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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
St Cloud, MN | I normally ride in the daytime with my headlights on bright. Today during a sunny ride, after pulling along side a van that I had been following at a stop sign, the driver jumped out very irate at the fact I had my brights on. At this point we were going different directions, but it seemed important to him to let me know he was upset.
I've only had my Vision for about three weeks so let me ask, is the high beam exceptional bright? I thought brights were the recommendation to be best seen in the day. I don't want to give up my extra level of safety if one guy is just being overly sensitive, but on the other hand it is not my intention to upset fellow motorist.
What's the general consensus here for daytime riding, low or high beam?
Btw, HID was off.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| It's pretty bright, I don't ride with mine on. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| They maybe out of adjustment.
With you sitting on bike measure center of headlight to ground. Now put mark on wall 24ft away. With you sitting on bike "High" beam should be just below the mark |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
St Cloud, MN | johnnyvision - 2013-05-14 6:12 PM
They maybe out of adjustment.
With you sitting on bike measure center of headlight to ground. Now put mark on wall 24ft away. With you sitting on bike "High" beam should be just below the mark
Ahhh, I didn't think of that. I'll see if I can give it a test tonight. I better bone up on how to make the adjustment just in case. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | They are no brighter or more out of adjustment than every newer DODGE and most CHEVY pickups headlights are, and not near as irritating as those blue P.O.S's on BMW cars. I'd have told the guy 'thanks! It's good to know you actually did see me, thats' the whole idea-have a great day ', I run with all my lights on and on bright. skroom!
I've toyed with getting a transparent applique' for the windshield of two eyes staring since people seem to know when there are eyes on them |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
St Cloud, MN | SYNSTR - 2013-05-14 6:35 PM
I'd have told the guy 'thanks! It's good to know you actually did see me, thats' the whole idea-have a great day ', I run with all my lights on and on bright. skroom!
He was a big burly farmer - I was wearing a full face, so he didn't get much reaction out of me. After I figured out what he was yelling about, I flicked the beam to low (which he was close enough to see me do) and I took off. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 16
| It's a bit of a double-edged sword. While I don't think the high beams would have blinded him in the daylight, I think the low beams would be just as adequate to be seen. It also could have been that he's had bad experiences with people on bikes. Either way, courtesy goes a long ways.  |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I never run brights unless I'm on a lonely back road and have no opposing traffic or following someone. I get really irrate when I have to shield my eyes because of an on-coming biker 'WANTS TO BE ANNOYINGLY SEEN!!!" I can't stand those idiotic modulators either. The rationale of being seen better by this two practices is absurd and very distracting and dangerous in my opinion. Having brights on, or using a modulator will not keep someone from ploughing over you from behind, side, or front. A kid or an adult with there head down in a text message doesn't see anything but "hld on Im gttg rdy 2 kll someone". If all of this crap worked, why do people run into firetrucks and police cars. Why did a lady pull out in front of me with lights on in a red and chrome jeep on a clear sunny day and no one else around and a clear view of the road?
Please, use your highbeams only when necessary... |
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Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | I'll tell you what IS annoying, those damn pesky flashing blue lights in my rear view mirror. Geez, pass me already! |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | baadawg - 2013-05-14 8:10 PM I'll tell you what IS annoying, those damn pesky flashing blue lights in my rear view mirror. Geez, pass me already! 2013 has been a banner year for me in that regards.  All warnings, no tickets... |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | +1 - Chris has got it right. The VV is one of the best bikes out there that can be seen - WITHOUT annoying folks. And MODULATORS!!! I want to SMASH them with my secret laser ray gun - but I'm too polite ...
The problem with doing something to draw attention to you - is that you can STOP a driver from looking at OTHER DANGERS. What I'm trying to say is that you can CAUSE an accident by trying to be seen. What do you do when you see weird-shit lights coming toward you? You can't take your eyes off of the display - and are ignoring other traffic as a result. Go figure ...
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
St Cloud, MN | Seems to be a lot of controversy over this if you research it online. Decades ago, when I got my motorcycle license, it was part of the test and the right answer was high beams for daytime riding. It can not be denied how many drivers just didn't see the bike coming. Their mind is fixated on looking for cars. In fact can't say I haven't found myself almost not seeing a bike coming too.
