WC GSA - Keep fog lights on by default?

[andylel]

They are auxiliary lights, not fog lights. Their purpose is to minimise the risk of motion blindness by displaying three points of light and identifying the vehicle as a motorcycle to any drivers waiting to pull out onto the carriageway you are riding along. Properly adjusted they do not dazzle. Unfortunately many do not adjust them properly. There is much information available on the internet about their correct alignment.

To the op: DRL = off in the settings is your answer.

 

[JJH]

They are auxiliary lights, not fog lights. Their purpose is to minimise the risk of motion blindness by displaying three points of light and identifying the vehicle as a motorcycle to any drivers waiting to pull out onto the carriageway you are riding along. Properly adjusted they do not dazzle. Unfortunately many do not adjust them properly. There is much information available on the internet about their correct alignment.

To the op: DRL = off in the settings is your answer.

Now your talkin. JJH

 

[Wonkey donkey]

Can't copy and paste from a PDF on my iPad, pages 54 to 56 in the manual is on lights, no mention of using front side lights only in poor visibility.

Page 54, middle of page states under the notice symbol, I quote

The auxiliary lights have approval as fog lights and their use is permissible in bad weather only. Always comply with road traffic regulations in force in the country in which the vehicle is used.

2017 GSA manual so maybe updated if not stating that on earlier models?

 

[JJH]

There are study's showing the advantage of having more than 1 light point. It can confuse oncoming drivers/riders making it more difficult to judge speed, direction, and distance. It can cause instances of people pulling out and instead of taking aproaite evading action when they realise their mistake instead they freeze RIGHT IN THE PATH OF THE ONCOMING single headlamp vechicles wheater it be a bike or car with only 1 headlamp. It has also been shown that a triangle of light makes it easier to make correct judgements at junctions and other intersections whare vechicles cross paths. Hope I haven't confused anybody but to sum up 3 lights in a traingle are better. Obviously it would not be a good idea to go around blinding people but there many more cars on the road with badly adjusted lights than bikes. And trucks with the over cab spot lights? Anyone unfortunate enough to meet one of them with the 6 spots set to laser? JJH

 

[Gargy]

When the driving standard of the average cage driver improves, maybe we can all ride with no lights on. (In daylight).

Until that happens, I'll treat them as they treat me........................ With total disdain and distrust.

DRL's have been bought in because of idiots who don't bother to look IMHO.

 

[ManicMic]

If people find that these lights are blinding then I suggest they pay SpecSavers a visit.

It's quite often their poor eyesight that causes an uncomfortably bright and blinding sensation.

 

[wildoat]

It makes me more than mad when people moan about bikes sporting auxilliary lights, personally I think anything one can do to make themselves more visible is a good idea. I'm still amazed everyday I ride at the number of motorists who pull out in front of me,
and it's not because I'm speeding because I don't! Any motorist that can't see a bike which is being ridden at legal speeds should have their licence taken away permanently!
Saying the above it happens also when I'm driving my car, seems many motorists think they are so important that they don't have to give way, especially when joining the main carriageway from side roads, ignorant b****rds the lot of them, lol

 

[Nutty]

I've never had anyone pull out in front of any of my bikes with aux lights fitted. I ride with them on all the time. If you can't see that coming, you shouldn't be on the road. I have had a car pull out in front of my bike without aux lights, which I hit, and his excuse was SMIDSY.

I'll always ride with my aux lights on. Deal with it.

 

[andylel]

I'll always ride with my aux lights on. Deal with it.

+1. Couldn't have said it better.

 

[JJH]

+1. Couldn't have said it better.

+2. JJH

 

[BeemerBaz]

Can't copy and paste from a PDF on my iPad, pages 54 to 56 in the manual is on lights, no mention of using front side lights only in poor visibility.

Where can I view a UK PDF version of the manual for the GSA ? Mines a 2016 version.

 

[MondoRich]

I've never had anyone pull out in front of any of my bikes with aux lights fitted. I ride with them on all the time. If you can't see that coming, you shouldn't be on the road. I have had a car pull out in front of my bike without aux lights, which I hit, and his excuse was SMIDSY.

I'll always ride with my aux lights on. Deal with it.

I ride with mine on as well, recently two car drivers have gesticulated at me about them.

At least they've seen me though

 

[AberdeenAngus]

I get a few people flash me when it's dark, with the aux lights on. I just give em full beam back I think in most cases people haven't got used to LED lights yet. Cars or bikes.

But with them on I feel safer / more visible

Terry

They are probably flashing you because they are being dazzled.
Perhaps adjust them slightly rather than "give em the full beam".
I doubt its safer if the oncoming cars can't see.
Just a suggestion.

 

[andylel]

Where can I view a UK PDF version of the manual for the GSA ? Mines a 2016 version.

Go to bmw-motorrad.co.uk choose the 'Service' menu at the top then the 'Riders manual' item on the left then choose your bike from 'R models' on the right and follow the guidance to select language and download. Bob will be your uncle.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[wildoat]

The Nutty GSER

I totally agree with your last sentence, I think bike manufacturers should be made to fit them as standard!
cheers

 

[Zx9man]

The Nutty GSER

I totally agree with your last sentence, I think bike manufacturers should be made to fit them as standard!
cheers

Shame I cannot get it to download on the iPad

 

[Reggie P]

I get a few people flash me when it's dark, with the aux lights on. I just give em full beam back

Terry

Maybe they are "flashing you "...because you are dazzling them?

If you, in your own words ; give them "Full beam back" do you not have the sense to envisage that this could mean more "dazzling and possibly an accident that will wipe you out ?

You are an embarassment to motorcycling. Darwin's law might be applied to you now the dark evenings are setting in!

 

[Pansmiker]

Maybe they are "flashing you "...because you are dazzling them?

If you, in your own words ; give them "Full beam back" do you not have the sense to envisage that this could mean more "dazzling and possibly an accident that will wipe you out ?

You are an embarassment to motorcycling. Darwin's law might be applied to you now the dark evenings are setting in!

+1 my point entirely

 

[smithy_6_7]

Some people speak bull crap we all know as motorcyclist that we have to be careful of other road users most of us will be car drivers too.
I don't have a problem with the aux lights being used apart from when it's dazzling other road user which in turn pisses them off which I'm turn makes them care less about us. They might see you better yes or they might be blinded and then plough into you.

If a cyclist is riding in the middle of the road do you give him loads of room.
I'll be honest no I don't drive past or ride past and think who the feck do you think you are cheeky bastard not paying road tax. Get in the path.

Use them but as many have said direct them so they don't blind other road users it's a massive gripe of mine I'd say inconsiderate road user only looking out for yourself.

Enjoy riding


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[telbenj]

They are probably flashing you because they are being dazzled.
Perhaps adjust them slightly rather than "give em the full beam".
I doubt its safer if the oncoming cars can't see.
Just a suggestion.

I use my bike to commute to work on shifts so it's used in the dark most of the time. I only get one or two people over a month flash me. I've been out with mates who have said yes they are bright but not blinding, so my conclusion is those that flash have no idea what LED are and assume high beam is on. And yes they are angled slightly more down than normal.

I've seen plenty GSA coming towards me too, and yes they are bright but not dazzling.

Terry