64 replies to this topic

[Frajt]

Why not just switch on your main beam if you insist on blinding other motorists?

 

It is interesting how bikers run bright lights and loud exhausts with the excuse to emphasise their road presence, but if EU law suggests modest hi-viz requirements and improved rider training for exactly the same reason then we all flock together in protest against such unprecedented injustice.

 

Properly fitted daytime running lights should not blind other motorists but provide a bigger wider light source to increase visibility to others........

 

For the record my exhausts are stock, I regularly wear hi-viz and I'm a member of the local IAM bike group...........

[apw99]

If you don't feel comfortable riding your bike without excessively bright lights, then you (and fellow road-users) are probably better off by doing some advanced riding training.
Trust me, even when using blue lights on a fully marked, flipping huge emergency bike, plenty people fiddling with their phones, satnavs, radio, or passengers still won't notice you when they should. Other tactics, like road positioning, recognising-, prioritising and preparing for dangers will keep you much safer and will cause less irritation and additional risks to other road users- which could make people be more helpful next time you filter through traffic. Mind you, even the EU-idiots making pointless regulations for bikers wll have less execuses to do so if we behave more sophisticated as a species of road-users.

Even (or should I say: especially?) if you think you have been riding forever and there is nothing to improve, you will be surprised what relatively simple hints and tips could make riding safer AND more fun. Why not have a try at your local IAM or RoSPA group? They are a lovely bunch, and it could save your life.

 

Hi - I've noticed when this topic comes up that you have a strong opposition to running lights. I completely agree that training, hi-viz, road-positioning, white lids all add up and help preserve our little bits where we like them. However from the 100 drivers who 'nearly' pull out on me and all of these mitigation's you list may save me from 99 of those incidents, there is still that one where running lights just might do the trick. Running lights are cheap, easy to fit and make a difference. Every G2G I have been to people have commented how my bike is really visible yet not offensive, I conclude that running lights work. 95% of my biking is done solo so i don't feel i ever 'hide' fellow riders behind me. Everyone to their own i suppose...thats my cut on it 

Cheers

APW

[drumwrecker]

A long while back when the police were running BMW R80's they had two outer white lights and another behind the screen at the bottom making a triangle of white lights. They were bright but didn't glare so it was easy to position the bike on its approach. Also the triangle could be a good identifier of a bike. I'm really surprised it hasn't been taken up. Mind you at that time daytime headlights weren't compulsary as manufacturers make them now so all you saw were these three lights.

Edited by drumwrecker, 10 February 2013 - 08:05 pm.

[ChrisG]

I'm a big fan of the triangle idea.  A single bike light easily gets lost among car lights.  The double lights on the Mk1 show up better but some people claim double bike lights can look like a car further away.  IMO the triangle for headlight and a pair of running lights fitted lower down the bike makes the bike stand out against car lights a lot better.  However dazzling is the last thing you want to do as it makes it very difficult for whoever's looking at you to judge distance.

[Stratman]

It's quite simple really - if you like DRLs, fit them, if you feel they are the devil's work, don't. I am IAM trained and been out on police rides and have DRLs on mine, not that I think motorists are going to pull out on me (in fact, this seldom happens) as I ride defensively. However, I have noticed that cars move over more readily now when I am behind as the slightly blue "twinkle" of the DRLs (which aren't bright enough to dazzle) catches their attention. That has to be a good thing.

Also, we, as bikers, tend not to like being told what to do (re hi-viz, etc) but by nature tend to like to tinker and customise.

[dmmsta]

It's quite simple really - if you like DRLs, fit them, if you feel they are the devil's work, don't. I am IAM trained and been out on police rides and have DRLs on mine, not that I think motorists are going to pull out on me (in fact, this seldom happens) as I ride defensively. However, I have noticed that cars move over more readily now when I am behind as the slightly blue "twinkle" of the DRLs (which aren't bright enough to dazzle) catches their attention. That has to be a good thing.

Also, we, as bikers, tend not to like being told what to do (re hi-viz, etc) but by nature tend to like to tinker and customise.

I've got some to fit so my question is...

 

Where did you fit yours.  I'm assuming on the frame where the crash bungs go at a guess as this seems to be the most sensible place.

 

 

Ta in advance.

[TDMTAM]

mine are mounted to the underside of my R&G crash bungs.