Perhaps headlights have gotten a lot better, as it would seem I can find a lot of people complaining about motorcyclists using their high beam. I'm finding some reports of it not even being legal in some states.
My wife rides behind me on an '05 Sportster with her high beams on. I can't imagine anyone complaining about it. I see it all the time in my mirrors and it's not that bright. So this might come down to one knowing their bike and whether or not the high beam is an overkill. I definitely think the wife should keep hers on. I on the other hand, might need to reconsider this. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | While I recall that highbeam was recommended back in the day, a lot of consideration needs to be taken in. Bikes were smaller and had a very lame charging system. So, I can see why, then, and even bikes like your wife's today, maybe. But we have much better bikes by and large with comparable to a car charging system and brighter lights. Yet, we have butts today who want to get a lighthouse beacon and use that has a headlight so all eyes will be on them. The most arrogant of bikers I've met are ones who use bright headlights, modulators and run a car tire. |
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Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | Lol, a car tire! Get out!
Edited by baadawg 2013-05-14 7:53 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 133
, AR United States | I often use my high beams when out on the road but I will dim them when I meet a vehicle after I give them a second to notice them. Some high beams are brighter than others. I have met some bikes on the road whose lights are a little too bright for my poor old eyes.
The headlight on my 09 was adjusted too high when I bought it. There is a knob to adjust it and directions in the owner's manual.
The farmer must have been trying to admire your new bike when his eyes got dazzled! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | I keep mine on low n daylight. I also leave the fork mounted accessory lights on all the time. And I also hate the modulators. Mostly see them on Goldwings |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | It's your life on the line while riding. Make your own decisions not what someone else "thinks" is best. It would suck to be laying on the side of the road and the last thought to go through your mind was, "I wonder if that truck would have seen me if I had my brights on". |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | It is of the extreme exception that an irate driver will leap out and chastise you for a bright light during the day.
I'd rather chance "inconveniencing" an idiot on four wheels with my modulating high/low headlights as well as the HID blazing; than tone everything down and be run over by someone whom possibly would've saw me; if there was more visual representation available.
It's your life; first and foremost. turn on those lights and make them notice you. After all; there is no kindness in the faces of strangers. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | willtill - 2013-05-14 6:49 PM I'd rather chance "inconveniencing" an idiot on four wheels with my modulating high/low headlights as well as the HID blazing; than tone everything down and be run over by someone whom possibly would've saw me; if there was more visual representation available. . I'm gonna use PHOTON TORPEDOS - Will... ZAP the guy that dazzles me and the vehicles around me !!! TOO DAMNED DISTRACTING TO ALL DRIVERS - not just 'idiot on four wheels' - it distracts ME !!!!!!! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 691
Manchester, CT | Last Saturday, one of the instructors for the experience rider's course I took, asked me a couple of times if I had my high beams on. The only lights that were on were the running lights and my clearwater Darlas (which are mounted on the forks along side the fender). The normal driving lights are very bright. If all the lights are on including the hi beam, they are blinding.
I would highly recommend, if you are looking for more visibility during the day and daylight conditions at night, install a set of Darlas. They are pricy at $500 per set but each light produces over 2000 lumens. The dealership that installed them for me liked them so much along with customers wanting them after seeing mine, now stocks them. btw...the brightness of the Darlas are adjustable (is doesn't dim the LEDs but it increases or decreases the speed of the strobe....strobe affect can not been seen by the eye and appears as a solid beam). |
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
shakopee , Mn | Also causes the brights to burn out faster. Both bulbs in the first year, about 15K |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | WHY the Hell do you guys want to cause ONCOMING motorcycles to be DISTRACTED and therefore in DANGER ????
Stop being so BLOODY selfish and give some thought to other motorists !!! You ain't the ONLY ones on the road.... your BLARING LIGHTS are dangerous!
And not just to YOU.
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
St Cloud, MN | Wow, not only is this topic controversial on the Internet, but right here too. I actually can't remember ever being bothered by the daytime brightness of an oncoming bike, certainly not enough to make a big deal about it... Just sayin. The whole point is to get noticed.
