How are LED strips classified under the law?

[Squiggles]

Just fit some like Toto's, they're awesome.

[Gremlin]

They're fitted and working. He got frustrated at times, but hey, he knows my past with lekky stuff, its much better to let someone else at it... (ie, I wired a radar detector into the fuel pump circuit... well, I didn't know how much it used, but evidently more than after a radar detector was plugged in... )

They've even had a good workout. Started around 6.30pm, finished around 9pm... most of the time spent pulling the bike apart and putting it back together again. I think he finally realises how much extra wiring is in the bike. We then sat back and tested them, and they actually perform really well. Very noticeable, and if I lost my headlight, it would actually be an OK backup. On top of this, when stopping in the country at night (swapping gloves etc) night riders will know how hard it is to find your ignition to put the key back in... because its all dark. Lights stay on unless I turn them off... fantastic, easy work finding the ignition now.

Satisfied with our work, testing it over and over, we're both happy, I'm happy I didn't blow something up. Of course, it was well past dinner time, so we popped off to a Wendys to get some food...

... and into a police breath check point. I solely blame GiJoe for this. Evidently his fault. Couple of officers seemed bemused, but nothing more said. After holding up a queue of cars (they wanted the helmets off), and dinner, we went right back through it again, but they waved us through. I left him in peace (or is that pieces) and went back to the office to finish off some work...

... and went through another breath check point in Otara. Definitely GiJoe at work again This officer just about laughed his head off... dunno if he thought I was taking the piss with the lights?

Oh well... now I'm going to go through the same check point to head into the city and do some work... maybe I'll find another check point.

I luffs my forward facing position lamps. Photos to come later, GiJoe has them on his camera.

[Gremlin]

Last time I checked they were classified under "gay" and "rice".

Gosh... didn't see those words in all the laws and regulations I read? Wonder what you are reading. Its not really for showing off. Visibility and backup at night. Perfect for the job.

I'm.

So.

Screwed.

What are you whinging about... so we spilt a thimble of fuel because a line disconnected. No oil on your clothes, you should be ecstatic.

so are you fitting these to the front of the handguards?.I am thinking about tdoing this to the ol beemer which has a marginal electrical for commuting with headlight on,and calling them daylight running lamps,would be pretty easy to wire them via a relay so they would go off if headlamp was turned on .

Yes, the outside of the handguards, on the middle. Mine are forward facing position lamps, which makes them totally legal. Once some pics are up, you'll see for yourself. I'm totally happy with them.

Just fit some like Toto's, they're awesome.

Been thinking about doing something for a while now (as in, over a year). Had strips on my mind for months, after last weeks break in both filaments, I knew I had to sort something. Spots need somewhere to mount, to be honest, I really don't think I have the space, what with GPS, Radar, UHF Radio, heated grips controller, and I still have to figure out somewhere for the heated vest controller thats coming. On top of that, there's power draw, uh, I have a few accessories already. Must chase up KTM about what my alternator can handle... it could be a serious issue.

I run +90 bulbs, so don't actually need spots in corners (headlight being higher than on usual bikes also makes a big difference) and LEDs have a much much smaller power draw.

[Gremlin]

and here's GiJoe's blog with some pics

ignore her naked bits... and she isn't that dirty in real life, silly photos

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/en...katoom-of-doom

[EJK]

V8 Vantage...


Audi R8...


Holden E2...



Now KTM?

[davereid]

Good work.

Anything that makes you more visible has to be a good thing.

If you can't be missed you won't be hit..

or summat.. or maybe not..

glad none of the grey smoke got out of the wires, cos once it gets out they dont work.

[Hinny]

Been reading up, as I reckon having a strip either side on the handguards could be useful. A, increase perception of size of bike to others on road, B, backup for when both filaments in your bulb blow at night (not perfect, but I guarantee better than nothing).

My first answer would be Daytime running lamps, however, the regs are clear they may not operate when dipped or main beam (aka headlamp) is in use.

I used to have spotlights fitted to my Pan. Brilliant at night with 300w of illumination.
The current draw was excessive and so I replaced them with Narva daytime running lights. I went for the oblong ones but they come in same small round format as old spots. Current draw is 0.4w for LEDs cf. 150w for the old spotlights.
They certainly fit the bill with increased perception and as headlight backup.
Rode from Taumaranui to Cold Kiwi, at night, with them as total illumination after blowing headlight fuse. Comparable illumination to dipped beam headlight.
These lamps come pre-wired and satisfy the legislation by dimming when lights switched on.
They give better indication of your presence, day and night.
Keep headlight off during the day hence no tailight running. Stop light becomes much more visible and following traffic is much more aware of your braking action.
Highly recommended.
Headlight only use; bikes tend to get lost with the increasing number of cars, following dumb advice, running headlights during daytime.

[FastBikeGear]

As several previous posters have noted in this thread it is illegal to have both Daytime Running Lights and head lights on at the same time....and of course it is a legal requirement to have your head light on at all time on a motorcycle so it is therefore illegal to have Daytime Running Lights fitted to a motorcycle. yes it is a dumb rule!

As someone has also pointed out you are allowed 'Position Lamps and headlights on at the same time. We import, distribute and market the very popular BikeVis Bullet positioning lamps.

For people who want to know more about the legality of 'Positioning Lamps' visit the relevant section on the LTSA web site here.

Of course forward facing lights must be white or amber and lights other than your indicators are not allowed to flash. Blue lights are illegal - of course what is blue and what is white is a little debatable as many modern car lights have a fairly blue tinge to them.

The new 2nd Gen BikeVis bullet Positioning Lamps are twice as bright as the 1st Gen BikeVis Bullets and the light is an intense white with a very faint blue tinge.

