Can I turn my lights off?

[Johnno]

OK, Serious question. Just bought new 1200gs to replace my '99 1150. What's all this with the lights permanently on? I much prefer to make my own mind up.......
So here's the question. Is it possible to turn the lights off? Can I fit a switch somewhere? Anyone done this?

Thanks guys
John

 

[EggChaser]

Try the info here

http://www.r1200gs.info/misc/tricks.html

 

[HTB1]

Lights off

Johnno,
I don'nt know if will work with yours but on a 12RT to turn the lights off. Switch on ignition - let start up check complete - press and hold indicator cancel switch for 5 seconds - press and hold RH indicator for 5 secs - start bike = headlight off. may be worth a try.
HTB1

 

[Johnno]

Thanks HTB. Cancel button then right indicator works. I had already seen the link that suggests left then right indicator buttons...that doesn't.

 

[jcjport]

But why the hell would you want to turn them off??

Surely you are more visible to others!! anyway you cant see that its on if yu're riding. I cant for the life of me understand why you would want to turn a "safety" feature off.

Failing that if you dont succeed then take the bulbs out!!!

 

[GSmonkey]

But why the hell would you want to turn them off??

1) Track days, when you have to tape over the lens, you don't want it to overheat.
2) Certain situations e.g. Eurotunnel, requires lights off - although I've never bothered.

However ,I'm sure in both situations you'd be ok with them on.

I'd always leave them on for the road.

 

[Johnno]

Why turn lights off? Let me explain

There's plenty of credible research that shows that motorcycles running with lights are a problem. There's two main issues.
1. A car driver judges the speed of approach of an oncoming vehicle by the rate that the vehicle "gets bigger". If its a car approaching it's fairly easy to estimate, the width of a car gives a big enough outline to be able to see this clearly. A taller, narrow bike is much more difficult - the bike does not appear to grow as quckly. This is one of the reasons why cars pull out on you. Now put your headlight on. You destroy the outline of the bike and make it almost impossible to judge the speed of appraoch. Safer? - I think not.
2. Add in a bit of risk compensation to the mix and you're well and truly in trouble. If you believe that the car driver has seen you because you've got lights on then you will unprepared to take any action if he does pull out. The car driver on the other hand may well have seen you (or at least a light) And guess what? Risk compensation plays a part again. He believes that you are not a danger to him and so he will go anyway. He can see it's "only" a bike and so WTF, he's protected. Ever wonder where the Volvo jokes came from? I'm in the safest car, you can't hurt me even though I drive like a tw@t.
I'd rather ride without headlights in good conditions thanks.

 

[EggChaser]

You should also add in
3) Bike is invisible if sun-glare is behind you - in fact you can even hide very large aircraft with the same concept

 

[HR0]

so does that mean i'm safer at night with my lights off, as the oncoming driver can't see me at all let alone make the wrong perception on my approach size and i will be riding so defensively without a light.............. got it

but really they always say didn't see ya............... lights on / off, hi vis, advanced training, etc

which is nice really, i would hate to think that they pull out and try and kill you on purpose

 

[seanred]

OK, Serious question. Just bought new 1200gs to replace my '99 1150. What's all this with the lights permanently on? I much prefer to make my own mind up.......
So here's the question. Is it possible to turn the lights off? Can I fit a switch somewhere? Anyone done this?

Thanks guys
John

WHY?

 

[D6]

why,???because he want,s to make his own mind up, my 1150,s the same, id rather have the option,then you can turn em off if the bikes got a tired battery or if its good weather

 

[madman]

why,???because he want,s to make his own mind up, my 1150,s the same, id rather have the option,then you can turn em off if the bikes got a tired battery or if its good weather

But your lights don't use the battery when the engine is running!

 

[D6]

what are they then?AC?
everything runs thro the battery 1st, if not, the light output would be unreliable, think of an old C90 headlight on tickover

 

[davegs]

Volts

All bike electrics are dc alternators generate ac but as in cars this is rectified in the alternator on the out put side. And the lights stay on with the engine running even with a flat battery.

 

[D6]

better the power used for the lights going into the battery if the alternator/battery's Dicky though.if you have no charging in a car /bike, first thing you do is turn all unnecessary things off so all the powers for the ignition,if you cant turn em off , you wont get far, some people want this choice