View Full Version : Lights or No lights
GeneticBubble
09-05-09, 10:43 AM
So i've just been out a little ride, and as i pull in to the garage my dad starts complaining about my lights not being on, my argument is that look how bright it is out! you don't really need your lights on, his reply was go on any of the forums they all ride with lights on all the time...
so thats what i did, so do you lot ride with lights on all the time? or off when its bright out?
Kilted Ginger
09-05-09, 10:52 AM
Always on. Anything that increases the slim chance of a cager actually noticing me is a bonus.
husky03
09-05-09, 10:58 AM
+1
On my curvy S I have the little light on all the time. People seem to pull out on me less rather than being fully lit up.
phil24_7
09-05-09, 11:12 AM
I can't turn mine off (I have the better pointy version you see!), and that's the way I like it. :-D
Listen to your old man, he's been around a damn site longer than you, so probably has some useful advice! ;-)
Absolutely..... always on.
Can't turn 'em off on most modern bikes, and there's a good reason for that :-)
On by default. I like it like that.
So i've just been out a little ride, and as i pull in to the garage my dad starts complaining about my lights not being on, my argument is that look how bright it is out! you don't really need your lights on, his reply was go on any of the forums they all ride with lights on all the time...
so thats what i did, so do you lot ride with lights on all the time? or off when its bright out?
Been riding with lights on permanently since 1981 and not had anywhere nea as many people pull out on me in the years since then as I did in the three years I rode with them off.
always have my lights on and because my curvy lights arent very bright i put mine on ful beam in the daytime for extra visability.
chomps
on - always.
even just to park it in the shed... :rolleyes:
Tiger 55
09-05-09, 12:23 PM
Mr Suzuki doesn't think I'm capable of turning them on and off, so always on :-(
If it was down to me though I'd use them the same as the lights in the car. But there again I wouldn't always wear a helmet if it was down to me so perhaps best to look elsewhere for safety advice.
Speedy Claire
09-05-09, 12:29 PM
My lights are always on and I can`t turn them off but even if I could I wouldn`t.
The way I look at it is it must be safer to ride with them on else Suzuki wouldn`t have changed the bike to have lights on permanently.
BigFootIsBlurry
09-05-09, 12:32 PM
Always on, doesn't stop people pulling out on me though
appollo1
09-05-09, 12:47 PM
always on no matter what time of day
pointy so always on. Does annoy me that there's no switch - if i'm doing maintenance i quite often want the ignition on with the engine stopped, and i can't do this without draining the battery.
GeneticBubble
09-05-09, 01:15 PM
:smt075 seems like my dad was right all along then.
:smt075 seems like my dad was right all along then.
my dad has that habit too. Annoying init?
metalangel
09-05-09, 01:32 PM
Always on (pointy), on my CB500 they could be turned off but always had 'em on too. Car doesn't have running lights but drive a fair bit with them on as well, and previous car was a Volvo which always has 'em on.
The garage I used to take the SV to used to always turn the lights off.
Luckily other bikers would always point this out to me. Which is handy at 6am in December!
yorkie_chris
09-05-09, 02:05 PM
Guess I'm the odd one out then. Lights on might help, but there's always the risk of it looking like you've flashed someone if you go over a little bump.
I choose whether to use my lights or not according to the conditions.
BigFootIsBlurry
09-05-09, 02:26 PM
The garage I used to take the SV to used to always turn the lights off.
Luckily other bikers would always point this out to me. Which is handy at 6am in December!
Surely the fact that you couldn't see where you were going gave it away first?
Always on. Anything that increases the slim chance of a cager actually noticing me is a bonus.
+1
Sid Squid
09-05-09, 03:06 PM
There are circumstances in which you are more visible without lights, few it's true but they do exist.
Even though the UK has no specific daytime headlight requirement the manufacturers have adopted the legislation that requires most Euro-zone countries to have daytime lights on bikes, simply it's a cost-cutting exercise as they're now not making two different electrical systems for the UK and elsewhere. To those who think it must be safer as newer bikes have no option, or think it must be so because Suzuki removed the off possibility it ain't necessarily so.
Viva the option - mine are usually on, but not always as it isn't always best.
Note also that the Euro legislation for cars from, (I think), 2011 onwards will require daytime lights with no option too - so any benefit you may now have by using daytime lights will be severly reduced as yours will be lost in a sea of lights from other vehicles.
phil24_7
09-05-09, 04:28 PM
Guess I'm the odd one then.
Edited for you! ;-)
its is illegal to switch the lights off on bikes with them wired to stay on permanently
Mr Speirs
09-05-09, 05:59 PM
I always ride with no lights. For the same reason as YC. Would rather assume nobody has seen me and ride accordingly than ride with my lights on and inadvertanly appear to flash someone.
Personal choice really.
As far as modifying bikes that have been wired permenantly on, are you sure it's illegal? So can you not put a pointy on a daytime MOT???
