Motorcycle lights?

Question

For years now cars and other vehicles have been fitted with a device which 'dips' the headlights, which aims the headlights to one side, thus preventing on coming traffic being dazzled by them. Could some one not find a way to fit such a device to motor cycle headlights? I don't think I have ever seen a motorcycle coming towards me use dipped headlights, so I assume they aren't fitted. Mind you, even if some one did fit them, not many riders would use them, they're too busy feeling the wind in their face and being at one with nature etc.

Blimey, the question was a bit tongue in cheek because so many motorcyclists seem to have bright lights which dazzle. Now it seems it's OK to have them on full beam to be noticed! Why not put you indicators on and a yellow light and a flag on a pole? That is the most stupid thing I've heard for a long tome, even from a motor biker. If another driver doesn't see your dipped lights, he won't see them on full beam. It is totally wrong to purposely dazzle other drivers, just so they can admire your fancy bike.

Answer 1

As a motorcycle rider for over 20 years, It's hard enough to see at night on a bike. Simple things that you come across in the road driving a car can be ran over or even hit and knocked out of the way. Cant do that on a bike, I leave my beams on high, Day and night for my protection. I only cut them off if someone blinks their brights at me asking me to do so.

Answer 2

Like cars, motorcycles headlamps are aimed at a specific part of the road, which is checked during an Mot. Most riders keep dip beam on during the day to make them more conspicuous. Some riders choose to use main beam in certain traffic situations to highlight they are there to some car drivers who wouldn't necessarily look for them. That fact you've asked this question shows it works most of the time, but as I've experienced no amount of lighting, dayglo clothing or rider training can prevent and accident with a car driver who just doesn't look at junctions.
Cars don't have a device "which dips the headlights to one side" as you've said, that have two beams with different intensities and patterns of light. Dip beam has a level light with a small kick up towards the kerb to highlight pedestrians. Main beam is focused to give as much area of light as possible on an open road.

Answer 3

It doesn't matter where your tongue is bikes do have dipped beam and yes some bikers do keep them on full deliberately. This is to get noticed. And its very effective otherwise you wouldn't have posed the tongue in cheek question.

Another thing to consider is that a MC headlight will be positioned a bit higher than a cars. This effects me when I'm in a low seat sports car. Perhaps its adding to your negative image?

Answer 4

my bike is brand new.i cant turn my lights off as all new bikes are.my beam is set perfect on did and high beam but some of my car drivin friends think my lights are high.reason i have one headlight to do the same work as two car headlights.i have a mirror reflector syle headlight giving out more light and when i open up the throttle the back end squats(lowers) causing the headlight to raise up.i dont know why you complain for i have had cars pull out in front of me and after say sorry mate didnt see you there,so they must not be that bright or the drivers are blind

Answer 5

The first two are exactly right... riders need all the help we can get with visibility. There is adjustment on older bikes and most new larger bikes have a hi-low beam. If a motorcycle headlight looks brighter than it should be, it's doing its job and you noticed it. Riding motorcycles is really kind of precarious, so you have to ride with the assumption that every other motorist doesn't see you, and you have to be especially cautious at intersections and stop signs. Most dual sport bikes I've had don't even have the option to turn the light off when you're riding. It's probably the number one safety feature on a motorcycle.

Answer 6

Geez, I got upset when they changed the law so that the headlight has to be on all the time! Around 1979 model year.
Low beam is now on all the time, until switched to high.
European Harleys have a seperate smaller lamp in the same shell. I forget what they call it. It's a marker light so the headlamp does not need to be on. As far as pointing a headlamp to the side, I can't think of a stupider thing. That defeats ALL purposes of having the darned thing.

Answer 7

Any motorcycle driven on UK roads is legally required to have a dipped headlight feature, just like any car.

You are probably confusing motorcycle headlamps on dipped beam with those on full beam because motorbikes tend to jiggle about on roads much more than cars, thus throwing their beam at different angles to other approaching/following car headlights.

Motorbikes jiggle about like this because they weigh much less and have much shorter wheelbases than cars, which combine to give a less relaxed ride.

Any good motorcycle rider will realise that his/her headlight is a potential distraction to car drivers and position him/herself accordingly so they minimise this.

As a motorcyclist I feel a lot safer when I see people looking in their mirrors for the cause of the dancing light- it lets you know that the driver is paying attention and not driving blind- as is all to common these days.

Answer 8

Bikers are advised on safety courses to keep their headlights on whilst riding so other road users can see them easier at all times of day or night.
The reason you're more likely to get dazzled by bike lights is that they are mounted much higher than car lights. As they are almost at eye level, they shine right into your eyes. Ever noticed how trucks can do the same? Ditto.

Answer 9

Motorcycle and car headlamps dip using the same technique. This uses a bulb with two filaments. One filament is unshielded and is for main beam, the other is fitted with a metal screen on one side of the filament, this ensures that most of the light produced is reflected downwards.
The sideways deflection you speak of is produced by the headlamp lens focusing the light towards the kerb on dip beam, which is why it is important to have the correct lamp for the country of intended use. A French lamp for instance would shine into the centre of the road in Britain, blinding oncoming drivers, as we drive on different sides of the road.

Answer 10

Im not sure what dips means but us motorcyclists ride with our headlight on high so the cars can see us better in the daytime see our friends in washington decided for us that daytime running lights on cars and trucks would be a great life saver. What they did. is made seeing a headlight a common thing in the daytime and actually making it worse for us on a motorcycle. I ride to save gas and the environment. my bike gets about 40 mpg 54 on the highway a place that im afraid to ride