Really? Highbeams during the day???

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BdaGolfer said:
I'm going to preface this question by saying my cat woke me up a few times last night, so I'm not functioning at 100% today :-)

Can someone direct me to the specific text that states highbeams during the day are illegal? I've read through the HTA section on lamps and they're not mentioned. I know the regulations talk about highbeams at night (60m and 150m etc.) but I don't recall daytime use being covered.

Alan
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The requisite sections have already been posted, in this thread. You will not find a concrete statement as to day/night use. What you will find, is a statement as to when lights are required for different types of vehicles.
 
My opinion to the question of whether to run your high beams in day light hours is, it depends on the type of bike and the day light conditions.

I don't think people with high intensity bulbs should do it. I also don't think people with multiple headlight set ups should do it. I'm referring primarily to cruisers running a horizontal light tree with three headlights.

My Bandit has only a single head light yet I will not run my high beams during cloudy days. It is not necessary and blinds others. However, I have never been blinded during a bright sunny day by any bike running a single head light set up such as mine.

Of course no one should run high beams at night unless on an empty road.

I don't think its a black and white issue. Every one's entitled to their opinion and that's mine.
 
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OMFG 8 pages about yes or no high beam during the day :eek: I use my highbeam when I'm on the 401 and I have to pass several heavy trucks or in dense trafic. Yes they don't like that....but at least they see me. I have a VFR so I always have 2 light on, but when you only have one light on, during night time, it's harder to calculate the distance of the incoming vehicle. 1 light on=1 distant car. BTW if you get blinded by high beam during daylight hour, you have a serious problem with you eyes....:confused1:
 
vince492 said:
... but when you only have one light on, during night time, it's harder to calculate the distance of the incoming vehicle. 1 light on=1 distant car. BTW if you get blinded by high beam during daylight hour, you have a serious problem with you eyes....:confused1:
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It's actually the opposite. 2 lights close together looks like a car from far. One light with amber running lights looks like a bike.
 
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Gryphon said:
This is your opinion. I don't agree.
I want to be visible to those directly in front of me because that's where I'm headed...
Of course at dusk/dawn/dim conditions/fog or when stopped at a red light, or riding in a group, feel free to lower your beam (it's only courteous).
But to all you guys rolling through yellow lights doing 80 in a 60 (you know who you are) without bright light, you're gonna get it - it's just a matter of time, guaranteed...
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How are we going to get it? If you read the 'SMIDSY' report you will see a more effective way to get the attention of an on coming vehicle. High beams are not going to help you if your not taking the right precautions any ways. I've had cars turn left in front of me while in my cage... do you really think they didn't see me?
 
I want to be visible to those directly in front of me because that's where I'm headed..
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and you reduce your visibility with a steady high beam - that's why trains use a scanning headlight.

Approaching an intersection flash the high beams a couple of time - THAT calls attention.....leaving them on is both inconsiderate and counterproductive as you have no way of calling attention - you've used up your ability to change profile.

Note the train in the background
[video=youtube;T_FE-kkGNd8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_FE-kkGNd8[/video]

If you want effective then put forklights on for the triangle.
 
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MacDoc said:
and you reduce your visibility with a steady high beam - that's why trains use a scanning headlight.

Approaching an intersection flash the high beams a couple of time - THAT calls attention.....leaving them on is both inconsiderate and counterproductive as you have no way of calling attention - you've used up your ability to change profile.
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I thought that would be a good idea too but someone brought to my attention that flashing your lights before an intersection can also mean "go ahead".
 
You don't flash - you flip them up and get on the horn if you think there is an issue.

It's the change in intensity that catches attention.

The lower fork lamps provide a triangle which also catches attention and looks unusual.

like so

cw_2nd_10.jpg


and the cagers might think you are a cop
 
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MacDoc said:
You don't flash - you flip them up and get on the horn if you think there is an issue.

It's the change in intensity that catches attention.

The lower fork lamps provide a triangle which also catches attention and looks unusual.
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You did say "flash your high beams a couple of times" in the post I quoted...

