Peoples opinoins on this biking discussion.......

Originally Posted by Lozzo

The IAM teach you to use high beam....well, that just about confirms my views on the IAM, and why I'll never do IAM training.

I'd suggest someone got their wires crossed - a lone observer most likely; they're not all perfect. This was never, ever suggested to me during any of my OR's, pre-test. Courtesy and consideration towards other road users are one of the many things the IAM try to get across. Use of main beam doesn't fit with that philosophy. In fact, I'm now recalling an associate in my group asking about riding with main beam on and being told not to. As Lozzo so rightly says, positioning and defensive riding are key.

[Supervox]

Originally Posted by arenalife

Full beam ridar = wankar

People who can't spell the insults they're dishing out = c**ts !!

Perhaps people should read sections 114-115 of the highway code but I can assure you that you can be nicked for this as one of my drivers was prosecuted in Manchester for this very offence by an unmarked police car

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I use them during the day in traffic where the dips won't really be spotted, doesn't blind anyone in daylight.

Tell my fragile little retinas that!

I've never really thought about doing it and this is the first I've heard of it. But I'd be worried about target fixation on the drivers side. But it'd be BLIND target fixation.

I have mixed feelings about this to be honest ...

To begin with, I've actually been knocked off by some impatient cager who decides that "signal-manoevre" within the space of a second is sufficient. However, the police also adjudged me to be equally "impatient" as I was filtering too fast for the conditions.

I took that on the chin and did my NDIS course. Fair enough.

Now, because of that accident, I filter a LOT slower. I also "on occasion" will use main beam when filtering thru traffic when (as someone else put it) there is a higher than average chance of vehicles changing lanes without looking/indicating.

I believe it highlights my presence to them, and if they or anyone else wants to call me a c**t for doing it, then fine ... I'd rather be a live c**t than a dead one

I don't do it all the time however, and after reading some of the other suggestions on here I think I have actually re-evaluated my use of main beam. I will probably use hazards in future when filtering It fits better with the "defensive riding" ethos, and doesn't p**s other road-users off (except those that believe bikes have no right to be filtering in the first place - to$$ers).

Here here,at least have the law on your side

So the law would support use of hazards while filtering then? In France all bikers use hazards whilst filtering, but I've never done it here as I wasn't sure how Mr Plod would view it. Wouldn't it also give insurance companies an excuse, ie: if you didn't think you were doing anything dangerous why did you have your hazards on?

Filtering is a risk at any time,me I always have dipped on when riding and keep an indicator on when filtering and the horn button covered. The origine of this thread was riding with full beam at all times.Last night on the way home by car I had a m/bike behind me hanging out to the right with full beam on directly into my rhs mirror.I am in a flow of traffic travelling 70-75mph in the fast lane overtaking the slower traffic with no place to go. ALL HE/SHE DID WAS P1SS ME OFF

[G]

Originally Posted by Dicky Ticker

The origine of this thread was riding with full beam at all times.

No it wasnt, it was full beams 'whilst filtering'

Originally Posted by Dicky Ticker

I always have dipped on when riding

I have noticed a few people saying this.....Are dipped not on all the time anyway, you cant switch them off?

Also I noticed some people saying, 'if you want both sides to light up, dont do it using main beam'...........both of mine come on anyway? is this not supposed to happen?

Sorry GP my mistake but according to some they ride with mainbeam all the time.In reply to the other quote my bike does not have AHO [Not an SV] but I have changed the headlight relay and bulbs so that both sides are on be it dipped or mainbeam.