Hi/Low Beams: legal vs etiquette

dadur

dadur

Active member
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Hey guys,

Sorry if this is a noob question but from what I understand, most people just ride with Low beams at all times in the city.
Is this true?

I hear some ride with Hi beams in the day, but lows at night as to not blind incoming traffic or piss off the car in front at the light.

Is there any legal stuff behind this? laws, requirements? also common practices?



Thanks!
 
I ride with high beams during the day(visibility), morning/dusk/night I use them as normal, low's when in city. High's when in the country with no oncoming/traffic ahead.

Honestly even if you run highs all the time, its not 1/2 as bad as those running crappy HID's... just don't use that as an excuse :)
 
I run low beams all the time unless I'm in the country with no one around. I hate when people run high beams all the time especially when its dark out and ESPECIALLY when they have HID's.

There are laws that state that you need to turn off your high beams when your x meters away from others. (I might look it up now) I think it was in the drivers handbook...

Edit:
Use of passing beam
168. When on a highway at any time when lighted lamps are required to be displayed on vehicles, the driver of a motor vehicle equipped with multiple beam headlamps shall use the lower or passing beam when,
(a) approaching an oncoming vehicle within 150 metres; or
(b) following another vehicle within 60 metres, except when in the act of overtaking and passing. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 168.
 
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Save your high beams to change your visual profile for other drivers..... flipping them up ( don't flash them in this situation - leave them up ) will provide an important change to catch attention at an intersection.

Leaving them up does nothing as you are just one more steady state light. It's the change up that catches attention - that's why they sell modulators.

Horn and high beams combined if you really want to be noticed.
 
When I first got into riding, I read that using high beams during the day increased your visibility---so I followed this practice. Shortly thereafter two cars almost hit me as I was going through intersections, so I gave it up. I think high beams do get you noticed, but they make it difficult for oncoming drivers to judge your distance from them...
 
I run my highs during the day but it is technically illegal. Never at night. I agree that HIDs installed in incorrect housings are terrible.
 
Modulators don't really seem to be effective (I installed one on my first bike) at least if the frequency of close calls is anything to go by. People generally don't know what it is, either. Even the mechanics at RC were puzzled by it. You want awareness, not distraction. Two different things. I preferred the amber running/signal lights on my zx6e better but no evidence to back it up.
 
Why would anyone leave their high beams on???? You are annoying and blinding everyone.

Do you enjoy being blinded by someone driving/riding with their high beams on?
 
I use low beams except when on open road with no oncoming traffic, then high beams are fine. In the city it's low beams combined with the SMIDSY weave and a neon green vest. This has stopped many cars from making left turns in front of me, that being said there are always those drivers who do see you and still think it's ok to turn so be ready by being off the throttle and two fingers on your brakes and knowing what's around you in case you have to make a move.
 
SpeeDemoN said:
Why would anyone leave their high beams on???? You are annoying and blinding everyone.

Do you enjoy being blinded by someone driving/riding with their high beams on?
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I always take the time to flash and flip the bird to the Civic drivers that have their brights on 24/7
 
SpeeDemoN said:
Why would anyone leave their high beams on???? You are annoying and blinding everyone.

Do you enjoy being blinded by someone driving/riding with their high beams on?
Click to expand...

Exactly. well said..... I find it outright annoying.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone running high beams gets purposely hit or a close call encounter.
 
I replaced my headlight with a strobe light and have also hooked it up to my horn. To be honest its a little annoying to ride with the horn constantly honking but Safety First!
 
Dont be a dick, if they can't see you with your regular beams they ain't gonna see you with you high either. Learn to ride defensively and in a manner they can see you better. Hate if when some ****** rides with the high beam on behind me....like buddy I know you're there!!
 
SpeeDemoN said:
Why would anyone leave their high beams on???? You are annoying and blinding everyone.

Do you enjoy being blinded by someone driving/riding with their high beams on?
Click to expand...
I agree with you at night. They're fine during the day.

