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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Doc Wheezer on January 12, 2016, 07:18:23 PM
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This subject has gotten a pretty lively debate elsewhere. Personally, when I ride alone, I take the MSF recommendation of using my high beams during DAYLIGHT hours. If I am leading a group high beams are on, if I am riding in the group or sweep low beams are on. High beams never in traffic at night.
Here are a few examples of what I found, i have not gone through the motorcycle handbooks for all fifty states yet:
High beams used during the DAY recommendation FROM THE MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FOUNDATION
http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/p...ycle49-50.html (http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/p...ycle49-50.html)
WHERE WE ARE
A common complaint of street riders is that other motorists fail to observe them. Motorists who violate motorcyclists’ right-of-way frequently state, “I didn’t see him,†or “He came out of nowhere†(Hurt, 1981).
The problem of other motorists failing to observe motorcyclists apparently exists on several levels (see Motorist Awareness, page 31). An important Hurt Report finding was that conspicuous motorcycles and riders were less likely to have their right-of-way violated by other vehicles.
A variety of recognized tactics exists to make motorcycles and their riders more conspicuous: lighting, surface color and size, and rider traffic strategy.
Lighting factors include:
• Since 1979, most motorcycles sold in the United States have been equipped with automatic-on headlamps to meet some state requirements. This seems to have been an effective method of making them more conspicuous and reducing right-of-way violations. Currently, 86 percent of motorcycles on the road have their headlights on during daytime (Turner, 2000).
• Using the high beam of a motorcycle’s headlight during the day also helps to prevent violations of the motorcyclist’s right-of-way (Hurt, 1981).
AND also
Page 19 of the Florida Motorcycle Handbook
https://www.flhsmv.gov/handbooks/Eng...leHandbook.pdf (https://www.flhsmv.gov/handbooks/Eng...leHandbook.pdf)
5.11.2 - Headlight
The best way to help others see your motorcycle is to keep
the headlight on — at all times (although motorcycles sold
in the USA since 1978 automatically have the headlights on
when running). Studies show that, during the day, a
motorcycle with its light on is twice as likely to be noticed.
Use of the high beam during the day increases the likelihood
that oncoming drivers will see you. Use the low beam at
night and in cloudy weather.
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What do for DAYLIGHT riding? Highs or lows?
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I always use my high beams in the daylight especially on gloomy grey days. Oncoming drivers will not be dazzled in the day time by the high beams and they may be more alerted to your presence. ;)
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I never routinely ride with the high beam on. I only use to light the way when riding roads that aren't lite with street lights. I do use the flash feature to draw attention.
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300i downtown 2011, I use low beam all the time , with two LED lights out board even with the head lights, so they look like 4 lights in a row, they are very visable, and my tail lights are same as Stigs Like 200, on the back of the top box, again very visable!
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High Beams
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Recommended by MSF Course... high beams during the day, for me.
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I'm the same as Trout. Use low beams during the day and flash brights to make people (hopefully) aware I'm there. At night I use high beams all the time except when there is an oncoming vehicle.
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Low beams and I NEVER flash the brights unless I have no other choice, and I mean last second chit.
After 40 years I've learned too many see a flash as a signal to "go ahead turn in front of me". It can be construed to be a go ahead of me signal, I guesss.
AMAC
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High beams during the day, always. I want every possible advantage for being seen at all times!
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High beams. Look at your low beam from 200ft away then the high beam. Huge difference in appearance.
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for being noticed, a modulating headlamp works better than a high beam and is legal in all 50 states, that said, I wouldn't use one on a motorcycle or scooter that does highway speeds, I have seen them insite road rage by being confused for a LEO in a rear view mirror, on a 50cc scooter, that probably wouldn't happen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbQcIGUy4CY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbQcIGUy4CY)
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High beams for me. On my Kymco People they are not that bright, even on high. I also have two led lights I mounted on lower forks I run on low.
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The low beam is too dim on my People 250, so i always ride with high beams on.. which still isn't very bright. No one's complained.
I use the "triangle of light" method, made with 2 LED lights below the headlamp. It's been shown in studies to make it easier for others gauge your distance & speed.
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High beams during the day. In my Basic Rider Class, he advised us to do so where legal. And as you noted, Florida actually recommends it.
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Hi Beam
FL has a lot to tourist that don't know where the hell there going so I keep my Hi Beam on in the day time and Low Beams at night 8)