Daytime Running Lights

**Legolas** · 2nd November 2006, 19:59

Hadn't considered the cynic's view; it's economy of manufacture rather than safety that's the reason for having no off wsitch for the headlight. Having seen inside the switchgear on my bike I find it difficult to believe they could make it any cheaper!

Look at the bigger picture. If you can save £10 (Sorry don't what the NZ rate would be) on one vehicle. It adds up when your manufacturing 20,000 or more. Manufacturers are only in it for the profit.

**RnB Fan** · 2nd November 2006, 20:09

My lights hardwired on the minute I turn the key. Even if it wasn't I was taught to ride with the headlight on all the time. Touch wood I havn't been skittled yet so maybe it works - or maybe I just ride like a nanna!!

**Fatjim** · 2nd November 2006, 20:21

Originally Posted by Legolas

Look at the bigger picture. If you can save £10 (Sorry don't what the NZ rate would be) on one vehicle. It adds up when your manufacturing 20,000 or more. Manufacturers are only in it for the profit.

Mate, if you're going to populate a kiwi site, at least have the common fn decency to learn the exchange rate. It's 5 to 1 ok!

**sunhuntin** · 2nd November 2006, 20:28

when i had my ginny, i tried riding with the lights on full for a day or so, but then a biking buddy of mine complained it was too bright in his mirrors.
the virago they are hardwired on, and also has hazard lights [which i love]

**Pixie** · 2nd November 2006, 22:41

Originally Posted by Legolas

Look at the bigger picture. If you can save £10 (Sorry don't what the NZ rate would be) on one vehicle. It adds up when your manufacturing 20,000 or more. Manufacturers are only in it for the profit.

Most of our bikes are Aussie market models and in Aus daytime lights are compulsory

**Legolas** · 3rd November 2006, 01:45

Mate, if you're going to populate a kiwi site, at least have the common fn decency to learn the exchange rate. It's 5 to 1 ok!

Whoops.

Sorry Fatjim. Didn't mean to offend.
I'll do my homework next time.

**Bob** · 3rd November 2006, 03:23

Originally Posted by Fatjim

Mate, if you're going to populate a kiwi site, at least have the common fn decency to learn the exchange rate. It's 5 to 1 ok!

If you are going to be pedantic... as of 15:12PM, Greenwich Mean Time, the official exchange rate is GBP 1 = NZD 2.837 (also using ISO currency symbols so as not to have any confusion)!

I've been loosely following the whole AHO issue over here in the UK for years. As far as I can tell, no matter how many times a trial is run, the benefits or otherwise of AHO never seem to be proven. But it is suggested in the Highway Code that bikes run with headlights on (can't recall if it mentions running with dipped beam, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did) - and bearing in mind the Highway Code can and is called upon in legal matters, it makes sense to do so.

I'd not ride with full beam unless the road merited. Blinding a driver in front isn't going to make them very "onside" with you... and remember, there are a lot of car drivers out there that get drawn to a light like a moth to a flame! I know it happens fairly often that I am filtering... only to find a car start to wander towards my position as they've looked up, seen the light and started moving in the direction they're looking.

As someone else mentioned above, there is a suggestion that headlights in the daytime make distance perception more difficult. That said, I'd rather they see a light and then have to think about how far away it is than to see nothing at all.

Personally, I have always ridden with lights on dipped, as I was taught this when I started riding over a decade back. Of course, I have no option now, as the ER-6f is AHO anyway.

The big concern at the moment is about all vehicles being forced into AHO. So any benefit of bikes running with lights on is lost. Without being able to look at that original link at the moment, the fear is that you're running with a single light, you move into a position where a truck is behind you, with one of it's lights directly behind yours... and you become effectively invisible.

This one will run and run... but I'm pretty sure from the biking lobby the issue has moved from "Why should bikes run lights on in daytime" to "We don't want other vehicles to run with lights on in daytime". Interesting shift of position, no matter what any benefit or otherwise there may be for us riding with daytime lights.

**What?** · 3rd November 2006, 05:09

Originally Posted by Pixie

Most of our bikes are Aussie market models and in Aus daytime lights are compulsory

More to the point, hard-wired lights is a Merkin requirement. By giving us all the same, the factories only have to produce one wiring loom, and that is where the cost savings are (not in eliminating the on/off switch).

Oh, and Aussie repealed the lights-on law. But there might be plans to repeal the repealing act. Or something (I think Oz politics are actually worse than ours!)

**Hawkeye** · 3rd November 2006, 05:25

Originally Posted by Fatjim

Mate, if you're going to populate a kiwi site, at least have the common fn decency to learn the exchange rate. It's 5 to 1 ok!

Shit, where can I get that exchange rate?

**Hawkeye** · 3rd November 2006, 05:31

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

The MOT trialled daytime lights on patrol bikes in the 80's. But it's a bit hard to know if they work on a cop bike.
But, this morning alone I had three fuckwits move to pull out in front of me until they realised the bright glowing high beam was attached to a bike.

Maybe we should try blue flashing lights. Everyone seems to see them

**Bob** · 3rd November 2006, 08:36

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Maybe we should try blue flashing lights. Everyone seems to see them

If you want to be noticed over here, ride a white bike with a big fairing, wear a yellow reflective jacket, a white helmet with a black stripe round it. Oh and red-yellow reflective tape on panniers etc.

Without going as far as blue lights and having "POLICE" written on the side (which gets you arrested), that should make sure you are noticed by everyone!

And yes, you do see people do this...

**Ixion** · 3rd November 2006, 08:54

Works for me.

**ManDownUnder** · 3rd November 2006, 08:59

Originally Posted by -df-

Don't know about the GN250 but riding with your headlight on full is a real pain in the ass to other drivers (not to mention illegal)...its one of those things that really pisses me off.

Yup - what he said.

**ManDownUnder** · 3rd November 2006, 09:03

Originally Posted by Bob

Without going as far as blue lights and having "POLICE" written on the side (which gets you arrested), that should make sure you are noticed by everyone!

LMAO... you'd think so anyway.

Slight digression but tootling up the NW last night there a bike cop heading up the bus/emergency lane, lights on... not too fast but making good progress and lo... the bus ahead of him decides "ugger this - I'll use the bus lane!"

He obviously didn't bother checking to see who he's about to run over and I'm sure it was only some emergency the cop was attending the prevented the fuckwit behind the wheel of the bus getting ticketed.

Bykey or Nod - or anyone else for that matter... if you need to know... it's a bus either PS3615 or TS3615 (unsure of the first letter, the rest is 100% accurate).

I'll be happy to hear the idiot behind the wheel has been dealt with.
MDU

Al · 3rd November 2006, 12:00

Always ride and drive with headlights on low beam during the day. In town, car lights are off, but as soon as I get onto the highway, lights on dim beam.
Bike lights are on all the time because they are hardwired to be like that.

If people don't like it, tough, at least they see you!

Al

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