Switching off daytime running lights?

[Morrag]

Is there a way of switching off the mandatory head and tail daytime running lights on a 2005 SV 650? Morrag

[Webber]

Without wiring yourself a switch, i cant see how there would be.

[Morrag]

Well....yes, so has anyone a copy of the relevent wiring diag. for 2005, that I could have a look at please, regards, Morrag

[SoulKiss]

Why?

Was on a rideout with a load of SV's Easter Bank Holiday Monday.

There was only one rider who didnt have his lights on, he was the only one that was hard to spot in my mirrors.

Not enough to have a word, but I DID consider it.

Its a fairly good safety measure and I was recommended to make sure lights were swiched on when riding when doing my training.

So curious why you think this is necessary.

[warmshed]

you would need to interrupt the yellow/white wire from the start switch to the hi/lo switch. Thge switch would need to be capable of switching 10 amps. (load plus safety margin). But as Soulkiss says, take into consideration the safety aspects of doing so.

[JamesMio]

I now only run with side lights after the last BikeSafe talk I was at showed a video from a car drivers view of a bike approaching a junction with his lights on. As he rides over a slightly bumpy road surface, it looks for all the world like he's flashed the car sat a junction to come out.

The (now defunct) bike coppers down here demanded that the lights on their bikes were rewired so they could switch them off.

That was convincing enough for me!

[tom-k6]

in the crash that i had with another car, the police kept on asking me if i had my lights on, even tho it was at about 11am. also the insurance would probably have something to say if, hopefully you wont, but if you had a bad smash and they took the bike to assess damage and found this switch, they might wriggle out of paying

[NTECUK]

Substitute the head light for some leds like Audi, and the insurance company informed .
Philips do a set. Bright and spreads the light better than a focused dip beam .

[stormingjoe]

Flashing headlights are to tell people you are there, not as most drivers assume- that you are letting them out!!! Tis in the highway code. Also you could be prosecuted under the construction and use laws by disconnecting them, and that it could affect your insurance!! I ride with lights on all the time, set the beam so doesnt flash over most bumps, have used led strips before, the ring ones mentioned are much better, also create a triangle with your lighting, with led lights as low as you can get, http://www.bikevis.com/motorcycle-led-running-lights.html try these, a little dearer but bright.

[Sid Squid]

Its a fairly good safety measure
No. It isn't.

I was recommended to make sure lights were swiched on when riding when doing my training.
So then - it must be right?

So curious why you think this is necessary.
There are circumstances in which lights detract from your visibility. They are specific and not numerous but they DO exist.

Daytime lights for bikes are a fudge at best - they are far more about shifting the onus to you from the driver that didn't look. "He's not lit up like Blackpool seafront - it's all his fault I pulled out in front of him".

FWIW - I use lights most of the time - but I'm very well aware of when they reduce my visibility and when to turn them off. My bike has a switch which allows me to make a suitable choice, as should all bikes.

[Stonesie]

When I upgraded my wireing to the headlights I included a switch for the dipped beams, the sidelights/tail lights are still perminantly on and the front sides are now very bright LEDs. to be fair I usually ride with the dips on, even though I now have the option to turn them off.

Part of the reason may be that the other week I very, very nearly pulled out on a biker in a bus, old scratched wide angle mirror combined with a 125 rider dressed in black at dusk with no lights on... He was not easy to spot.

[CodeJACK]

Is there any way to wire the SV so that the light only come on once the engine is actually running?

Are you wanting to do this to assist a crappy battery with starting your SV?

[NTECUK]

You could use a voltage sensing relay like the caravans use. Or use the oil pressure switch to trigger a relay.

[SoulKiss]

Is there any way to wire the SV so that the light only come on once the engine is actually running?

Are you wanting to do this to assist a crappy battery with starting your SV?

On my pointy, it cuts the power to the lights when you hit the starter button.

So doesn't try to crank and light at the same time.

At least I think thats what its doing, otherwise its drawing so much power that the lights go off.

Oh and Sid Squid - I DO agree with a lot of what you are saying, but it easier to take the choice away than it is make sure that everyone knows when its approprate and not to have your lights on and off - thats an experience thing that you have rather a lot of.

[Morrag]

Well, I choose to ride a motorcycle, and for most of my life I have had the choice as to whether to put my lights on or not, so I'd like to retain that choice, now all I need is a circuit drawing, the rest I can sort, cheers, Morrag

[svdev]

i also chose to ride a motorcycle and it`s also my choice to make myself as visible as possible to everyone else on the road and if that includes riding with lights on then so be it.

[Morrag]

Sid, you have it in one! I reserve the right of choice, and if its so great a safety measure, why not apply it to all vehicles, anyway, the post was to obtain info, thats all, so if anyone has a wiring diag. I would appreciate a copy, Finis, Morrag

[mikerj]

It's very easy to re-wire the right hand switch assembly to turn the hazard switch back into a headlamp switch (which it used to be). The starter button already interrupts the headlamp circuit, so the wire you need is already there - you simply need to disconnect and insulate the three hazard wires from the switch, and then route the headlamp wire through the switch.

The only downside is the extra (small) voltage drop that you will get across the additional switch.

[mikerj]

Sid, you have it in one! I reserve the right of choice, and if its so great a safety measure, why not apply it to all vehicles,

They have; all cars made after 11th February this year must have daytime running lamps, and new trucks and buses will require from next year sometime.

[warmshed]

Pm me with you email and Ill send over a scan of the wiring diagram. Dave

[NTECUK]

They have; all cars made after 11th February this year must have daytime running lamps, and new trucks and buses will require from next year sometime.
Its from when they are type approved,
We are still pdi ing cars that as yet dont have DTRL :cool:.

[Rowlandz]

I reckon it should be a legal requirment.. I wish i didnt have a switch on my old ZXR.. Might of saved me alot of pain and money in repairs and time off work! I think most riders after a non fault accident will always ride with their lights on.. Not saying id wear a hi vis tho :P

[SVMAT]

I was hit by a driver who pulled out because he thought id flashed him out. That was on the sv and now im on a gsxr with a projector beam light its even worse, i have people flashing me all the time thinking im flashing them. I blame the state of the roads :p. Lukily i was not badly injured and i got paid out.

As for the highway code saying flashing someone is to raise awareness, almost all people use it as a signal to move out and this is where the danger lies, and its not going to change without a driver awareness scheme...

[Dicky Ticker]

Being honest I am the opposite side of the coin,my bike doesn't have automatic headlights on but I thought it was a part of the type approval on later bikes so it MAY affect insurance.
Admittedly I appreciate the freedom of choice but it was probably a greater mind than mine that decided it is a good thing to have them on at all times.

[richwill68]

Mods - Can we have a point of order here?

I believe Morrag is asking a straightforward question as regards the physical properties of his machine in what is the Talk, Tuning and Tweaking thread.

Whilst it may be seen as responsible to remind members of safety issues, it is inappropriate for members to hijack Morrags thread t discuss safety issues.

Each to their own. I reserve the right of choice; whether that is to ride motorcycles, smoke fags, drink beer or use my damned headlight in the daytime, it is MY choice. For those that don't like it, please do as you feel. Just be sure to afford me the same courtesy!

Kind regards

Rich:smt018