[fearamhain]

Hi,
I'm thinking of adding extra lights to my front forks to make my bike more visible on the road.

Does anyone know if there are legal issues involved with this?
Also, any comments about safety / visibility issues welcomed.

[rymus]

ive seen a good few people add small halogen lights to the end of the forks (ends of wheel axle) to light up the road a bit more. I think the only thing to keep in mind is that red & blue lights on the front aren't allowed. But I could be wrong. My bike has yellow running lights on the front,never had a problem.

[fearamhain]

thanks rymus, I was thinking of orange/red ones, tired of getting cut off by cars around town.

[rymus]

when I said yellow running lights I meant orange. Theyre indicators & running lights.


go with orange I'd say, red may be a no-no.

[fearamhain]

Rymus,
This has been confusing me a little, what do 'running lights' mean exactly, can they double up as indicators and extra lighting without confusing other drivers? If that makes any sense!

[rymus]

you've got it right there. My running lights (there may be an alternative phrase for them) are my front indicators. They stay on all the time the ignition is turned on and when I indicate they flash while remaining lit. They just have dual filament bulbs in them which allow them to light and flash at the same time.

[saobh_ie]

I've seen bikes with spotlights one the ends of the forks, down at low level and heard of them being fitted to engine bars.

What type of bike do you have?

Also, do you really think extra lights will make car drivers notice you? I've heard that even blue flashing ones aren't as effective as you might think.

[KTRIC]

I've been looking for spot's that fit to engine bars for ages now and I can't find any. Manly for added road presence.

[saobh_ie]

My next lid is going to be white. I'm hoping that will do wonders for my road presence. =] Although red jackets and orange hi-viz vests don't seem to be doing the job. The fact is no matter what we do to increase our conspicuosity (god knows how that’s spelt) be it bigger lights, bigger bikes, brighter jackets, louder pipes, manoeuvring to be seen car drivers will still fail to see us with horrifying regularity.

KTRIC, I’m almost certain I saw engine bar spots while I was browsing for alarm systems a week or so ago, I’ll see if I can find it again. Have you been into any of the good garages around town? They might be able to sort you out with some sort of lights you could find a way to mount onto engine bars, even if a trip to the hardware is called for.

I think I saw LED strips somewhere… might be good on engine bars. Hey, making yourself as bright as possible might not work in real life but it looks great when you put in an insurance claim.

And don’t forget your high beam works in daytime too… =D But its a dodgy one. If you see a threat don't use it because flash of the lights in car driver speak is go ahead (don't they know nothing, never gesture for some somebody to come, you slowing down/stopping is all the encouragment they need). However apparently if you ride around with full beams during the day it looks like your going so much faster.

I know I’m knocking lights but I was giving consideration to adding a second head light to my Bandit, two side by side, speed triple like. Along with a second horn =D, both working off the same switch. 2x100 Decibels… I can’t remember what that works out at… I’m just trying to find a bike with a horn I like the sound of.

[sutty]

Highway Hawk Do good spots for custom bikes. (cruisers and the street) woth having a look

[fearamhain]

saobh_ie I agree with you about being seen on the road. I just changed from a cruiser 250 to a GS500 and I can't believe the increase in the amount of incidents. I never had the same level with the cruiser. This is what prompted me to get the extra lighting, how effective it will be is another thing. I mentioned to rymus that I fear they could have as many downsides as upsides, a white helmet sounds like a good idea. I read on a site (manufacturers comments) that the triangle shape given off by the two markers and your headlight enhance visibility, sounds logical.

highwayhawk.com has some nice stuff.

[Borderfox]

Good idea with the extra lights on the bike, car drivers will still not see you though.... farging iceholes

[rymus]

Originally Posted by saobh_ie

What type of bike do you have?

I've got a yamaha royal star venture. like a goldwing but far better looking

theres no doubt extra lighting helps, i have a set of white headlights/running lights as well as the centre main light and while not adding much light at night they certainly make me more visable during the day.

I was going to get a set of highway hawk fog lights for the engine bars, still may. May also be an idea to work on the brake lighting. Something that reminds drivers not to wait until theyre right up your ass before they stop.

[Biker.ie]

Drive around on dipped headlights wearing a lustrous orange vest and if they don't see you they want their eyes examined.

There was some other boyo looking for flashing lights on his bike (to detract attention away from his beard or something) a while back, t'wasnt you by any chance ?

[causal]

A few points:

Extra lights will increase your conspciuity (every little helps) but:
Lights - are only good if people look at them (~75% car drivers excuse for hitting a bike is "I didn't see him")
White/Yellow - are the most conspicuous colours (iirc according to the Hurt report)
Twin lights on front of motorcycle - potential danger at night because they can be mistaken by oncoming traffic etc. as being the headlights of a car in the distance (small cow - far away cow)
Loud pipes save lives - I think this is true, road users can hear you coming long before they see you. Straight-through pipes or a race can - your only man!

causal