I say just assume that a cager is going to do something stupid in front/beside/or behind you... that way your ready for anything:D Sad isn't it?
 
rafiki911 said:
I thought that would be a good idea too but someone brought to my attention that flashing your lights before an intersection can also mean "go ahead".
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No crap eh. That was my exact thought reading his comment. Like how on the highway you do that for trucks to let them know they are clear of you. I would NEVER flash my high's at someone unless I was telling them it was ok to continue or something. And btw, if I was waiting to turn left at a light and a bike was coming up and flashed his high's a couple of times, I would think he was telling me to go. Now I wouldn't actually do it, because I know he MAY not be telling me that and to avoid any confusion I would just follow the rules in place (as in I would ensure they were going to come to a complete stop before proceeding).
 
rafiki911 said:
I thought that would be a good idea too but someone brought to my attention that flashing your lights before an intersection can also mean "go ahead".
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agreed!! Flashing lights *usually* means "go ahead" - I know its used in the UK and Downunder for the same meaning.
 
Been riding for a few decades now and never been hit by a car. (just knocked on wood)! Also drove truck for a while and never hit a thing. The secret with the truck was to think that everyone wanted to die so you had to drive for them. The trick with the bike is to think that everyone wants to kill you. I am high-beams on at all times during the day. If some wanker wants to shine their high-beams back at me thats OK my mirrors only show my elbows anyway ;)!
 
Likely the biggest problem with the high beam crowd is not just the high beam but the alignment of the light (too high) which just adds to the problem. The other problem is that the driver you are approaching is not prepared for the bright light. If I am driving into the sun I have sun glasses on because I know I am driving into the sun. Now on a cloudy day with the sun at my back I am not, guess what happens when I get hit with the high beams (misaligned at that) from a vehicle that crested a hill or just came around a corner.....

If it is about safety wear one of those orange vests with the reflective tape. That will work much better than the high beam and it will not be blinding on coming traffic causing accidents. I bet though most who claim they need high beams for safety will not because looking cool is more important than safety....

Of course I don't use the vest, loud pipes, or high beams, instead I ride defensively and pay attention.
 
I read this thread over and over again. I'm just surprised that noone has brought up the word "Conspicuity" yet? The sole use of High Beams are not the be-all and end-all of your survival on the road. But I'd like to think they help.
 
I feel I must confess something.
In order to improve, ''conspicuity'' for my wife who started riding a few year ago. I aimed her LOW BEAM a bit high. But keep in mind it was her LOW BEAM.
 
apextech said:
I read this thread over and over again. I'm just surprised that noone has brought up the word "Conspicuity" yet? The sole use of High Beams are not the be-all and end-all of your survival on the road. But I'd like to think they help.
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See post # 101! :p
 
What I find is that my eyes focus in tighter and I lose some of my peripheral vision. With the really nasty lights, I get blue and purple splotches as aftereffects.

There's also the fact that people are stupid. I imagine that most if not all of the people who normally run high beams have left them on at night.

Finally, what nasty thing did I do to you that you feel the need to make yourself conspicuous in an nasty/illegal way to me? I can see your regular low beams or DRL's just fine. Why?
Should I not be innocent until proven guilty, or do you all agree with 172?
 
im gonna put this under " not an issue "

im gonna say atleast 70%+ people in the daytime wear sunglasses(cagers), as for bikers, maybe 80%+ have tinted visors, if not they might have sunglasses under clear visor, getting blinded or annoyed is a small chance. Now the fact of how many bikes will you see in your daily venture, or weekly or monthly or yearly, will you notice high beams on, that will affect you as a fellow biker.

the only issue i had/have is when we group ride, and we are breaking the law with excessive speed and at some point decide to simmer down and someone(biker) in my rear view have his/her highbeam on(at night) and i cant see whats following us/if any, i get a little worried as i always want to know whats going on behind me(my plates is at the rear).

first thing i do when i leave home, is flip the highbeams on, cause i flip them off at night.
i don't think my highbeams affect no one, because i past them so fast, real fast, with my dual loud pipes.
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