Agree with Mohdock on this one, can still blind oncoming vehicles in the daylight and it masks your indicators, dip beam for me.
Cheers
Reyno
Cheers
Reyno
laughingBob
Guest
Always have ridden with dipped headlights. Occasionally put main beam on when filtering especially if the sun is behind me but not often and only for very short periods. I agree with others who have said that riding with main beam on all the time is inconsiderate and also blinds other drivers to your indicators.
Marty Gutenfart
Registered user
Like Bob just said. If sun is behind me then full beam on, as an oncoming driver would have trouble seeing anyway and the full beam ain't going to dazzle him any more than the sun. Theoretically, the duller the day the less bright your light needs to be to show up above the surrounding environment - until you need a brighter light to see where yer goin, of course.
Probably talking bollox.
Probably talking bollox.
DavidHale
Registered user
Dipped beams for me. Commuting into central London every day means lots of filtering, and, as has been mentioned, full beams simply dazzle others and don't allow them to even have a chance of guessing where you are (if they even see you....).
However, I have put a translucent yellow disk over the headlight working on the theory that something that is a different colour flickering in someones mirror stands a better chance of being spotted, particularly in winter/dusk periods when everyone else has white lights on. Seems to work... at least, a fair number of drivers move over a little to let me through - I try to give them a wave to say thanks as not all cage drivers are complete tossers
However, I have put a translucent yellow disk over the headlight working on the theory that something that is a different colour flickering in someones mirror stands a better chance of being spotted, particularly in winter/dusk periods when everyone else has white lights on. Seems to work... at least, a fair number of drivers move over a little to let me through - I try to give them a wave to say thanks as not all cage drivers are complete tossers
Mostly on Dipped Beam, but sometimes on Main if I feel that a bit of extra visibility is needed (Country lanes in bright sunshine for instance). I will however dip them if I come up behind another vehicle or enter an area (i.e Village or Town).
I think Common Sense is the key issue here !!!
(Although, as someones Signature says, it aint that common !!
)
Piggers
I think Common Sense is the key issue here !!!
(Although, as someones Signature says, it aint that common !!
)Piggers
Gonzo
Registered user
Nerds corner.........
Never been in the tunnel on a bike but they want lights turned off for two reasons:
1. Fire detection equipment is very sensitive (ever seen "Flash Fotography is Phorbidden"?) and a flash of a headlight could set it off. Obviously not a 3-candlepower GS light but hey - VFRs use the tunnel too.
2. Some cage-driving w****r might leave his lights on and come unloading time they've got a massive delay on their hands when the battery is dead!
Glad to be of service.
spheniscidine said:
Never been in the tunnel on a bike but they want lights turned off for two reasons:
1. Fire detection equipment is very sensitive (ever seen "Flash Fotography is Phorbidden"?) and a flash of a headlight could set it off. Obviously not a 3-candlepower GS light but hey - VFRs use the tunnel too.
2. Some cage-driving w****r might leave his lights on and come unloading time they've got a massive delay on their hands when the battery is dead!
Glad to be of service.
Maxi
Guest
Got to say that until I read this thread I always used main beam during the day. I do approx 400 work miles a week. Lots of motorways and adopted the principal that I'd rather dazzle a few and be seen.
Now I'm not so sure. The distance argument is certainly compelling - and now I'm very confused. To hell with it - the bike stays in the garage..........................NOT !!
Now I'm not so sure. The distance argument is certainly compelling - and now I'm very confused. To hell with it - the bike stays in the garage..........................NOT !!
xpi0t0s
Guest
Had a Fazer 600 before the R1200GS and had to use main beam virtually all the time just to be seen. On the GS it's rare that I need full beam, much better road presence. What I usually do is set of on dip, then when some motorist doesn't see me, ignore it the first time, but on the second occasion switch to full beam, on the grounds that on that day there's obviously some problem that makes me harder to see. On the run up to last Christmas drivers minds obviously weren't on their driving so I went up to full beam very quickly. Most days I don't need it at all.
Came into riding fairly recently and as a driver had always been bothered by bright lights on motorbikes. So when I started riding I was determined to show by example that lights just weren't necessary. That was not a smart move and switching to dip increased safety dramatically, but still there were too many near misses. Full beam reduced the near misses to virtually none at all.
Came into riding fairly recently and as a driver had always been bothered by bright lights on motorbikes. So when I started riding I was determined to show by example that lights just weren't necessary. That was not a smart move and switching to dip increased safety dramatically, but still there were too many near misses. Full beam reduced the near misses to virtually none at all.
silver dream machine
Guest
Dipped Beam for me,if you want to use your main beam then it is your choice
imho, a stupuid choice, i get annoyed by the i will ride with main beam on and f**k everyone else type of rider, but we are all different and do what we feel is best for us.