I can't seem to find the Minnesota law on it. Let approach it from this angle; is it illegal in your state? Hard to ban all brights when some aren't all that strong. Could/should laws be so specific as to set the daytime lumens allowed? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | I don't run high beam in the day and the driving force behind that is to preserve the bulb. I have read that it is a pain to replace. I feel plenty safe with low beam on but I agree that no ones highbeam has ever bothered me in daylight, 2 or 4 wheels. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | trust me, we have a few around here that I would like to meet. They ride to the centerline and the light is as bright as my Vision high beams. I've never seen the solution to an ever growing problem for me to add devices to my bike or run high beams. The real answer is either give up riding, or become more vigilant to the hazards and be trained to avoid them. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 251
Mechanicsville, VA United States | I wasn't going to say anything about this cause what you do is your business but I can't keep my thoughts to myself....
This is my opinion, before I got my Vision I rode with a guy who has a Vision and most of the time I lead.....at night his lights would burn my eyes out
every time I looked in my mirror so I would have to adjust my mirror so that didn't happen......I'd call him on the CB and say Turn your lights on Low Beam and he would say They're on low!!!so to make a long story short come to find out all he needed to do was adjust the lights down....When I got my Vision I found my lights were adjusted to high also.........Check your head lights and see where they are pointing. Johnnyvision has told you the way to do it! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | varyder - 2013-05-15 7:05 AM
trust me, we have a few around here that I would like to meet. They ride to the centerline and the light is as bright as my Vision high beams. I've never seen the solution to an ever growing problem for me to add devices to my bike or run high beams. The real answer is either give up riding, or become more vigilant to the hazards and be trained to avoid them.
what Chris said is key. I see them in case they don't see me |
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | varyder - 2013-05-14 6:00 PM
I never run brights unless I'm on a lonely back road and have no opposing traffic or following someone. I get really irrate when I have to shield my eyes because of an on-coming biker 'WANTS TO BE ANNOYINGLY SEEN!!!" I can't stand those idiotic modulators either.
Please, use your highbeams only when necessary...
+1
Only other time I run them during the day is when I am approaching an intersection and the cage seems impatient or distracted. I flip them on high, then off after I have passed through the intersection.
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
St Cloud, MN | varyder - 2013-05-14 7:00 PM
I never run brights unless I'm on a lonely back road and have no opposing traffic or following someone.
If you only run the brights when there is no one that can possible see them, why bother? Were talking daylight here, not night. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | webwzrd - 2013-05-15 10:40 AM varyder - 2013-05-14 7:00 PM I never run brights unless I'm on a lonely back road and have no opposing traffic or following someone. If you only run the brights when there is no one that can possible see them, why bother? Were talking daylight here, not night. Joke, right Brian? What are high beams for? I know people make up their own definition, and I don't need to restate the obvious... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
St Cloud, MN | varyder - 2013-05-15 10:23 AM
webwzrd - 2013-05-15 10:40 AM varyder - 2013-05-14 7:00 PM I never run brights unless I'm on a lonely back road and have no opposing traffic or following someone. If you only run the brights when there is no one that can possible see them, why bother? Were talking daylight here, not night. Joke, right Brian??? What are high beams for?? I know people make up their own definition, and I don't need to restate the obvious...
I have no idea what you are talking about. Seems like you missed the point that we are referring to daylight hours. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | no missed point, just stating when I run my high beams. I have flickered my headlights in the daytime on my bike, just as I would in my car. Other than that, I give everyone the courtesy by keeping them on low-beam. |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | I run my high beams in the daytime, unless it's pretty overcast. I figure it's bright enough outside that it won't matter. Besides, when (not if) my light burns out, I want it to be the high beam instead of the low - that way I won't piss everyone off at night when I can't switch to low beams! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 281
| I used to ride in daylight with the high beams, HID and Clearwater running lights ablaze.
Now I just run the low beams and Clearwaters.
I have not noticed a decrease in my conspicuity to cagers but we are wearing high viz and white helmets. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| webwzrd - 2013-05-15 7:04 AM Wow, not only is this topic controversial on the Internet, but right here too. I actually can't remember ever being bothered by the daytime brightness of an oncoming bike, certainly not enough to make a big deal about it... Just sayin. The whole point is to get noticed. I can't seem to find the Minnesota law on it. Let approach it from this angle; is it illegal in your state? Hard to ban all brights when some aren't all that strong. Could/should laws be so specific as to set the daytime lumens allowed? Keep in mind years ago most bikes onle had one light. Your bike has two and yes there bright. http://tcvr.us/ |
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Day Riding With Brights On