TAM

[tdm850rider]

A while back I saw a bike with running lights mounted as above below a single round headlamp and it's visibility (even during the daytime) was outstanding.

I think the triangle arrangement, being so unusual, is instantly noticed.

[Stratman]

I've got some to fit so my question is...

 

Where did you fit yours.  I'm assuming on the frame where the crash bungs go at a guess as this seems to be the most sensible place.

 

 

Ta in advance.

 

I only have the mini LEDs with the self adhesive backing. I drilled through the side panels and stuck them there (only an ickle hole) and soldered bullet connectors on to the wires so I can disconect them when removed the side panels. Took the feed from a separate junction board I had made up (having seen similar on here) with a relay switched by the sidelight, although a relay isn't strictly needed with these.

[TDMTAM]

A while back I saw a bike with running lights mounted as above below a single round headlamp and it's visibility (even during the daytime) was outstanding.

I think the triangle arrangement, being so unusual, is instantly noticed.

 

Like this Thomas

This was taken when I had the HID dipped beam as well.

TAM

Edited by TDMTAM, 11 February 2013 - 09:25 pm.

[tdm850rider]

Exactly! Sticks out like a sore thumb doesn't it?

[drumwrecker]

I think a lot a motorcyclists confuse seeing and being seen when it comes to safety, so two different types of light are required.

Some LED's are no good for seeing with but can be seen from a long distance so should be ideal if in a circular group of say 3" in diameter. Two of those just below a dipped headlamp or even better the parking light would be ideal. 

Carpe Groupe's light look as they are ideal for seeing down some country lane in the dead of noght but annoying to other road users.

[NEUK]

Considering buying some other lights as just realised how poor my TDM 900 2005 one is! I know little about lighting , wattage etc and how much the battery can take, how to wire it and what to etc but I want some substantial lights to attach to my engine bars so I can see where Im going at night on B roads AND can be seen

 

I have spotted these (below). Anyone any comments on these or have them fitted?

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1438.l2649

 

or

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1438.l2649

[Pict]

[quote name="NEUK" post="282781" timestamp="1380999885"]
 
I have spotted these (below). Anyone any comments on these or have them fitted?
 

Better to go for CREE technology LED units than bulbs - use less power. See e.g. Bikevis (www.bikevis.com) for both see and be seen lights.

Edited by Pict, 05 October 2013 - 11:37 pm.

[JBX]

I'd like to fit those (third) kind of lights :

 

[ChrisG]

You'd need a 5 tone horn to go with those,

[NEUK]

would the Cree ones be as bright? I see many talk about how some 'draw power'   Is there a maximum wattage (above are 55w) that can be used on a bike so that they dont cause issues with the electrics? ohms,amps,volts,watts.....................?????????????????????????????? I hated this subject at school 

[Pict]

http://www.bikevis.c...msg2198#msg2198

Cree Duallys auxiliaries put out 1600 lumens at only 20 watts:

[Latestarter]

QUOTE(Snikkeren @ Sun 30th Sep 2012, 22:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi. Recently I've been thinking of visibility, and think some daytime running lights might be the way to go. I want the lights to be small, but bright. I saw these on Ebay:http://www.ebay.co.u...ht_11990wt_1024Has anyone tried these? Are they any good?I like the way they are mounted.I've got two pairs of these exact DRL's sitting on my desk, to be installed on our bikes soon. I got some 25mm and 30mm right angle brackets from a local hardware store to install them with. They'll be weird up via Eastern Beaver switched fuses which they'll share with Motrax heated grips.These lights will need to be fitted at an angle of about 45 degree. I just went out at night to check the beam shape and it's quite wide. They're bright too, they'll make your first glow red if you choose your fingers over the lens. Angle them too high and Mr Plod might object.The price on your Ebay link seems a bit high, I'm sure ours were much cheaper than that... You'll see them listed as DRL and reverse lights, they also have amber ones. search for 'projector LED'.

AzzA, I've just bought some similar to these, how did you wire them in mate...

[GARAGEHERMIT]

think you should stick to driving your car if your that frightened while riding a motorcycle that is'nt lit up like a christmas tree,,

 

http://www.visordown...ough/23616.html

 

this show's even with sirens and flashing light's car's still dont see them, so it's down to your riding skill's to stay out of trouble,

Edited by GARAGEHERMIT, 07 October 2013 - 10:20 pm.