I always ride with no lights. For the same reason as YC. Would rather assume nobody has seen me and ride accordingly than ride with my lights on and inadvertanly appear to flash someone.
Personal choice really.
Seems a sensible idea, mine are always on because thats how the bike comes and I cant be arsed pulling out the plug then putting it in again when it gets dark.
But I know of two people who have been knocked off because somebody though they had been flashed out because of the stiff suspension over bumpy roads so it is a good arguement.
phil24_7
09-05-09, 07:43 PM
Trouble is, flashing your headlight is to warn other road users of your presence, NOT inform someone that it's ok for them to pass you!
seedy100
09-05-09, 08:07 PM
Always on, the pointy is wired that way and the K I choose to ride that way.
Any risk of some one actually seeing you, at the same time as you happen to be going over a bump, and them interprating that as a flash, and them then hitting you is, in my opinion vanishingly small.
jimmy4237
09-05-09, 08:24 PM
Always on. Especially in town on main beam during the day with half blind cage drivers... sod them..... they can see you then and don't have an excuse "I didn't see you mate..":smt094:smt094
shonadoll
09-05-09, 08:28 PM
Always on.
Mr Speirs
09-05-09, 08:41 PM
Your horn is there to make others aware of your presence and a flash is almost always interpreted as a proceed signal.
I had this conversation on another site and someone posted an interesting response he was told by a copper which is that when you have your lights on it's alot harder for cage drivers to judge your closing speed.
fizzwheel
09-05-09, 08:47 PM
On but I have no choice in the matter on the GSXR. I used to ride my Curvey SV with lights on all the time.
I never assume that just because I have my lights on that somebody has seen me though.
GeneticBubble
09-05-09, 09:53 PM
Dictionary: GeneticBubble
noun.
1. The starter of an/all interesting topics
:rolleyes:
Mr Farley
09-05-09, 10:09 PM
Always on for me on my curvy......I even wear my yellow vest all the time too.
I reckon if there's even a tiny chance that someone is more likely to see you in their mirror or before pulling out on you its worth it :thumright:.
maclovin
10-05-09, 12:13 AM
sunny no lights (more so in winter) as with the sun behind you and lights on you blend in , no lights and you are visable again . but with no sun lights always on
Jamiebridges123
10-05-09, 12:40 AM
Always always on no second thoughts.
If it's very sunny I'll put my Hi-beams on as glare can make it harder to see normal lights..
If it's an extra 0.5% visibility I'll take it..
No choice but even if i did they would always be on
BanannaMan
10-05-09, 02:04 AM
US Model Curvy so lights always on....
Err....Just like on my 1991 GS-500.
And the pointy folk all think they got some trick new feature. :lol:
Curvys rule ...pointy's drool
;) ;) ;)
Wouldn't turn them off if I could.
But even if I could...and wanted too....the laws here in the state where I live, say they must be on at all times while on the road.
Fortunately I do want them on...as obviously there's very little other choice!
Sid Squid
10-05-09, 11:57 AM
Is it me or is everyone posting here automatically assuming that it makes you easier to see?
In the words of the song: It ain't necessarily so.
Is it me or is everyone posting here automatically assuming that it makes you easier to see?
In the words of the song: It ain't necessarily so.
Should we be campaigning the bike manufacturers to put the light switch back on then? Surely the same applies to DRL on cars too, which will become mandatory soon... just another idiot EU inspired scheme?
phil24_7
10-05-09, 12:21 PM
Is it me or is everyone posting here automatically assuming that it makes you easier to see?
In the words of the song: It ain't necessarily so.
No, but a greater proportion of the time it makes you more noticeable, so from a statistical point of view, it makes sense.
yorkie_chris
10-05-09, 12:37 PM
So the bike manufacturers and EU decide "owners are far too stupid to decide based on conditions".
I'll keep a switch thanks.
Sid Squid
10-05-09, 01:05 PM
No, but a greater proportion of the time it makes you more noticeable, so from a statistical point of view, it makes sense.
No, it makes sense for people to make an informed choice.
So the bike manufacturers and EU decide "owners are far too stupid to decide based on conditions".
I'll keep a switch thanks.
Well, it's not the makers really, they started removing choice when obliged by legislation. But otherwise +1.
phil24_7
10-05-09, 04:11 PM
So the bike manufacturers and EU decide "owners are far too stupid to decide based on conditions".
I'll keep a switch thanks.
No, it makes sense for people to make an informed choice.
Well, it's not the makers really, they started removing choice when obliged by legislation. But otherwise +1.
I agree. We should be given the choice. my choice, however, would be to have my lights on!
BanditPat
10-05-09, 04:16 PM
I always have em on. People seem to notice you a bit more I found.
GeneticBubble
10-05-09, 04:55 PM
For those of you wishing to have the ability to turn your lights on or off, theres a simple way to do so...
sell that eye sore jagged pointy and buy a nice smooth curvy :smt040
cue pointy vs curvy argument
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