Triumphrat

Tbirdnz

For quite a few years now I have always rode with headlights on at all times.

NZ traffic laws will soon make this compulsory.

No problem for my CB1300, they are on all the time, no on/off switch. For my Thunderbird I have to switch them on but I think they are a necessary safety feature to be seen.

However I don't put them on full beam as I have noticed other riders that do so that even during the day whilst they can be seen they are still apt to dazzle on cloudy days. Therefore I ride with them on dip during the day.

Anyone any views about running with headlights on ?


-----------------
Ride on !

miker

It's all about being seen. Headlights on can make you much more visible, but only on dip day and night. Unless the road is clear for high beam of course. I can't remember the year, but all bikes after about 1990 in Australia had to have hard wired headlights on, with just a switch for dip and high beams.

I have to manually switch the Harley lights on, and do so religiously because it's a black bike and I wear mostly black, plus it's quite low and hard to see around a car or van.

There was talk about making headlights on cars here permanent too, but then it would defeat the effect of having a bike's headlight on so I think they canned it.

Mick

__________________


My Album

"We may not be able to change the direction or strength of the wind, but we can always trim our sails"

zadok_oz

It's been a long time since I've had a bike that gives you the option. They all seem to be hard wired on these days. When I had the option, I chose to have them on to be seen.

__________________
'03 Tiger 955i
My Pics: http://www.triumphrat.net/memberalbu...0/ppuser/14275
Ulysses Club # 42613

Marty F

Hudson

I ride with my brights on during the day.

__________________
Where do I tie on my second place trophy?

ChurnDog

I live in the US, so I don't have a choice. My lights are on all the time. During the day I ride with my brights on. I have also considered one of those modulators to make my lights pulse from hi to lo for extra visibility (those are legal in Indiana at least).

mattfromomaha

I have the accessory driving lights on my America along with the headlight on dip just to improve visibility during the day. It amazes me how invisible we really are out there, so anything to improve the odds of being seen is worth it.

I also added the accessory lights because I got thinking of how bad a blown bulb at night in a turn in the middle of nowhere could be...

saphena

Not only do I always ride my bike with dipped headlights on during the day, I drive my car that way as well and have done so for at least the last 35 years.

It's all about increasing my visibility to other road users (in answer to the question I used to get asked - "can't you see without them then?")

In the '70s I used to get flashed a lot with people alerting me to my "forgotten" headlamps but now more and more drivers do it anyway.

In many conditions, particularly country lanes with overhanging trees, bikes and cars can be all but invisible without headlights.

__________________
Bob - Ringer, Iron Butt, not dead yet
Switch to reserve ~120 miles, fuel panic ~150

"Just because you're offended doesn't make you right" Ricky Gervais

Dittos3

I run with the lights on. With the number of times I almost get hit by cagers on their phone/drinking their latte/eating a taco, I do everything short of wearing a clown suit to attract attention to me.

Gob-ny-geay

Although I firmly agree that we should all ride with our headlights on... I don't agree with riding towards oncoming traffic with the high-beams on.

Are you saying you drive your car around with the bright lights on all the time?

__________________
"I found myself homesick for a place I've never been to."

britbike

During they day I have always run on high beam, rather have the motorist getting mad at you then not seeing you