Because the laws are confusing and not written specifically for bikes how they might be interpreted by different law officers and testing stations is no doubt a little variable, but so far none of our customers has encountered any legal hassles with the very popular BikeVis Bullets Positioning Lamps.

[Subike]

I initially thought this, until I found the piece which determined the difference between categories. Mandatory and permitted equipment, Section 2:
One or two lamps may be fitted to:
a) a motorcycle that does not exceed 1.5 m in width
b) a motorcycle first registered in New Zealand before 1 January 1978 that does not exceed 2 m in width.

oooh! I read that as exceeds 1.5m (ie, a wide bike...). They must be fitted to a bike exceeding 1.5m, may be fitted to a bike not exceeding 1.5m.

Trikes are classified as motor bikes, dont forget them .
a single headlamp lit trike without width markers could be a very dangerous animal to approach in the dark,
its rear wheels will jump out and bite you when you least expect it.
because you thought it was just a narrow bike , from seeing one headlight.

this is also the reason its a PIA when someone operates their car with a blown headlamp.
can also be mistaken for a bike,

[Marmoot]

Daytime running lamps, however, the regs are clear they may not operate when dipped or main beam (aka headlamp) is in use.

Say what??

Edit: oh, ok, Daytime Running Lights != Position Lights.
I must've been thinking of Position Lights instead. Sorry, nothing to see, carry on.

I guess LED Strips can be classified as position lights too?

[Gremlin]

Say what??

Edit: oh, ok, Daytime Running Lights != Position Lights.
I must've been thinking of Position Lights instead. Sorry, nothing to see, carry on.

I guess LED Strips can be classified as position lights too?

Haven't read back through the thread, but iirc, even cops were commenting on the laws being a bit silly. Basically (excluding specific regs) it comes down to what you call the lights. Position lamps and daytime running lamps are quite similar in their makeup.

I have LED strips on my handguards on the BMW, I class them as forward facing position lamps. It will go through a WOF within the week, and I can report back then. After previous talks already with the guys at VTNZ, they did need to double check the manual as they weren't used to that setup, but said yes, it's fine.

[scumdog]

As several previous posters have noted in this thread it is illegal to have both Daytime Running Lights and head lights on at the same time....and of course it is a legal requirement to have your head light on at all time on a motorcycle so it is therefore illegal to have Daytime Running Lights fitted to a motorcycle. yes it is a dumb rule!

As someone has also pointed out you are allowed positioning lamps and headlights on at the same time. We import, distribute and market the very popular BikeVis Bullet positioning lamps.

For people who want to know more about the legality of 'Positioning Lamps' visit the relevant section on the LTSA web site here.

I would like somebody to tell me what exactly constitutes a marking or a running or a daytime running light, what is the legal difference between them?.

Is there some form of description or is it based on their position or???

[FastBikeGear]

I would like somebody to tell me what exactly constitutes a marking or a running or a daytime running light, what is the legal difference between them?.

Is there some form of description or is it based on their position or???

From the LTSA web site:

"Position lamps are low wattage lamps on the front and rear of vehicles that show the outline of the vehicle. They are also known as ‘park lights’, ‘side lights’ and in the case or rear position lamps, ‘tail lights’."

"Daytime running lamps are optional lamps fitted to the front of a vehicle to make it easier to see in daylight. They have a low light output and are not bright enough to illuminate the road ahead of the vehicle."

So that is now perfectly clear, yeah right!

The key defining thing seems to be what you choose to describe them as and where they are positioned. Positioning lights are supposed to show the outline of the vehicle , so if you stick them directly under your headlight instead it may be hard to claim they are Position Lights.

The reality is that Steven Joyce didn't consider the requirement to have Motorcycle head lights on during the day when the legislation was introduced for Daytime Running Lights. Look I am not saying he is an idiot....it's just he does the same kind of things as an idiot.

[nzspokes]

As several previous posters have noted in this thread it is illegal to have both Daytime Running Lights and head lights on at the same time....and of course it is a legal requirement to have your head light on at all time on a motorcycle so it is therefore illegal to have Daytime Running Lights fitted to a motorcycle. yes it is a dumb rule!

As someone has also pointed out you are allowed 'Position Lamps and headlights on at the same time. We import, distribute and market the very popular BikeVis Bullet positioning lamps.

For people who want to know more about the legality of 'Positioning Lamps' visit the relevant section on the LTSA web site here.

Of course forward facing lights must be white or amber and lights other than your indicators are not allowed to flash. Blue lights are illegal - of course what is blue and what is white is a little debatable as many modern car lights have a fairly blue tinge to them.

The new 2nd Gen BikeVis bullet Positioning Lamps are twice as bright as the 1st Gen BikeVis Bullets and the light is an intense white with a very faint blue tinge.

Because the laws are confusing and not written specifically for bikes how they might be interpreted by different law officers and testing stations is no doubt a little variable, but so far none of our customers has encountered any legal hassles with the very popular BikeVis Bullets Positioning Lamps.

I had seen your website and had been thinking of those. Is it the same legally for the rear? Had been thinking of fitting same to my top box.

[Gremlin]

I would like somebody to tell me what exactly constitutes a marking or a running or a daytime running light, what is the legal difference between them?.

Is there some form of description or is it based on their position or???

There is operation (DRL can't operate at same time as low or high beam) and position, but essentially, from reading the VIRM, there isn't a difference. Both include clauses in the event the lights take the form of LEDs (75% must be operational). Neither are specifically defined either (how far they can throw light, etc).

The only annoying thing is that inevitably at some point the rules will be more clearly defined, and suddenly you have to obey the new regs, even though you complied with the old ones fine.

I only use my positioning lamps when stationary at night, to give me light around the bike (and safety for approaching vehicles), but others may use them during normal riding.