riding with lights on or off

[marty]

Over the weeknd i saw heaps of bikes out riding during the day without their headlights on. Big cruisers are the most noticeable to do this. Who is for/against this? I have adjusted the headlights in my gixxer so that they run on high beam all the time, but in a low (dipped) position. I reckon it makes a huge difference to cage driver's perception of how close/big/fast you are. If i turn off my lights during the day i always have people pulling out in front of me/not getting out of my way gggrrrrrrrrr

[jrandom]

I suppose this would be limited to bikes that don't come with the lights hard-wired on with the ignition. Given that most cruisers are stuck in the 50s, style and technology-wise, your observations are probably apropos.

As you pointed out, there's a good reason why most bikes come with always-on lights these days, which is that a big bright light tends to make things more noticeable.

You've adjusted the headlight aim on your bike? What do you do when you need a 'real' high beam? Twisty back roads at night, etc? And doesn't the WOF require certain pointy-direction headlight levels at low and high beam settings?

Pisses me off when I see bikes riding around with their high beams on. It's *still* too bloody bright to have right in your eyes when you're coming t'other way.

[SpankMe]

Like most new bikes, my lights can't be turned off. In Oz, it's the law to ride during the day with your lights on and since we are lumped in with them we get OZ spec'd bikes.

But I always ride during the day with my lights on high beam because cage drivers are blind to bikes.

[jrandom]

Originally posted by SpankMe
But I always ride during the day with my lights on high beam because cage drivers are blind to bikes.

Ah, so *you're* one of the evil ones! It blindses us, precious, nasssty bright lights...

Actually, TBH... it's only when on the bike that I've noticed high-beams on other bikes. So the effect on cage drivers is most likely entirely positive.

[mangell6]

A rider who does not have their bike lights on has to have a lot of faith in other vehicles seeing them. How many times have you heard "I never saw the bike!" and known that a fellow rider was down.

Years ago I nearly killed a guy on a bike as I never saw him, I pulled out on to the main road after looking and then made a split decision not to turn right at the next intersection 10m later. The significance is that this was the first time in months that I had NOT turned right. He abused me as he went past less than an arms lenth away (at least it seemed that close) and rightly so. Still to this day I have no idea if he had is light on.

IMNSHO your odds of having an accident with another vehicle are increased astronomically if you don't have your lights on.

I know that wkid_1 has his lights on full beam, really blinded me as he crested a corner but I saw him.

I ride with lights on dip during the day, however on really bright days or heavy traffic in summer the lights are on highbeam. The Mount is really bad for blind people in the summer and I really keep a careful watch.

Even in the car I have the lights on during 'gloomy' or rainy days, purely based on the premise that people are taught to "steer" a vehicle not to "drive" a vehicle.

Mike

[Lee Rusty]

lights on is a good idea - lights on full is not.

[merv]

1973 was the year I remember the lights on campaign started and I have always ridden on-road with the lights on since. If I remember rightly they used a brightly coloured poster of a Yamaha 200 twin at the time. Now I ride off-road with my lights on too, because my DR250R is like my VFR and you can't turn the lights off.

Lights on low beam is the way to go because there is no point pissing people off using high beam in the face of oncoming traffic.

Riding in groups the guys that I think are silly are the ones who have those dicky systems with their indicators wired to be on all the time. They think it helps to be seen and they leave their headlight off - wrong!! The problem with using any lights like that is they give a bad perception of the distance they are away and are a pain to oncoming traffic and if they approach from behind, as they look so weak in your mirrors. Its is a similar problem to the dicks that drive their cars with the parking lights on. As it gets darker it looks like they are a car miles away and can lead to others passing and facing them head on when they shouldn't be. If they read a road code ever in their lives they would know that the rule is to drive with dipped headlights or high beam when there is no oncoming traffic or you are not following someone. Nowhere does it say that it is legal to drive with parking lights on.

A decent headlight is all you need to be seen from a distance.

[jrandom]

Originally posted by Lee Rusty
lights on is a good idea - lights on full is not.

[Nitpicking git mode]

As you can see from my posts above, I agree, but perhaps you'd like to back up your declarative statement with relevant reasoning?

Arguments by assertion do not a discussion forum make.

[/NGM]

[DeanOh]

Originally posted by SpankMe
But I always ride during the day with my lights on high beam because cage drivers are blind to bikes.

Me too. Especially since the SV's only use one headlight for lowbeam (2 for high).
Rather be visible than dead.

[Coldkiwi]

as I do more than my share of lane splitting, I have an indicator flashing and headlight on full beam when going past cars... when you're at close quarters and along side, it lines the lights up nicely with their bleary eyes (ha ha) and many of them seem to spot me which is all good.

I personally think 'hardwiring' the indicators to the headlight is a good idea. I've found that arrangement to be particularly noticable on other bikes. its an unusual lighting arrangement that gets your attention and at night gives you the clear indication that its not just a car with one headlight out. But never would i consider having the main headlight off, day or night.

[Sharkey]

I remember reading a letter to the editor by some fool of a cage driver moaning about other cars driving with their lights on, and how distracting it is. Seems to me that the more "distracting" it is the better, especially on a bike. Therefore I am a firm believer in lights on. Of course that didn't help much when a chump ran a red in front of me.

I also agree with Coldkiwi that hard wired indicators are very attention grabbing, and thus good.

Maybe a new innovation could be lighting bikes up like trucks - fairy lights glittering away. How pretty.

[Slim]

Originally posted by merv
1973 was the year I remember the lights on campaign started and I have always ridden on-road with the lights on since.

Hmmm. Showing your age a bit there, Merv!!!


I've always ridden with lights on, but I have no idea who started me on that one.

The lights get turned on on my c@r as soon as I leave city limits, rain or shine too.

[wkid_one]

Remember tho - that with your lights on highbeam - it is harder for a car driver to judge your speed!!!

[Motu]

I ride with my lights on because it saves the regulator/altenator.

I disagree with those who put their lights on and then ''think'' that car drivers can see them - you stupid fuck! that's the way to kill youself! Doesn't matter if you have your lights on full beam and air horns going with full eye contact - the dickhead can still pull out on you!

Put your lights on to save the electrics - not to protect yourself...YOU do that!

[RiceBurner]

If anyone rides near me on a bike with full beams......


I WILL PUNCH THEIR LIGHTS OUT!!!

it does NOTHING for your safety, in fact it can disguise your actual appearance and approach speed, PLUS it can irritate car drivers far more than is necessary.

If I see a bike in heavy traffic - eg riding through the London Rush Hour with Full beams on - I WILL STOP HIM AND HAVE WORDS!

It's akin to riding around with your horn FULL ON ALL THE TIME - ie - BLOODY IRRITATING and totally unnecessary if you're riding properly.

If you think you need lights on to help your safety - then you NEED to improve your observation and hazard awareness skills. the ONLY person you can rely on to keep you safe is YOU!!


Also - think about this - if you're coming over a crest with the sun behind you, and you have your lights on - what do you think can be seen of you??? absolutely nothing - all a car driver at the junction ahead can see is light - lots and lots of light. Without a headlight on you stand a chance of casting your silhouette forwards and thus being seen.




sorry - didn't set out to rant today, but it's something that really pisses me off.