do CHP bikes turn off their headlights?

it seems like I've seen some without headlights burning. do they have
an on/off switch for that?

what year was it that "ignition ON == headlight ON" became a DOT
requirement for new bikes?

Ken

 

yes the RT/P's have an on-off switch for the headlights. you can
actually order a so-called Euro-switch for other BMW's but I don't think
it's legal for highway use.

http://www.cbtimports.com/tol61312306178PIAA.jpg

-Bill

 

They are 'exempt'.

--
muddy

Testing the limits of gravity since 1947.

icq - 219328929

 

So if you see a bike coming up fast behind you w/o a headlight during
the day, it'll be a CHP?

what about for the rest of us?

 

heh

It happened to me. It was actually a Santa Clara Deputy on Lawrence
Expy. It could be an older HD too, I have seen them sans headlight.

I *think* older bikes are exempt. I don't think the rest of us are. You
could write Friction Zone and ask the copper.

--
muddy

Testing the limits of gravity since 1947.

icq - 219328929

 

Thanks for posting that, 'woof.

The goal was for us to have our headlights "on" while driving on the street.
I don't object to that, but they could have simply required that we turn them
"on" rather than forcing them "on" merely because our ignition switches are
"on."

I would like to be able to turn my ignition switch "on" and not have the
headlights on, as, for example, when I'm working on the bike, warming it up
prior to departure, or even parked in a driveway (private property), waiting
for someone.

Another example of the Legislature doing our thinking for us.


Dave S.

1996 FLHR-I Road King

BS#146, DOF#181, NEWT#4, KOTOR#1, SENS, CVNS G&W

 

Are all those acronyms supposed to impress someone?

notbob

 

Different bikes implement this requirement differently. My 1989
Virago turned on the headlight as soon as the ignition switch was on.
The 1982 doesn't turn on the headlight until the motor turns over (but
doesn't turn it off until the ignition is switched off).

I recall visiting a friend in Oregon in the mid-70s, and learning from
him that the state had a law requiring daylight use of headlights by
motorcycles. I wouldn't have known it otherwise, so I guess the
automatic lights-on does serve some purpose for the driver. I
understand that some autos are now similarly equipped, though I'm not
sure whether laws require that or not.

Rich, Urban Biker

 

My Jimmy has day-time running lights, they can be disabled if desired. I
do not know of a law in the US that requires them. I think Canada does
tho.

--
muddy

Testing the limits of gravity since 1947.

icq - 219328929

 

Dave Schultheis wrote:

Yep. When speaking of this kind of thing I've been known to use the
phrase "It's because of lard-assed legislators who think they know how
to ride my bike better than I do."

 

The DRL's on cars don't turn on the taillights, just the headlights.
And there's still a switch to turn on the "real" headlights, including
tail and instrument lights. And the DRL comes on only when the vehicle is
ready to roll - in gear and parking brake off. The lack of instrument
lights in the day reminds the driver to turn the lights on at night.

A letter writer to the latest BMW Owner's News claims that he noticed a
lot more cages stopping short behind his bike (an older one with a light
switch) when he started to drive with the lights on. His conclusion is
that having the tailight on in the day reduces the visual impact of the
brake light coming on. There's more to this than BDC's.

And natch', always-on bike headlights come with always-on tailights too.

The car DRL system would work well on a bike.


Ted Crum
Oakland CA
1988 K75c