Macs said:
I always take the time to flash and flip the bird to the Civic drivers that have their brights on 24/7
Click to expand...

Is that what it is? I can never figure out if they actually have their highs on or if the latest Civic just has terribly designed lights. Seems Civics with their highs on are as common as the Toyotas I see on the highway with no lights on at night.
 
If you rode a motorcycle like the 1979 Norton 750 Commando then highs would make sense as they had terrible lights, but on most modern bikes it's a bad idea.

Bright lights in a driver's eye can reduce your visability. It can cause a driver to be unaware of your speed, location, and the fact that you are a motorcyle. These are all things that a driver needs to know to increase the chance of them perceiving you. (A side note that arond World War Two there were studies that showed bright lights made for good camoflague. )


..Tom
 
PhoenixFZ said:
When I first got into riding, I read that using high beams during the day increased your visibility---so I followed this practice. Shortly thereafter two cars almost hit me as I was going through intersections, so I gave it up. I think high beams do get you noticed, but they make it difficult for oncoming drivers to judge your distance from them...
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EXACTLY and I have nearly taken out a biker myself because of this.

High beams can cause blindness even during the day too. If you want more visibility, do as MacDoc has said earlier, or run other lighting like running lights. The Single beam, when riding in a tire track can cause a "camoflauge " effect if there is a vehicle behind you. A person will tune you out and see the other vehicle behind you.

Most Drivers don't expect to see anything smaller than a car. They may be looking right at you, but a small motorcycle just won't register. With so many automobiles equipped with Daytime Running Lights (DRL) on the road, motorcycles have a hard time standing out.

Lots of commentary on the WWW about this.


btw - here is what I mean by running lights - now there are 3 points of reference, so hopefully the brain recognizes that there is a motorcycle coming at them..

118_0.JPG



btw - I personally have noticed a higher level of motorists noticing me because of this
 
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MacDoc said:
Save your high beams to change your visual profile for other drivers..... flipping them up ( don't flash them in this situation - leave them up ) will provide an important change to catch attention at an intersection.

Leaving them up does nothing as you are just one more steady state light. It's the change up that catches attention - that's why they sell modulators.

Horn and high beams combined if you really want to be noticed.
Click to expand...


Flashing a light at an intersection is often taken as a signal to go ahead.

I would strongly recommend that riders do not take that advice.

..Tom
 
I doubt that forcing an approaching drivers iris to close due to bright light will help your situation, keep the high beams off.
 
Flashing a light at an intersection is often taken as a signal to go ahead.

I would strongly recommend that riders do not take that advice.

..Tom
Click to expand...

reading challenged???..:rolleyes:

( don't flash them in this situation - leave them up )
Click to expand...

what you think modulators are waving everyone through??

[video=youtube;-H3h21o9LUo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H3h21o9LUo[/video]
 
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I HATE modulators. I've had a Harley behind me with one. I pulled over thinking it was a cop.

I run low beams during the day, and find no difference between now and when I used to run the high beams in the day. However, I do turn the high beam on when I want some attention, like showing someone I intend to pass on a 2 lane road before I pass (basically to get their attention so they realize I'm there and don't pull out at the same time I pass). Or if I'm coming to an intersection and see someone looking in my direction but get the sense they didn't notice me I'll put the high beam on. This is usually if I'm a few meters ahead of the traffic behind me and think I may not be standing out.

One thing I have done lately, is wiggle around more in my lane approaching intersections. The movement stands out and people notice me, and they also can't assume what I'm about to do, so they typically stay put before pulling out.

I'm always nervous when I see cars intending to turn left or cars in adjacent roads waiting to pull out. Fingers ready on the levers, in the right body position and scan.

So far this year, aside from some loser in some luxury car purposely going through a red I haven't had any issues of SMIDSY... I've had to deal with the typical bully in a cage types, but that is easily fixed by dropping a gear and getting through traffic.
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