Personally i wear a high vis vest and treat everyone as a potential threat, i may look like a dayglow Tw*t but it is my choice and no one has wiped me out yet (Oh god i have tempted fate
).
My mate used to ride round on main beam all the time and got wiped out by a van, because the driver was blinded by his
lights,needless to say he only uses dipped beam these days.
imho, a stupuid choice, i get annoyed by the i will ride with main beam on and f**k everyone else type of rider, but we are all different and do what we feel is best for us.
Personally i wear a high vis vest and treat everyone as a potential threat, i may look like a dayglow Tw*t but it is my choice and no one has wiped me out yet (Oh god i have tempted fate
). My mate used to ride round on main beam all the time and got wiped out by a van, because the driver was blinded by his
lights,needless to say he only uses dipped beam these days.
Droopy Dick
Registered user
Vendome 41 said:
How can the UK be part of MAINLAND Europe when it is an achepelago of OFFSHORE islands???
By definition, therefore, we are NOT, thankfully, part of mainland Europe.
Regrettably, the political 'elite' seems to have bought into the bankrupt EU idea, which is clearly a case of 'the emperor's new clothes'.
To my mind, if car drivers are "bothered" by headlights on "full beam" then they obviously work, as they must see you to be bothered. Until very recently I didn't ride with full beam on, but while on holiday I noticed a bright light in the far distance (must have been nearly a mile away). As it got closer, it was obviously an oncoming bike, but what I first thought was one bike, turned out to be 1 bike on "full" beam and 1 on "dipped". I just hadn't seen the bike on dipped headlights until much later.xpi0t0s said:
So, I started using full beam myself and surprisingly only 4 drivers "flashed" me in 8 days - strangely all were lorry drivers.
Several points to raise
1. Whats SMIDNSY
2. Driving lights can only be used with main beam
3. Fog lights should only be used when visibility is less than 100m, unless you drive a BMW car, innit.
4. If your bike was supplied with headlamps permanently illuminated, and you fit a switch, any involvement in an RTA would affect possible compensation. The lawyers would argue the light was off.
Only those that are looking will see us, the rest need flagelating, or beating anyway.
1. Whats SMIDNSY
2. Driving lights can only be used with main beam
3. Fog lights should only be used when visibility is less than 100m, unless you drive a BMW car, innit.
4. If your bike was supplied with headlamps permanently illuminated, and you fit a switch, any involvement in an RTA would affect possible compensation. The lawyers would argue the light was off.
Only those that are looking will see us, the rest need flagelating, or beating anyway.
(RIP) Dennis
Registered user
Open your Eyes!
I would humbly suggest that if you are having that many near misses regardless of whether you ride with lights on or off you might give serious consideration to an advanced riding course. It simple shouldn't be happening. As bikers we need to address our own failing before we slag off all the drivers that are supposed behaving like homicidal manics out there...
xpi0t0s said:
I would humbly suggest that if you are having that many near misses regardless of whether you ride with lights on or off you might give serious consideration to an advanced riding course. It simple shouldn't be happening. As bikers we need to address our own failing before we slag off all the drivers that are supposed behaving like homicidal manics out there...
Dennis said:
Had one old fart pull across two lanes into where I would have been if I hadn't hit the anchors, and another look me straight in the tinted visor as he pull across a roundabout in front of me. For some reason he seemed surprised when his wing got a big long scrape down it.
Both within about 3 minutes of each other.
They are a bunch of homicidal maniacs, and no amount of training will change that. The fact that xpi0t0s is still here to talk about it suggests that he's at least as good as any IAM rider at avoiding them. And probably a fair bit less patronising about it.
Most of the time I used dipped as I can't switch them off. On narrow lanes and where its sunny / shade / sunny type of lane I tend to use main so that there wont be any SMIDNSY scenario. Once I've seen someone though I'll go back to dipped. No point in being a thoughtless cnut is there?
(RIP) Geriatric Germ
Registered user
Voted no.
BUT yes in heavy rain/spray, not to see, but be seen (hopefully)
BUT yes in heavy rain/spray, not to see, but be seen (hopefully)
(RIP) Geriatric Germ
Registered user
Taff said:So, I started using full beam myself and surprisingly only 4 drivers "flashed" me in 8 days - strangely all were lorry drivers.
Golly Cambell, you'm main beem must be way eye.
Gecko said:
as above.
Read the thread and am amazed that some people will happily go round dazling people.
I am posting a thread and that I hope the author does not mind, about such actions with HID lamps but it could also apply to using main beam:-
"Scenario
There you are one fine day in the middle of the night trundling along quite happily on your HID equipped K1000000, etching silhouettes of passing pedestrians into the walls of buildings, when around the corner toward you comes Miss S. Cooter pretty 16 year old trainee hairdresser wobbling slightly under the weight of the 'L' plates on her Gilera moped and behind her is Mr A Numpty 50 year old company director driving his 18 litre Grand Iroquois sooper dooper 4x4. Needless to say, you immediately dip your lights...
