calling us a pack of softies is probably not a good way to start..
enjoy your ride

I'm going to eventually get my XR250 registered.
All it needs is a horn, brake light, speedo, headlight.
They can even be run off a small battery, total loss style.
Don't need blinkers

[Devil]

.....
It must be cultural thing ......
you can only ride during daylight hours and yes it would be stupid to do otherwise......
When i go out on my bike i cannot remember the last time i used the headlight
unless it was evening or night time.....
......
....and some high vis safety gear when i arrive

It hasn't been explained to you yet, hence why you dont understand.
Motorcycles in NZ dont exist for 95% of the absolutely incompetent, unskilled, ignorant and just generally fucking useless drivers we have here (not limited to just cars).
The most basic defence we have is being seen. That starts with headlights.
We'd love to be able to not have that stuff. But here, on our roads, you're fucking nuts not to have it. You'll realise that pretty quick when you get here.
Hence all the replies wondering what crack you're smoking.

[.produKt]

Well said

[motorbyclist]

It must be cultural thing but there is nothing wrong with running with a daytime only MOT (wof) in the uk.

do you guys have an equivalent to acc over there?

acc is basically govt health insurance that assumes no fault, paid for by taxes/levies.

as such the govt likes to over legislate stuff towards safety to keep costs down, which is ultimately turning the nation soft, and gives people a reason to bitch about others behaving badly... but in the meantime has allowed us to pursure all sorts of downright dangerous behaviour (like motorcross) at no cost as we don't have ridiculous insurance premiums to pay. but, of course this doesn't make it free, as everything govt run is our money, it just shares the cost onto the general populace who generally don't want to be paying the medical care of a prison inmate who broke his leg trying to escape (for example the road bike registration acc levie pays the offroad accidents for some retarded reason)


and of course because acc never finds who was at fault, motorcyclists pay ridiculous levies for acc when the accidents are caused by car drivers, guys doing wheelies, and diesel/gravel spilled on the roads....

still, it's good to know you're covered no-matter what you were doing, and for this rare instance in NZ policy you don't have to be poor and of a minority race to get it. unless there's an insurer who will give similar guaranateed payouts i'm happy to leave it as it is


/rant

[madandy]

at klast nordieboy has come up with a proper reply.
It must be cultural thing but there is nothing wrong with running with a daytime only MOT (wof) in the uk.
you can only ride during daylight hours and yes it would be stupid to do otherwise.
When i go out on my bike i cannot remember the last time i used the headlight
unless it was evening or night time.
I didnt realise kiwi riders were such softies,
oh well i guess i'll have to get myself a nice safe comfy town bike and some high vis safety gear when i arrive

Stupid to ride without a headlight on during the day here mate.
That's highway, byway and in the cities/towns.
Use high beam.
And indicators - not that every one uses them or understands their use, but you'll love our round-a-bouts
They will run you down given half a chance.

[avgas]

I have been told that if the bike came with lights or the bike is younger than 50 years old it must be fitted with lights (including indicators) to comply for WOF. As i have had all sorts of fun for cafe racer / street fighter projects.

[.produKt]

lol yep. High beems, Fluro yellow jacket, hot pink pants with reflector strips etc
There just isn't enough that you can do to safegaurd yourself from evil kiwi cage drivers >_<

Nice post too motorbyclist. +rep

[Ixion]

I have been told that if the bike came with lights or the bike is younger than 50 years old it must be fitted with lights (including indicators) to comply for WOF. As i have had all sorts of fun for cafe racer / street fighter projects.

Indicators you don't need if first rego was pre 1978. Ditto brake lights. Speedo, if pre 1950 (these dates are from memory could be a year out). Not sure about horn, but it can be a rubber bulb type.

Lights is trickier. Official attitude is that bikes (and cars) had to have lights from at least the 20s on (and in most towns from around 1900 on). So your bike should have SOME form of lighting.

However, back in the day the rules were looser. And some lighting (eg acetylene) won't really meet todays standards.

So there is a special exemption option. It requires certification from the Vinatge Car Club (who do bikes too) , that your bike (or car) never had modern lights. Then you get a special WoF for daytime use only. But they look very hard at such applications, to be sure they are genuine, and to satisfy themselves about other stuff . If the vehicle is so old it never had lights, what else does it maybe not have ? (There's another special option for brakes, too, old bikes never had front brakes).

There's also a special exemption for rally vehicles and other competition stuff . Through the motorsport guys.

And some trail type bikes were exempted from the indicator (and, I think, brake light) rules. Specifically listed in the VIRM.

That's it.

can't see the point of wanting a bike without lights. So what are you going to do when you're 300 miles from hoime and twilight is setting in? Have to be a bit of a poser to only go out on fine days and be home with Mummy before dark .

[NordieBoy]

And some trail type bikes were exempted from the indicator (and, I think, brake light) rules. Specifically listed in the VIRM.

Just indicators.

Interesting that the TF125 Mud Bug is exempt.
They still make them

[motorbyclist]

well that would explain why three of my past dirtbikes came with all the road gear bar the indicators....

one even had a rego from '85 still stuck under the seat!

[Padmei]

[QUOTE=
I didnt realise kiwi riders were such softies,

Youre gonna love it here - the beers to cold, all our tradesman are hopeless, everythings overpriced, you can't buy cool niteclubing clothes, we ride like babies & you can't get a good pork pie anywhere. Now still interested in coming...

[Motu]

Sounds like there is not much defensive riding done in NZ anymore - just rely on your lights and everyone will see you.

There was a daytime WoF available a few years ago - was meant for farmers and competition vehicles.But too many people abused the right and it was removed.Your bike might be listed as not requiring indicators Nordie.....but come to the crunch and I don't think it will pass.Too many other rules over ride it.

[NordieBoy]

Your bike might be listed as not requiring indicators Nordie.....but come to the crunch and I don't think it will pass.Too many other rules over ride it.

The local vehicle inspector road leagled his own 1979 XR500 without blinkers and he's been telling me what I need to do

[colsan1]

Hence all the replies wondering what crack you're smoking.

lol yep. High beems, Fluro yellow jacket, hot pink pants with reflector strips etc

Have to be a bit of a poser to only go out on fine days and be home with Mummy before dark .

Youre gonna love it here - the beers to cold, all our tradesman are hopeless, everythings overpriced, you can't buy cool niteclubing clothes, we ride like babies & you can't get a good pork pie anywhere.:

Blimey that shook things up a bit didnt it !!

[NordieBoy]

Blimey that shook things up a bit didnt it !!

Well it's all your fault for asking a question.