Suddenly, to your horror, right in front of you, MR N plows straight into Miss C crushing her beneath the wheels of his looming Behemoth
Being a responsible citizen and all round good egg, you stop immediately and rush over to the lovely Miss C just in time to see her breath her last... then you go to Mr N who is still sitting at the wheel with his head in his hands saying "I just didn't see her, I just didn't see her!"
Repressing the urge to put your hands round his thick flabby neck and squeeze the life out of him, you make sure the relevant authorities have been called and await the arrival of the blue flashing lights... you then give your details and go on your way sadder but bathing in the warm glow engendered by having done your duty
A sad tale and all too common...
BUT
10 days later comes a knock on your door... you answer it to find one of HM's finest, not a mere bobby on the beat but an accident invesigator no less. "Are you Mr A Biker who gave his name as a witness at the scene of the collision in High Street, Anytown some days ago?" he asks, you agree that could indeed be the case. His next words take you completely by surprise... "You don't have to say anything but it may harm your defence & etc. etc."
Having picked yourself up from the ground, you ask him why he's cautioning you, after all you weren't involved... were you... well were you?
"It's like this SIR" quotes the guardian of the law " The driver of the car involved has said that he didn't see the moped rider because he was temporarily dazzled by the lights of an oncoming vehicle... and, since you were the only oncoming vehicle at the time, that makes you the driver of a motor vehicle allegedly involved in a Road Traffic Collision and also potentially a contributory cause. Now SIR I will need to examine your bike if you please with particular reference to the lights fitted" :blink:
Next thing you are standing in front of HM Coroner explaining why a non-standard headlight is fitted to your pride and joy (and believe me "Because it's brighter" is not going to be the wisest response).
Next stop could well be the Crown Court... Causing Death by Dangerous Driving... Maximum sentence 10 years free board and lodging at one of Her Majesties exclusive Holiday Hotels..."
I am posting a thread and that I hope the author does not mind, about such actions with HID lamps but it could also apply to using main beam:-
"Scenario
There you are one fine day in the middle of the night trundling along quite happily on your HID equipped K1000000, etching silhouettes of passing pedestrians into the walls of buildings, when around the corner toward you comes Miss S. Cooter pretty 16 year old trainee hairdresser wobbling slightly under the weight of the 'L' plates on her Gilera moped and behind her is Mr A Numpty 50 year old company director driving his 18 litre Grand Iroquois sooper dooper 4x4. Needless to say, you immediately dip your lights...
Suddenly, to your horror, right in front of you, MR N plows straight into Miss C crushing her beneath the wheels of his looming Behemoth
Being a responsible citizen and all round good egg, you stop immediately and rush over to the lovely Miss C just in time to see her breath her last... then you go to Mr N who is still sitting at the wheel with his head in his hands saying "I just didn't see her, I just didn't see her!"
Repressing the urge to put your hands round his thick flabby neck and squeeze the life out of him, you make sure the relevant authorities have been called and await the arrival of the blue flashing lights... you then give your details and go on your way sadder but bathing in the warm glow engendered by having done your duty
A sad tale and all too common...
BUT
10 days later comes a knock on your door... you answer it to find one of HM's finest, not a mere bobby on the beat but an accident invesigator no less. "Are you Mr A Biker who gave his name as a witness at the scene of the collision in High Street, Anytown some days ago?" he asks, you agree that could indeed be the case. His next words take you completely by surprise... "You don't have to say anything but it may harm your defence & etc. etc."
Having picked yourself up from the ground, you ask him why he's cautioning you, after all you weren't involved... were you... well were you?
"It's like this SIR" quotes the guardian of the law " The driver of the car involved has said that he didn't see the moped rider because he was temporarily dazzled by the lights of an oncoming vehicle... and, since you were the only oncoming vehicle at the time, that makes you the driver of a motor vehicle allegedly involved in a Road Traffic Collision and also potentially a contributory cause. Now SIR I will need to examine your bike if you please with particular reference to the lights fitted" :blink:
Next thing you are standing in front of HM Coroner explaining why a non-standard headlight is fitted to your pride and joy (and believe me "Because it's brighter" is not going to be the wisest response).
Next stop could well be the Crown Court... Causing Death by Dangerous Driving... Maximum sentence 10 years free board and lodging at one of Her Majesties exclusive Holiday Hotels..."
by main beam do you mean dipped or up and blinding everyone?
I ride on dip all day.
But then again, i have no choice in the matter...
I ride on dip all day.
But then again, i have no choice in the matter...
